Royal Gold - 10-Q quarterly report FY

(Name, State of Incorporation, Address and Telephone Number)

I.R.S. Employer Identification Number 84-0835164

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes    X       No        

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practical date.

Item 1

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 3

Consolidated Statements of Operation

 5

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 7

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 9

Item 2.

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
     Results of Operations

15

Item 6.

Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

18

19

20

Cautionary "Safe Harbor" Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. With the exception of historical matters, the matters discussed in this report are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from projections or estimates contained herein. Such forward-looking statements include statements regarding projected production levels, and settlement of the Casmalia matter. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the projections incorporated herein include, among others, changes in precious metals prices, decisions and activities of the operators of our royalty properties, unanticipated grade, geological, metallurgical, processing or other problems, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, economic and market conditions, future financial needs, the availability of acquisitions, and the ability to reach a definitive court approved settlement of the Casmalia matter, as well as other factors described elsewhere in this report. Most of these factors are beyond the Company's ability to predict or control. The Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement made herein. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

2

ASSETS

December 31,

   June 30,

Current assets

   Cash and equivalents

$

28,316,861

$

11,104,140

   Royalty receivables

2,728,075

3,022,214

   Prepaid expenses and other

Total current assets

Property and equipment, at cost, net

36,940,456

7,518,205

Available for sale securities

554,781

583,771

Deferred tax asset

5,931,750

6,849,687

Other assets

Total assets

$

74,992,133

$

29,590,080

===========

===========

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

3

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

December 31,

   June 30,

Current liabilities

         2002        

   Accounts payable

$

1,627,923

$

698,136

   Dividend payable

1,023,620

1,354,022

   Notes payable

647,649

-

   Accrued compensation

390,000

150,000

   Other

Total current liabilities

Other liabilities

117,237

120,525

Commitments and contingencies (note 6)

Stockholders' equity

   Common stock, $.01 par value, authorized
     40,000,000 shares; and issued 20,703,061 and
     18,279,840 shares, respectively

207,031

182,798

Additional paid-in capital

99,570,009

57,389,220

Accumulated other comprehensive income

162,160

184,981

Accumulated deficit

)

)

Less treasury stock, at cost (229,224 shares)

)

)

Total stockholders' equity

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$

74,992,133

$

29,590,080

===========

===========

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

4

December 31,

   December 31,

Royalty revenues

$

3,117,384

$

2,889,380

Costs and expenses

   Costs of operations

315,126

243,058

   General and administrative

537,641

439,099

   Exploration and business development

150,747

172,711

   Depreciation and depletion

Total costs and expenses

Operating income

Interest and other income

121,779

32,289

Loss on marketable securities

-

(96,286

)

Interest and other expense

Income before income taxes

1,682,703

1,414,084

Current tax expense

             33,654

            28,282

Deferred tax expense

Net earnings

$

1,232,345

$

1,385,802

===========

===========

Adjustments to comprehensive income

   Unrealized change in market value of available for
     sale securities

Comprehensive income

$

1,288,322

$

1,385,802

===========

===========

Basic earnings per share

$

0.06

$

0.08

===========

===========

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

19,443,692

17,899,951

Diluted earnings per share

$

0.06

$

0.08

===========

===========

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

20,022,836

18,025,966

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

5

December 31,

   December 31,

Royalty revenues

$

6,483,556

$

5,721,013

Costs and expenses

   Costs of operations

582,113

461,447

   General and administrative

981,826

884,717

   Exploration and business development

243,768

295,032

   Depreciation and depletion

Total costs and expenses

Operating income

Interest and other income

191,676

70,147

Loss on marketable securities

-

(1,171,679

)

Interest and other expense

Income before income taxes

3,648,762

1,793,981

Current tax expense

         72,975

             35,880

Deferred tax expense

Net earnings

$

2,657,850

$

1,758,101

===========

===========

Adjustments to comprehensive income

   Unrealized change in market value of available for
     sale securities

(22,821

)

