DENVER, May 19 — SSR Mining Inc. (Nasdaq/TSX: SSRM) (“SSR Mining” or the “Company”) announces that it has entered into a definitive agreement with Lidya Mines to sell its 20% ownership stake and its operatorship position in the Hod Maden development project (the “Project”) for an uncapped 4.0% net smelter return royalty (“NSR”) on 100% of the Project (the “Transaction”).
The royalty consideration received by SSR Mining is expected to deliver an accretive outcome for shareholders. Concurrently with the Transaction, Royal Gold, Inc. (“Royal Gold”), which is a partner in the Project, will sell 15% of its ownership interest in the Project to Lidya Mines in exchange for an uncapped 2.5% NSR on 100% of the Project. Royal Gold’s 2.5% NSR will be issued with substantially the same key terms as the 4.0% NSR issued to SSR Mining. Royal Gold will also hold a fixed price call right to acquire 2.0% of the NSR from SSR Mining for $160 million, expiring 12 months following declaration of commercial production at the Project. Additionally, Royal Gold will hold a consent right on the sale of SSR Mining’s NSR prior to January 1, 2028, and a right of first refusal in connection with any sale of the SSR Mining NSR.
Upon entering into the agreements related to the Transaction, Lidya Mines will become operator of the Project. Upon closing of the Transaction, Lidya Mines will own 85% and Royal Gold will own 15% of the Project.
SSR Mining’s total invested capital into Hod Maden, inclusive of upfront acquisition cost, earn-in and capital spend to date is approximately $243 million. With the announcement of this Transaction, SSR Mining will resign as project operator and will have no further funding obligations, with such obligations being assumed by Lidya Mines. The Transaction will be completed on an as-is, where-is basis and SSR Mining will not provide any material post-closing indemnities. The Transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026. The closing of the Transaction will be subject to receipt of regulatory approval from the Turkish General Directorate of Mining and Petroleum Affairs, as well as other consents and approvals that may be required in connection with the Transaction, and other customary conditions.
The Transaction, together with the previously announced sale of the Çöpler mine in Türkiye and acquisition of the Cripple Creek & Victor Mine in Colorado, completes SSR Mining’s strategic refocus to an Americas platform. These transactions reinforce the Company’s position as a leading free cash flow, capital returns-focused gold and silver producer, anchored by its long-lived Marigold and Cripple Creek & Victor operations in the United States.
Following the closing of the Transaction, the 4.0% Hod Maden NSR will strengthen SSR Mining’s existing royalty portfolio, which currently includes NSRs on the San Luis project (4.0%) owned by Highlander Silver, the Pitarrilla project (1.25%) owned by Endeavour Silver, the Rowan property (3.0%) owned by West Red Lake Gold, and the Sunrise Lake property (4.0%) owned by Honey Badger Silver.