Table of Contents
UNITED STATESSECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
☒
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Quarterly Period Ended December 31, 2020
or
☐
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number: 001-13357
Royal Gold, Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Delaware
84-0835164
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
(I.R.S. Employer
Incorporation)
Identification No.)
1144 15th Street, Suite 2500
Denver, Colorado
80202
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (303) 573-1660
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each Class
Trading Symbol
Name of the Exchange on which Registered
Common Stock, $0.01 par value
RGLD
Nasdaq Global Select Market
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 ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files) Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ☒
Accelerated filer ☐
Non-accelerated filer ☐
Smaller reporting company ☐
Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
There were 65,606,496 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, outstanding as of January 28, 2021.
In this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, Royal Gold, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, is collectively referred to as “Royal Gold,” “we,” “us,” or “our.”
INDEX
PAGE
PART I
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.
Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Consolidated Balance Sheets
3
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income
4
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity
5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
7
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
19
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
31
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
PART II
OTHER INFORMATION
Legal Proceedings
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
32
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
Mine Safety Disclosure
Item 5.
Other Information
Item 6.
Exhibits
33
SIGNATURES
34
2
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ROYAL GOLD, INC.
(Unaudited, amounts in thousands except share data)
December 31,
June 30,
2020
ASSETS
Cash and equivalents
$
381,859
319,128
Royalty receivables
44,316
27,689
Income tax receivable
8,939
2,435
Stream inventory
13,900
11,671
Prepaid expenses and other
1,477
1,227
Total current assets
450,491
362,150
Stream and royalty interests, net (Note 3)
2,231,980
2,318,913
Other assets
81,263
85,224
Total assets
2,763,734
2,766,287
LIABILITIES
Accounts payable
2,587
2,484
Dividends payable
19,680
18,364
Income tax payable
23,318
13,323
Other current liabilities
11,569
9,384
Total current liabilities
57,154
43,555
Debt (Note 5)
195,983
300,439
Deferred tax liabilities
85,017
86,439
Uncertain tax positions
13,267
25,427
Other liabilities
7,634
8,308
Total liabilities
359,055
464,168
Commitments and contingencies (Note 13)
EQUITY
Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized; and 0 shares issued
—
Common stock, $.01 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized; and 65,548,415 and 65,531,288 shares outstanding, respectively
656
655
Additional paid-in capital
2,201,076
2,210,429
Accumulated earnings
189,910
61,133
Total Royal Gold stockholders’ equity
2,391,642
2,272,217
Non-controlling interests
13,037
29,902
Total equity
2,404,679
2,302,119
Total liabilities and equity
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Three Months Ended
Six Months Ended
2019
Revenue (Note 7)
158,360
123,643
305,240
242,417
Costs and expenses
Cost of sales (excludes depreciation, depletion and amortization)
24,859
21,077
46,760
41,188
General and administrative
6,789
6,665
14,244
14,108
Production taxes
1,401
984
2,756
2,083
Exploration costs
1,514
563
4,140
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
47,945
40,096
94,245
78,810
Total costs and expenses
80,994
70,336
158,568
140,329
Gain on sale of Peak Gold JV interest
33,906
Operating income
77,366
53,307
180,578
102,088
Fair value changes in equity securities
(382)
222
2,158
(1,153)
Interest and other income
613
226
1,034
1,001
Interest and other expense
(1,578)
(2,217)
(3,454)
(5,051)
Income before income taxes
76,019
51,538
180,316
96,885
Income tax (expense) benefit
(16,031)
(11,124)
(13,654)
12,401
Net income and comprehensive income
59,988
40,414
166,662
109,286
Net (income) loss and comprehensive (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interests
(99)
907
166
2,488
Net income and comprehensive income attributable to Royal Gold common stockholders
59,889
41,321
166,828
111,774
Net income per share attributable to Royal Gold common stockholders:
Basic earnings per share
0.91
0.63
2.55
1.70
Basic weighted average shares outstanding
65,546,938
65,495,907
65,542,326
65,480,759
Diluted earnings per share
2.54
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding
65,619,241
65,611,567
65,625,965
65,613,406
Cash dividends declared per common share
0.300
0.280
0.580
0.545
Three months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019
(unaudited, amounts in thousands except share data)
Royal Gold Stockholders
Additional
Common Shares
Paid-In
Accumulated
Non-controlling
Total
Shares
Amount
Capital
(Losses) Earnings
Interests
Equity
Balance at September 30, 2020
65,545,606
2,199,705
149,702
13,158
2,363,221
Stock-based compensation and related share issuances
2,809
1,371
Distributions to non-controlling interests
(220)
99
Dividends declared
(19,681)
Balance at December 31, 2020
65,548,415
Balance at September 30, 2019
65,495,787
2,202,350
(12,676)
31,999
2,222,328
217
1,214
Distributions from (to) non-controlling interests
1,800
(187)
1,613
Net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss)
(907)
(18,355)
Balance at December 31, 2019
65,496,004
2,205,364
10,290
30,905
2,247,214
Six months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019
Balance at June 30, 2020
65,531,288
17,127
1
1,476
Sale of Peak Gold JV interest
(10,829)
(16,218)
(27,047)
(481)
(166)
(38,051)
Balance at June 30, 2019
65,440,492
2,201,773
(65,747)
33,772
2,170,453
55,512
891
2,700
(379)
2,321
(2,488)
(35,737)
(Unaudited, amounts in thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
(33,906)
Non-cash employee stock compensation expense
2,892
3,639
(2,158)
1,153
Deferred tax benefit
(8,405)
(36,126)
Other
398
566
Changes in assets and liabilities:
(16,627)
(7,714)
(2,229)
(3,956)
(6,504)
(6,968)
Prepaid expenses and other assets
900
(7,020)
(549)
(929)
9,995
7,392
(12,160)
3,230
1,510
8,133
Net cash provided by operating activities
194,064
149,496
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of stream and royalty interests
(48,832)
(72,417)
Proceeds from sale of Peak Gold JV interest
49,154
Proceeds from sale of Contango shares
12,146
(364)
4,363
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
12,104
(68,054)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayment of debt
(105,000)
(85,000)
Net payments from issuance of common stock
(1,415)
(2,747)
Common stock dividends
(36,735)
(34,755)
(287)
2,089
Net cash used in financing activities
(143,437)
(120,413)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents
62,731
(38,971)
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period
119,475
Cash and equivalents at end of period
80,504
(Unaudited)
1. OPERATIONS, SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND RECENTLY ADOPTED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
Royal Gold is engaged in the business of acquiring and managing precious metals streams, royalties and similar interests. We seek to acquire existing stream and royalty interests or to finance projects that are in production or in the development stage in exchange for stream or royalty interests. A metal stream is a purchase agreement that provides, in exchange for an upfront deposit payment, the right to purchase all or a portion of one or more metals produced from a mine at a price determined for the life of the transaction by the purchase agreement. Royalties are non-operating interests in a mining project that provide the right to revenue or metals produced from the project after deducting contractually specified costs, if any.
