Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
General Presentation
This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) is intended to provide information to assist you in better understanding and evaluating the financial condition and results of operations of Royal Gold. You should read this MD&A in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as well as the audited consolidated financial statements included in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on February 16, 2023 (“2022 10-K”).
This MD&A contains forward-looking information. You should review our important note about forward-looking statements following this MD&A.
We do not own, develop, or mine the properties on which we hold stream or royalty interests. Certain information provided in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q about operating properties in which we hold interests, including information about mineral resources and reserves, historical production, production estimates, property descriptions, and property developments, was provided to us by the operators of those properties or is publicly available information filed by these operators with applicable securities regulatory bodies, including the SEC. We have not verified, and are not in a position to verify, and expressly disclaim any responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or fairness of, this third-party information and refer the reader to the public reports filed by the operators for information regarding those properties.
Unless the context otherwise requires, references to “Royal Gold,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Royal Gold, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.
Overview of Our Business
We acquire and manage precious metal streams, royalties, and similar interests. We seek to acquire existing stream and royalty interests or finance projects that are in production or in the development stage in exchange for stream or royalty interests.
We manage our business under two segments:
● Acquisition and Management of Stream Interests — A metal stream is a purchase agreement that provides, in exchange for an upfront deposit payment, the right to purchase all or a portion of one or more metals produced from a mine, at a price determined for the life of the transaction by the purchase agreement. As of September 30, 2023, we owned nine stream interests, which are on eight producing properties and one development stage property. Stream interests accounted for approximately 71% of our total revenue for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, and 75% and 70% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, respectively. We expect stream interests to continue representing a significant portion of our total revenue.
● Acquisition and Management of Royalty Interests — Royalties are non-operating interests in mining projects that provide the right to revenue or metals produced from the project after deducting specified costs, if any. As of September 30, 2023, we owned royalty interests on 31 producing properties, 21 development stage properties and 120 exploration stage properties, of which we consider 51 to be evaluation stage projects. We use “evaluation stage” to describe exploration stage properties that contain mineral resources and on which operators are engaged in the search for mineral reserves. Royalty interests accounted for 29% of our total revenue for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, and 25% and 30% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, respectively.
We do not conduct mining operations on the properties in which we hold stream and royalty interests, and we generally are not required to contribute to capital costs, exploration costs, environmental costs or other operating costs on those properties.
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We are continually reviewing opportunities to grow our portfolio, whether through the creation or acquisition of new or existing stream or royalty interests or other acquisition activity. We generally have acquisition opportunities in various stages of review. Our review process may include, for example, engaging consultants and advisors to analyze an opportunity; analysis of technical, financial, legal, environmental, social, governance and other confidential information regarding an opportunity; submission of indications of interest and term sheets; participation in preliminary discussions and negotiations; and involvement as a bidder in competitive processes.
Business Trends and Uncertainties
Metal Prices
Our financial results are primarily tied to the price of gold, silver, copper, and other metals. Metal prices have fluctuated widely in recent years and we expect this volatility to continue. The marketability and price of metals are influenced by numerous factors beyond our control, and significant changes in metal prices can have a material effect on our revenue.
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, average metal prices and percentages of revenue by metal were as follows:
Three Months Ended
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2023
September 30, 2022
September 30, 2023
September 30, 2022
Metal
Average
Price
Percentage
of Revenue
Average
Price
Percentage
of Revenue
Average
Price
Percentage
of Revenue
Average
Price
Percentage
of Revenue
Gold ($/ounce) (1)
$
1,928
78%
$
1,729
76%
$
1,931
75%
$
1,824
73%
Silver ($/ounce) (1)
$
23.57
11%
$
19.23
11%
$
23.40
13%
$
21.92
11%
Copper ($/pound) (2)
$
3.79
10%
$
3.51
8%
$
3.89
10%
$
4.11
12%
Other
N/A
1%
N/A
5%
N/A
2%
N/A
4%
(1) Based on the average U.S. dollars London Bullion Market Association PM fixing price for gold and daily fixing price for silver, as applicable.
(2) Based on the average U.S. dollars London Metals Exchange settlement price for copper.
