Royal Gold Reports Strong Start to 2023 with Solid First Quarter Revenue, Operating Cash Flow and Earnings

DENVER–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Royal Gold, Inc. (NASDAQ: RGLD) (together with its subsidiaries, “Royal Gold,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) reports net income of $63.9 million, or $0.97 per share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2023, (“first quarter”) on revenue of $170.4 million and operating cash flow of $108.7 million. Adjusted net income¹ was $63.3 million, or $0.96 per share.

First Quarter 2023 Highlights:

• Robust financial results with revenue of $170.4 million and operating cash flow of $108.7 million, up 5% and 7% compared to the prior year period
• Revenue split: 71% gold, 14% copper, 12% silver
• Production volume of 90,200 GEOs², 4% higher than the prior year period
• Repaid $75 million of debt, reducing total debt to $500 million and increasing total available liquidity to $634 million
• Maintained adjusted EBITDA margin¹ of 79%
• Paid quarterly dividend of $0.375 per share, a 7% increase over the prior year period

Post Quarter Events:

• Published second ESG Report, including climate scenario analysis

“Our first quarter provided a solid start to 2023,” commented Bill Heissenbuttel, President and CEO of Royal Gold. “Steady portfolio performance drove strong revenue and operating cash flow, which allowed us to repay $75 million of our outstanding revolving credit facility balance while enhancing our strong liquidity position.”

“We saw some positive developments from within the portfolio during the quarter,” continued Mr. Heissenbuttel, “including the receipt of first revenue from King of the Hills, the first full quarter of sustained production at nameplate capacity at Khoemacau, a significant increase in reserves and resources at Xavantina, increases in reserves at Pueblo Viejo and Cortez, and the extension of production through 2044 at Pueblo Viejo. Continued contributions from these and other portfolio assets, combined with the current strong metal price environment, provide us with the financial strength and liquidity to remain competitive in our pursuit of new business opportunities.”

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1 Adjusted net income, adjusted net income per share and adjusted EBITDA margin are non-GAAP financial measures. See Schedule A of this press release for additional information, including a detailed description of adjustments to net income.

2 See Schedule A of this press release for additional information about gold equivalent ounces, or GEOs.

Recent Portfolio Developments

Principal Property Updates

Khoemacau Achieves First Quarter of Operations at Nameplate Capacity

According to Khoemacau Copper Mining (Pty.) Limited (“KCM”), operations at the Khoemacau mine in Botswana continued at nameplate capacity through the first quarter after the target production rate of 3.65 million tonnes per year (10,000 tonnes per day) was achieved in December 2022. As projected in the mine plan, KCM expects payable silver production in 2023 to range between 1.5 and 1.7 million ounces, which is slightly below the life of mine (“LOM”) average due to lower silver grades in the upper portion of the Zone 5 deposit and the top-down mining sequence.

Mount Milligan Production for 2023 Expected to be Back-End Weighted

As disclosed on February 24, 2023, Centerra Gold Inc. (“Centerra”) expects 2023 production of between 160,000 and 170,000 ounces of gold and 60 to 70 million pounds of copper from the Mount Milligan mine in British Columbia. Centerra expects gold and copper production to be higher in the second half of the year with approximately 30% to 35% of concentrate sales expected to occur in the fourth quarter. According to Centerra, the lower production compared to 2022 is due to mine sequencing.

Centerra also reported that it continues to optimize the LOM plan for Mount Milligan and anticipates increases in both gold and copper production for 2024 and 2025 when compared to the annual figures included in the most recent Technical Report, dated November 7, 2022.

Pueblo Viejo Technical Report Extends Production Through 2044

On March 17, 2023, Barrick Gold Corporation (“Barrick”) issued an updated Technical Report on the Pueblo Viejo mine to support the previously disclosed Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves estimates as of December 31, 2022. According to Barrick, mining of the open pit is expected to continue to 2041 and processing of ore is expected to continue to 2044, with LOM production from 2023 through 2044 of approximately 11.1 million ounces of gold and 49.9 million ounces of silver (Barrick’s 60% interest).

On May 3, 2023, Barrick provided an update on the plant expansion and mine life extension project at Pueblo Viejo in the Dominican Republic. With respect to the plant expansion, Barrick reported that the first ore has been processed through the crusher and it expects to substantially complete the commissioning of the new plant infrastructure and commence the ramp-up phase during the second quarter of 2023. With respect to the mine life extension, Barrick disclosed that technical and social studies for additional tailings storage capacity continued to advance, and a decision by the Government of the Dominican Republic on the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment for the proposed new Naranjo tailings storage facility (“TSF”) is expected during the first half of 2023. Barrick further reported that geotechnical drilling and site investigation are ongoing to support a feasibility study on the TSF, which is due for completion in the second quarter of 2024.

