Insight Provider, CrossASEAN Research

Nicolas Van Broekhoven

Insight Provider

CrossASEAN Research

At CrossASEAN Research we strive to produce unbiased and differentiated on the ground insights on companies across South East Asia. Our Research is produced for the most part after face to face meetings and conversations with company management to dig deep into the long term vision and strategy of the companies we cover. We seek to deliver investable and actionable themes on sectors and markets across SE Asia, often in collaboration with other Insight Providers across the region, pooling the vast experience of the analysts within the Smartkarma Ecosystem. We also offer bespoke work and tailor made trips for our clients. 

Insights across South East Asia

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Late 2024 <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/entree-resources-ltd-3aeeb68c-80d0-4ada-822e-898883fbb28e" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26727:1" rel="noopener">Entree Resources (ETG CN)</a> announced it won its arbitration against <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/rio-tinto-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13:1" rel="noopener">Rio Tinto Ltd (RIO AU)</a>. The vote by the three judges was unanimously in favor of Entree. </li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/rio-tinto-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13:1" rel="noopener">Rio Tinto Ltd (RIO AU)</a> held its investor day in early December 2024 where almost its entire growth plan for 2025-2030 is predicated on Oyu Tolgoi's (OT) performance.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/rio-tinto-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13:1" rel="noopener">Rio Tinto Ltd (RIO AU)</a> is now backed into a corner to find a solution for OT's minority shareholder Entree Resources. The most logical outcome? RIO buys ETG in 2025.</li>
</ul>


Late 2024 Entree Resources (ETG CN) announced it won its arbitration against Rio Tinto Ltd (RIO AU). The vote by the three judges was unanimously in favor of Entree. 

Rio Tinto Ltd (RIO AU) held its investor day in early December 2024 where almost its entire growth plan for 2025-2030 is predicated on Oyu Tolgoi's (OT) performance.

Rio Tinto Ltd (RIO AU) is now backed into a corner to find a solution for OT's minority shareholder Entree Resources. The most logical outcome? RIO buys ETG in 2025.


Rio Tinto Loses Arbitration Against Entree Resources; Now What?

<ul>
<li>The acquisition of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/filo-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:42545:1" rel="noopener">Filo (FIL CN)</a> by <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lundin-mining-corp-92352503-3781-4fcb-a4db-62e6f6343783" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:25356:1" rel="noopener">Lundin Mining (LUN CN)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bhp-group-ltd-832e22a7-7a1d-49cf-b992-c6347084cbf8" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:21840:1" rel="noopener">BHP Group Ltd (BHP LN) could be the start of a much larger M&amp;A wave.</a>
</li>
<li>Many juniors trade at 0.1x to 0.2x NAV while transactions typically happen at 0.8x-1x NAV. Filo was acquired at 0.81x NAV so right within this range.</li>
<li>We continue to like a basket of junior copper mines to get exposure to M&amp;A copper dynamics</li>
</ul>


The acquisition of Filo (FIL CN) by Lundin Mining (LUN CN) and BHP Group Ltd (BHP LN) could be the start of a much larger M&amp;A wave.

Many juniors trade at 0.1x to 0.2x NAV while transactions typically happen at 0.8x-1x NAV. Filo was acquired at 0.81x NAV so right within this range.
We continue to like a basket of junior copper mines to get exposure to M&amp;A copper dynamics


Rio Tinto: Open to Major Copper M&A; Entree Resources Logical Target

<ul>
<li>Since the start of 2025, Arras has released two batches of drill results from its exploration activities in Kazakhstan. Early results look very promising and the stock has reacted accordingly.</li>
<li>2025 is going to be a very busy year of newsflow for Arras with a lot of optionality to drive a further re-rating.</li>
<li>Arras remains a high risk/reward junior exploration company with a market cap of only 33M USD. Arras is targeting both copper and gold.</li>
</ul>


Since the start of 2025, Arras has released two batches of drill results from its exploration activities in Kazakhstan. Early results look very promising and the stock has reacted accordingly.
2025 is going to be a very busy year of newsflow for Arras with a lot of optionality to drive a further re-rating.
Arras remains a high risk/reward junior exploration company with a market cap of only 33M USD. Arras is targeting both copper and gold.


Arras Minerals: Promising Exploration Results Drive Stock up +96% YTD

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/rio-tinto-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13:1" rel="noopener">Rio Tinto Ltd (RIO AU)</a> has one of its most prized assets in Mongolia. The Oyu Tolgoi mine has an 80-year mine-life and will ramp up significantly in coming years.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/entree-resources-ltd-3aeeb68c-80d0-4ada-822e-898883fbb28e" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26727:1" rel="noopener">Entree Resources (ETG CN)</a> is the last remaining hurdle to acquire after the successful integration of Turquoise Hill in late 2022.</li>
<li>Entree just released a batch of 2022 (!) drilling results, one month before an arbitration deadline. Why was it released now? Will Rio finally move on Entree before the deadline?</li>
</ul>



Rio Tinto Ltd (RIO AU) has one of its most prized assets in Mongolia. The Oyu Tolgoi mine has an 80-year mine-life and will ramp up significantly in coming years.