-

   Realized change in market value of available for
     sale securities

Comprehensive income

$

2,635,029

$

2,311,573

===========

===========

Basic earnings per share

$

0.14

$

0.10

===========

===========

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

19,040,482

17,890,862

Diluted earnings per share

$

0.14

$

0.10

===========

===========

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

19,582,186

18,002,912

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

6

Royal Gold, Inc.
Part I - Financial Statements
Item 1 - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

December 31,

   December 31,

Cash flows from operating activities

Net income

$

2,657,850

$

1,758,101

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
  provided by operating activities:

     Depreciation and depletion

1,148,946

1,121,760

     Loss on marketable securities

-

1,171,679

     Deferred tax expense

917,937

-

     Other

71,564

58,367

     (Increase) decrease in:

        Royalty receivables

492,752

(1,326,374

)

        Other current assets

(79,711

)

32,363

     Increase (decrease) in:

        Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

497,525

443,990

        Other liabilities

)

)

Total adjustments

Net cash provided by operating activities

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

7

December 31,

   December 31,

Cash flows from investing activities

   Acquisition

$

(1,298,050

)

$

-

   Capital expenditures for property and equipment

(3,997

)

(14,039

)

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

)

)

Cash flows from financing activities:

   Dividends

(1,354,022)

(894,490

)

   Proceeds from issuance of common stock

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents

Cash and equivalents at beginning of period

Cash and equivalents at end of period

$

28,316,861

$

6,926,359

===========

===========

During the period the Company acquired High Desert Mineral Resources, Inc. See Note 2 - Acquisition of High Desert Mineral Resources, Inc.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

8

Royal Gold, Inc.
Part I - Financial Statements
Item 1 - Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Unless the context requires otherwise, references to "we," "us," "our," or the "Company" are intended to mean Royal Gold, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries. We believe that our disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. The consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of our financial results for the interim periods presented. For a more complete understanding of the business and operations of Royal Gold, Inc., please refer to the report on Form 10-K of Royal Gold, Inc. for the annual period ended June 30, 2002.

The unaudited financial statements as of December 31, 2002, and for the three and six months ended December 31, 2002 and 2001, reflect all adjustments, consisting solely of normal recurring items, which are necessary for the fair presentation of financial position, results of operations, and cash flows on a basis consistent with that of the prior audited consolidated financial statements.

Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted. Therefore, it is suggested that these financial statements be read in connection with the audited financial statements and the notes included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K as of June 30, 2002.

Royal Gold is engaged in the acquisition and management of precious metals royalties and in the exploration and development of precious metals properties.

The Company seeks to acquire existing royalties or to finance projects that are in production or near production in exchange for royalty interests. The Company also explores and develops properties thought to contain precious metals and seeks to obtain royalty and other carried ownership interests in such properties from other mining companies. Substantially all of the Company's revenues are and can be expected to be derived from royalty interests, rather than from mining operations conducted by the Company.

On December 7, 2002, Royal Gold, Inc. completed the acquisition of 49,371,293 (93.5%) of the common stock of High Desert Mineral Resources, Inc. ("High Desert"), from High Desert's principal stockholder. Consideration for the purchase was 1,412,229 newly issued shares of Royal Gold common stock and $200,000 in cash. As a result of the acquisition, Royal Gold held a total of 49,411,793 shares of common stock of High Desert, representing 93.5% of the issued and outstanding shares.

After the closing of the binding agreement and completion of delivery of all High Desert shares, Royal Gold owned sufficient High Desert shares to allow it to proceed with a short-form merger under Delaware law. Royal Gold proceeded to effect a short-form merger under Delaware law to merge High Desert into a wholly-owned subsidiary of Royal Gold, for cash consideration of $1,951,530.

