Altius Minerals acquired its first portfolio of royalties (after buying a single royalty in 2003) in late 2013. The portfolio included royalties on Canada’s world-leading potash mines in Saskatchewan, but the seller of the portfolio bundled the potash royalties with coal royalties on Alberta thermal coal mines.
In 2015, both the Alberta and Canadian federal governments made announcements to significantly accelerate the phase-out of coal-fired electricity. This meant that mines (and Altius’s associated royalty) that were originally expected to run until 2055 received a government mandate to end by 2030. This represented a significant loss of potential royalty revenue to Altius – but also caused management to evaluate how best to evolve as a company.
Altius recognized the need to divest from thermal coal and seize the opportunities presented by the growing renewable energy industry, and the company has taken an active stance in an industry that is often criticized for its contribution to climate change.
Altius is a royalty company that, unlike most of its competitors, has very little gold royalty exposure. Although gold has properties that make it uniquely adaptable for uses including medical and technology applications, its main demand source is jewelry and coins. Contrast that with copper, which, along with potash, makes up Altius’s main exposures.
As a publicly listed company, ARR currently holds 33 royalties on wind, solar and soon-to-be battery storage projects in the United States. This extensive portfolio potentially positions ARR as a key player in the renewable energy royalties industry. Additionally, ARR has a robust 15 GW pipeline, showcasing its potential for future growth and expansion.
Featured photo by Matthew de Livera on Unsplash.
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