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for annual financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments which are of a normal recurring nature considered necessary for a fair presentation of our interim financial statements have been included in this Form 10-Q. Operating results for the three and six months ended December 31, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021. These interim unaudited financial statements should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 6, 2020 (“Fiscal 2020 10-K”).
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
Current Expected Credit Loss
In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses of Financial Instruments, which, together with subsequent amendments, changes how an entity records credit losses from an “incurred loss” approach to an “expected loss” approach. This update was effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim financial statement periods within those years, with early adoption permitted. On July 1, 2020, we adopted the new guidance and, based on our assessment, the adoption of the new guidance did not have any impact on our consolidated financial statements.
2. SALE OF PEAK GOLD JV INTEREST
On September 30, 2020, we entered into an agreement with an affiliate of Kinross Gold Corporation to sell our 40% membership interest in the Peak Gold Project for cash consideration of $49.2 million and to sell our 809,744 common shares in Contango Ore, Inc. (“Contango”), our partner in Peak Gold, LLC, for cash consideration of $12.1 million.
In addition to the total cash consideration of $61.3 million, we received the following royalty interests:
The royalties were recorded as exploration stage royalty interests in Stream and royalty interests, net in our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2020 and were assigned a combined value of approximately $4.4 million on the date of the transaction. We recorded a gain of $33.9 million on the sale of our 40% membership interest in the Peak Gold Project during the three months ended September 30, 2020. The mark-to-market increase of $3.6 million on the sale of our 809,744 common shares in Contango is included in Fair value changes in equity securities on our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income and was recognized during the three months ended September 30, 2020.
3. STREAM AND ROYALTY INTERESTS, NET
The following tables summarize our stream and royalty interests, net as of December 31, 2020 and June 30, 2020.
As of December 31, 2020 (Amounts in thousands):
Cost
Accumulated Depletion
Net
Production stage stream interests:
Mount Milligan
790,635
(270,370)
520,265
Pueblo Viejo
610,405
(226,083)
384,322
Andacollo
388,182
(120,847)
267,335
Rainy River
175,727
(34,820)
140,907
Wassa
146,475
(72,839)
73,636
Total production stage stream interests
2,111,424
(724,959)
1,386,465
Production stage royalty interests:
Voisey's Bay
205,724
(104,850)
100,874
Peñasquito
99,172
(47,263)
51,909
Cortez
80,681
(16,418)
64,263
521,289
(433,800)
87,489
Total production stage royalty interests
906,866
(602,331)
304,535
Total production stage stream and royalty interests
3,018,290
(1,327,290)
1,691,000
Development stage stream interests:
Khoemacau
180,220
12,037
Development stage royalty interests:
69,780
Total development stage stream and royalty interests
262,037
Exploration stage royalty interests:
Pascua-Lama
177,690
101,253
Total exploration stage royalty interests
278,943
Total stream and royalty interests, net
3,559,270
8
As of June 30, 2020 (Amounts in thousands):
Impairments
(236,352)
554,283
610,404
(203,935)
406,469
(110,521)
277,661
(27,278)
148,449
(67,619)
78,856
2,111,423
(645,705)
1,465,718
(101,381)
104,343
(44,614)
54,558
(15,065)
65,616
521,837
(426,931)
(1,341)
93,565
907,414
(587,991)
318,082
3,018,837
(1,233,696)
1,783,800
136,608
70,952
Total development stage royalty interests
219,597
137,826
315,516
3,553,950
Separation of the Wassa and Prestea/Bogoso Stream Agreement
On October 1, 2020, we announced the separation of the Wassa and Prestea/Bogoso gold stream agreement into separate stream agreements effective September 30, 2020. This separation was completed to facilitate the sale by Golden Star Resources Ltd. (“Golden Star”) of the Prestea/Bogoso mines to Future Global Resources (“FGR”).
The Wassa stream agreement, which remains with Golden Star, continues to provide us the right to purchase 10.5% of the gold produced from the Wassa mine until the delivery of 240,000 ounces, after which the stream percentage will decrease to 5.5%. The cash purchase price for gold remains at 20% of the spot price per ounce delivered until the delivery of 240,000 ounces, and 30% of the spot price per ounce delivered thereafter. As of December 31, 2020, approximately 110,200 ounces remain to be delivered from the Wassa mine until the 240,000 ounce delivery threshold is reached.
The Prestea/Bogoso stream agreement with FGR provides us the right to purchase 5.5% of the gold produced from the Prestea/Bogoso mines in return for a cash purchase price of 30% of the spot price per ounce delivered.
The material terms of both the Wassa stream agreement and the Prestea/Bogoso stream agreement, including security and the rights and obligations of both Royal Gold and Golden Star, remain substantially consistent with those terms in the original agreement. The Wassa stream is recorded as a production stage stream interest within Stream and royalty interests, net on our consolidated balance sheets and has a carrying value of $73.6 million as of December 31, 2020.
9
COVID-19 and current economic environment
Throughout 2020 and into 2021, several of our operating counterparties have instituted temporary operational curtailments due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the pandemic and resulting economic and societal impacts have made it difficult for operators to forecast expected production amounts and, at times, operators have had to withdraw or revise previously disclosed guidance. For the most part, our results of operations and financial condition have not been materially impacted by these measures to date. However, the effects of the pandemic are fluid and changing rapidly, including with respect to vaccine and treatment developments and deployment and potential mutations of COVID-19. As a result, we are currently unable to predict the nature or extent of any future impact on our results of operations and financial condition. We continue to monitor the impact of developments associated with the pandemic on stream and royalty interests as part of our regular asset impairment analysis.
4. MARKETABLE EQUITY SECURITIES
As of December 31, 2020, our marketable equity securities include 3,949,575 common shares of Battle North Gold Corporation, and warrants to purchase up to 19,640,000 common shares of TriStar Gold Inc. Our marketable equity securities are measured at fair value (Note 12) each reporting period with any changes in fair value recognized in net income.
As discussed in Note 2, on September 30, 2020, we sold 809,744 common shares of Contango for total consideration of $12.1 million and recorded a mark-to-market increase of $3.6 million on the sale, which is included in Fair value changes in equity securities in our consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income for the three months ended September 30, 2020.
The fair value of our marketable equity securities decreased $0.4 million and increased $2.2 million for the three and six months ended December 31, 2020, respectively, and are included in Fair value changes in equity securities on our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. The carrying value of our marketable equity securities as of December 31, 2020 and June 30, 2020 was $7.9 million and $17.9 million, respectively, and is included in Other assets on our consolidated balance sheets.
5. DEBT
Our debt as of December 31, 2020 and June 30, 2020 consists of the following:
As of December 31, 2020
As of June 30, 2020
Principal
Debt Issuance Costs
(Amounts in thousands)
Revolving credit facility
200,000
(4,017)
305,000
(4,561)
Total debt
As of December 31, 2020, we had $200 million outstanding and $800 million available under our revolving credit facility. The interest rate on borrowings under our revolving credit facility as of December 31, 2020 was LIBOR plus 1.10% for an all-in rate of 1.33%. Interest expense, which includes interest on outstanding borrowings and amortization of debt issuance costs, was $1.0 million and $2.2 million for the three and six months ended December 31, 2020, respectively, and $1.6 million and $3.8 million for the three and six months ended December 31, 2019, respectively. As discussed in Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements in our Fiscal 2020 10-K, we have financial covenants associated with our revolving credit facility. As of December 31, 2020, we were in compliance with each financial covenant.