Entree Resources (ETG CN) is the last remaining hurdle to acquire after the successful integration of Turquoise Hill in late 2022.
Entree just released a batch of 2022 (!) drilling results, one month before an arbitration deadline. Why was it released now? Will Rio finally move on Entree before the deadline?


Rio: JV Partner in Mongolia Releases Incredible Copper Grades One Month Before Arbitration Deadline

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/rio-tinto-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13:1" rel="noopener">Rio Tinto Ltd (RIO AU)</a> invited the investing community to Mongolia in early July.</li>
<li>During the briefing comments were made regarding its position in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/entree-resources-ltd-3aeeb68c-80d0-4ada-822e-898883fbb28e" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26727:1" rel="noopener">Entree Resources (ETG CN)</a> which makes us believe a deal is imminent. These comments were later deleted from its transcript.</li>
<li>We expect newsflow around Rio/Entree's future relationship before arbitration starts in April 2024.</li>
</ul>



Rio Tinto Ltd (RIO AU) invited the investing community to Mongolia in early July.
During the briefing comments were made regarding its position in Entree Resources (ETG CN) which makes us believe a deal is imminent. These comments were later deleted from its transcript.
We expect newsflow around Rio/Entree's future relationship before arbitration starts in April 2024.


Rio Tinto: Consolidating Its Mongolian Crown Jewel, Part 2

Canada

Entree Resources Ltd. operates as a mining company. The Company develops and discovers gold and copper resources. Entree Resources is currently conducting exploration on its mineral concessions in Mongolia.

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Entree Resources (ETG CN)

Rio Tinto Loses Arbitration Against Entree Resources; Now What?

Entree Resources wins arbitration against Rio Tinto, leading to speculation that Rio may acquire Entree in 2025 due to reliance on Oyu Tolgoi's...

Nicolas Van Broekhoven

Rio Tinto: Open to Major Copper M&A; Entree Resources Logical Target

The acquisition of Filo by Lundin Mining and BHP Group could signal the beginning of a significant M&A wave in the mining industry, with potential...

Nicolas Van Broekhoven

Arras Minerals: Promising Exploration Results Drive Stock up +96% YTD

Arras sees promising early results in Kazakhstan exploration, with potential for further re-rating in 2025. High risk/reward with focus on copper...

Nicolas Van Broekhoven

Rio: JV Partner in Mongolia Releases Incredible Copper Grades One Month Before Arbitration Deadline

Rio Tinto still has an "annoying" third partner in its world-class Oyu Tolgoi mining project in Mongolia. Entree Resources is a prime takeover target.

Nicolas Van Broekhoven

Rio Tinto: Consolidating Its Mongolian Crown Jewel, Part 2

Rio Tinto hosted an investor day in Mongolia in July. The original transcript of the day made specific references to Entree, but those have...

Nicolas Van Broekhoven

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Rio Tinto Loses Arbitration Against Entree Resources; Now What?

​Entree Resources wins arbitration against Rio Tinto, leading to speculation that Rio may acquire Entree in 2025 due to reliance on Oyu Tolgoi's...

Nicolas Van Broekhoven

Rio Tinto: Open to Major Copper M&A; Entree Resources Logical Target

​The acquisition of Filo by Lundin Mining and BHP Group could signal the beginning of a significant M&A wave in the mining industry, with potential...

Nicolas Van Broekhoven

Arras Minerals: Promising Exploration Results Drive Stock up +96% YTD

​Arras sees promising early results in Kazakhstan exploration, with potential for further re-rating in 2025. High risk/reward with focus on copper...

Nicolas Van Broekhoven

Rio: JV Partner in Mongolia Releases Incredible Copper Grades One Month Before Arbitration Deadline

Rio Tinto still has an "annoying" third partner in its world-class Oyu Tolgoi mining project in Mongolia. Entree Resources is a prime takeover target.

Nicolas Van Broekhoven

Rio Tinto: Consolidating Its Mongolian Crown Jewel, Part 2

Rio Tinto hosted an investor day in Mongolia in July. The original transcript of the day made specific references to Entree, but those have...

Nicolas Van Broekhoven

Entree Resources wins arbitration against Rio Tinto, leading to speculation that Rio may acquire Entree in 2025 due to reliance on Oyu Tolgoi's...

The acquisition of Filo by Lundin Mining and BHP Group could signal the beginning of a significant M&A wave in the mining industry, with potential...

Arras sees promising early results in Kazakhstan exploration, with potential for further re-rating in 2025. High risk/reward with focus on copper...