Sandstorm Gold increased its revolving credit agreement allowing the Company to borrow up to $350 million, incorporating sustainability-linked performance targets to establish an Environment, Social, and Governance ("ESG") linked credit facility ("ESG Revolving Loan"). The Bank of Montreal acted as the Sustainability Structuring Agent for the ESG Revolving Loan.
"The 55% increase to Sandstorm's credit facility once again emphasizes the Company's strong financial position and creditworthiness," commented Erfan Kazemi, Sandstorm's Chief Financial Officer. "We're pleased to announce that Sandstorm is the first royalty company with a credit facility linked to sustainability goals. With this credit agreement, the Company is helping to lead a new era of corporate lending that benefits shareholders while promoting corporate responsibility."
The amounts drawn on the ESG Revolving Loan are subject to interest at LIBOR plus 1.875%–3.0% per annum, and the undrawn portion of the ESG Revolving Loan is subject to a standby fee of 0.422%–0.675% per annum, both of which are dependent on the Company's leverage ratio. The syndicate of banks include The Bank of Nova Scotia, Bank of Montreal, National Bank of Canada, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, and Royal Bank of Canada. The Revolving Loan has a term of four years, maturing in October 2025.
The ESG Revolving Loan incorporates sustainability-linked incentive pricing terms that allow Sandstorm to reduce the borrowing costs by up to 5 basis points (from the interest rates described above) as the Company's sustainability performance targets are met. The performance targets, to be met by 2025, are based on the following ESG goals of the company:
- Alignment with ESG Reporting Standards: Achieve a certain percentage of producing assets reporting under sustainability and climate-related standards;
- External ESG Rating: Maintain or improve an MSCI ESG rating of "A"; and
- Diversity & Inclusion: Maintain or improve diverse representation at the senior management and Board levels.