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Ximen frees Kenville Gold Mine from royalty burden, making it more attractive for development

Last Friday, Ximen Mining Corp. announced to have entered into an option agreement to purchase the 4% gross metal royalty over the Kenville Gold Mine Property for a total consideration of $1.7 million CAD, of which $1 million is to be paid in cash and $700,000 in common shares of Ximen.

This agreement not only shows the negotiation skills of Ximen’s management but also its determination to advance the Kenville Gold Mine Project to the next level. As a gross metal royalty entitles the holder to a percentage of the revenue generated from metal sales, a mine operator prefers no royalty burden owed to third-parties.

Any mining project becomes less attractive (i.e. less profitable) the higher the royalty owed to a third-party. While corporate taxes commonly apply only to profits, a gross metal royalty is typically payable whether or not the mine is profitable, as such it is reasonable for the operator to want to discharge the burden of the royalty at some point.

For Ximen to buy the entire, relatively high 4% gross metal royalty at this stage may eventually prove up as a wise move (i.e. bargain) as negotiations could make a buy-out far more expensive in the future.