Upgrade in MSCI ESG Rating to AA
Royal Gold received a rating of AA in the MSCI ESG Ratings assessment during the September quarter citing Company practices in the areas of governance and operations. The AA rating (on a scale of AAA-CCC) places Royal Gold within the category of “Leader,” the highest rating given to companies in the Metals and Mining – Precious Metals sector.
Achieved Net Zero Carbon Emissions for Fiscal Year 2020 Corporate Operations
During the quarter Royal Gold acquired carbon credits to fully offset emissions from its direct corporate operations for fiscal year 2020.
Established Support for the Riverside Foundation for Healthcare and Mikinaak Center for Wellness
Royal Gold seeks opportunities to support our counterparties and their sustainability initiatives in the areas surrounding the operations in which the Company has interests. Agreements were completed in the September quarter to provide donations to the Riverside Foundation for Healthcare (C$60,000 per year for three years) and the Mikinaak Center for Wellness (C$34,000) in Fort Frances, Ontario, Canada, to support health and wellness programs in the catchment area of the Rainy River Mine.
September Quarter 2021 Overview
September quarter revenue was $174.4 million, compared to $146.9 million in the prior year quarter, with stream revenue of $115.9 million and royalty revenue of $58.5 million. The increase in total revenue for the September quarter compared to the prior year quarter resulted primarily from higher gold sales at Mount Milligan, higher gold production at Cortez, gold sales from the newly acquired NX Gold Stream and an increase in average copper prices, offset by a decrease in gold sales from Andacollo and lower average gold prices compared to the prior period.
Cost of sales, which excludes depreciation, depletion and amortization, increased to $27.2 million for the September quarter from $21.9 million for the prior year quarter. The increase was primarily due to an increase in gold and copper sales from Mount Milligan and an increase in the average copper price. This increase was partially offset by a decrease in the average gold price and a decrease in gold sales at Andacollo when compared to the prior period. 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.
Depreciation, depletion and amortization increased to $50.6 million for the September quarter from $46.3 million for the prior year quarter. The increase compared to the prior period was primarily due to higher gold sales from Mount Milligan, higher gold production at Cortez and maiden gold sales from the newly acquired NX Gold Stream. The increase was offset by lower gold and silver sales from Pueblo Viejo and lower gold sales from Andacollo.
Income tax expense totaling $16.0 million was recorded in the September quarter, compared with an income tax benefit of $2.4 million for the prior year quarter. The income tax expense resulted in an effective tax rate of 18.5% in the current period, compared with (2.3%) for the prior year quarter.
At September 30, 2021, the Company had current assets of $232.1 million compared to current liabilities of $60.3 million, which resulted in working capital of $171.8 million. This compares to current assets of $297.1 million and current liabilities of $52.1 million at June 30, 2021, resulting in working capital of $245.0 million. The decrease in working capital was primarily due to the cash payments associated with the acquisitions of the Red Chris Royalty and NX Gold Stream during the September quarter.
Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $129.9 million for the September quarter compared to $94.2 million for the prior year quarter. 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 and production taxes, of approximately $33.1 million.
As of September 30, 2021, the Company had $900 million available and $100 million outstanding under the revolving credit facility. Working capital, combined with available capacity under the revolving credit facility, resulted in approximately $1.1 billion of total liquidity at September 30, 2021. On October 8, 2021, the Company repaid $50 million of the outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility, which increased the amount available under the revolving credit facility to $950 million and decreased the amount outstanding to $50 million.
Outlook
Royal Gold increased its guidance for total stream segment and royalty sales volume to a range of between 180,000 and 190,000 GEOs4 for the 6-month transition period ending December 31, 2021. For the same period, depreciation, depletion and amortization expense is expected to range between $525 and $575 per GEO, and the effective tax rate is expected to range between 18% and 22%.
4 Commodity price assumptions for GEO projections include: $1,750 per ounce of gold, $25.50 per ounce of silver, $4.15 per pound of copper, $8.00 per pound of nickel, $0.95 per pound of lead, and $1.25 per pound of zinc