9

Royal Gold, Inc.
Part I - Financial Statements
Item 1 - Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

At the time of acquisition, High Desert had $130,306 of working capital and $2,900,000 in notes payable. The Company has accrued $500,000 for costs related to this acquisition. The primary assets of High Desert are two producing royalties. One is a 2% carried working interest, equal to a 2% net smelter returns royalty, in the Newmont HD Venture Property (Leeville Project), operated by Newmont Mining Company. The other is a 1% net smelter returns royalty on the SJ Claims, which covers a large part of the Screamer and West Betze deposits operated by Barrick Gold Corporation. The Company has allocated the purchase price of $30.7 million and the assumption of the $2.9 million note payable, to the fair market values of other assets and liabilities acquired, including $33.5 million to the two royalties. The results of High Desert has been consolidated in the interim information from December 6, 2002. This allocation is subject to final determination based on the completion of the Company's p ost-acquisition due diligence.

High Desert also has a portfolio of gold exploration properties in Nevada, and royalties on non-producing gold properties located in Nevada.

In a separate agreement, Royal Gold agreed to repay the $2.9 million note payable. In lieu of repaying the debt in cash, Royal Gold has agreed to convey to the note holder 10% of the SJ Claims royalty and 10% of the Leeville Project royalty, owned by High Desert at the time of the acquisition.

The following data reflects the pro forma results of operations had the acquisition of High Desert occurred at the beginning of each period presented. These pro forma results are not representative of results that would have occurred nor indicative of future results.

December 31,
         2002        

December 31,
         2001        

Revenues

$

7,620,395

$

6,782,891

Earnings

$

2,375,107

$

1,216,073

EPS

$

0.12

$

0.06

December 31,
         2002        

December 31,
         2001        

Revenues

$

3,729,017

$

3,510,012

Earnings

$

1,176,024

$

1,122,810

EPS

$

0.06

$

0.06

10

Royal Gold, Inc.
Part I - Financial Statements
Item 1 - Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The carrying value of the Company's property and equipment consists of the following components at December 31, 2002:

As of December 31, 2002

Accumulated
Depreciation
   & Depletion   

Royalties

   GSR1

$

-

$

-

$

-

   GSR2

-

-

-

   GSR3

8,105,020

3,567,617

4,537,403

   NVR1

2,135,107

750,733

1,384,374

   Bald Mountain

1,978,547

1,683,505

295,042

   SJ Claims

17,154,112

110,601

17,043,511

   Leeville Project

13,413,090

70,652

13,342,438

   Mule Canyon

180,714

-

180,714

   Martha Mine

Total royalties

43,139,400

6,272,001

36,867,399

Office furniture, equipment and   improvements

$

44,012,592

$

7,072,136

$

36,940,456

===========

===========

===========

Presented below is a description of each of the Company's significant mineral properties.

The Company holds two sliding-scale gross smelter returns royalties (GSR1 and GSR2), a fixed gross royalty (GSR3), and a net value royalty (NVR1), over the Pipeline Mining Complex that includes the Pipeline and South Pipeline gold deposits in Lander County, Nevada.

The Pipeline Mining Complex is owned by The Cortez Joint Venture, a joint venture between Placer Cortez Inc. (60%), a subsidiary of Placer Dome Inc., and Kennecott Explorations (Australia) Ltd. (40%), a subsidiary of Rio Tinto.

Effective January 1, 1998, the Company purchased a 50% undivided interest in a sliding-scale net smelter returns royalty that burdens a portion of the Bald Mountain mine, in White Pine County, Nevada. Bald Mountain is an open pit, heap leach mine operated by Placer Dome U.S. Inc.

In December 2002, the Company acquired a 1% NSR royalty that covers a portion of the Goldstrike Mine, in Eureka County, Nevada. Goldstrike is an open pit mine operated by Barrick Gold Corporation. In December 2002, the Company assigned 10% of this royalty, along with 10% of the Leeville Project royalty, as settlement for a $2.9 million debt. See Note 2 - Acquisition of High Desert Mineral Resources, Inc. At December 31, the Company owns a 0.9% NSR on the SJ Claims.