Agreement to Acquire Royalty Interests on the Producing Serrote and Santa Rita Mines
On September 28, 2023, ACG Acquisition Company Ltd. (“ACG”) announced that the transaction for the acquisition by ACG of the entities that own the Serrote and Santa Rita mines in Brazil from funds advised by Appian Capital Advisory LLP (“Appian”) was terminated. Completion of the now terminated transaction between ACG and Appian was a condition to our earlier announced acquisition of royalty interests on the Serrote and Santa Rita mines and the acquisition of royalty interests will not proceed.
Xavantina Exploration Payment
On April 20, 2023, we made a $2.4 million advance payment to a subsidiary of Ero Gold Corporation (“Ero”) as part of our commitment to support the achievement of success-based targets related to regional exploration and mineral resource additions. Advance payments of $4.4 million remain if Ero meets certain success-based targets related to regional exploration and mineral resource additions through calendar 2024. Refer to Note 3 of our 2022 10-K for further information on the Xavantina (formerly referred to as NX Gold) Gold Stream Acquisition.
Operators’ Production Estimates by Stream and Royalty Interest for Calendar 2023
We generally receive annual production estimates from many of the operators of the producing mines in which we own a stream or royalty interest during the first quarter of each calendar year. In some instances, an operator may revise its original calendar year guidance throughout the year. The following table shows current production estimates for calendar 2023, as well as actual production through September 30, 2023 (except as otherwise noted), for our principal properties as reported to us by the operators.
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Operators’ Estimated and Actual Production by Stream and Royalty Interest for Calendar 2023
Principal Producing Properties
Calendar Year 2023 Operator’s Production
Calendar Year 2023 Operator’s Production
Estimate (1)
Actual (2)
Gold
Silver
Base Metals
Gold
Silver
Base Metals
Stream/Royalty
(oz.)
(oz.)
(lbs.)
(oz.)
(oz.)
(lbs.)
Stream:
Andacollo (3)
22,000 - 27,000
17,500
Mount Milligan (4)
150,000 - 160,000
114,000
Copper
60 - 70 Million
42 Million
Pueblo Viejo (5)
470,000 - 520,000
N/A
245,000
N/A
Khoemac a u (6)
1.5 - 1.7 Million
1.1 Million
Royalty:
Cortez (7)
940,000 - 1,060,000
629,000
Peñasquito (8)
N/A
N/A
123,000
13.8 Million
Lead
N/A
86 Million
Zinc
N/A
180 Million
(1) Production estimates received from our operators are for calendar 2023. There can be no assurance that production estimates received from the operators will be achieved. Our stream interests can be affected by several factors that make it difficult to calculate our revenue for a period from the operator’s actual or estimated production for that same period. These factors include the timing of the operator’s concentrate shipments, the delivery of metal to us and the subsequent sale of the delivered metal. These factors do not typically affect our stream interests on operations that produce doré or our royalty interests. Refer to our cautionary language regarding forward-looking statements included herein, as well as the Risk Factors identified in Part I, Item 1A, of our 2022 10-K for information regarding factors that could affect actual results.
(2) Actual production figures shown are from the operators and cover the period from January 1, 2023, through September 30, 2023, unless otherwise noted in footnotes to this table. Such amounts may differ from our reported revenue and production and are not reduced to show the production attributable to our interests.
(3) The estimated and actual production figures shown for Andacollo are contained gold in concentrate. Deliveries to us are determined using a fixed gold payability factor of 89%.
(4) The estimated and actual production figures shown for Mount Milligan are payable gold and copper in concentrate. Deliveries to us are determined using a fixed payability factor of 97% for gold and a minimum payability factor of 95% for copper.
(5) The estimated and actual production figures shown for Pueblo Viejo are payable gold in doré and represent the 60% interest in Pueblo Viejo held by Barrick Gold Corporation (“Barrick”). Barrick did not provide estimated or actual silver production. Deliveries to us are determined using fixed payability factors of 99.9% for gold and 99% for silver.
(6) The estimated and actual production figures for Khoemac a u are payable silver in concentrate. Deliveries to us are determined using a fixed silver payability factor of 90%.
(7) The estimated and actual production figures for Cortez include the entirety of the Cortez Complex. Barrick reports production from the entirety of the Cortez Complex and does not report production separately for the Legacy Zone and CC Zone. Production estimates for the Legacy Zone are provided to us by Barrick and production estimates for 100% of the Cortez Complex are publicly disclosed by Barrick.