Silver stream deliveries were approximately 362,200 ounces for the first quarter, compared to approximately 274,500 ounces for the first quarter of 2022. During the current quarter there was a nominal increase of 5,700 ounces of deferred silver. The deferred ounces are the result of a mechanism in the stream agreement that allows for the deferral of deliveries in a period if Barrick’s share of silver production is insufficient to cover its stream delivery obligations. The stream agreement terms include a fixed 70% silver recovery rate. If actual recovery rates fall below the contractual 70% recovery rate, ounces may be deferred and delivered in future periods as silver recovery allows. As of March 31, 2023, approximately 518,400 ounces remain deferred. We expect that silver recoveries could remain highly variable until the plant expansion project is complete and is running at full production levels. We do not expect material deliveries of deferred silver ounces while the plant ramps up to full production levels during 2023, and timing for the delivery of the entire deferred amount is uncertain.

Barrick continues to expect gold production of 470,000 to 520,000 ounces in 2023 from its 60% interest in Pueblo Viejo. Royal Gold’s stream interests are applicable to production from Barrick’s interest at Pueblo Viejo.

Strong Production from the Legacy Zone Expected in 2023, Updated Reserves for the Legacy Zone, and Extension to the Goldrush Permitting Timeline at the Cortez Complex in Nevada

As disclosed by Barrick on November 18, 2022, total gold production from the Cortez Complex is expected to be approximately 1.0 million ounces in 2023, and then increase from approximately 900,000 ounces in 2024 to approximately 1.3 million ounces in 2027. Royal Gold owns multiple royalty interests at the Cortez Complex, which for purposes of simplified disclosure have been divided into the Legacy Zone, consisting of the Crossroads and Pipeline deposits, and Cortez Complex Zone (“CC Zone”), consisting of the remaining deposits in the Cortez Complex.

For 2023, gold production from the Legacy Zone is expected to range from 450,000 to 480,000 ounces with a midpoint of approximately 465,000 ounces. 2023 gold production for the CC Zone is expected to be approximately 535,000 ounces.

For the period 2023 through 2027, gold production from the Legacy Zone is expected to average approximately 360,000 ounces per year. Production during this period is expected to vary around this average, with lower production expected in 2024 and 2025 and higher production expected in 2026 and 2027. All other production from the Cortez Complex during this period is expected to be sourced from the CC Zone.

The gross royalty rate applicable to the Legacy Zone is approximately 9.4% and the gross royalty rate applicable to the CC Zone, other than Robertson and Goldrush SouthEast deposits, is approximately 1.6%.

At the Robertson project, Barrick expects first production in 2027 subject to the successful completion of feasibility and permitting activities, among other things. The gross royalty rate applicable to Robertson is approximately 0.45%.

Proven and probable mineral reserves for December 31, 2022, at the Cortez Complex include approximately 2.7 million ounces of gold for the Legacy Zone, which includes the Crossroads (47 million tonnes at 1.69 grams per tonne) and Pipeline deposits (7.6 million tonnes of ore at a gold grade of 0.63 grams per tonne), and assuming a gold price of $1,300 per ounce.

On May 3, 2023, Barrick reported that the timeline for the Record of Decision (“ROD”) on the Goldrush project, which is located within the CC Zone, has been extended from the first half of 2023 and is now expected in the second half of 2023. Barrick also reported that mine development and test stoping in the Redhill zone is continuing and a minor permit modification has been approved that will allow underground development to continue until the ROD on the Goldrush Plan of Operations is received. According to Barrick, the extension to the permitting timeline is not expected to have a significant impact on the 2023 outlook and the potential impact, if any, on the outlook from 2024 onwards is currently being reviewed.

Other Property Updates

Recent notable updates as reported by the operators of other select portfolio assets include:

Producing Properties

Xavantina (25% gold stream): Ero Copper Corp. (“Ero”) announced updated National Instrument 43-101 compliant mineral reserves and resources and a LOM production plan for the Xavantina Operations in Brazil. Proven and probable reserves as of October 31, 2022, increased approximately 18% over the previous estimate from September 30, 2021, and the updated LOM production plan contemplates gold production exceeding 60,000 ounces in 2024 following the commencement of production from the Matinha Vein in the second half of 2023.

Red Chris (1% NSR royalty): Newcrest Mining Limited (“Newcrest”) reported that the East Ridge Exploration Target at the Red Chris mine in British Columbia has been significantly enhanced, confirming the substantial discovery near existing infrastructure and indicating potential to support additional block caves. Newcrest estimates that the Exploration Target defined for East Ridge could contain between 5.4 and 6.1 million ounces of gold and 1.9 to 2.3 million tonnes of copper, and is exclusive of the current published Mineral Resource. Newcrest expects that an updated Red Chris Mineral Resource estimate, including East Ridge, will be delivered in calendar 2023.