11

In December 2002, the Company acquired a 2% net value royalty (which calculates as a 2% NSR royalty for gold and silver), which covers a portion of the Leeville Project, in Eureka County, Nevada. The Leeville Project is an underground mine currently under development by Newmont Mining Corporation. Newmont currently produces from the Carlin East deposit, a portion of which underlies our royalty ground. In December 2002, the Company assigned 10% of this royalty, along with 10% of the SJ Claims royalty, as settlement for a $2.9 million debt. See Note 2 - Acquisition of High Desert Mineral Resources, Inc. At December 31, the Company owns a 1.8% net value royalty (which calculates as a 1.8% NSR royalty for gold and silver) on the Leeville Project.

The Company owns a 5% NSR royalty on a portion of the Mule Canyon mine, operated by Newmont Gold Company.

The Company owns a 2% NSR royalty on the Martha mine located in Argentina and operated by Coeur d'Alene Mining Company.

The Company holds equity positions in a number of mining and exploration companies. The Company had an unrealized gain of $162,160 in these securities as of December 31, 2002. The Company realized a loss of $1,171,679 in these securities for the six months ended December 31, 2001.

For The Six Months Ended December 31, 2002

Income
(Numerator)

Shares
(Denominator)

Per-Share
Amount

Basic EPS

Income available to common
  stockholders

$

2,657,850

19,040,482

$

0.14

Effect of dilutive securities

Diluted EPS

$

2,657,850

19,582,186

$

0.14

==========

==========

==========

At December 31, 2002, 35,000 options to purchase shares of common stock at an average purchase price of $19.97 per share were not included in the computation of diluted EPS, because the exercise price of these options was greater than the average market price of the common shares.

12

For The Six Months Ended December 31, 2001

Income
(Numerator)

Shares
(Denominator)

Per-Share
Amount

Basic EPS

Income available to common
  stockholders

$

1,758,101

17,890,863

$

0.10

Effect of dilutive securities

Diluted EPS

$

       1,758,101

      18,002,912

$

              0.10

==========

==========

==========

At December 31, 2001, 391,079 options to purchase shares of common stock at an average purchase price of $6.52 per share were not included in the computation of diluted EPS, because the exercise price of these options was greater than the average market price of the common shares.

For The Three Months Ended December 31, 2002

Income
(Numerator)

Shares
(Denominator)

Per-Share
Amount

Basic EPS

Income available to common
  stockholders

$

1,232,345

19,443,692

$

0.06

Effect of dilutive securities

Diluted EPS

$

1,232,345

20,022,836

$

0.06

==========

==========

==========

At December 31, 2002, 35,000 options to purchase shares of common stock at an average purchase price of $19.97 per share were not included in the computation of diluted EPS, because the exercise price of these options was greater than the average market price of the common shares.

For The Three Months Ended December 31, 2001

Income
(Numerator)

Shares
(Denominator)

Per-Share
Amount

Basic EPS

Income available to common
  stockholders

$

1,385,802

17,899,951

$

0.08

Effect of dilutive securities

Diluted EPS

$

1,385,802

18,025,966

$

0.08

==========

==========

==========

At December 31, 2001, 125,000 options to purchase shares of common stock, at an average price of $8.98 per share were not included in the computation of diluted EPS, because the exercise price of the options was greater than the average market price of these common shares.

13

On March 24, 2000, the United States Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") notified the Company and 92 other entities that they were considered potentially responsible parties ("PRPs") under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended ("Superfund"), at the Casmalia Resources Hazardous Waste Disposal Site (the "Site") in Santa Barbara County, California. EPA's allegation that the Company was a PRP was based on the disposal of allegedly hazardous petroleum exploration wastes at the Site by the Company's predecessor, Royal Resources, Inc., during 1983 and 1984.

