Altus Strategies and Newcrest Mining enter sale and purchase agreements

Highlights

• Acquisition of a gold focussed portfolio of cash paying royalties in Australia and Africa.
• Altus' effective interest in the royalty portfolio to be acquired for US$24 million from Newcrest.
• Key rationale for the Acquisition includes:
  • Immediate cashflows: Potential US$3.5 million/yr (post tax) revenue to Altus based on a forecast 10 year average.
  • Robust royalty portfolio: Royalties over two producing mines, one near producing mine and up to 21 development and exploration stage assets.
  • Global footprint: up to 23 royalties located in Australia, a tier-1 jurisdiction.
  • Strong momentum: Second material royalty transaction for Altus in the last four months.
• Royalties in Australia to be acquired through a newly incorporated Australian company ultimately owned 80.1% by Altus and 19.9% by AlphaStream.
• Royalty in Côte d'Ivoire to be acquired through a newly incorporated UAE company owned 50% by Altus and 50% by AlphaStream.
• Altus' interest in the royalties to be financed through a proposed placing and subscription of newly issued ordinary shares of nominal value £0.05 (ordinary shares) in the capital of the company to be announced shortly (fundraise).
• Strong growth trajectory with a pipeline of additional royalty acquisition opportunities under review.

Steve Poulton, Chief Executive of Altus, commented: “This proposed acquisition of a material portfolio of mining royalties and royalty interests from Newcrest heralds the transformation of Altus into a major royalty company backed by La Mancha. The Newcrest portfolio provides Altus with immediate cash flow, portfolio diversification and is heavily weighted towards gold in Australia, a 'top tier' jurisdiction. The deal secures royalties and royalty interests over two producing mines, one near production mine and up to 15 development stage projects and up to six exploration stage assets. A further highlight is that the operators of many of the projects are globally recognised and respected groups.

“Following a competitive process, we are acquiring the royalties from Newcrest for up to US$24 million. We are excited by the potential we see for future upside in the royalties and delighted to be working in a strategic partnership on the acquisition with AlphaStream, a specialist mining royalty investment and streaming company. By working in partnership with other royalty groups on strategic acquisitions, our shareholders gain exposure to higher quality royalty assets, without having to finance them exclusively.

“I look forward to updating shareholders on the progress of the acquisition and fundraise in due course.”

Karim Nasr, Chief Executive of La Mancha and a Director of Altus, commented: “La Mancha has a track record of supporting the long-term expansion plans of our portfolio companies. Altus has significant momentum and we strongly support the company in creating value from the acquisition of accretive long term and sustainable royalty income and from its complimentary organic royalty generation activities across Africa. La Mancha currently owns 35% of the issued share capital of Altus and intend to participate to that level in the proposed fundraise. We look forward to supporting Altus along its clear growth trajectory and doing all we can to help the company maximise value for all shareholders.”

Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/finance-business/14122021/altus-strategies-and-newcrest-mining-enter-sale-and-purchase-agreements/