On January 4, 2021, we repaid $50 million of the outstanding borrowings under our revolving credit facility. This increased the amount available under our revolving credit facility to $850 million and decreased the amount outstanding to $150 million.
10
Royal Gold may repay any borrowings under our revolving credit facility at any time without premium or penalty. Our revolving credit facility matures on June 3, 2024.
6. LEASES
Our significant lease arrangements relate to our office spaces. These arrangements are for leases of assets such as corporate office space and office equipment. We lease office space and office equipment under operating leases expiring at various dates through the fiscal year ending June 30, 2030. The following amounts were recorded in the consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2020 (amounts in thousands):
Classification
December 31, 2020
Operating Leases
Right-of-use assets - current
806
Right-of-use assets - non-current
6,404
Total right-of-use assets
7,210
Lease liabilities - current
951
Lease liabilities - non-current
Other long-term liabilities
Total operating lease liabilities
8,585
Maturities of operating lease liabilities at December 31, 2020 were as follows (amounts in thousands):
Fiscal Years:
2021
574
2022
1,145
2023
1,121
2024
2025
1,082
Thereafter
4,524
Total lease payments
9,567
Less imputed interest
(982)
Other information pertaining to leases consist of the following:
Operating Lease Term and Discount Rate
Weighted average remaining lease term in years
Weighted average discount rate
2.5%
We did not have any finance leases as of December 31, 2020.
7. REVENUE
Revenue Recognition
Under U.S. GAAP guidance, a performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer control of a distinct good or service (or integrated package of goods and/or services) to a customer. A contract’s transaction price is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue when, or as, a performance obligation is satisfied. In accordance with this guidance, revenue attributable to our stream interests and royalty interests is generally recognized at the point in time that control of the related metal production transfers to our customers. The amount of revenue we recognize further reflects the consideration to which we are entitled under the respective stream or royalty agreement. A more detailed summary of our revenue recognition policies for our stream and royalty interests is discussed below.
11
Stream Interests
A metal stream is a purchase agreement that provides, in exchange for an upfront deposit payment, the right to purchase all or a portion of one or more of the metals produced from a mine, at a price determined for the life of the transaction by the purchase agreement. Gold, silver and copper received under our metal streaming agreements are taken into inventory, and then sold primarily using average spot rate gold, silver and copper forward contracts. The sales price for these average spot rate forward contracts is determined by the average daily gold, silver or copper spot prices during the term of the contract, typically a consecutive number of trading days between ten days and three months (depending on the frequency of deliveries under the respective streaming agreement and our sales policy in effect at the time) commencing shortly after receipt and purchase of the metal. We settle our forward sales contracts via physical delivery of the metal to the purchaser (our customer) on the settlement date specified in the contract. Under our forward sales contracts, there is a single performance obligation to sell a contractually specified volume of metal to the purchaser, and we satisfy this obligation at the point in time of physical delivery. Accordingly, revenue from our metal sales is recognized on the date of settlement, which is the date that control, custody and title to the metal transfer to the purchaser.
Royalty Interests
Royalties are non-operating interests in mining projects that provide the right to a percentage of revenue or metals produced from the project after deducting specified costs, if any. We are entitled to payment for our royalty interest in a mining project based on a contractually specified commodity price (for example, a monthly or quarterly average spot price) for the period in which metal production occurs. As a royalty holder, we act as a passive entity in the production and operations of the mining project, and the third-party operator of the mining project is responsible for all mining activities, including subsequent marketing and delivery of all metal production to their ultimate customer. In all of our material royalty interest arrangements, we have concluded that we transfer control of our interest in the metal production to the operator at the point at which production occurs, and thus, the operator is our customer. We have further determined that the transfer of each unit of metal production comprising our royalty interest to the operator represents a separate performance obligation under the contract, and each performance obligation is satisfied at the point in time of metal production by the operator. Accordingly, we recognize revenue attributable to our royalty interests in the period in which metal production occurs at the specified commodity price per the agreement, net of any contractually allowable offsite treatment, refining, transportation and, if applicable, mining costs.
Royalty Revenue Estimates
For a small number of our royalty interests, we may not receive, or be entitled to receive, payment information, including production information from the operator, for the period in which metal production occurred prior to issuance of our financial statements for that period. As a result, we may estimate revenue for these royalties based on available information, including public information, from the operator. If adequate information is not available from the operator or from other public sources before we issue our financial statements, we will recognize royalty revenue during the period in which the necessary payment information is received. Differences between estimates and actual amounts could differ significantly and are recorded in the period that the actual amounts are known. Please also refer to our “Use of Estimates” accounting policy discussed in our Fiscal 2020 10-K. For the three and six months ended December 31, 2020, royalty revenue that was estimated or was attributable to metal production for a period prior to December 31, 2020, was not material.
Disaggregation of Revenue
We have identified two material revenue sources in our business: stream interests and royalty interests. These identified revenue sources are consistent with our reportable segments as discussed in Note 11.
12
Revenue by metal type attributable to each of our revenue sources is disaggregated as follows (amounts in thousands):
Stream revenue:
Gold
83,685
69,111
167,282
141,335
Silver
11,128
8,929
22,026
17,365
Copper
12,906
11,585
24,914
17,906
Total stream revenue
107,719
89,625
214,222
176,606
Royalty revenue:
36,471
22,068
63,375
43,825
4,193
3,365
5,194
4,395
4,107
8,456
7,087
5,582
4,478
11,553
9,705
Total royalty revenue
50,641
34,018
91,018
65,811
Total revenue
Revenue attributable to our principal stream and royalty interests is disaggregated as follows (amounts in thousands):
Metal(s)
Gold & Copper
44,713
30,629
79,332
61,126
Gold & Silver
27,554
23,614
58,824
45,232
17,766
20,665
41,275
41,269
6,761
4,794
15,870
10,113
10,925
9,923
18,921
18,866
Gold, Silver, Lead & Zinc
12,952
7,577
23,161
11,997
8,128
3,292
13,812
7,709
Various
29,561
23,149
54,045
46,105
Please refer to Note 11 for the geographical distribution of our revenue by reportable segment.
8. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
We recognized stock-based compensation expense as follows:
Stock options
17
26
57
Stock appreciation rights
430
801
872
Restricted stock
588
697
1,585
1,940
Performance stock
363
385
473
770
Total stock-based compensation expense
1,398
1,538
Stock-based compensation expense is included within General and administrative expense in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.