After extensive negotiations, on September 23, 2002, the Company, along with 35 members of the PRP group targeted by EPA, entered into a Partial Consent Decree with the United States intending to settle their liability for the United States' past and future cleanup costs incurred at the Site. Based on the minimal volume of allegedly hazardous waste that Royal Resources, Inc. disposed of at the Site, the Company's share of the $25.3 million settlement amount was $107,858, which the Company has deposited into the escrow account that the PRP group set up for that purpose in January 2002. The funds will be paid to the United States on May 9, 2003. The United States may only pursue the Company for additional cleanup costs if the United States' total cleanup costs at the Site significantly exceed the expected cost of approximately $272 million. The Company believes this to be a remote possibility; therefore, it considers its potential liability to the United States to be resolved.

The Partial Consent Decree does not resolve the Company's potential liability to the State of California ("State") for its response costs or for natural resource damages arising from the Site. The State has not expressed any interest in pursuing natural resource damages. However, on October 1, 2002, the State notified the Company and the rest of the PRP group that participated in the settlement with the United States that the State would be seeking response costs from them. That State allegedly incurred $2,904,000 through June 30, 2002, and expects to incur future cleanup costs of $9,656,431. It is not known what portion of these costs the State expects to recover from this PRP group in settlement. If the State agrees to a volumetric allocation, the Company will be liable for 0.438% of any settlement amount. However, the Company expects that its share of liability will be completely covered by a $15,000,000, zero-deductible insurance policy that the PRP group purchased specifically to p rotect itself from claims such as that brought by the State.

In July 2002, the Company sold 500,000 shares of common stock, at a price of $13.75 per share, in a negotiated transaction resulting in gross proceeds of $6,875,000. In September 2002, the Company sold an additional 500,000 shares of common stock, at a price of $14.50 per share, in a negotiated transaction resulting in gross proceeds of $7,250,000.

On December 7, 2002, the Company issued 1,412,229 shares of common stock as part of the purchase of 93.5% of the common shares of High Desert at a value of $19.855 per share, see Note 2 - Acquisition of High Desert Mineral Resources, Inc. During the six months ended December 31, 2002, options to purchase 8,000 shares were exercised.

14

For the quarter ended December 31, 2002, the Company recorded net earnings of $1,232,345, or $0.06 per basic share, as compared to net earnings of $1,385,802, or $0.08 per basic share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2001. Net earnings for the current quarter reflect $3,117,384 in royalty revenues.

The Company received royalty revenues of $2,769,653 from its royalties at the Pipeline Mining Complex, $147,884 from the SJ Claims, $94,468 from the Leeville Project, $100,264 from its royalty at Bald Mountain and $5,115 from the Martha mine. For the quarter ended December 31, 2001, the Company received royalty revenues of $2,889,380. This increase resulted from a higher royalty rate due to a higher gold price and the addition of the SJ Claims and Leeville Project royalties offset by lower production at the Pipeline Mining Complex. The royalties from the SJ Claims and Leeville Project represent approximately one month's production. During December 2002, the Company acquired High Desert Mineral Resources, Inc. ("High Desert"). See Note 2 - Acquisition of High Desert Mineral Resources, Inc.

Cost of operations increased compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2001, primarily related to Nevada net proceeds tax expenditures associated with the increased royalty revenues.

General and administrative expenses of $537,641 for the quarter ended December 31, 2002, increased compared to $439,099 for the quarter ended December 31, 2001, primarily because of costs related to the substantial increase in the number of shareholders, miscellaneous costs associated with the High Desert acquisition, and higher bonus accruals.

Exploration and business development expenses decreased from $172,711 for the quarter ended December 31, 2001, to $150,747 for the quarter ended December 31, 2002, primarily due to a slight decrease in business development activity.

