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First Phosphate Corp

Building North American LFP Battery Supply Chain Amid China Controls

ByFRC AnalystsDecember 16, 2025
Building North American LFP Battery Supply Chain Amid China Controls

Disclosure: First Phosphate Corp has paid FRC a fee for research coverage and distribution of reports. See last page for other important disclosures, rating, and risk definitions.

Company Details

Sector
Basic Materials
Industry
Other Industrial Metals & Mining

Trading Information

Ticker & Exchange
PHOS.CN:CN

Report Highlights

  • PHOS is up 111% since we initiated coverage in July 2025, driven by both company-specific advancements, and sector developments. Sector catalysts include the recent addition of phosphate to the U.S. Critical Minerals list, and China’s export controls on cathode active material (CAM) for lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries.
  • The company has raised $15M through equity financings since September 2025. In-the-money options and warrants could provide an additional $14M.
  • PHOS is developing a vertically integrated supply chain for LFP batteries, managing the full process from extracting high-purity phosphate to producing CAM. LFP batteries support key markets such as energy storage systems (ESS), and electric vehicles (EVs), and are gaining traction in fast-growing sectors including AI data centers, robotics, and automation.
  • Recent tests showed that LFP battery cells made with 100% North American–sourced minerals demonstrated competitive performance metrics. PHOS supplied phosphate and iron, with lithium and graphite from other juniors, demonstrating the potential for a fully local LFP supply chain.
  • The company has begun a 30,000 m drill program to potentially confirm, expand, and/or upgrade its resource ahead of a feasibility study. The 2024 Preliminary Economic Assessment returned an after-tax NPV8% of $1.59B at US$350/t phosphate vs. US$305/t spot. PHOS is currently trading at just 9% of the NPV.
  • The addition of phosphate to the U.S. Critical Minerals list is a major development for the company. Phosphate is already on Canada’s list, and we believe this designation improves eligibility for funding programs, potentially accelerating PHOS’s mine-to-market initiatives.
  • Upcoming catalysts include drilling, potential downstream facility development, offtake agreements, and/or project financing.

Price and Volume (1-year)

  YTD 12M
PHOS 232% 244%
CSE 24% 35%

Stocks in Real Life Series: Why is phosphate essential for LFP batteries and what you should know. Follow us for more CEO insights!

*Subsequent to FY2026 (6M), PHOS raised $15M through equity financings.

*QP: Gilles Lavardiére, P.Geo., Chief Geologist of First Phosphate Corp.

* First Phosphate Corp. has paid FRC a fee for research coverage and distribution of reports. See last page for other important disclosures, rating, and risk definitions. 

Portfolio Summary

Two advanced-stage phosphate projects in Quebec, an emerging battery metal hub in Canada

Phosphate was recently added to the U.S. critical minerals list, joining the E.U., South Korea, and Canada

*QP: Gilles Lavardiére, P.Geo., Chief Geologist of First Phosphate Corp

Source: Company

The company aims to build a vertically integrated LFP battery ecosystem

LFP batteries employ lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) as the cathode material. Phosphate makes up 50–55% of the cathode , and about 10–15% of the total battery weight.

Market Share of Cathode Materials in Batteries

Source: Bloomberg

LFP batteries account for 60% of the global battery market

China dominates LFP battery production, though other countries are expanding their capacity

PHOS’s Proposed Downstream Facilities

The table and chart below outline a projected economic model for a four-step, vertically integrated value chain that transforms raw phosphate ore into high-value LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) precursor material (PCAM). The figures presented represent our preliminary assumptions , derived from our market studies, and analysis of comparable projects.

Proposed Development Plans

Note how the product price increases at each stage, reflecting the value added through incremental OPEX and CAPEX

Projected Economic Model for a Vertically Integrated Value Chain (FRC Estimates)

Source: FRC

Product pricing ranges from US$300–350/t for igneous phosphate concentrate, US$800–1,000/t for MGA, US$2,000–2,500/t for PPA, and $10,000–15,000/t for LFP cathode active material (CAM)

 

Bégin-Lamarche Phosphate Project (100% interest)

Recent tests confirmed that LFP battery cells made using 100% North American-sourced critical minerals showed robust energy storage and power performance. PHOS supplied phosphate and iron from its Bégin-Lamarche property, while lithium and graphite were provided by other juniors. This achievement highlights the potential for a fully localized LFP battery supply chain.

