Royal Gold Reports a Strong Finish to Calendar 2022 with Solid Operating and Financial Results for the Fourth Quarter of 2022

DENVER–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Royal Gold, Inc. (NASDAQ: RGLD) (together with its subsidiaries, “Royal Gold,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) reports net income of $239.0 million, or $3.63 per share, for the year ended December 31, 2022, on revenue of $603.2 million and operating cash flow of $417.3 million. Adjusted net income¹ was $226.1 million, or $3.43 per share.

For the quarter ended December 31, 2022 (“fourth quarter”), net income of $56.4 million, or $0.86 per share, was reported on revenue of $163.0 million and operating cash flow of $101.0 million. Adjusted net income¹ was $59.7 million, or $0.91 per share.

Production volume of 335,100 GEOs² for 2022 was within the guidance range of 315,000 to 340,000 GEOs. On a comparable basis, at previously-provided guidance prices³ and after excluding the contribution of royalty ounces for transactions completed during 2022⁴, production volume for 2022 was within the top half of the guidance range at approximately 333,700 GEOs.

2022 Highlights:

• Revenue of $603.2 million, operating cash flow of $417.3 million, and earnings of $239.0 million
• Revenue split: 73% gold, 11% silver, 12% copper
• Production volume of 335,100 GEOs, within the guidance range of 315,000-340,000 GEOs⁴
• Acquired two royalties on the world-class Cortez Complex in Nevada
• Acquired royalty on the emerging Great Bear project in Ontario
• Khoemacau stream rate increased to 100% of payable silver
• Achieved full repayment of advance stream deposit at Mount Milligan in British Columbia
• Added to S&P High Yield Dividend Aristocrats Index
• Issued inaugural ESG Report

Fourth Quarter 2022 Highlights:

• Increased dividend for the 22^nd consecutive year to $1.50 per share, a 7% increase over the prior year
• Updated Mount Milligan life of mine plan extends life to 2033
• Acquired Idaho Royalty on the Cortez Complex
• Khoemacau achieved target production rate

“Our solid fourth quarter results capped off another very successful year for Royal Gold,” commented Bill Heissenbuttel, President and CEO of Royal Gold. “We manage our business adhering to a long term strategy that considers adding growth by acquiring high quality assets, funding that growth with limited equity dilution, maintaining a strong balance sheet and liquidity, and increasing our capital return to shareholders. Our activities in 2022 were consistent with that strategy, with several notable achievements:

• We added high-quality and long life assets to the portfolio with the acquisition of additional royalty interests at the Cortez Complex and a royalty on the Great Bear project.
• We grew our exposure to the Khoemacau project by increasing our silver stream from 90% to 100% of payable silver.
• We funded our acquisitions and investments using cash on hand and our revolving credit facility and did not dilute shareholders by issuing equity.
• We ended the year with total liquidity of approximately $550 million.
• We raised our dividend for the 22^nd consecutive year and were added to the S&P High Yield Dividend Aristocrats Index.

“Our portfolio also performed well in 2022. Despite the expected fall in GEO production, we achieved our GEO guidance and we saw mine life extensions at Mount Milligan and Rainy River, as well as advances at several other projects within the portfolio that are expected to provide further organic growth in the near to medium term. Our margins remained strong throughout the year, and our unique business model continued to provide shareholders with precious metal leverage without direct exposure to cost inflation.”

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¹Adjusted 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.

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

³2022 actual volume was approximately 336,600 GEOs at commodity price assumptions used to set 2022 guidance of: $1,800/oz gold, $22.50/oz silver, $4.25/lb copper, $8.50/lb nickel, $0.95/lb lead, $1.25/lb zinc.

⁴Approximately 3,000 GEOs were produced from the Cortez Complex royalty interests acquired in 2022, which were not included in the 315,000 to 340,000 GEO guidance range.

Recent Portfolio Developments

Principal Property Updates

Khoemacau Achieves Ramp-Up to Target Production

According to Khoemacau Copper Mining (Pty.) Limited (“KCM”), at the Khoemacau project in Botswana, the ramp-up of operations to the target production rate of 3.65 million tonnes per annum (10,000 tonnes per day) was achieved in December 2022, with mining operations continuing at nameplate capacity through January 2023. KCM also reported that all key operating and cost parameters are in line with expectations.

KCM continues to expect that Khoemacau will produce an average of 155,000 to 165,000 tonnes of high-grade copper and silver concentrate per year from Zone 5, containing approximately 60,000 to 65,000 tonnes of payable copper and 1.8 to 2.0 million ounces of payable silver per year over an approximate 20-year mine life.

