Northern Star share price climbs on $61 million gold project acquisition

Northern Star shares are in the green as the ASX 200 miner expands its Western Australian gold footprint.

| More on:
rising gold share price represented by a green arrow on piles of gold block

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

The Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) share price is in the green on Monday morning.

Shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) gold miner closed Friday trading for $12.30. Shares are currently swapping hands for $12.40, up 0.8%.

The ASX 200 is down 0.4% at this same time.

This comes on the heels of a major acquisition announcement. Here are the highlights.

What new asset is the ASX 200 gold miner acquiring?

The Northern Star share price is climbing after the miner reported it has entered into a binding asset sale agreement with Strickland Metals Ltd (ASX: STK) to acquire Strickland's Millrose Gold Project, located in Western Australia.

Northern Star will pay a total of approximately $61 million for Millrose. That's comprised of $41 million in cash and 1.5 million Norther Star shares. Those shares will be issued to Strickland upon completion of the deal, subject to 12 months' escrow.

The ASX 200 gold miner will also pay Strickland an immediate initial cash deposit of $2 million.

Millrose has a Mineral Resource of 346,000 ounces of gold at a grade of 1.80 grams per tonne. It's situated just 40 kilometres from Northern Star's Jundee Operations.

Commenting on the acquisition which is seeing the Northern Star share price gaining today, managing director Stuart Tonkin said:

The acquisition of the Millrose Gold Project presents a very compelling development opportunity that is accretive to the Jundee life of asset plan as it should deliver us a sizeable low cost, high grade supplementary resource feed.

This bolt-on acquisition, which also comes with significant brownfields exploration upside, will provide us with further confidence to plan organic and profitable growth for Jundee, which already is the lowest cost asset in our tier-1 portfolio.

Strickland CEO Andrew Bray noted Strickland bought the Millrose Project for $10 million in 2021.

"After a highly successful 11-month drilling campaign throughout 2022 costing approximately $16 million, we are now selling the project for approximately $61 million," Bray said.

He noted the transaction will generate approximately $35 million in profit for Strickland.

The Strickland share price is up 18% on the news.

Completion of the deal is subject to limited standard conditions.

Northern Star share price snapshot

The Northern Star share price has been a stellar performer over the past 12 months, with shares up more than 76%.

Motley Fool contributor Bernd Struben has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on Gold

A cool man smiles as he is draped in gold cloth and wearing gold glasses.
Gold

2 of the best ASX gold stocks to buy for 2025

Analysts think that now is a golden opportunity to buy these stocks.

Read more »

A colourfully dressed young skydiver wearing heavy gold gloves smiles and gives a thumbs up as he falls through the sky.
Gold

One ASX 200 gold stock to buy now (and one to sell!)

Not all ASX 200 gold stocks are created equal.

Read more »

A woman in a business suit sits at her desk with gold bars in each hand while she kisses one bar with her eyes closed. Her desk has another three gold bars stacked in front of her. symbolising the rising Northern Star share price
Gold

The best ASX gold stocks to buy in 2025

Here's why these could be the gold stocks to buy in the new year according to the broker.

Read more »

Gold bars on top of gold coins.
Gold

After a market beating year what can investors expect from the gold price in 2025?

Can the gold price repeat its stellar performance in 2025?

Read more »

miner giving 'ok' sign in front of mine
Gold

Own Newmont shares? You could be in for a lucrative 2025

This expert is expecting big things from Newmont in 2025.

Read more »

Gold nugget with a red arrow going down.
Gold

After plunging 25%, is this ASX gold stock now cheap?

Let's dive in and see.

Read more »

Gold spelt out in gold block letters.
Gold

Will 2025 shine bright for ASX gold shares?

Will it be a golden year?

Read more »

Three people with gold streamers celebrate good news.
Gold

3 reasons to buy Northern Star shares now

This expert forecasts more gains to come from Northern Star shares in 2025.

Read more »