SSR Mining Inc. SSRM has announced that it has signed a definitive purchase agreement with Newmont Corporation NEM to acquire the Cripple Creek & Victor Gold Mine (CC&V) in Colorado. This deal will add a high-quality producing asset in a Tier-1 jurisdiction to SSR Mining’s portfolio. It will boost SSRM’s average annual gold production to 300,000–400,000 ounces, positioning it as the third-largest gold producer in the United States.

Details on SSR Mining-Newmont Deal

CC&V is located in Colorado and has a large-scale open-pit mine active for more than three decades. As of Dec. 31, 2023, CC&V’s operator, Newmont, posted gold Mineral Reserves of around 1.3 million ounces for CC&V, with an additional 1.6 million ounces of Measured & Indicated Mineral Resources (exclusive of Reserves) and 0.3 million ounces of Inferred Mineral resource.

Newmont expects 2024 gold production for CC&V of 170,000 ounces at a cost of sales of $1,270 per ounce and an AISC of $1,610 per ounce. This points to strong free cash flow margins.

The consideration consists of a $100 million cash payment, payable on closure. This will be funded from the SSRM's current cash position. The upfront consideration is less than 10% of SSR Mining’s current market capitalization. The company will pay an additional $175 million in milestone-based cash payments.

After the final approval of Amendment 14 to the CC&V Cresson Permit, which Newmont filed on April 25, 2024, the first milestone payment of $87.5 million becomes payable. The company will pay the second milestone payment of up to $87.5 million when regulatory relief is granted for flow-related permitting requirements for the Carlton Tunnel.

The deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2025, subject to regulatory approvals.

SSRM’s Benefits From the Transaction

The addition of CC&V is anticipated to add around 170,000 ounces of gold to SSR Mining’s annual production. Including SSRM’s existing Marigold operation, total annual U.S. gold production is expected to average 300,000 - 400,000 ounces.

The all-cash transaction is expected to be accretive to SSR Mining's key per-share metrics and gives the company a clear path forward focused on advancing initiatives at each of its six key assets.

SSR Mining’s Share Price Performance

Shares of SSR Mining have lost 41.2% over the past year compared with the industry’s 5.1% decline.

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SSRM’s Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider

SSRM currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Some better-ranked stocks from the basic materials space are CF Industries Inc. CF and Ingevity Corporation NGVT. While CF sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present, NGVT carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

CF Industries has an average trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 10.3%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CF’s 2024 earnings is pegged at $6.32 per share. CF’s shares gained 20.6% in the last year.

Ingevity has an average trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 95.4%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NGVT’s 2024 earnings is pegged at $2.55 per share. Its shares gained 25.7% in the last year.

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Newmont Corporation (NEM) : Free Stock Analysis Report

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Silver Standard Resources Inc. (SSRM) : Free Stock Analysis Report

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