Plant Expansion Project in Commissioning Phase and Significant Reserve Addition at Pueblo Viejo

On February 15, 2023, Barrick Gold Corporation (“Barrick”) reported continued progress 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 processing of first ore and commissioning of the new plant infrastructure is expected to be substantially complete during the first quarter of 2023. With respect to the mine life extension, Barrick disclosed that social, environmental and technical studies for the additional tailings storage capacity continued to advance, and an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (“ESIA”) for the proposed new Naranjo tailings storage facility (“TSF”) had been submitted to the relevant authorities in the fourth quarter. Barrick expects the Government of the Dominican Republic’s decision on the ESIA during the first half of 2023.

Barrick also reported that a pre-feasibility study on the Naranjo TSF was completed during the fourth quarter, which allowed the addition of 6.5 million ounces of attributable proven and probable reserves (60% basis), net of depletion, and extend the mine life beyond 2040. Barrick further reported that drilling and site investigation continues to allow for a feasibility level design by the end of 2023.

Silver stream deliveries were approximately 337,900 ounces for the fourth quarter compared to 316,000 ounces for the prior year quarter. Deliveries during the fourth quarter included approximately 17,700 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 with deferred ounces to be delivered in future periods as silver recovery allows. As of December 31, 2022, approximately 513,000 ounces remain deferred, and the timing for the delivery of the entire deferred amount is uncertain.

Barrick expects 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.

Maiden Reserve Declared at Robertson and Continued Permitting Progress at Goldrush within the Cortez Complex in Nevada

On February 9, 2023, Barrick reported a maiden proven and probable reserve of 1.6 million ounces (100% basis) grading 0.46 grams per tonne at the Robertson open pit project after the completion of a pre-feasibility study. According to Barrick, this will be a key source of oxide mill feed in the Cortez Complex mine plan.

On February 15, 2023, Barrick reported continued progress on permitting activities at the Goldrush project, with the Record of Decision expected to be issued by the end of the first half of 2023. Barrick also reported that mine development and test stoping at Goldrush has continued at the Redhill zone where dewatering is not required, and development continues on exploration drifts above the Goldrush orebody to facilitate future underground drilling platforms.

Additionally, Barrick reported that successful resource definition drilling at Robertson and Goldrush supports the potential for future reserve growth.

Barrick expects gold production of 580,000 to 650,000 ounces in 2023 from its 61.5% interest in the Cortez Complex, implying total production of approximately 940,000 to 1,060,000 ounces from the Cortez Complex.

Portfolio Additions

Acquisition of Additional Royalty Interest on World-Class Producing Cortez Complex in Nevada

On December 29, 2022, the Company acquired two portions of a gross smelter return royalty (the “Idaho Royalty”) that together cover a large area including the Cortez mine operational area and the entirety of the Fourmile development project in Nevada (the “Cortez Complex”) from certain holders who are successors in interest to Idaho Mining Corporation for cash consideration of $204.1 million. The area within the Cortez Complex is owned or controlled by Nevada Gold Mines LLC, a joint venture between Barrick and Newmont Corporation, with the exception of the Fourmile development project which is 100% owned and operated by Barrick.

The Idaho Royalty comprises an approximate 0.24% gross royalty that covers areas including the Pipeline and Crossroads deposits and an approximate 0.45% gross royalty that covers areas including the Cortez Hills, Goldrush, Fourmile and Robertson deposits. The Idaho Royalty is life of mine, not subject to any stepdowns or caps, and has no applicable deductions. The purchase price was funded with available capacity on the revolving credit facility and cash on hand.

The economic effective date for the transaction was December 1, 2022, and revenue of $0.7 million on production of approximately 116,000 ounces attributable to the royalty was recognized in the fourth quarter of 2022. The Idaho Royalty is payable monthly and Royal Gold received the first payment for December production in January, 2023.

Other Property Updates

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

Producing Properties

Wassa (10.5% gold stream): Chifeng Gold (“Chifeng”) advised that 2022 gold production at the Wassa mine in Ghana was 171,000 ounces, slightly above the guidance range of 155,000 to 170,000 ounces due to supplementing underground production with ore from surface sources. Chifeng expects 2023 gold production from Wassa of approximately 180,000 ounces.

