Franco-Nevada Acquires $250M Royalty from i-80 Gold
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 12 2026
0mins
Source: PRnewswire
- Royalty Acquisition: Franco-Nevada has entered into an agreement to acquire a $250 million net smelter return royalty from i-80 Gold through a wholly-owned U.S. subsidiary, with an initial royalty rate of 1.5% that will increase to 3.0% starting in 2031, supporting i-80 Gold's recapitalization plan and its strategy to become a mid-tier gold producer focused on Nevada.
- Extensive Project Coverage: The royalty applies to all of i-80 Gold's significant assets, including six projects at various stages of development, covering over 250 square kilometers of prospective ground, which is expected to significantly enhance its future gold production capacity.
- Production Capacity Increase: i-80 Gold plans to increase annual production from 150,000 to 200,000 ounces of gold in Phase 1 to over 600,000 ounces by Phase 3 in 2032, which is anticipated to generate substantial revenue growth and enhance market competitiveness.
- Strategic Financial Support: Franco-Nevada intends to finance the transaction using its $900 million in cash and cash equivalents, demonstrating its strong financial position and confidence in gold investments, further solidifying its leadership in the gold royalty and streaming sector.
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Analyst Views on FNV
Wall Street analysts forecast FNV stock price to fall
10 Analyst Rating
6 Buy
4 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 256.830
Low
210.00
Averages
236.43
High
270.00
Current: 256.830
Low
210.00
Averages
236.43
High
270.00
About FNV
Franco-Nevada Corporation is a Canada-based gold-focused royalty and streaming company. The Company’s segments include precious metals, other mining and energy. The Company’s portfolio is diversified by commodity, geography and asset. Its assets include Candelaria, Antapaccay, Antamina, Condestable, Tocantinzinho, Cerro Moro, Salares Norte, Cascabel (Alpala), Posse (Mara Rosa), CentroGold (Gurupi), Calcatreu, and San Jorge. Its other mining assets include NuevaUnion, Taca Taca, Caserones, Copper World Project, Ring of Fire, Mt Keith, Crawford, Robinson, EaglePicher, Copper World Project, and Milpillas. Its United States assets include Stillwater, Goldstrike, Gold Quarry, Marigold, Bald Mountain, South Arturo, Mesquite, Castle Mountain, Stibnite Gold, Sterling, Granite Creek (Pinson) and Arthur Gold Project. Its Canadian assets include Detour Lake, Sudbury, Hemlo, Brucejack, Macassa (Kirkland Lake), Dublin Gulch (Eagle), Musselwhite, and Timmins West.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Tightening Gold Market: Central banks net purchased 27 tonnes of gold in February 2026, indicating sustained demand, while global mine output only saw a 1% increase, intensifying competition for resource acquisition among companies like Lake Victoria Gold.
- Significant Technical Progress: The Imwelo project confirmed gold recovery rates of up to 97%, with recent drilling returning grades of 11.88 g/t gold, providing strong support for the company's future production potential and attracting strategic investor interest.
- Government Support Boosts Confidence: The Tanzanian government has formally begun incorporating its statutory 16% free carried interest in the Tembo mining licenses, marking a regulatory step that signals smooth project advancement within the national framework, further enhancing investor confidence in Lake Victoria Gold.
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- Tightening Gold Supply: Central banks net purchased 27 tonnes of gold in February 2026, reflecting a sustained demand for gold, while global mine output saw only a 1% increase, exacerbating supply constraints in the market.
- Optimistic Market Outlook: Analysts project 2026 gold price targets between $4,700 and $5,200, with Goldman Sachs raising its year-end forecast to $5,400, indicating strong confidence in the gold market.
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- Stockpile Details: First Quantum estimates the total stockpile at approximately 38 million tonnes, containing about 70,000 tonnes of recoverable copper, with Franco-Nevada expecting deliveries of approximately 23,000 gold ounces and 265,000 silver ounces, thereby strengthening its resource base.
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See More
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- Ore Processing Approval: The Government of Panama has formally approved First Quantum Minerals' removal, processing, and export of stockpiled ore at the Cobre Panamá mine, which is expected to positively impact Franco-Nevada's future earnings.
- Stockpile Details: First Quantum estimates the total stockpile at approximately 38 million tonnes, containing about 70,000 tonnes of recoverable copper, indicating significant economic potential and resource richness of the project.
- Gold and Silver Delivery Expectations: Franco-Nevada anticipates that processing this ore will result in deliveries of approximately 23,000 ounces of gold and 265,000 ounces of silver, further enhancing the company's metal supply chain and market position.
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See More
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See More
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- Financing Accelerates Development: Lake Victoria Gold has secured a gold loan facility worth up to $25 million, backed by 6,000 ounces of gold, providing essential working capital for its Imwelo Gold Project in Tanzania, ensuring timely project advancement and accelerating development efforts.
- Tightening Gold Market: Central banks net purchased 27 tonnes of gold in February 2026, indicating sustained demand, while global mine output only saw a 1% increase, intensifying competition for resource acquisition among companies like Lake Victoria Gold.