(8) The estimated and actual gold and silver production figures shown for Peñasquito are payable gold and silver in concentrate and doré. The estimated and actual lead and zinc production figures shown are payable lead and zinc in concentrate. Actual figures are for the period January 1, 2023 through September 30, 2023, and no production occurred during the third quarter of 2023 due to the suspension of operations resulting from a strike action on June 7, 2023. Estimated production figures are not available as 2023 production guidance was withdrawn by Newmont Corporation (“Newmont”) on July 20, 2023 due to the suspension of operations.
Property Developments
This section provides recent updates for our principal properties as reported by the operators, either directly to us or in their publicly available documents.
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Stream Interests
Andacollo
Gold stream deliveries from Andacollo were approximately 9,300 ounces for the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to approximately 3,200 ounces for the three months ended September 30, 2022. The increase in deliveries resulted primarily from the timing of shipments and settlements during the periods.
Teck Resources Limited (“Teck”) reported that production at Andacollo in the quarter ended September 30, 2023, was impacted by a 14-day unplanned shutdown in August 2023, due to a conveyor belt failure. Any impact to Royal Gold on gold stream deliveries and sales is expected to be realized in the quarter ended March 31, 2024, as a result of the typical lag at Andacollo between production at the mine, and stream deliveries and sales.
Gold production at Andacollo has trended lower since the beginning of 2021 due to lower ore grades, as anticipated in the mine plan. According to Teck, the period of lower grades is expected to last through the remainder of 2023, and the mine plan then anticipates a transition to higher grade ore as the next phase of mining is developed over the following years. Teck has reported that the current life of mine for Andacollo is expected to continue until 2035 and that additional permits or permit amendments will be required to execute the life of mine plan.
Khoemac a u
Silver stream deliveries from Khoemac a u were approximately 315,000 ounces for the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to approximately 290,700 ounces for the three months ended September 30, 2022. Increased stream deliveries resulted from operations running at full capacity in the current period compared to the prior year period. Deliveries in the prior year period were lower due to the ramp-up of mining and processing operations throughout 2022 after completion of project construction in 2021.
According to Khoemac a u Copper Mining (Pty.) Limited (“KCM”), operations at Khoemac a u continued at nameplate capacity through the quarter ended September 30, 2023, after the target production rate of 3.7 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 to 1.7 million ounces, which is slightly below the life of mine average due to lower silver grades in the upper portion of the Zone 5 deposit and the top-down mining sequence.
Mount Milligan
Gold stream deliveries from Mount Milligan were approximately 13,000 ounces for the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to approximately 18,400 ounces for the three months ended September 30, 2022. Copper stream deliveries from Mount Milligan were approximately 2.4 million pounds during the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to approximately 4.5 million pounds during the three months ended September 30, 2022. Gold and copper stream deliveries for the three months ended September 30, 2023, relate to mine production during the approximate period February 2023 to April 2023.
On October 31, 2023, Centerra Gold Inc. (“Centerra”) reported that a full asset optimization review of the Mount Milligan mine has been launched, which includes assessments of productivity and cost efficiency opportunities in concert with mine plan optimization. Centerra expects this review to identify and drive incremental operational improvements and is expected to be completed in 2024.
Centerra also reported that production during the third quarter was impacted by mine sequencing and lower recoveries caused by blending of ores mined from different phases of the pit. Centerra expects that medium-term recoveries for gold and copper will be similar to those achieved in 2023, and metallurgical reviews to increase recoveries from current levels are underway.
Centerra now expects full year 2023 gold production at Mount Milligan to be 150,000 to 160,000 ounces, down from the previous guidance range of 160,000 to 170,000 ounces, and copper production to be near the low end of the previously
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provided guidance range of 60 to 70 million pounds. Centerra also expects higher levels of gold production and similar levels of copper production in 2024 compared to 2023 production guidance levels.
