$8 a share NAVRoyalty revenue from the Labrador Nickel Royalty Limited Partnership for the current quarter was $797,000, compared to $1.4 million in the prior year. The decrease was caused by lower average nickel prices and was partially offset by higher production at the Voisey's Bay mine. Interest income of $1.3 million was recognized in the current period compared to $1.2 million in the prior period.
Exploration work continued during the quarter under thirteen active mineral exploration agreements targeting a variety of mineral commodities including iron ore, uranium, potash, base metals, and gold. Drilling programs also continued on two of the Company's 100% owned projects, the Kamistiatusset iron ore property in western Labrador, which is subject to an agreement with Norvista (see PR-08-08) and the Albert oil shale project in New Brunswick. At Rambler Metals and Mining, in which Altius is a 20.2% shareholder, dewatering of the historic Ming mine was completed and delineation drilling continued during the quarter. NLRC, owned 39.6% by Altius, continued efforts during the quarter to formulate a restructuring proposal and to secure funding and/or a partner for its planned refinery project.
Altius currently has $250.8 million in total assets including $175.4 million in cash and receivables. The Corporation has 30,925,725 shares outstanding and 31,964,225 shares on a fully diluted basis.