Royal Gold Reports First Quarter 2019 Results

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Royal Gold, Inc. (NASDAQ: RGLD) (together with its subsidiaries, “Royal Gold” or the “Company,” “we” or “our”) reports net income of $15.0 million, or ($0.23 per share), on revenue of $100.0 million in its fiscal first quarter ended September 30, 2018 (“first quarter”). Earnings were primarily impacted by lower sales as previously guided, lower metal prices, higher legal expenses and the adoption of new accounting guidance for equity securities.

First Quarter Highlights Compared to Prior Year Quarter:

• Revenue of $100.0 million, a decrease of 11.1%
• Operating cash flow of $44.6 million, a decrease of 37.7%
• Volume of 82,400 GEOs,¹ a decrease of 6.4%
• Dividends paid of $16.4 million, an increase of 4.4%
• Average gold price of $1,213 per ounce, a decrease of 5.1%

“As expected, deliveries from Mount Milligan during the first quarter were lower due to the suspension of operations earlier in the calendar year associated with water availability issues,” commented Tony Jensen, President and CEO. “Peñasquito and Pueblo Viejo production were also lower but the operators expect improvements in the December quarter with higher grade ore anticipated.”

“Looking forward to long term value, we made important advancements during the first quarter by resolving the Voisey’s Bay royalty dispute and completing a preliminary economic assessment on the Peak Gold project, and Mount Milligan and Rainy River mill throughputs have recently improved to targeted levels. Our financial position continues to strengthen with over $1.1 billion in capacity to take advantage of new business opportunities.”

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¹ Gold Equivalent Ounces (“GEOs”) are calculated as revenue divided by the average gold price for the same period. GEOs net of stream payments were 68,800 in the first quarter, compared to 72,000 in the prior first quarter, respectively.

Recent Developments

Mount Milligan

The temporary shutdown of the Mount Milligan processing facility that occurred earlier in calendar 2018 due to a lack of sufficient water sources resulted in a decrease in our gold and copper stream deliveries from the project during the first quarter.

On September 14, 2018, Centerra Gold Inc. (“Centerra”) reported that Mount Milligan received approval to access certain short-term water sources until November 15, 2018. On October 31, 2018, Centerra provided the following update: Centerra has made applications for certain additional / extended water sources until 2021. Discussions are under way with regulators, First Nations and other affected stakeholders regarding these applications and Centerra expects that access to these sources may be granted as early as the end of January 2019. However, these applications have not yet been granted and as the flow from the approved short-term water sources declines during the calendar fourth quarter and during the remainder of the winter season, Centerra expects to reduce Mount Milligan throughput to properly manage its water balance until the water flow increases in the spring.

In addition, development of a long-term water supply plan and methodology to assess water sources is under way, and applications and government review of that methodology are expected to commence within the fourth calendar quarter of 2018. Centerra’s expectation is that its updated long-term water source (or sources) will be available from and after 2021 for the entire mine life.

Processing operations were impacted during the first quarter by unplanned shutdowns for primary crusher maintenance in July and maintenance to repair transformer damage from a lightning strike in September. Although these two events reduced operating days, Centerra reaffirmed their annual guidance expectation. Plant performance for the first quarter averaged 40,805 tonnes per calendar day, or approximately 55,000 tonnes per operating day, while throughput in August was 61,135 tonnes per operating day.

Resolution of Voisey’s Bay Royalty Dispute

On September 14, 2018, Royal Gold announced that the Labrador Nickel Royalty Limited Partnership (“LNRLP”) entered into an agreement with Vale Canada Limited (“Vale”) and certain of its subsidiaries to comprehensively settle long-standing litigation related to calculation of LNRLP’s 3% royalty on the sale of all concentrates produced from the Voisey’s Bay mine in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. A wholly owned indirect subsidiary of Royal Gold is the general partner and 90% owner of LNRLP, with the remaining 10% owned by a subsidiary of Altius Minerals Corporation (“Altius”).

During the three months ended September 30, 2018, Royal Gold recognized royalty revenue for Voisey’s Bay metal production attributable to our 90% share of LNRLP of approximately $2.4 million and $2.0 million for the June 30 and September 30, 2018 quarters, respectively, based on a new royalty calculation method effective for all production after April 1, 2018. We expect that regular quarterly royalty payments will be received 45 days after the end of each calendar quarter for the duration of the remaining mine life.