13
During the six months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, we granted the following stock-based compensation awards (note that no awards were granted during the three months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019):
(Number of shares)
2,860
1,604
64,100
46,726
26,104
23,976
Performance stock (at maximum 200% attainment)
35,380
28,560
Total equity awards granted
128,444
100,866
As of December 31, 2020, unrecognized compensation expense (expressed in thousands below) and weighted-average vesting period for each of our stock-based compensation awards were as follows:
Unrecognized
Weighted-
compensation
average vesting
expense
period (years)
123
2.3
3,172
2.2
4,993
3.5
2,367
1.9
9. EARNINGS PER SHARE (“EPS”)
Basic EPS were computed using the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period, considering the effect of participating securities. Unvested stock-based compensation awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents are considered participating securities and are included in the computation of EPS pursuant to the two-class method. Our unvested restricted stock awards contain non-forfeitable dividend rights and participate equally with common stock with respect to dividends issued or declared. Our unexercised stock option awards, unexercised stock-settled stock appreciation rights and unvested performance stock do not contain rights to dividends. Under the two-class method, the earnings used to determine basic EPS are reduced by an amount allocated to participating securities. Use of the two-class method has an immaterial impact on the calculation of basic and diluted EPS.
The following tables summarize the effects of dilutive securities on diluted EPS for the period (amounts in thousands, except share data):
Net income attributable to Royal Gold common stockholders
Weighted-average shares for basic EPS
Effect of other dilutive securities
72,303
115,660
83,639
132,647
Weighted-average shares for diluted EPS
Basic EPS
Diluted EPS
14
10. INCOME TAXES
(Amounts in thousands, except rate)
Income tax expense (benefit)
16,031
11,124
13,654
(12,401)
Effective tax rate
21.1%
21.6%
7.6%
(12.8%)
The effective tax rate for the six months ended December 31, 2020, included discrete tax benefits ($24.5 million) attributable to the settlement of an uncertain tax position with a foreign jurisdiction and the release of a valuation allowance related to deferred tax assets, both of which were recorded during the three months ended September 30, 2020. The effective tax rate for the six months ended December 31, 2019, included discrete benefits ($32.3 million) attributable to the remeasurement of certain deferred tax assets and a net step-up in the basis of tax assets due to the enactment of the Federal Act on Tax Reform and AHV Financing (Swiss Tax Reform).
11. SEGMENT INFORMATION
We manage our business under two reportable segments, consisting of the acquisition and management of stream interests and the acquisition and management of royalty interests. Royal Gold’s long-lived assets (stream and royalty interests, net) are geographically distributed as shown in the following table (amounts in thousands):
Total stream
Stream
Royalty
and royalty
interest
interests, net
Canada
661,172
184,601
845,773
702,732
189,855
892,587
Dominican Republic
Chile
267,334
224,116
491,450
223,922
501,583
Africa
253,856
321
254,177
215,463
215,784
Mexico
71,843
75,951
United States
115,427
159,445
Australia
29,161
30,006
Rest of world
12,038
27,789
39,827
25,050
37,088
1,578,722
653,258
1,614,363
704,550
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Our reportable segments for purposes of assessing performance are shown below (amounts in thousands):
Three Months Ended December 31, 2020
Revenue
Cost of sales (1)
Depletion (2)
Segment gross profit
Stream interests
40,226
42,634
Royalty interests
7,635
41,605
47,861
84,239
Three Months Ended December 31, 2019
32,181
36,367
7,801
25,233
39,982
61,600
Six Months Ended December 31, 2020
79,253
88,209
14,822
73,440
94,075
161,649
Six Months Ended December 31, 2019
63,643
71,775
15,000
48,728
78,643
120,503
A reconciliation of total segment gross profit to the consolidated Income before income taxes is shown below (amounts in thousands):
Total segment gross profit
General and administrative expenses
Depreciation and amortization
84
114
170
167
16
Our revenue by reportable segment for the three and six months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 is geographically distributed as shown in the following table (amounts in thousands):
Stream interests:
54,302
38,191
95,888
75,854
8,097
7,155
18,235
14,251
Total stream interests
Royalty interests:
17,090
10,012
30,788
20,614
15,174
9,376
26,751
15,763
8,314
3,546
12,856
7,348
6,047
8,037
13,458
16,958
744
911
1,494
1,606
3,272
2,136
5,671
3,522
Total royalty interests
12. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. As a basis for considering such assumptions, we utilize a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:
Level 1: Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets;
Level 2: Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets; and
Level 3: Prices or valuation techniques requiring inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (supported by little or no market activity).
The following table sets forth our financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis (at least annually) by level within the fair value hierarchy.
Fair Value
Carrying Amount
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Assets (amounts in thousands):
Marketable equity securities(1)
7,874
6,447
1,427
Our marketable equity securities classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy are valued using quoted market prices in active markets multiplied by the quantity of shares held. The carrying value of our revolving credit facility (Note 5) approximates fair value as of December 31, 2020. The TriStar Gold Inc. warrants classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy are model-derived (Black-Scholes) valuations in which the significant inputs are observable in active markets.
As of December 31, 2020, we had assets that, under certain conditions, are subject to measurement at fair value on a non-recurring basis like those associated with stream and royalty interests, intangible assets and other long-lived assets. For these assets, measurement at fair value in periods subsequent to their initial recognition is applicable if any of these assets are determined to be impaired. If recognition of these assets at their fair value becomes necessary, such measurements will be determined utilizing Level 3 inputs.
13. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Khoemacau Silver Stream Acquisition
Pursuant to our Khoemacau silver stream transaction closed in February 2019, we made the following advance payments under our conditional funding schedule:
Including the sixth advance payment made on January 6, 2021, we have made total contributions of $212 million which completes the advance payments for the Base Silver Stream. We are further committed to up to $53.0 million in additional contributions should Khoemacau Copper Mining (Pty.) Limited elect to fully exercise the Option Silver Stream. Any further payments under the Option Silver Stream are subject to certain conditions and are scheduled to be made using an agreed formula and certification process as project spending progresses. Refer to our Fiscal 2020 10-K for further details on the Khoemacau silver stream acquisition.
Ilovica Gold Stream Acquisition
As of December 31, 2020, our conditional funding schedule of $163.75 million, as part of the Ilovica gold stream acquisition in October 2014, remains subject to certain conditions.
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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
General Presentation
This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) is intended to provide information to assist you in better understanding and evaluating our financial condition and results of operations. You should read this MD&A in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as well as our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on August 6, 2020 (“Fiscal 2020 10-K”).
This MD&A contains forward-looking information. You should review our important note about forward-looking statements following this MD&A.
We do not own, develop, or mine the properties on which we hold stream or royalty interests. Certain information provided in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q about operating properties in which we hold interests, including information about reserves, historical production, production estimates, property descriptions, and property developments, was provided to us by the operators of those properties or is publicly available information filed by these operators with applicable securities regulatory bodies, including the SEC. We have not verified, and are not in a position to verify, and expressly disclaim any responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or fairness of, this third-party information and refer the reader to the public reports filed by the operators for information regarding those properties.
We refer to “GSR,” “NSR,” “NVR,” “metal stream (or “stream”)” and other types of royalty or similar interests throughout this MD&A. These terms are defined in our Fiscal 2020 10-K.