Approximately 70 km northwest of Saguenay, a regional hub and developed industrial area 

Location Map

Source: Company

Excellent infrastructure in place including access to power, railways, deep-sea port (75 km driving distance), and a skilled workforce

Proximity to railway and port are key, as future production will likely be distributed to North American and European markets

The project hosts a medium-sized, open-pit resource totaling 255.5 Mt at 6.96% P2O5 vs standard grades ranging from 4% to 15% P2O5 

Pit-Constrained Resource Estimate (at 2.5% P2O5 cut-off)

Qualified Persons: Gilles Laverdière, P.Geo. VP Exploration for PHOS, and Eugene Puritch, P.Eng., FEC, CET, President of P&E Mining Consultants Inc. 

Source: Company

Mineralization at Bégin-Lamarche is spread across three zones: 1) the Southern zone; 2) the Northern zone; and 3) the Mountain zone 

The company has commenced a 30,000 m drill program to potentially confirm, expand, and/or upgrade the current resource ahead of a feasibility study.

Bégin-Lamarche Block Model

Source: Company

We believe there is significant resource expansion potential as the deposits remain open at depth

Qualified Persons: Gilles Laverdière, P.Geo. VP Exploration for PHOS, and Eugene Puritch, P.Eng., FEC, CET, President of P&E Mining Consultants Inc. 

Source: Company

A 2024 PEA returned an AT-NPV8% of $1.59B, and a high AT-IRR of 33%, using US$350/t igneous phosphate concentrate (spot: US$305/t)

IRR >25% is attractive for mining projects

PHOS plans to complete a feasibility study, advance permitting, secure strategic and financing partners, with production potentially starting in 2029.

PHOS’s Proposed 190 ktpa Phosphoric Acid (MGA) Plant

The company plans a 190 ktpa phosphoric acid (MGA) plant at the Port of Saguenay, about 70 km from Bégin-Lamarche. PHOS has finalized the land lease for the plant. The Canadian government announced a $58 M investment to build a second wharf next to PHOS’s proposed plant, providing a major supply chain advantage.

Source: Company

70 km from the Bégin-Lamarche project

A proposed second wharf would enhance export logistics

PHOS recently completed an internal economic study, details of which remain undisclosed, but management has indicated the results were robust enough to move the project forward. The study assumes that 500 ktpa of the 900 ktpa concentrate expected to be produced at Bégin-Lamarche will be used to produce 190 ktpa of value-added phosphoric acid (100% P₂O₅) or 352 ktpa of merchant-grade acid (MGA: 54% P₂O₅).

PHOS has signed a technology license agreement with Prayon SA of Belgium , under which Prayon will grant PHOS the rights to use its technology to design, build, operate, and maintain the plant. Prayon is a well-established player in phosphate chemistry, with over 1,000 employees, and multiple production and R&D facilities across Europe and the U.S

Management’s Proposed Development Timeline

Source: Company

Multiple Catalysts

Financials

  • The company has raised over $44M in equity to date

Strong balance sheet

Subsequent to Q2-FY2026 (August), PHOS raised $15M through equity financings

Source: FRC / Company

In-the-money warrants and options can bring in $14M

FRC Valuation and Rating

Source: FRC

We continue to value the company based on a 25-year operation, assuming annual production of 300 ktpa of PPA (100% P₂O₅), with an initial CAPEX of US$1B 

 

Given recent positive developments, we are lowering our discount rate assumption from 15% to 13% vs our usual 10-12% for North American projects

Source: FRC

As a result, our Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) valuation increased from $1.15 to $1.59/share 

We are reiterating our BUY rating and raising our fair value estimate from $1.15 to $1.59/share. We believe PHOS offers rare exposure to a vertically integrated, North American LFP battery supply chain. With a strong PEA and multiple downstream projects underway, PHOS has the potential to become a key domestic player in the LFP battery market.

Risks

We believe the company is exposed to the following key risks (not exhaustive):

  • Commodity prices
  • Permitting and development
  • Access to capital and potential for share dilution
  • Dependence on partners for project execution
  • There is no assurance that the company can advance all of its projects simultaneously

We are maintaining a risk rating of 5 (Highly Speculative)

Related Content

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Rating and Key Data

•••
MetricsValue
Stock Price (12/16/25)CAD $0.93
Fair ValueCAD $1.59
Risk5
52 Week RangeCAD $0.24 - 1.08
Shares O/S (M)158
Market Cap. (M)CAD $147
Current Yield (%)N/A
P/E (forward)N/A
P/B5.0

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Rating and Key Data

•••
MetricsValue
Stock Price (12/16/25)CAD $0.93
Fair ValueCAD $1.59
Risk5
52 Week RangeCAD $0.24 - 1.08
Shares O/S (M)158
Market Cap. (M)CAD $147
Current Yield (%)N/A
P/E (forward)N/A
P/B5.0

Want to see the full analysis?

Subscribe for free to get exclusive insights and fair value data.

Already a subscriber?

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