Completion of Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Peak Gold Project

On September 24, 2018, Royal Gold announced that the Peak Gold joint venture, of which our Royal Alaska, LLC subsidiary owns a 40% interest, completed a Preliminary Economic Assessment (“PEA”) on the Peak Gold Project located near Tok, Alaska. In summary, the PEA contemplates open pit mining 9.3 million tonnes of mineralized material grading 3.99 grams per tonne gold, and presents attractive economics at a base case gold price of $1,250 per ounce and a silver price of $17.00 per ounce, with an eight year mine life, 24-month preproduction period and cash costs after sustaining capital of approximately $470 per ounce. Further details of the PEA are found in our September 24, 2018 press release entitled “Royal Gold Announces Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Peak Gold Project” on our website.

The estimates from the PEA must be regarded as preliminary and do not provide assurance that a mine can or will be developed at the Peak Gold Project. Substantial further work, including a full-scale feasibility study, would be required to confirm and refine these estimates. Accordingly, there can be no certainty that the results of the PEA will be realized even if Peak Gold decides to proceed with the mine plan described in the PEA at any point in the future.

Royal Gold also owns two net smelter return royalties on the Peak Gold Project.

Purchase of Shares of Contango Ore, Inc.

Subsequent to the quarter end on October 3, 2018, Royal Gold acquired the second and final tranche of 127,188 shares of Contango ORE, Inc. (“CORE”), our joint venture partner in the Peak Gold Project, common stock for consideration of $26 per share, pursuant to a Stock Purchase Agreement entered into on April 5, 2018 between Royal Gold and certain individual stockholders of CORE. With the purchase of this second tranche, Royal Gold owns 809,744 shares of CORE common stock, representing approximately 13.2% of the shares outstanding.

First Quarter 2019 Overview

First quarter revenue was $100.0 million compared to $112.5 million in the prior year quarter, with stream revenue totaling $70.0 million and royalty revenue totaling $30.0 million. The decrease in total revenue for the first quarter compared to the prior year quarter was due to lower average gold, silver and copper prices, as well as lower overall sales and production. Lower stream sales from Mount Milligan and Pueblo Viejo were partially offset by higher sales from Andacollo and initial contributions from Rainy River, while a decrease in royalty revenue was due to lower production at Peñasquito and Cortez.

First quarter cost of sales was approximately $16.5� million, compared to $20.4� million in the prior year quarter. The decrease was primarily due to lower stream sales from Mount Milligan partially offset by higher stream sales at Andacollo. Cost of sales is specific to our stream agreements and is the result of the purchase of gold, silver and copper for a cash payment.

General and administrative expenses increased to $9.9� million in the first quarter from $6.9� million during the prior year quarter. The increase during the current period was primarily due to greater legal costs related to the settlement of the Voisey’s Bay royalty calculation dispute.

Exploration costs attributable to Royal Gold’s controlling membership interest in the Peak Gold Project increased to $1.8� million in the first quarter from $1.2� million in the prior year quarter. Royal Gold’s membership interest in the Peak Gold JV was 40% and 35.8% during the quarters ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense increased to� $42.6 million� in the first quarter from� $39.7 million� in the prior year quarter. The increase was primarily due to additional depletion from the Voisey’s Bay royalty interest.

As a result of the adoption of new Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) guidance, we recognized a loss on changes in fair value of equity securities related to our holdings in CORE and Rubicon Minerals Corporation of $1.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018. The new ASU guidance, which impacts how we recognize changes in fair value on our equity securities at each reporting period, was adopted on July 1, 2018. The new guidance could increase our earnings volatility in the future.

We recognized first quarter income tax expense of $4.1� million, compared to $7.5 million during the prior year quarter. Our effective tax rate for the first quarter was 25.6% compared to 22.1% for the prior year quarter. The increase in the effective rate was primarily due to fewer taxbenefits attributable to equity award vesting and exercise in the current quarter compared to the prior year quarter.

At September 30,� 2018, we had current assets of $159.4� million compared to current liabilities of $37.4� million, resulting in working capital of $122.0� million. This compares to current assets of $125.8� million and current liabilities of $51.4� million at June 30,� 2018, resulting in working capital of $74.4� million.