Overview of Our Business
We acquire and manage precious metal streams, royalties, and similar interests. We seek to acquire existing stream and royalty interests or finance projects that are in production or in the development stage in exchange for stream or royalty interests.
We manage our business under two segments:
We do not conduct mining operations on the properties in which we hold stream and royalty interests, and we generally are not required to contribute to capital costs, exploration costs, environmental costs or other operating costs on those properties.
We are continually reviewing opportunities to grow our portfolio, whether through the creation or acquisition of new or existing stream or royalty interests or other acquisition activity. We generally have acquisition opportunities in various stages of review. Our review process may include, for example, engaging consultants and advisors to analyze an opportunity; analysis of technical, financial, legal, and other confidential information of an opportunity; submission of indications of interest and term sheets; participation in preliminary discussions and negotiations; and involvement as a bidder in competitive processes.
Business Trends and Uncertainties
Metal Prices
Our financial results are primarily tied to the price of gold, silver, copper, and other metals. Metal prices have fluctuated widely in recent years and we expect this volatility to continue. The marketability and the price of metals are influenced by numerous factors beyond our control, and significant changes in metal prices can have a material effect on our revenue.
For the three and six months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, average metal prices and percentages of revenue by metal were as follows:
December 31, 2019
Metal
AveragePrice
Percentageof Revenue
Gold ($/ounce)
1,874
76%
1,481
74%
1,892
Silver ($/ounce)
24.39
10%
17.32
24.32
17.15
9%
Copper ($/pound)
3.25
11%
2.67
13%
3.10
2.65
N/A
3%
5%
COVID-19 and the Current Economic Environment
Sale of Peak Gold JV Interest
On September 30, 2020, we announced an agreement with Kinross Gold Corporation to sell our interest in the Peak Gold Project and our common share position in Contango Ore, Inc. (“Contango”), our partner in Peak Gold, LLC, the owner of the Peak Gold Project. Consideration received for the sale of these interests included cash of $61.3 million, an incremental 28% net smelter return royalty on silver produced from an area of interest which includes the current Peak Gold Project resource area, and an incremental 1% net smelter return royalty on certain State of Alaska mining claims acquired by a wholly owned subsidiary of Contango in the transaction. Peak Gold, LLC, retains the right to acquire 50% of the incremental 28% net smelter return royalty on silver for $4 million.
After this transaction, our interests in the Peak Gold Project and State of Alaska mining claim property owned by Contango consist solely of net smelter return royalties. Refer to Note 2 of our notes to consolidated financial statements for further discussion on the sale of the Peak Gold JV interest.
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Operators’ Production Estimates by Stream and Royalty Interest for Calendar 2020
We generally receive annual production estimates from many of the operators of our producing mines during the first quarter of each calendar year. In some instances, an operator may revise its original calendar year guidance throughout the year. The following table shows current production estimates for calendar 2020, as well as actual production through December 31, 2020, for our principal properties as reported to us by the operators.
Operators’ Estimated and Actual Production by Stream and Royalty Interest for Calendar 2020
Principal Producing Properties
Calendar 2020 Operator’s Production
Estimate(1)
Actual(2)
Base Metals
Stream/Royalty
(oz.)
(lbs.)
Stream:
Andacollo(3)
53,000
49,200
Mount Milligan(4)
140,000 - 160,000
161,900
80 - 90 Million
82.8 Million
Pueblo Viejo(5)
530,000 - 580,000
542,000
Wassa(6)
165,000 - 170,000
168,000
Royalty:
Cortez GSR1
66,900
101,700
Cortez GSR2
109,600
103,900
Cortez GSR3
146,300
161,100
Cortez NVR1
113,500
121,600
Cortez NVR1C
30,100
44,500
Peñasquito(7)
510,000
28 million
343,000
20.4 Million
Lead
190 million
130 Million
Zinc
360 million
281 Million
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Property Developments
This section provides recent updates for our principal properties as reported by the operators, either directly to us or in their publicly available documents.
Gold stream deliveries from Andacollo were approximately 10,700 ounces for the three months ended December 31, 2020, compared to approximately 18,600 ounces for the three months ended December 31, 2019. Decreased deliveries during the current period resulted from operational impacts due to COVID-19 in July 2020, in addition to differences in the timing of shipments and settlements during the periods.
Teck expects grades to continue to decline towards reserve grades. The current life of mine for Andacollo is expected to continue until calendar year 2035. According to Teck, additional permits or permit amendments will be required to execute the life of mine plan.
According to Khoemacau Copper Mining (Pty.) Limited (“KCM”), progress continued at the Khoemacau Project (“Khoemacau”) during the three months ended December 31, 2020, and the project reached approximately 85% of construction completion as of December 31, 2020. According to KCM, activities are focused on refurbishment and upgrading of the Boseto mill, underground development, completion of accommodation, power and water infrastructure at Zone 5 and completion of haul road surfacing between Zone 5 and the Boseto mill. Also, according to KCM, underground development had cumulatively advanced 8,311 meters in the three mines and approximately 70,000 tonnes of ore were stockpiled on surface at the end of December 2020.
The six-month state of emergency declared by the Government of Botswana in March 2020 to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 was extended on September 28, 2020, for an additional six months through March 2021. Mining remains designated as an “essential service” and KCM reports that general development activity at Khoemacau is continuing without significant impact. In line with previous reporting, and barring any potential further impacts caused by COVID-19 considerations, KCM is targeting to begin commissioning activities late in the second calendar quarter of 2021 with first shipment of concentrate to occur late in the third calendar quarter of 2021.
On January 6, 2021, Royal Gold made the sixth advance payment of $32.6 million, which brings the total contribution to $212 million and completes the advance payment required to earn the full base silver stream. For any remaining funding required to complete construction, KCM may elect under the stream agreement to draw up to $53 million in additional stream financing, earning Royal Gold up to an additional 20% option silver stream, draw up to $25 million under a subordinated debt facility provided by Royal Gold, and/or seek at least $25 million in equity from project sponsors. The subordinated debt facility has a term of seven years, carries interest at a rate of LIBOR +11%, and requires mandatory repayment upon certain events.
KCM currently anticipates that up to $50 million of this additional funding is required to complete construction and ramp up of Khoemacau to commercial production, largely a result of previously reported schedule impacts caused by COVID-19 considerations. The added funding mechanisms built into the stream agreement allow KCM to seamlessly access the additional capital required. KCM is currently reviewing its funding options in advance of the next funding draw, which may occur as early as April 2021, and does not anticipate requiring any further funding after this date to reach commercial production.
Gold stream deliveries from Mount Milligan were approximately 9,700 ounces for the three months ended December 31, 2020, compared to approximately 18,800 ounces for the three months ended December 31, 2019. Decreased deliveries were primarily a result of lower processed gold grades partially resulting from reduced open pit operations due to COVID-19 during the three months ended June 30, 2020, in addition to differences in the timing of shipments and settlements during the periods.