Rainy River (6.5% gold stream, 60% silver stream): New Gold Inc. (“New Gold”) reported first quarter production from the Rainy River mine in Ontario of 67,596 gold equivalent ounces, a 13% increase over the prior year period, as greater underground ore tonnes contributed to better-than-expected grade, which more than offset lower tonnes milled due to mechanical maintenance on the SAG mill and crusher. New Gold reported that Rainy River is on track to meet guidance of 235,000 to 265,000 gold equivalent ounces for 2023.

King of the Hills (1.5% NSR royalty): Red 5 Limited reported that gold production from the King of the Hills (“KOTH”) mine in Western Australia was a record 17,550 ounces for the month of March from 0.40 million tonnes of ore processed at an average head grade of 1.49g/t. Mining at KOTH is from both open pit and underground sources.

Ruby Hill (3% NSR royalty): i-80 Gold Corp. (“i-80”) announced a plan for 2023 at the Ruby Hill property in Nevada that includes the continuation of a large-scale drill program, the delivery in the second quarter of a Preliminary Economic Assessment (“PEA”) for the Ruby Deeps and 426 gold deposits, permitting to support underground development from the existing open pit, and advanced economic studies. i-80 further reported that results from initial 2023 drilling include the discovery of new lenses of high-grade poly-metallic carbonate replacement deposit type (“CRD”) and skarn mineralization along the Hilltop fault structure, and drilling continues to expand mineralization in the Hilltop Zones.

Development Properties

Bellevue (2% NSR royalty): Bellevue Gold Limited (“Bellevue”) provided an update on construction and development at the Bellevue Gold Project in Western Australia. According to Bellevue, mining has started at the Vanguard open pit and clearing is underway at the tailings storage facility. Mining from the Vanguard open pit is scheduled to provide approximately 10,000 ounces of gold, which is expected to be available for processing in mid-2023 in advance of the forecast completion of the Bellevue processing facility.

Mara Rosa (1.0% NSR and 1.75% NSR royalties): Hochschild Mining PLC (“Hochschild”) announced on April 20, 2023, that the Mara Rosa project in Brazil is advancing according to schedule with total project progress at over 70% and detailed engineering almost complete. Hochschild continues to expect first production in the first half of 2024.

Granite Creek (3.0% NSR and 2.94% NSR royalties): i-80 reported that underground development continues at the Granite Creek project in Nevada, and that a Feasibility Study for the Ogee underground mine and an initial resource and PEA for the South Pacific Zone are expected to be released in the second quarter. i-80 further reported that oxide material is being placed on the Lone Tree leach pad for high intensity leaching and alternate processing options are being investigated as significant high-grade oxide mineralization continues to be mined from the Ogee zone. i-80 expects that the South Pacific Zone will be the primary zone at the Granite Creek mine starting in 2024.

Back River (1.95% GSR royalty): B2Gold Corp., the new owner and operator of the Back River Gold District in Nunavut, announced its plans to continue construction of the Goose project with a target for commencing commercial production in 2025. Additionally, B2Gold has started a district wide exploration program across the 80 kilometer belt.

First Quarter 2023 Overview

In the first quarter, the Company recorded net income and comprehensive income attributable to Royal Gold stockholders (“net income”) of $63.9 million, or $0.97 per basic and diluted share, as compared to net income of $65.7 million, or $1.00 per basic and diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2022 (“prior year period”). The decrease in net income was primarily attributable to higher debt-related interest expense.

The Company recognized total revenue of $170.4 million in the first quarter, comprised of stream revenue of $115.0 million and royalty revenue of $55.4 million at an average gold price of $1,890 per ounce, an average silver price of $22.55 per ounce and an average copper price of $4.05 per pound. This is compared to total revenue of $162.4 million in the prior year period, comprised of stream revenue of $105.3 million and royalty revenue of $57.1 million, at an average gold price of $1,877 per ounce, an average silver price of $24.01 per ounce and an average copper price of $4.53 per pound.

The increase in total revenue resulted primarily from higher gold and copper sales at Mount Milligan, higher gold production attributable to Royal Gold’s interest at Cortez as a result of the newly acquired royalties, and higher silver sales at Khoemacau due to the ramp up. The increase was offset by lower gold sales at Andacollo and lower gold and silver production at Peñasquito compared to the prior year period.

Cost of sales, which excludes depreciation, depletion and amortization, increased to $25.0 million for the first quarter, from $22.6 million for the prior year period. The increase, when compared to the prior year quarter, was primarily due to an increase in gold and copper sales at Mount Milligan and higher silver sales at Khoemacau, offset by lower gold sales at Andacollo. Cost of sales is specific to the Company’s stream agreements and is the result of the 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.