Pueblo Viejo
Gold stream deliveries from Pueblo Viejo were approximately 5,000 ounces for the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to approximately 8,900 ounces for the three months ended September 30, 2022. On October 12, 2023, Barrick provided a brief update on production at Pueblo Viejo in the Dominican Republic. According to Barrick, ramp-up of the expansion project was delayed due to equipment design deficiencies, and Barrick’s share of gold production at Pueblo Viejo was approximately 79,000 ounces in the third quarter. Gold production in the third quarter was impacted by lower ore grades processed due to mine sequencing, as well as lower mill throughput and lower mill recovery associated with the commissioning of the mill expansion.
Silver stream deliveries were approximately 171,100 ounces for the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to 319,100 ounces for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and an additional 80,600 ounces of silver were deferred. As of September 30, 2023, approximately 688,300 ounces remain deferred, and the timing for the delivery of the entire deferred amount is uncertain. We expect that silver recoveries could remain highly variable and material deliveries of deferred silver ounces are not expected until the plant expansion is complete and is running at full production levels.
Royalty Interests
Cortez
Production attributable to our royalty interests at Cortez was approximately 218,800 ounces of gold for the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to approximately 36,600 ounces of gold for the three months ended September 30, 2022. The increase was primarily due to the addition of new royalties in 2022 that increased royalty coverage over producing areas within the Cortez Complex.
On October 12, 2023, Barrick reported that production in the September quarter was higher at Cortez as a result of higher oxide production from the Crossroads open pit and Cortez Hills underground.
Additionally, on September 12, 2023, Barrick provided an update on its 100%-owned Fourmile Project within the Cortez Complex, which is covered by royalty interests held by Royal Gold. According to Barrick, ongoing drilling demonstrates the significant potential to increase the grade and size of the Fourmile Project, and work is underway to assess options for an independent exploration decline access in support of a pre-feasibility study. Barrick expects this decline would also be used for development and production complementing the current development at the Goldrush Project. Barrick’s preliminary economic assessment indicates that the Fourmile Project could support a potential gold production profile of 300,000 to 400,000 ounces per year in addition to the existing Cortez Complex production profile of 950,000 to 1,200,000 ounces per year over 10 years.
Peñasquito
During the three months ended September 30, 2023, no royalty production from Peñasquito was reported due to the suspension of operations resulting from a strike action on June 7, 2023 by the National Union of Mine and Metal Workers of the Mexican Republic ("the Union"). According to Newmont, on October 13, 2023, a definitive agreement was reached between Newmont and the Union that also received approval from the Mexican Labor Court, ramp-up of operations has since commenced, and operations at Peñasquito are expected to reach full operating capacity by the end of the fourth quarter of 2023.
Results of Operations
Quarter Ended September 30, 2023, Compared to Quarter Ended September 30, 2022
For the three months ended September 30, 2023, we recorded net income and comprehensive income attributable to Royal Gold stockholders (“net income”) of $49.3 million, or $0.75 per basic and diluted share, as compared to net income of $45.8 million, or $0.70 per basic and diluted share, for the three months ended September 30, 2022. The increase in net income was primarily attributable to higher revenue, as discussed below.
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For the three months ended September 30, 2023, we recognized total revenue of $138.6 million, comprised of stream revenue of $99.0 million and royalty revenue of $39.6 million at an average gold price of $1,928 per ounce, an average silver price of $23.57 per ounce and an average copper price of $3.79 per pound. This is compared to total revenue of $131.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022, comprised of stream revenue of $98.7 million and royalty revenue of $32.7 million, at an average gold price of $1,729 per ounce, an average silver price of $19.23 per ounce and an average copper price of $3.51 per pound. Revenue and the corresponding production attributable to our stream and royalty interests for the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2022, are as follows:
Revenue and Reported Production Subject to Our Stream and Royalty Interests
(Amounts in thousands, except reported production oz. and lbs.)
Three Months Ended
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2023
September 30, 2022
Reported
Reported
Stream/Royalty
Metal(s)
Revenue
Production (1)
Revenue
Production (1)
Stream (2) :
Mount Milligan
$
33,876
$
41,553
Gold
11,300
oz.
18,200
oz.
Copper
3.2
Mlbs.
2.7
Mlbs.
Pueblo Viejo
$
16,688
$
21,156
Gold
6,800
oz.
8,600
oz.
Silver
150,700
oz.
307,100
oz.
Andacollo
Gold
$
14,644
7,500
oz.
$
12,170
6,800
oz.