22
Copper stream deliveries from Mount Milligan were approximately 2.5 million pounds during the three months ended December 31, 2020, compared to approximately 4.4 million pounds during the three months ended December 31, 2019. Decreased deliveries resulted from differences in the timing of shipments and settlements during the periods.
On January 14, 2021, Centerra reported that Mount Milligan produced approximately 161,900 ounces of gold during calendar 2020, above previously issued gold production guidance of between 140,000 and 160,000 ounces. Centerra also reported that copper production for calendar year 2020 was 82.8 million pounds, in line with previously issued copper production guidance of between 80 and 90 million pounds.
Gold stream deliveries from Pueblo Viejo were approximately 10,500 ounces for the three months ended December 31, 2020, compared to approximately 13,200 ounces for the three months ended December 31, 2019. The decrease in deliveries resulted from lower grade and recovery rates. On January 14, 2021, Barrick reported that its 60% share of Pueblo Viejo gold production during calendar year 2020 was 542,000 ounces, in line with previously issued guidance of between 530,000 and 580,000 ounces.
Silver stream deliveries were approximately 418,200 ounces for the three months ended December 31, 2020, compared to approximately 417,800 ounces for the three months ended December 31, 2019.
Barrick reported continued progress at Pueblo Viejo during the quarter to expand the process plant and tailings storage facilities. Barrick estimates that the expansion project could significantly increase throughput and allow the mine to maintain average annual gold production of approximately 800,000 ounces after calendar 2022 (on a 100% basis), and that the increase in tailings storage capacity has the potential to convert approximately 11 million ounces of mineralized material to reserves (on a 100% basis).
As reported by Barrick, the Environmental Impact Assessment for the process plant expansion has been approved and an amended environmental license has been issued, and progress continued with engineering, procurement of long lead equipment packages, earthworks and tendering of contracts for construction activities. Barrick also reported that studies and permitting discussions to support additional tailings capacity continued to progress.
Gold stream deliveries from Wassa were approximately 4,700 ounces for the three months ended December 31, 2020, compared to approximately 4,900 ounces for the three months ended December 31, 2019.
On January 20, 2021, Golden Star reported full calendar year 2020 gold production from Wassa of 168,000 ounces, within the revised guidance range of 165,000 to 170,000 ounces, and a 7% increase over 2019 production. Golden Star also provided full calendar year 2021 gold production guidance of 165,000 to 175,000 ounces.
Also according to Golden Star, work on a preliminary economic assessment of the expansion of the Wassa mine into the southern extension of the Wassa ore body is nearing completion, with release of the study results in conjunction with an updated reserve and resource estimate expected from Golden Star in February 2021.
Production attributable to our royalty interest at Cortez was approximately 57,600 ounces of gold for the three months ended December 31, 2020, compared to approximately 28,000 ounces of gold for the three months ended December 31, 2019.
Barrick expects production in calendar year 2021 to increase from calendar year 2020 primarily due to higher contribution from the Crossroads deposit, which is expected to ramp up through calendar year 2023 and offset declining production from the other royalty regions.
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Production attributable to our royalty interest at Peñasquito for the three months ended December 31, 2020, increased by approximately 120% for gold and 30% for zinc, and decreased approximately 7% for silver and 15% for lead compared to the prior year quarter.
In December 2020, Newmont provided full year 2021 production guidance for Peñasquito of 660,000 ounces of gold, 30 million ounces of silver, 475 million pounds of zinc, and 190 million pounds of lead, compared to calendar 2020 production guidance, as reported by Newmont in July 2020, of 510,000 ounces of gold, 28 million ounces of silver, 360 million pounds of zinc and 190 million pounds of lead.
Results of Operations
Quarter Ended December 31, 2020, Compared to Quarter Ended December 31, 2019
For the quarter ended December 31, 2020, we recorded net income and comprehensive income attributable to Royal Gold stockholders (“net income”) of $59.9 million, or $0.91 per basic and diluted share, as compared to net income of $41.3 million, or $0.63 per basic and diluted share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2019. The increase in net income was primarily attributable to an increase in revenue, discussed below. These increases were partially offset by an increase in our cost of sales and an increase in depreciation, depletion and amortization expense, each discussed below.
For the quarter ended December 31, 2020, we recognized total revenue of $158.4 million, comprised of stream revenue of $107.7 million and royalty revenue of $50.7 million at an average gold price of $1,874 per ounce, an average silver price of $24.39 per ounce and an average copper price of $3.25 per pound. This is compared to total revenue of $123.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019, comprised of stream revenue of $89.6 million and royalty revenue of $34.0 million, at an average gold price of $1,481 per ounce, an average silver price of $17.32 per ounce and an average copper price of $2.67 per pound. Revenue and the corresponding production attributable to our stream and royalty interests for the quarter ended December 31, 2020, compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2019, are as follows:
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Revenue and Reported Production Subject to Our Stream and Royalty Interests
Quarter Ended December 31, 2020 and 2019
(Amounts in thousands, except reported production ozs. and lbs.)
Reported
Production(1)
Stream(2):
16,900
oz.
12,900
4.1
Mlbs.
4.3
9,400
10,500
408,600
462,400
9,500
3,600
3,300
Other(3)
5,100
6,100
52,000
20,500
Royalty(2):
210,600
95,800
8.7
Moz.
9.3
52.1
61.5
93.8
72.1
57,600
28,000
Total Revenue
The increase in our total revenue resulted primarily from an increase in the average gold, silver and copper prices compared to the prior period and an increase in production within our royalty segment. Gold and silver ounces and copper pounds
25
purchased and sold during the three months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, and gold and silver ounces and copper pounds in inventory as of December 31, 2020, and June 30, 2020, for our streaming interests were as follows:
As of
June 30, 2020
Gold Stream
Purchases (oz.)
Sales (oz.)
Inventory (oz.)
9,700
18,800
3,800
13,200
100
10,700
18,600
2,900
11,100
4,700
4,900
3,100
4,500
5,600
1,200
1,500
40,100
61,100
46,700
21,500
18,900
Silver Stream
418,200
417,700
451,200
65,400
48,100
51,100
66,300
23,400
483,600
460,600
465,800
513,500
484,500
474,600
Copper Stream
Purchases (Mlbs.)
Sales (Mlbs.)
Inventory (Mlbs.)
2.5
4.4
1.0
0.8
Cost of sales, which excludes depreciation, depletion and amortization, increased to $24.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2020, from $21.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019. The increase was primarily due to an increase in the gold, silver and copper prices when compared to the prior period. Cost of sales is specific to our stream agreements and is the result of our purchase of gold, silver and copper for a cash payment. The cash payment for gold from Mount Milligan is the lesser of $435 per ounce or the prevailing market price of gold when purchased, while the cash payment for our other streams is a set contractual percentage of the gold, silver or copper (Mount Milligan) spot price near the date of metal delivery.
Exploration costs decreased to zero for the three months ended December 31, 2020, from $1.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019. Exploration costs were specific to the exploration and advancement of the Peak Gold JV. On September 30, 2020, we sold our Peak Gold JV interest which is discussed earlier in this MD&A and Note 2 of our notes to consolidated financial statements.
