06:35 AM EDT, 05/19/2026 (MT Newswires) -- SSR Mining (SSRM.TO) has agreed to sell its 20% ownership stake and its operatorship position in the Hod Maden development project to Lidya Mines for an uncapped 4.0% net smelter return royalty on 100% of the project, the company said in a Monday release.

Concurrently with the transaction, Royal Gold, which is a partner in the project, will sell 15% of its ownership interest to Lidya Mines in exchange for an uncapped 2.5% NSR on 100% of the project.

Royal Gold will also hold a fixed price call right to acquire 2.0% of the NSR from SSR for $160 million, expiring 12 months following declaration of commercial production at the project.

Royal Gold will also hold a consent right on the sale of SSR's NSR prior to Jan. 1, 2028, and a right of first refusal in connection with any sale of the SSR NSR.

Upon entering into the agreements, Lidya Mines will become operator of the project. At deal closing, 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 deal, SSR Mining will resign as project operator and will have no further funding obligations, as Lidya Mines assumes these obligations.

The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026, subject to receipt of regulatory approval from the Turkish General Directorate of Mining and Petroleum Affairs, other required consents and approvals and other customary conditions.

The transaction, along with the sale of the Copler mine in Turkiye and acquisition of the Cripple Creek and Victor Mine in Colorado, completes SSR's strategic refocus to an Americas platform.