Depreciation and depletion decreased from $524,950 for the quarter ended December 31, 2001, to $515,109 for the quarter ended December 31, 2002, primarily due to lower DD&A rates on the GSR3 royalty and lower production at the Pipeline Mining Complex.

The Company recorded a non-cash charge of $96,286 related to its equity investments in Yamana Resources for the quarter ended December 31, 2001. The decline in value of these securities was deemed to be other-than-temporary and therefore the decline in value was recognized in the Statement of Operations. There was no comparable charge in the current quarter.

Interest and other income increased from $32,289 for the quarter ended December 31, 2001 to $121,779 for the quarter ended December 31, 2002, primarily due to increase funds available for investing offset by lower interest rates.

The deferred tax expense for the quarter ended December 31, 2002, of $416,704 reflects the utilization of the deferred tax asset established at June 30, 2002.

15

For the six months ended December 31, 2002, the Company recorded net earnings of $2,657,850, or $0.14 per basic share, as compared to net earnings of $1,758,101, or $0.10 per basic share, for the six months ended December 31, 2001. Net earnings for the six months ended December 31, 2002, reflect $6,483,556 in royalty revenues.

The Company received royalty revenues of $5,845,797 from its royalties at the Pipeline Mining Complex, $147,884 for the SJ Claims, $94,468 from the Leeville Project, $390,292 from its royalty at Bald Mountain and $5,115 from the Martha mine. For the six months ended December 31, 2001, the Company received royalty revenues of $5,721,013. This increase resulted from a higher royalty rate due to a higher gold price and the addition of the SJ Claims and Leeville Project royalties, offset by lower production at the Pipeline Mining Complex. The royalties from the SJ Claims and Leeville Project represent approximately one month's production. During December 2002, the Company acquired High Desert. See Note 2 -Acquisition of High Desert Mineral Resources, Inc.

Cost of operations increased compared to the six months ended December 31, 2001, primarily related to Nevada net proceeds tax expenditures associated with the increased royalty revenues from the Pipeline Mining Complex and Bald Mountain.

General and administrative expenses of $981,826 for the six months ended December 31, 2002, increased compared to $884,717 for the six months ended December 31, 2001, primarily because of increased costs associated with a substantial increase in number of shareholders, miscellaneous costs associated with the High Desert acquisition and higher bonus accruals.

Exploration and business development expenses decreased from $295,032 for the six months ended December 31, 2001, to $243,768 for the six months ended December 31, 2002, primarily due to a slight decrease in business development activity.

Depreciation and depletion increased from $1,121,760 for the six months ended December 31, 2001, to $1,148,946 for the six months ended December 31, 2002, primarily due to increased production at Bald Mountain and the recently acquired royalties, offset by lower production at the Pipeline Mining Complex, and lower depletion rates associated with GSR3 and NVR1.

The Company recorded a non-cash charge of $1,171,679 related to its equity investments in Yamana Resources for the six months ended December 31, 2001. The decline in value of these securities was deemed to be other-than-temporary and therefore the decline in value was recognized. Included in the charge for the six months ended December 31, 2001, was a previous unrealized loss of $553,472 recorded in Other Comprehensive Income. There was no comparable charge in the current period.

Interest and other income increased from $70,147 for the six months ended December 31, 2001, to $191,676 for the six months ended December 31, 2002, primarily due to an increase in investable funds offset by lower interest rates.

The deferred tax expense for the six months ended December 31, 2002, of $917,937 reflects the utilization of the deferred tax asset established at June 30, 2002.

16

At December 31, 2002, the Company had current assets of $31,289,885 compared to current liabilities of $3,890,735 for a current ratio of 8 to 1. This compares to current assets of $9,646,268 and current liabilities of $1,122,809 at December 31, 2002, resulting in a current ratio of 9 to 1.

During the six months ended December 31 2002, liquidity needs were met from $6,483,556 in royalty revenues. The Company's available cash resources, and interest and other income of $191,676.