Depreciation, depletion and amortization increased to $47.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2020, from $40.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019. The increase was primarily due to higher gold sales at Mount Milligan and an increase in depletion rates at Mount Milligan, as previously discussed in our Fiscal 2020 10-K. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in gold sales at Andacollo when compared to the prior period.
Interest and other expense decreased to $1.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2020, from $2.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019. The decrease was primarily attributable to lower interest expense as a result of lower interest rates on our outstanding debt when compared to the prior period. Refer to Note 5 of our notes to consolidated financial statements for further discussion on our outstanding debt.
For the three months ended December 31, 2020, we recorded income tax expense totaling $16.0 million, compared with income tax expense of $11.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019. The income tax expense resulted in an effective tax rate of 21.1% in the current period, compared with 21.6% for the three months ended December 31, 2019.
Six Months ended December 31, 2020, Compared to Six Months Ended December 31, 2019
For the six months ended December 31, 2020, we recorded net income of $166.8 million, or $2.55 per basic share and $2.54 per diluted share, as compared to net income of $111.8 million, or $1.70 per basic and diluted share, for the six months ended December 31, 2019. The increase in our earnings per share was primarily attributable to an increase in revenue, a one-time gain attributable to the sale of our Peak Gold JV interest during the September 2020 quarter and various discrete income tax benefits recognized during the September 2020 quarter. Each item contributing to the increase
in our earnings per share during the period is discussed below. These increases were partially offset by an increase in our cost of sales and an increase in depreciation, depletion and amortization expense, each discussed below.
For six months ended December 31, 2020, we recognized total revenue of $305.2 million, comprised of stream revenue of $214.2 million and royalty revenue of $91.0 million at an average gold price of $1,892 per ounce, an average silver price of $24.32 per ounce and an average copper price of $3.10 per pound. This is compared to total revenue of $242.4 million for the six months ended December 31, 2019, comprised of stream revenue of $176.6 million and royalty revenue of $65.8 million, at an average gold price of $1,477 per ounce, an average silver price of $17.15 per ounce and an average copper price of $2.65 per pound. Revenue and the corresponding production attributable to our stream and royalty interests for the six months ended December 31, 2020, compared to the six months ended December 31, 2019, are as follows:
Six Months Ended December 31, 2020 and 2019
28,800
29,500
8.2
6.7
20,000
859,800
938,000
21,600
27,900
8,500
6,900
9,200
11,900
75,100
85,600
341,300
131,300
15.1
13.9
93.7
91.2
191.8
179.2
95,300
63,100
(1)Reported production relates to the amount of metal sales subject to our stream and royalty interests for the six months ended December 31, 2020, and 2019, and may differ from the operators’ public reporting.
(2)
Refer to “Property Developments” above for a discussion of recent developments at principal properties.
(3)
Individually, except for Rainy River which contributed 6% of total revenue for the six months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, no stream or royalty included within the “Other” category contributed greater than 5% of our total revenue for either period.
The increase in our total revenue for the six months ended December 31, 2020 resulted primarily from an increase in the average gold, silver and copper prices compared to the prior period and an increase in production within the royalty segment.
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Gold and silver ounces and copper pounds purchased and sold during the six months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, and gold and silver ounces and copper pounds in inventory as of December 31, 2020 and June 30, 2020 for our streaming interests were as follows:
29,300
32,800
24,400
28,300
19,900
23,700
8,700
7,800
8,900
11,400
91,200
88,600
104,000
96,200
826,800
880,200
118,000
97,500
944,800
934,900
977,700
1,023,600
8.3
6.8
Cost of sales, which excludes depreciation, depletion and amortization, increased to $46.8 million for the six months ended December 31, 2020, from $41.2 million for the six months ended December 31, 2019. The increase was primarily due to an increase in the gold, silver and copper prices and an increase in copper sales at Mount Milligan when compared to the prior period. Cost of sales is specific to our stream agreements and is the result of our purchase of gold, silver and copper for a cash payment. The cash payment for gold from Mount Milligan is the lesser of $435 per ounce or the prevailing market price of gold when purchased, while the cash payment for our other streams is a set contractual percentage of the gold, silver or copper (Mount Milligan) spot price near the date of metal delivery.
Exploration costs decreased to $0.6 million for the six months ended December 31, 2020, from $4.1 million for the six months ended December 31, 2019. Exploration costs were specific to the exploration and advancement of the Peak Gold JV. On September 30, 2020, we sold our Peak Gold JV interest which is discussed earlier in this MD&A and Note 2 of our notes to consolidated financial statements.
Depreciation, depletion and amortization increased to $94.2 million for the six months ended December 31, 2020, from $78.8 million for the six months ended December 31, 2019. The increase was primarily due to higher copper sales at Mount Milligan and an increase in depletion rates at Mount Milligan, as previously discussed in our Fiscal 2020 10-K. The increase was partially offset by a decrease in gold sales at Andacollo when compared to the prior period.
We recognized an increase in fair value changes in equity securities of $2.2 million for the six months ended December 31, 2020 compared to a decrease of $1.2 million for the six months ended December 31, 2019. The increase was primarily due to a $3.6 million mark-to-market increase on the sale of 809,744 Contango common shares as part of the sale of our interest in the Peak Gold JV during the September 2020 quarter. Refer to Note 4 of our notes to consolidated financial statements for further discussion on our marketable equity securities.
Interest and other expense decreased to $3.5 million for the six months ended December 31, 2020, from $5.1 million for the six months ended December 31, 2019. The decrease was primarily attributable to lower interest expense as a result of lower interest rates on our outstanding debt when compared to the prior period. Refer to Note 5 of our notes to consolidated financial statements for further discussion on our outstanding debt.
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For the six months ended December 31, 2020, we recorded income tax expense totaling $13.7 million, compared with an income tax benefit of $12.4 million for the six months ended December 31, 2019. The income tax expense resulted in an effective tax rate of 7.6% in the current period, compared with (12.8%) for the six months ended December 31, 2019. The six months ended December 31, 2020 effective tax rate included income tax benefits of $24.5 million resulting primarily from the release of an uncertain tax position due to a settlement agreement with a foreign tax authority and a change to the realizability of certain deferred tax assets, both of which were recorded during the three months ended September 30, 2020. For the six months ended December 31, 2019, the effective tax rate included an income tax benefit of $32.3 million primarily related to the enactment of the Federal Act on Tax Reform and AHV Financing in Switzerland (Swiss Tax Reform).
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview
At December 31, 2020, we had current assets of $450.5 million compared to current liabilities of $57.2 million, which resulted in working capital of $393.3 million and a current ratio of 8 to 1. This compares to current assets of $362.2 million and current liabilities of $43.6 million at June 30, 2020, resulting in working capital of $318.6 million and a current ratio of approximately 8 to 1. The increase in working capital was primarily due to proceeds from the sale of our Peak Gold JV interest and increased revenue.