Xavantina (formerly “NX Gold”) (25% gold stream): Ero Copper Corp. (“Ero”) reported record 2022 gold production of 42,669 ounces at the Xavantina mine in Brazil, above the high end of the guidance range of 39,000 to 42,000 ounces, driven by higher processed tonnes. Ero provided 2023 gold production guidance of 50,000 to 53,000 ounces with production from the Matinha vein expected to start in the second half of 2023.

King of the Hills (1.5% NSR royalty): Red 5 Limited reported that commercial production at the King of the Hills (“KOTH”) gold project in Western Australia was reached on December 16, 2022. Total expected production from KOTH is 90,000 to 105,000 ounces for the first half of 2023, although not all of this production is expected to be covered by the Company’s royalty.

Ruby Hill (3% NSR royalty): i-80 Gold Corp. announced the discovery of a new gold horizon, the “007 Zone,” and additional high-grade drill results that continue to demonstrate the potential to expand mineralization in the Ruby Deeps deposit at the Ruby Hill Property in Nevada.

Red Chris (1% NSR royalty): Newcrest Mining Limited (“Newcrest”) reported that the block cave feasibility study for the Red Chris mine in British Columbia is now expected in the second half of 2023. Newcrest also reported that the exploration decline had progressed to 2.7km as of January 18, 2023, and drilling at the East Ridge target is continuing and expected to be completed by the second quarter of 2023.

Development and Evaluation Properties

Great Bear (2% NSR royalty): Kinross Gold Corporation (“Kinross”) announced a maiden resource of 5 million ounces of gold (2.7 million ounces Indicated, 2.3 million ounces Inferred) at the Great Bear project in Ontario based on drilling to an approximate depth of 500 meters. Kinross expects 2023 activity to include drilling at depth, along strike and on parallel structures to support engineering studies and permitting activities.

Bellevue (2% NSR royalty): Bellevue Gold Limited (“Bellevue”) announced receipt of the final approval required for construction of the processing plant at the Bellevue Gold project in Western Australia. Bellevue is targeting first gold in the second half of 2023, with 180,000 to 200,000 ounces produced in the first 12 months of commercial production.

Mara Rosa (1.0% NSR royalty and 1.75% NSR royalty on gold): Hochschild Mining PLC (“Hochschild”) announced on January 31, 2023, that the Mara Rosa project in Brazil is advancing according to schedule with total project progress at 50% and detailed engineering 96% complete. Hochschild expects first production in the first half of 2024.

Manh Choh (3% NSR royalty and 28% NSR royalty on silver): Contango Ore Inc. (“Contango”), the 30% joint venture partner at the Manh Choh project, provided an overview of the 2023 work plan on January 27, 2023, indicating that early works are underway, the mining permit is expected by April 2023, ore stockpiling is expected in the third quarter of 2023 and production is targeted for 2024.

2022 Overview

For the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company recorded net income attributable to Royal Gold stockholders of $239.0 million, or $3.64 per basic share and $3.63 per diluted share, as compared to net income of $274.0 million, or $4.17 per basic and diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2021. The decrease in net income was primarily due to lower revenue and higher interest expense as a result of a higher outstanding balance and interest rates under the revolving credit facility as compared to the prior period. This decrease was partially offset by a decrease in income tax expense as discussed in further detail below.

For the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company recognized total revenue of $603.2 million, which is comprised of stream revenue of $417.8 million and royalty revenue of $185.4 million, at an average gold price of $1,800 per ounce, an average silver price of $21.73 per ounce and an average copper price of $3.99 per pound, compared to total revenue of $653.6 million, which is comprised of stream revenue of $436.3 million and royalty revenue of $217.3 million, at an average gold price of $1,799 per ounce, an average silver price of $25.14 per ounce and an average copper price of $4.23 per pound, for the year ended December 31, 2021⁵.

The decrease in total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared with year ended December 31, 2021, resulted primarily from lower gold sales at Andacollo, lower gold and silver sales at Pueblo Viejo and lower gold production at Cortez and Peñasquito. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in gold sales at Mount Milligan and Xavantina, higher silver sales at Khoemacau, and $5.2 million of revenue from the newly-acquired royalties at Cortez, as compared to the prior period.

Cost of sales decreased to $94.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, from $98.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in gold sales at Andacollo and a decrease in gold and silver sales at Pueblo Viejo as compared to the prior period. This decrease was partially offset by an increase in gold sales at Mount Milligan when compared to the prior period. Cost of sales, which excludes depreciation, depletion and amortization, 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 $34.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, from $29.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase was primarily due to higher employee related costs and non-cash stock compensation expense.

