Equinox Gold Corp has agreed to sell its 100% interest in the Aurizona Mine, RDM Mine and Bahia Complex located in Brazil to a subsidiary of China’s CMOC Group for total consideration of US$1.015 billion.
Liu Jianfeng, Chairman and CIO of CMOC, stated: “The transaction is an important step that showcases our conviction in gold and delivers on our strategy of pillaring the portfolio on copper and gold. Considering the rich resources and stable geopolitical environment in Brazil, the Transaction offers strategic addition to our existing assets, creating stronger synergy and growing CMOC presence in South America.”
Upon completion of the transaction, CMOC will add about another 8 t of annual production to its gold portfolio which it says has the potential to exceed 20 t in annual production once the Odin gold mine in Ecuador starts operation. With a stronger base of resources, CMOC says it will be better positioned to further seek and drive long-term growth in gold.
In more detail, the three operating assets are the Aurizona mine located in Maranhão, northeastern Brazil; the Bahia Complex (Fazenda and Santa Luz mines) in Bahia, Eastern Brazil; and the RDM gold mine in central Minas Gerais, with total resources of 5.013 Moz of gold contained and reserves of 3.873 Moz of gold contained. Gold production at the Brazil Operations in 2024 stood at 247,300 oz.
Under the transaction, Equinox Gold will receive upfront cash of US$900 million due on closing, subject to customary adjustments, and a production-linked contingent cash payment of up to US$115 million one year after closing. Closing is expected in the first quarter of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals and other customary conditions, and is not subject to any financing conditions.
Darren Hall, Chief Executive Officer of Equinox Gold, stated: “The sale of our Brazil Operations is a pivotal step to position Equinox Gold as a North American focused gold producer underpinned by robust cash flow and a tier-one growth profile. The proceeds will transform our balance sheet and immediately strengthen our financial position by fully repaying our $500 million Term Loan and $300 million Sprott Loan, and reducing our revolving credit facility. This will greatly reduce interest expense and enhance per-share cash flow. The Company will have enhanced flexibility to self-fund organic growth and consider capital return initiatives within a disciplined capital allocation framework.”
He adds: “Monetising our Brazil Operations simplifies the portfolio and enables the company to deploy capital toward higher-return, lower-risk, organic-growth opportunities in Canada and the United States. By concentrating on our long-life assets, including Greenstone in Ontario, Valentine in Newfoundland and Labrador, and Castle Mountain in California, we position the Company to deliver stronger margins and sustainable returns. With Valentine ramping up, continued performance improvements at Greenstone, and steady contributions from Mesquite and Nicaragua, Equinox Gold is positioned to drive long-term per-share value for our shareholders.”
Following close of the transaction, Equinox Gold’s production platform will consist of the Valentine and Greenstone mines in Canada, the Mesquite mine in California, and the El Limón and Libertad mines in Nicaragua. As Valentine and Greenstone reach nameplate capacity, and assuming stable performance across the portfolio, the Company anticipates annual 2026 production of between 700,000 to 800,000 ounces of gold. Equinox Gold is also positioned for near-term organic growth from the Valentine Expansion, Castle Mountain Phase 2, and a redefined development plan at Los Filos in Mexico. Formal 2026 production and cost guidance will be provided in early 2026.
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