ESG

Franco-Nevada suspends guidance

Royalty streamer shares drop on Cobre Panama suspension

Franco-Nevada has suspended its 2020 production guidance as it grapples with COVID-19's impact across the portfolio

Franco-Nevada has suspended its 2020 production guidance as it grapples with COVID-19's impact across the portfolio

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Of its four biggest assets, production continues at Antamina, Antapaccay and Candelaria, but a full suspension of activities by First Quantum Minerals at the new Cobre Panama mine, following the death of an employee as a result of contracting the virus, resulted in a 6.5% sell-off of its Toronto-quoted equity during trading on Tuesday.

Toronto-based Franco-Nevada last month guided for total gold-equivalent sales of 550,000-580,000oz this year, with Cobre Panama production underpinning production growth through 2024, assuming the project expands by then to 100Mtpa.

The company said its assets were top-line royalties and streams which did not bear carrying costs, making the impact to its curtailed production outlook essentially limited to "a deferral of revenue".

Franco-Nevada expected its existing portfolio to produce between 580,000-610,000GEOs by 2024.

Franco-Nevada's original energy guidance was based on a $45 per barrel WTI price assumption and assumed drilling activity at that price, however, with the current volatility in the energy sector, it also withdrew its energy revenue guidance for 2020 until the markets has stabilised.

The company said it was financially strong and debt free to weather the pandemic's impact with about $205 million in cash on hand and $1.1 billion in undrawn credit available.

Shares in the company (FNV:TSX) closed 4% lower on Tuesday at C$150.35, which capitalises the company at $28.5 billion (US$20.34 billion).

 

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