Depreciation, depletion and amortization decreased to $178.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, from $189.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The decrease was primarily due to lower depletion rates at Mount Milligan compared to the prior period. This decrease was partially offset by additional depletion from Khoemacau which produced first deliveries in the September 30, 2021 quarter.

During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company recognized an impairment loss of $4.3 million on the carrying value of a non-principal exploration stage royalty due to new legal information received.

The Company recognized a loss in fair value changes in equity securities of $1.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to a gain in fair value changes in equity securities of $2.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2021.

Interest and other expense increased to $17.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, from $5.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase in the current period was primarily attributable to increased interest expense as a result of higher average amounts outstanding under the revolving credit facility and higher interest rates when compared to the prior period.

Income tax expense was $32.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to $53.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, which resulted in an effective tax rate of 12.1% in the current period as compared to 16.2% in the prior period. The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2022, was primarily impacted by the release of a valuation allowance on certain foreign deferred tax assets. The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2021, was impacted by the release of uncertain tax positions resulting from a settlement agreement with a foreign tax authority and a change in estimates, partially offset by a foreign tax rate adjustment resulting in a revaluation of certain deferred tax assets.

Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $417.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to $461.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The change was primarily due to a $35.9 million decrease in cash proceeds received from the Company’s stream and royalty interests, net of cost of sales, compared to the prior period.

Net cash used in investing activities totaled $922.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to net cash used in investing activities of $417.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase over the prior period was primarily due to the Great Bear Royalties Corporation, Rio Tinto Royalty and Idaho Royalty acquisitions.

Net cash provided by financing activities totaled $480.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to net cash used in financing activities of $283.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The change was primarily due to an increase in the debt outstanding for the year ended December 31, 2022, that was used to fund acquisitions of new royalty interests at Cortez and the Great Bear project compared to the prior period.

At December 31, 2022, the Company had working capital of $122.2 million, including $118.6 million of cash and equivalents. This compares to working capital of $154.6 million, including $143.6 million of cash and equivalents at December 31, 2021. The decrease in working capital was primarily attributable to the acquisition of royalty and stream interests during the year ended December 31, 2022.

During the year ended December 31, 2022, liquidity needs were met from $417.3 million in net cash provided by operating activities and available cash resources, including $575 million of net borrowing under the revolving credit facility.

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⁵Average prices are based on averages of the following market prices: the London Bullion Market Association (“LBMA”) PM fixing prices in U.S. dollars for gold, the LBMA daily fixing prices in U.S. dollars for silver, and the London Metals Exchange (“LME”) settlement prices for copper.

Fourth Quarter 2022 Overview

In the fourth quarter, the Company recorded net income and comprehensive income attributable to Royal Gold stockholders of $56.4 million, or $0.86 per basic and diluted share, as compared to net income of $68.2 million, or $1.04 per basic and diluted share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2021. The decrease in net income was primarily attributable to a decrease in revenue, higher interest expense as a result of higher outstanding debt compared to the prior period, and an impairment of a non-principal exploration stage royalty interest in the current period.

During the fourth quarter the Company recognized total revenue of $163.0 million, comprised of stream revenue of $108.9 million and royalty revenue of $54.1 million at an average gold price of $1,726 per ounce, an average silver price of $21.17 per ounce and an average copper price of $3.63 per pound. This is compared to total revenue of $168.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2021, comprised of stream revenue of $110.6 million and royalty revenue of $57.9 million, at an average gold price of $1,795 per ounce, an average silver price of $23.33 per ounce and an average copper price of $4.40 per pound.

The decrease in total revenue resulted primarily from lower sales at Andacollo, Pueblo Viejo and Peñasquito, partially offset by higher gold and copper sales at Mount Milligan and revenue from the newly-acquired royalties at Cortez.

Cost of sales, which excludes depreciation, depletion and amortization, was $25.0 million for the fourth quarter, in line with $25.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2021. 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.

General and administrative costs increased to $8.8 million for the fourth quarter, from $8.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2021. The increase was primarily due to an increase in employee-related costs including non-cash compensation expense.

Depreciation, depletion and amortization was $49.2 million for the fourth quarter, in line with $49.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2021. The gold and copper depletion rates on the Mount Milligan stream as of September 30, 2022 decreased to $416 per ounce of gold and $1.06 per pound of copper as a result of the increase to proven and probable reserves in the updated Mount Milligan life of mine plan. The decrease was offset by additional depletion from Khoemacau and the recently acquired Rio Tinto and Idaho royalties.

Contacts

Alistair Baker

Vice President Investor Relations and Business Development

(720) 554-6995

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