During the first quarter, liquidity needs were met from $83.5� million in net revenue and our available cash resources. As of September� 30,� 2018, the Company had no amount outstanding and the full $1 billion available under its revolving credit facility. Working capital, combined with the Company’s undrawn revolving credit facility, resulted in approximately $1.1 billion of total liquidity at September 30, 2018.

Property Highlights

A summary of first quarter and historical production reported by operators of our stream and royalty properties can be found on Tables 1 and 2. Calendar year 2018 operator production estimates for certain properties in which we have interests compared to actual production at those properties through September 30, 2018 can be found on Table 3. Results of our streaming business for the first quarter, compared to the prior year quarter, can be found on Table 4. Highlights at certain of the Company’s principal producing and development properties during the first quarter, compared to the prior year quarter, are detailed in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

CORPORATE PROFILE

Royal Gold is a precious metals stream and royalty company engaged in the acquisition and management of precious metal streams, royalties and similar production-based interests. As of November 1, 2018, the Company owns interests on 191 properties on six continents, including interests on 40 producing mines and 18 development stage projects. Royal Gold is publicly traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “RGLD.” The Company’s website is located at www.royalgold.com.

Note: Management’s conference call reviewing the first quarter results will be held on Thursday, November 1, 2018, at noon Eastern Time (10:00 a.m. Mountain Time). The call will be webcast and archived on the Company’s website for a limited time.

First Quarter Earnings Call Information:

Cautionary “Safe Harbor” Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: With the exception of historical matters, the matters discussed in this press release 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 about future production contributions from Peñasquito, Pueblo Viejo, Mount Milligan and Rainy River, future contributions from Voisey’s Bay, the results of the Peak Gold preliminary economic assessment and attractive economics presented therein, strengthening financial position, access to capital and taking advantage of new business opportunities, the impact of temporary shutdowns and restarts of mill processing operations at Mount Milligan, the availability of sufficient water resources to avoid future potential shutdowns and reduced production at Mount Milligan, and operators’ production estimates for calendar year 2018 and their estimates of reserves and mineralized material. Net gold and metal reserves attributable to Royal Gold’s stream, royalty and other interests are subject to certain assumptions and, like reserves, do not reflect actual ounces that will be produced. Like any stream, royalty or similar interest on a non-producing or not-yet-in-development project, our interests on development projects are subject to certain risks, such as the ability of the operators to bring the projects into production and operate in accordance with their feasibility studies and mine plans, and the ability of Royal Gold to make accurate assumptions regarding valuation and timing and amount of payments. In addition, many of our interests are subject to risks associated with conducting business in a foreign country, including application of foreign laws to contract and other disputes, foreign environmental laws and enforcement and uncertain political and economic environments. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the projections include, among others, precious metals, copper and nickel prices; performance of and production at the Company's stream and royalty properties; the ability of operators to finance project construction to completion and bring projects into production as expected, including development stage mining properties, mine and mill expansion projects and other development and construction projects; operators’ delays in securing or inability to secure or maintain necessary governmental permits; decisions and activities of the operators of the Company's stream and royalty properties; unanticipated grade, environmental, geological, seismic, metallurgical, processing, liquidity or other problems the operators of the Company’s stream and royalty properties may encounter; operators’ inability to access sufficient raw materials, water or power; changes in operators’ project parameters as plans continue to be refined; changes in estimates of reserves and mineralization by the operators of the Company’s stream and royalty properties; contests to the Company’s stream and royalty interests and title and other defects in the properties where the Company holds stream and royalty interests; errors or disputes in calculating stream deliveries and royalty payments, or deliveries or payments not made in accordance with stream and royalty agreements; economic and market conditions; changes in laws governing the Company and its stream and royalty interests or the operators of the properties subject to such interests, and other subsequent events; as well as other factors described in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 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.

Statement Regarding Third-Party Information: Certain information provided in this press release, including production estimates for calendar 2018, has been provided to us by the operators of the relevant properties or is publicly available information filed by these operators with applicable securities regulatory bodies, including the Securities and Exchange Commission. Royal Gold has not verified, and is not in a position to verify, and expressly disclaims any responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or fairness of such third-party information and refers the reader to the public reports filed by the operators for information regarding those properties.

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Royal Gold
Alistair Baker, 720-554-6995
Director, Business Development

Source: Royal Gold