Gold Royalty signs agreement for Pedra Branca mine royalty acquisition
BHPBHP(US:BHP) Yahoo Finance·2025-12-08 14:47

Core Viewpoint - Gold Royalty has signed an agreement to acquire a royalty on the Pedra Branca mine for $70 million, which is expected to enhance its cash flow and asset value through increased exposure to gold and copper [1][3][4]. Acquisition Details - The acquisition involves a royalty on the Pedra Branca mine, an operating copper-gold mine in Brazil, currently owned by a BHP Group subsidiary [1]. - The transaction is expected to close once customary conditions are satisfied, following BHP's announcement to sell the mine to CoreX Holding [2]. Financial Implications - For the 12 months ending June 30, 2025, the previous royalty holder received approximately $7.9 million in royalty expenses, equivalent to around 2,800 gold equivalent ounces at an average price of $2,811 per ounce [2]. - The royalty structure includes a 25% net smelter return (NSR) on gold and a 2% NSR on copper produced from the mine, which is anticipated to add meaningful cash flow to Gold Royalty [3]. Strategic Positioning - The acquisition is seen as a significant addition to Gold Royalty's portfolio, which will include eight cash-flowing assets and over 250 royalty and streaming interests [4]. - The royalty structure ensures full exposure to the asset's long-term optionality, covering both the Pedra Branca East and West deposits without step-down options [5]. Operational Context - The Pedra Branca East underground operation began production in 2020, with a mining rate of approximately 800,000 tonnes per annum [5]. - Following BHP's acquisition of OZ Minerals in 2023, the mine's life has been extended, and increases in mineral resources and ore reserves have been reported [5]. Company Overview - Gold Royalty is a gold-focused royalty company that provides flexible financing solutions to the metals and mining sector, with a diversified portfolio centered on NSR royalties primarily located across the Americas [6].