During the six months ended December 31, 2020, liquidity needs were met from $194.1 million in net cash provided by operating activities and our available cash resources. As of December 31, 2020, we had $800 million available and $200 million outstanding under our revolving credit facility. Working capital, combined with available capacity under our revolving credit facility, resulted in approximately $1.2 billion of total liquidity at December 31, 2020. We were in compliance with each financial covenant under the revolving credit facility as of December 31, 2020. Refer to Note 5 of our notes to consolidated financial statements for further discussion on our outstanding debt. On January 4, 2021, we repaid $50 million of the outstanding borrowings under the credit facility. This increased the amount available under our revolving credit facility to $850 million and decreased the amount outstanding to $150 million.
We believe that our current financial resources and funds generated from operations will be adequate to cover anticipated expenditures for debt service, general and administrative expense costs and capital expenditures for the foreseeable future. Our current financial resources are also available to fund dividends and for acquisitions of stream and royalty interests, including the conditional funding schedule in connection with the Khoemacau silver stream. Our long-term capital requirements are primarily affected by our ongoing acquisition activities. We currently, and generally at any time, have acquisition opportunities in various stages of active review. In the event of one or more substantial stream or royalty interest or other acquisitions, we may seek additional debt or equity financing as necessary. We occasionally borrow and repay amounts under our revolving credit facility and may do so in the future.
Please refer to our risk factors included in Part 1, Item 1A of our Fiscal 2020 10-K for a discussion of certain risks that may impact our liquidity and capital resources.
Cash Flows
Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $194.1 million for the six months ended December 31, 2020, compared to $149.5 million for the six months ended December 31, 2019. The increase was primarily due to an increase in proceeds received from our stream and royalty interests, net of cost of sales and production taxes, of approximately $49.9 million. The increase was partially offset by an increase in income taxes paid of $10.3 million.
Investing Activities
Net cash provided by investing activities totaled $12.1 million for the six months ended December 31, 2020, compared to net cash used in investing activities of $68.1 million for the six months ended December 31, 2019. The increase was primarily due to $49.2 million received for the sale of our Peak Gold JV investment and $12.1 million for the sale of our Contango shares. This increase was partially offset by advance payments totaling $43.6 million for the Khoemacau silver stream acquisition during the current period.
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Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities totaled $143.4 million for the six months ended December 31, 2020, compared to $120.4 million for the six months ended December 31, 2019. The increase was primarily due to an increase in repayments on our revolving credit facility. We repaid $105.0 million on our revolving credit facility during the six months ended December 31, 2020, compared to $85.0 million during the six months ended December 31, 2019.
Recent Liquidity and Capital Resource Development
Dividend Increase
On November 17, 2020, we announced an increase in our annual dividend for calendar 2021 from $1.12 to $1.20, payable on a quarterly basis of $0.30 per share. The newly declared dividend is 7% higher than the dividend paid during calendar 2020. We have steadily increased our annual dividend for 20 years, or since calendar 2001.
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards and Critical Accounting Policies
Refer to Note 1 of our notes to consolidated financial statements for further discussion on any recently adopted accounting standards. Refer to our Fiscal 2020 10-K for discussion on our critical accounting policies.
Forward-Looking Statements
This report and our other public communications include “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of U.S. federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements are any statements other than statements of historical fact. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results may differ materially from these statements.
Forward-looking statements are often identified by words like “will,” “may,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “forecast,” “potential,” “intend,” “continue,” “project,” or negatives of these words or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements include, among others, the following: statements about our expected financial performance, including revenue, expenses, earnings or cash flow; operators’ expected operating and financial performance, including production, deliveries, mine plans and reserves, development, cash flows and capital expenditures; planned and potential acquisitions or dispositions, including funding schedules and conditions; liquidity, financing and dividends; our overall investment portfolio; macroeconomic and market conditions including the impacts of COVID-19; prices for gold, silver, copper, nickel and other metals; potential impairments; or tax changes.
Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include, among others, the following: a lower-price environment for gold, silver, copper, nickel or other metals; operating activities or financial performance of properties on which we hold stream or royalty interests, including variations between actual and forecasted performance, operators’ ability to complete projects on schedule and as planned, changes to mine plans and reserves, liquidity needs, mining and environmental hazards, labor disputes, distribution and supply chain disruptions, permitting and licensing issues, contractual issues involving our stream or royalty agreements, or operational disruptions due to COVID-19; risks associated with doing business in foreign countries; our ability to identify, finance, value and complete acquisitions; adverse economic and market conditions; changes in laws or regulations governing us, operators or operating properties; changes in management and key employees; and other factors described in Item 1A. Risk Factors of our Fiscal 2020 10-K. Most of these factors are beyond our ability to predict or control.
Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made. We disclaim any obligation to update any
forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Our earnings and cash flows are significantly impacted by changes in the market price of gold and other metals. Gold, silver, copper, and other metal prices can fluctuate significantly and are affected by numerous factors, such as demand, production levels, economic policies of central banks, producer hedging, world political and economic events, and the strength of the U.S. dollar relative to other currencies. Please see the risk factor entitled “Our revenue is subject to volatility in metal prices, which could negatively affect our results of operations or cash flow.” under Part I, Item 1A of our Fiscal 2020 10-K, for more information about risks associated with metal price volatility.
During the six months ended December 31, 2020, we reported revenue of $305.2 million, with an average gold price for the period of $1,892 per ounce, an average silver price of $24.32 per ounce, and an average copper price of $3.10 per pound. The table below shows the impact that a 10% increase or decrease in the average price of the specified metal would have had on our total reported revenue for the six months ended December 31, 2020:
Percentage of Total Reported Revenue Associated with Specified Metal
Amount by Which Total Reported Revenue Would Have Increased or Decreased If Price of Specified Metal Had Averaged 10% Higher or Lower in Period
$23.8 million
$3.6 million
$3.1 million
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our President and Chief Executive Officer (the principal executive officer) and Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (the principal financial and accounting officer), we evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2020. Based on this evaluation, our President and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2020, at the reasonable assurance level.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the three months ended December 31, 2020, that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Inherent Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls
Our management, including our President and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal controls will prevent all error and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within Royal Gold have been detected.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
None.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
There have been no material changes to the risk factors included in the section entitled “Risk Factors” of our Fiscal 2020 10-K.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Period
(a) Total Number of Shares Purchased(1)
(b) Average Price Paid Per Share
(c) Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
(d) Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plan or Programs
October 2020
November 2020
158
$117.36
December 2020
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
Not applicable.
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
ExhibitNumber
Description
31.1*
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2*
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1‡
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2‡
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101*
The following financial statements from Royal Gold, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2020, formatted in Inline XBRL: (a) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, (b) Consolidated Statements of Operations, (c) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (d) Consolidated Balance Sheets, and (e) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged as blocks of text and including detailed tags.
104*
The cover page from Royal Gold, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2020, formatted in Inline XBRL (included as Exhibit 101).
*
Filed herewith.
‡
Furnished herewith.
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.
Date: February 4, 2021
By:
/s/ William Heissenbuttel
William Heissenbuttel
President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Paul Libner
Paul Libner
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)