| Key Points: – Aura Minerals to buy Serra Grande gold mine from AngloGold for $76M plus royalties. – The mine has produced 3M+ oz of gold, with Aura aiming to boost output and cut costs. – Deal set to close by late 2025, pending regulatory and operational approvals. |
Aura Minerals Inc. has announced a major step in its growth trajectory with the acquisition of the Mineração Serra Grande (MSG) gold mine from AngloGold Ashanti, in a deal that could significantly reshape the company’s position in Brazil’s mining sector. The transaction, valued at an upfront $76 million plus a 3% net smelter return on existing resources, reflects Aura’s confidence in the long-term potential of this historically productive asset.
Located near Crixás in the northwest of Goiás, Brazil, Serra Grande has been a cornerstone of AngloGold’s Brazilian portfolio, producing over 3 million ounces of gold since 1998. With three underground mines, an open-pit operation, and a metallurgical plant boasting a capacity of 1.5 million tonnes per year, the site is well-established. The acquisition marks Aura’s strategic return to a familiar asset – several team members have prior experience with Serra Grande, positioning them to optimize its future operations.
Rodrigo Barbosa, Aura’s President and CEO, emphasized the transformative potential of the deal. “Through our disciplined capital allocation, Aura 360 culture, and a targeted exploration program, we believe we can significantly enhance performance, boost production, reduce costs, and extend the Life of Mine at Serra Grande,” Barbosa said. He also hinted at ambitions to make Serra Grande a new cornerstone in Aura’s diversified portfolio, which already includes operations across Brazil, Mexico, and Central America.
However, the acquisition comes with conditions. It is contingent upon antitrust approval from Brazilian authorities (CADE), the completion of a legacy tailings dam decommissioning, and a corporate restructuring to spin off certain non-core subsidiaries of MSG. Barring unforeseen delays, Aura expects to finalize the deal by the third or fourth quarter of 2025.
From a technical standpoint, AngloGold’s last reported resource statement (Dec. 2024) estimated over 1 million ounces of Measured and Indicated gold resources, with an additional 1.4 million ounces classified as Inferred. While Aura considers these numbers as “historical estimates” and not compliant with Canadian NI 43-101 reporting standards, they highlight the untapped potential of the site. Aura plans to verify and potentially expand these resources through further exploration and technical work.
This acquisition reflects broader trends in the gold mining industry: mid-tier players like Aura are increasingly seizing opportunities to acquire under-optimized assets from global majors. The shift also demonstrates growing investor appetite for junior and mid-cap miners with clear value creation plans.
By reinvigorating a legacy operation with fresh capital, experienced leadership, and its unique Aura 360 philosophy—which balances profitability with environmental and social responsibility—Aura is making a bold statement. If successful, Serra Grande could represent not just an increase in output, but a model for revitalizing aging mining assets across Latin America.
As global gold demand remains resilient and macroeconomic uncertainty supports strong prices, Aura’s calculated risk may well pay off, cementing its role as a nimble and forward-looking player in the mining industry.