Khoemac a u
Silver
$
9,047
386,100
oz.
$
5,050
255,900
oz.
Other (3)
$
24,723
$
18,803
Gold
11,900
oz.
10,100
oz.
Silver
76,900
oz.
51,100
oz.
Total stream revenue
$
98,978
$
98,732
.
Royalty (2) :
Cortez Legacy Zone
Gold
$
19,668
98,800
oz.
$
4,562
36,600
oz.
Cortez CC Zone
Gold
$
2,948
120,000
oz.
N/A
Peñasquito
$
-
$
9,010
Gold
-
oz.
144,300
oz.
Silver
-
Moz.
6.8
Moz.
Lead
-
Mlbs.
29.6
Mlbs.
Zinc
-
Mlbs.
84.6
Mlbs.
Other (3)
Various
$
17,023
N/A
$
19,125
N/A
Total royalty revenue
$
39,639
$
32,697
Total Revenue
$
138,617
$
131,429
(1) Reported production relates to the amount of stream metal sales and the metal sales attributable to our royalty interests for the three months ended September 30, 2023, and 2022, and may differ from the operators’ public reporting due to a number of factors, including the timing of the operator’s concentrate shipments, the delivery of metal to us and our subsequent sale of the delivered metal. Refer to Note 4 to the notes to consolidated financial statements.
(2) Refer to “Property Developments” above for a discussion of recent developments at principal properties.
(3) Individually, except for our stream interest at Wassa, which contributed 6% of total revenue for each of the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, and our stream interest at Rainy River which contributed 6% of total revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2023, no stream or royalty included within the “Other” category contributed greater than 5% of our total revenue for either period.
The increase in our total revenue resulted primarily from higher gold production at the Cortez Legacy Zone, the new Cortez royalties acquired in 2022 and higher gold, silver and copper prices when compared to the prior year period. This increase was partially offset by the suspension of operations at Peñasquito on June 7, 2023 due to a strike by the Union which resulted in no royalty revenue recognized for the three months ended September 30, 2023.
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Gold and silver ounces and copper pounds purchased and sold during the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, and gold and silver ounces and copper pounds in inventory as of September 30, 2023, and December 31, 2022, for our streaming interests were as follows:
Three Months Ended
Three Months Ended
As of
As of
September 30, 2023
September 30, 2022
September 30, 2023
December 31, 2022
Gold Stream
Purchases (oz.)
Sales (oz.)
Purchases (oz.)
Sales (oz.)
Inventory (oz.)
Inventory (oz.)
Mount Milligan
13,000
11,300
18,400
18,200
5,500
5,200
Andacollo
9,300
7,500
3,200
6,800
3,500
3,800
Pueblo Viejo
5,000
6,800
8,900
8,600
5,000
7,900
Other
11,700
11,900
11,900
10,100
4,600
4,100
Total
39,000
37,500
42,400
43,700
18,600
21,000
Three Months Ended
Three Months Ended
As of
As of
September 30, 2023
September 30, 2022
September 30, 2023
December 31, 2022
Silver Stream
Purchases (oz.)
Sales (oz.)
Purchases (oz.)
Sales (oz.)
Inventory (oz.)
Inventory (oz.)
Khoemac a u
315,000
386,100
290,700
255,900
84,100
105,900
Pueblo Viejo
171,100
150,700
319,100
307,100
171,100
337,800
Other
65,800
76,900
64,300
51,100
14,400
17,500
Total
551,900
613,700
674,100
614,100
269,600
461,200
Three Months Ended
Three Months Ended
As of
As of
September 30, 2023
September 30, 2022
September 30, 2023
December 31, 2022
Copper Stream
Purchases (Mlbs.)
Sales (Mlbs.)
Purchases (Mlbs.)
Sales (Mlbs.)
Inventory (Mlbs.)
Inventory (Mlbs.)
Mount Milligan
2.4
3.2
4.5
2.7
-
0.9
Cost of sales, which excludes depreciation, depletion and amortization, decreased to $21.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, from $23.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022. The decrease, when compared to the prior year quarter, was primarily due to lower gold sales at Mount Milligan and lower gold and silver sales at Pueblo Viejo, partially offset by higher silver sales at Khoemac a u. 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 $9.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, from $7.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022. The increase was primarily due to higher corporate costs and an increase in non-cash stock compensation expense.
