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. 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, 2021, approximately 459,000 ounces remain deferred. Delivery of these deferred ounces is expected to continue in the coming quarters but timing for delivery of the full deferred amount is uncertain and will depend on various aspects of plant performance.
On February 16, 2022, Barrick reported that its share of Pueblo Viejo gold production for 2022 is expected to range between 400,000 and 440,000 ounces, with maintenance planned in the first quarter of the year.
Total Available Liquidity of $1.2 Billion after Repayment of Revolving Credit Facility Balance
On December 8, 2021, Royal Gold repaid the $50 million outstanding balance under its revolving credit facility, reducing the amount outstanding to $0 and leaving the full $1 billion facility undrawn and available. Combined with working capital of $154.6 million, Royal Gold has total available liquidity of approximately $1.2 billion as of December 31, 2021.
Completed Transition to Calendar Year Reporting Schedule
As of December 31, 2021, Royal Gold has completed the change in fiscal year end from June 30 to December 31. This change is intended to more closely align Royal Gold’s reporting and disclosure with that of the majority of its stream and royalty counterparties and the precious metals sector, which will allow market participants to more closely evaluate and compare Royal Gold’s performance to its peers.
Transition Period 2021 Overview
For the Transition Period, Royal Gold recorded net income of $138.3 million, or $2.11 per basic share and $2.10 per diluted share, as compared to net income of $166.8 million, or $2.55 per basic share and $2.54 per diluted share, for the six months ended December 31, 2020. The decrease in earnings per share was primarily due to a one-time gain attributable to the sale of the Peak Gold JV interest in the prior comparable period. This decrease was partially offset by an increase in revenue during the Transition Period.
For the Transition Period, Royal Gold recognized total revenue of $343.0 million, which is comprised of stream revenue of $226.6 million and royalty revenue of $116.4 million, at an average gold price of $1,792 per ounce, an average silver price of $23.85 per ounce and an average copper price of $4.32 per pound, compared to 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, for the six months ended December 31, 2020. The increase in total revenue for the Transition Period, compared with the six months ended December 31, 2020, resulted primarily from higher gold production at Cortez, increases in gold and copper sales at Mount Milligan, and maiden sales from the Khoemacau and NX Gold streams, which resulted in new revenue of $5.1 million and $7.7 million, respectively, during the current period. These increases were partially offset by lower gold sales at Andacollo, lower gold and silver sales at Pueblo Viejo and a decrease in average gold and silver prices when compared to the six months ended December 31, 2020.
Cost of sales increased to $52.3 million for the Transition Period, from $46.8 million for the six months ended December 31, 2020. The increase was primarily due to an increase in gold and copper sales at Mount Milligan when compared to the prior period. This increase was partially offset by a decrease in gold sales at Andacollo compared to the six months ended December 31, 2020. 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 the Company’s 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 $15.2 million for the Transition Period, from $14.2 million for the six months ended December 31, 2020. The increase was primarily due to higher employee related costs and non-cash stock compensation expense.
Depreciation, depletion and amortization increased to $99.7 million for the Transition Period, from $94.2 million for the six months ended December 31, 2020. The increase was primarily due to higher gold sales at Mount Milligan, and maiden sales from Khoemacau and the recently acquired NX Gold stream. These increases in depreciation, depletion and amortization were partially offset by a decrease in gold sales at Andacollo and lower gold and silver sales at Pueblo Viejo.
The Company recognized a loss in fair value changes in equity securities of $1.4 million for the Transition Period, compared to a gain in fair value changes in equity securities of $2.2 million for the six months ended December 31, 2020.
Interest and other expense decreased to $2.8 million for the Transition Period, from $3.5 million for the six months ended December 31, 2020. The decrease was primarily attributable to lower interest expense as a result of a decrease in average debt amounts outstanding during the current period when compared to the prior period.