For fiscal 2003, based on information from the operator, the Company anticipates production of approximately 950,000 ounces of gold at the Pipeline Mining Complex. Production at the Pipeline Mining Complex was approximately 508,523 ounces of gold during the six months ended December 31, 2002.

In July 2002, the Company sold 500,000 shares of common stock, at a price of $13.75 per share, in a negotiated transaction resulting in gross proceeds of $6,875,000. In September 2002, the Company sold an additional 500,000 shares of common stock, at a price of $14.50 per share, in a negotiated transaction resulting in gross proceeds of $7,250,000.

During December 2002, the Company purchased High Desert. As consideration, the Company issued 1,412,229 common shares and $2,300,659 in cash. High Desert had cash of $853,480. See Note 2 -Acquisition of High Desert Mineral Resources, Inc.

In a separate agreement, Royal Gold agreed to repay a $2.9 million loan made to High Desert. In lieu of repaying the debt in cash, Royal Gold has agreed to convey to the note holder 10% of each producing royalty owned by High Desert at the time of the acquisition.

The Company has a $10 million line of credit from HSBC that may be used to acquire producing royalties. Repayment of any loan under the line of credit will be secured by a mortgage on the Company's GSR3 royalty at the Pipeline Mining Complex, and by a security interest in the proceeds from any of the Company's royalties at the Pipeline Mining Complex. Any assets purchased with the line of credit will also serve as collateral. At this time, no funds have been drawn under the line of credit.

Current financial resources and funds generated from operations should be adequate to cover anticipated expenditures for general and administrative expense costs, exploration and business development costs, and capital expenditures. The Company's current financial resources are available for royalty acquisitions, and to fund dividends. In the event of a substantial acquisition, the Company could seek additional debt or equity financing.

17

(a)

None

(b)

Form 8-K filed November 8, 2002

Form 8-K filed December 7, 2002

Form 8-K/A filed February 6, 2003

18

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

19

I, Stanley Dempsey, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Royal Gold, Inc. (the "Company"), hereby certify that:

(1)

I have reviewed the report of the Company on Form 10-Q for the six month period ended December 31, 2002, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Report"); and

(2)

Based on my knowledge, the Report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by the Report; and

(3)

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements and other financial information included in the Report fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Company as of, and for, the period presented in the Report.

(4)

I, together with the other certifying officer, am responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures for the Company and have:

(i)

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the Company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to me by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which the Report was being prepared;

(ii)

Evaluated the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of the Report (the "Evaluation Date"); and

(iii)

Presented in the Report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date.

(5)

I, together with the other certifying officer, have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the Company's auditors and Audit Committee of the board of directors:

(i)

All significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the Company's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the Company's auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and

(ii)

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company's internal controls; and

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(6)

I, together with the other certifying officer, have indicated in the Report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weakness.

February 14, 2003

Stanley Dempsey
Chairman, Chief Executive
Officer and President

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I, John Skadow, Treasurer and Controller (Chief Accounting Officer) of Royal Gold, Inc. (the "Company"), hereby certify that:

(1)

I have reviewed the report of the Company on Form 10-Q for the six month period ended December 31, 2002, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Report"); and

(2)

Based on my knowledge, the Report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by the Report; and

(3)

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements and other financial information included in the Report fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Company as of, and for, the period presented in the Report.

(4)

I, together with the other certifying officer, am responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures for the Company and have:

(i)

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the Company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to me by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which the Report was being prepared;

(ii)

Evaluated the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of the Report (the "Evaluation Date"); and

(iii)

Presented in the Report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date.

(5)

I, together with the other certifying officer, have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the Company's auditors and Audit Committee of the board of directors:

(i)

All significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the Company's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the Company's auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and

(ii)

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company's internal controls; and

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(6)

I, together with the other certifying officer, have indicated in the Report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weakness.

February 14, 2003

John Skadow
Treasurer and Controller
(Chief Accounting Officer)

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