General and administrative costs increased to $11.0 million for the first quarter, from $8.9 million for the prior year period. The increase was primarily due to an increase in employee-related costs including non-cash stock-based compensation expense.

Depreciation, depletion and amortization decreased to $46.3 million for the first quarter, from $48.0 million for the prior year period. The decrease was primarily due to lower depletion rates at Mount Milligan and Pueblo Viejo as a result of proven and probable mineral reserve increases compared to the prior year quarter. The decrease was partially offset by higher depletion due to higher silver sales at Khoemacau compared to the prior year quarter.

Interest and other expense increased to $9.2 million for the first quarter from $0.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The increase was primarily due to higher interest expense as a result of higher average amounts outstanding under our revolving credit facility compared to the prior year quarter.

For the first quarter, we recorded income tax expense of $15.9 million, compared with income tax expense of $15.3 million for the prior year period. The income tax expense resulted in an effective tax rate of 19.9% in the current period, compared with 18.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2022.

Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $108.7 million for the first quarter, compared to $101.1 million for the prior year period. The increase was primarily due to an increase in cash proceeds received from the Company’s stream and royalty interests, net of cost of sales, compared to the prior year quarter. Higher interest payments on amounts outstanding under the revolving credit facility partially offset the increase.

Net cash used in investing activities totaled $0.2 million for the first quarter, compared to $37.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The decrease over the prior year quarter was primarily due to lower acquisitions of royalty and stream interests.

Net cash used in financing activities totaled $100.2 million for the first quarter, compared to $23.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The increase was primarily due to a repayment of $75 million on the revolving credit facility during the first quarter.

At March 31, 2023, the Company had current assets of $189.2 million compared to current liabilities of $55.0 million, which resulted in working capital of $134.2 million and a current ratio of approximately 3 to 1. This compares to current assets of $185.8 million and current liabilities of $63.6 million at December 31, 2022, resulting in working capital of $122.2 million and a current ratio of approximately 3 to 1. The increase in working capital was primarily due to an increase in available cash, resulting from increased revenue during the current period.

During the first quarter, liquidity needs were met from $108.7 million in net cash provided by operating activities and available cash resources.

Other Corporate Updates

Total Available Liquidity Increases to Approximately $634 Million After Revolver Repayment

Total liquidity at the end of the first quarter increased to approximately $634 million from approximately $547 million as of December 31, 2022, primarily due to a $75 million repayment on the revolving credit facility on March 6, 2023. Total liquidity at the end of the first quarter consisted of $134 million of working capital and $500 million available under the revolving credit facility.

As of March 31, 2023, the Company had $500 million outstanding under the revolving credit facility and the current all-in borrowing rate was 6.2%. In keeping with Royal Gold’s capital allocation strategy to repay outstanding debt as cash flow allows, at current metal prices the Company expects to repay this outstanding balance from future cash flow around mid-2024 absent further acquisitions.

Outlook for 2023

On April 20, 2023, Royal Gold issued 2023 guidance for sales of 320,000 to 345,000 GEOs, depreciation, depletion and amortization expense of $490 to $540 per GEO, and an effective tax rate of 17 to 22%.

Royal Gold has no significant additional financing commitments.

Property Highlights

A breakdown of revenue for the Company’s stream and royalty portfolio can be found on Table 1 for the quarters ended March 31, 2022 and March 31, 2023. Historical production reported by operators of the Company’s principal stream and royalty properties can be found on Table 2. Calendar year 2023 operator production estimates for the Company’s principal stream and royalty properties compared to actual production reported by the operators at these properties can be found on Table 3. Stream segment purchases and sales for the three month periods ended March 31, 2022 and March 31, 2023 and inventories for December 31, 2022 and March 31, 2023 can be found on Table 4. Highlights at certain of the Company’s principal producing and development properties during the quarter ended March 31, 2023, compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2022, are detailed in the 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 March 31, 2023, the Company owned interests on 182 properties on five continents, including interests on 40 producing mines and 19 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.

First Quarter Call Information:
Dial-In		833-470-1428 (U.S.); toll free
Numbers:		833-950-0062 (Canada); toll free
		646-904-5544 (International)
Access Code:		594830
Webcast URL:		www.royalgold.com under Investors, Events & Presentations

Note: Management’s conference call reviewing the first quarter will be held on Thursday, May 4, 2023, at 12:00 pm Eastern Time (10:00 am Mountain Time). The call will be webcast and archived on the Company’s website for a limited time.

Additional Investor Information: Royal Gold routinely posts important information, including information about upcoming investor presentations and press releases, on its website under the Investors tab. Investors and other interested parties are encouraged to enroll at www.royalgold.com to receive automatic email alerts for new postings.

Forward-Looking Statements: This press release includes “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.

Contacts

Alistair Baker

Vice President Investor Relations and Business Development

(720) 554-6995

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