- Significant Technical Progress: The Imwelo project confirmed gold recovery rates of up to 97%, with recent drilling returning grades of 11.88 g/t gold, providing strong support for the company's future production potential and attracting strategic investor interest.
- Government Support Boosts Confidence: The Tanzanian government has formally begun incorporating its statutory 16% free carried interest in the Tembo mining licenses, marking a regulatory step that signals smooth project advancement within the national framework, further enhancing investor confidence in Lake Victoria Gold.
See More
Lake Victoria Gold Secures $25 Million Financing for Expansion
- Financing Boosts Development: Lake Victoria Gold recently secured a gold loan facility worth up to $25 million, aimed at advancing its Imwelo Gold Project in Tanzania, which is expected to accelerate project progress and enhance production capacity.
- Tightening Gold Supply: Central banks net purchased 27 tonnes of gold in February 2026, reflecting a sustained demand for gold, while global mine output saw only a 1% increase, exacerbating supply constraints in the market.
- Optimistic Market Outlook: Analysts project 2026 gold price targets between $4,700 and $5,200, with Goldman Sachs raising its year-end forecast to $5,400, indicating strong confidence in the gold market.
- Significant Technical Advancements: The Imwelo project confirmed gold recovery rates of up to 97%, with drilling results in Area C showing grades of 11.88 g/t, indicating strong economic potential and sustainability for the project.
See More
Franco-Nevada Shares Rise 3.3% After Panama Approves Ore Processing
- Government Approval for Ore Processing: The Panamanian government has formally approved Franco-Nevada's processing and export of stockpiled ore from the Cobre Panama mine, which is expected to positively impact the company's future revenues.
- Ore Stockpile Details: Partner First Quantum Minerals estimates the stockpile at approximately 38 million metric tons, containing around 70,000 metric tons of recoverable copper, highlighting the project's economic potential.
- Gold and Silver Delivery Expectations: Franco-Nevada anticipates that processing this material will yield approximately 23,000 ounces of gold and 265,000 ounces of silver, further strengthening its position in the precious metals market.
- Mine Operation Status: First Quantum clarified that this activity does not constitute a reopening of the mine and will not involve any new drilling or blasting, indicating a focus on compliance while still leveraging existing resources.
See More
Franco-Nevada Corporation Receives Approval for Ore Export
- Ore Export Approval: The Government of Panama has formally approved First Quantum Minerals' removal, processing, and export of stockpiled ore at the Cobre Panamá mine, which is expected to significantly enhance Franco-Nevada's future mineral supply capabilities.
- Stockpile Details: First Quantum estimates the total stockpile at approximately 38 million tonnes, containing about 70,000 tonnes of recoverable copper, with Franco-Nevada expecting deliveries of approximately 23,000 gold ounces and 265,000 silver ounces, thereby strengthening its resource base.
- Future Outlook: Despite inherent uncertainties, Franco-Nevada maintains an optimistic view on the prospects of ore processing and export, believing it will provide substantial revenue growth potential, especially against a backdrop of strong demand in the gold and silver markets.
- Risk Advisory: The company cautions investors that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results may differ materially from expectations, urging investors to treat such information with caution.
See More
Franco-Nevada Corporation Receives Approval for Ore Processing
- Ore Processing Approval: The Government of Panama has formally approved First Quantum Minerals' removal, processing, and export of stockpiled ore at the Cobre Panamá mine, which is expected to positively impact Franco-Nevada's future earnings.
- Stockpile Details: First Quantum estimates the total stockpile at approximately 38 million tonnes, containing about 70,000 tonnes of recoverable copper, indicating significant economic potential and resource richness of the project.
- Gold and Silver Delivery Expectations: Franco-Nevada anticipates that processing this ore will result in deliveries of approximately 23,000 ounces of gold and 265,000 ounces of silver, further enhancing the company's metal supply chain and market position.
- Forward-Looking Statement Risks: Despite the positive outlook, Franco-Nevada cautions investors that forward-looking statements carry uncertainties, and actual results may differ significantly from expectations, necessitating careful investment considerations.
See More
FNV Options Contract Analysis and Investment Opportunities
- Put Option Appeal: The current bid for the $230.00 put option is $16.90, and if an investor sells-to-open this contract, they commit to buying the stock at $230.00, effectively lowering their cost basis to $213.10, which is a 1% discount to the current price of $231.84, making it attractive for those interested in FNV.
- Yield Potential Analysis: Should the put option expire worthless, the premium would yield a 7.35% return on cash commitment, equating to an annualized return of 32.31%, positioning this contract as an appealing investment choice, particularly in volatile market conditions.
- Call Option Returns: The $240.00 call option has a current bid of $14.70, and if an investor buys FNV shares at $231.84 and sells this call, they could achieve a total return of 9.86% if the stock is called away at expiration, although they may miss out on further upside potential.
- Risk Assessment: Current analytics suggest a 52% chance that the $240.00 call option will expire worthless, while the $230.00 put option has a 56% chance of the same, indicating that investors should carefully weigh potential risks against returns when selecting contracts.
See More