Depreciation, depletion and amortization increased to $40.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, from $37.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022. The increase was primarily due to higher depletion expense at Khoemac a u due to the ramp-up of production and additional depletion expense from the new royalties acquired at Cortez in 2022, when compared to the prior year quarter. The increase was partially offset by lower depletion expense at Mount Milligan and Pueblo Viejo, which was due to lower depletion rates as a result of proven and probable mineral reserve increases when compared to the prior year period.
Interest and other expense decreased to $7.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, from $8.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022. The decrease was primarily due to lower interest expense as a result of lower average amounts outstanding under our revolving credit facility compared to the prior year quarter. We had $325 million outstanding under our revolving credit facility as of September 30, 2023, compared to $450 million outstanding as of September 30, 2022. The current all-in borrowing rate under our revolving credit facility was 6.7% as of September 30, 2023, compared to 4.2% in the prior year period.
For the three months ended September 30, 2023, we recorded income tax expense of $10.8 million, compared with income tax expense of $11.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022. The income tax expense resulted in an effective tax rate of 17.8% in the current period, compared with 19.3% for the three months ended September 30, 2022.
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Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023, Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022
For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we recorded net income of $176.7 million, or $2.69 per basic and $2.68 per diluted share, as compared to net income of $182.6 million, or $2.78 per basic and diluted share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The decrease in net income was primarily attributable to higher debt-related interest expense, which was partially offset by an increase in revenue, each as discussed below.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we recognized total revenue of $453.1 million, comprised of stream revenue of $320.0 million and royalty revenue of $133.1 million at an average gold price of $1,931 per ounce, an average silver price of $23.40 per ounce and an average copper price of $3.89 per pound. This is compared to total revenue of $440.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, comprised of stream revenue of $308.9 million and royalty revenue of $131.3 million, at an average gold price of $1,824 per ounce, an average silver price of $21.92 per ounce and an average copper price of $4.11 per pound. Revenue and the corresponding production attributable to our stream and royalty interests for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2022, are as follows:
Revenue and Reported Production Subject to Our Stream and Royalty Interests
(Amounts in thousands, except reported production oz. and lbs.)
Nine Months Ended
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2023
September 30, 2022
Reported
Reported
Stream/Royalty
Metal(s)
Revenue
Production (1)
Revenue
Production (1)
Stream (2) :
Mount Milligan
$
121,739
$
129,596
Gold
44,000
oz.
47,600
oz.
Copper
9.4
Mlbs.
10.3
Mlbs.
Pueblo Viejo
$
62,586
$
64,232
Gold
22,100
oz.
24,300
oz.
Silver
850,800
oz.
0.9
Moz.
Andacollo
Gold
$
35,401
18,500
oz.
$
39,565
21,500
oz.
Khoemac a u
Silver
$
27,082
1.2
Moz.
$
12,641
580,400
oz.
Other (3)
$
73,174
$
62,829
Gold
35,400
oz.
32,100
oz.
Silver
208,800
oz.
175,300
oz.
Total stream revenue
$
319,982
$
308,863
Royalty (2) :
Cortez Legacy Zone
Gold
$
57,062
284,100
oz.
$
29,413
190,600
oz.
Cortez CC Zone
Gold
9,674
338,100
N/A
Peñasquito
$
13,538
$
31,768
Gold
103,700
oz.
408,300
oz.
Silver
12.0
Moz.
22.6
Moz.
Lead
72.1
Mlbs.
106.6
Mlbs.
Zinc
188.9
Mlbs.
289.6
Mlbs.
Other (3)
Various
$
52,795
N/A
$
70,182
N/A
Total royalty revenue
$
133,069
$
131,363
Total revenue
$
453,051
$
440,226
(1) Reported production relates to the amount of stream metal sales and the metal sales attributable to our royalty interests for the nine
months ended September 30, 2023, and 2022, and may differ from the operators’ public reporting due to a number of factors, including the timing of the operator’s concentrate shipments, the delivery of metal to us and our subsequent sale of the delivered metal. Refer to Note 4 to the notes to consolidated financial statements.
(2) Refer to “Property Developments” above for a discussion of recent developments at principal properties.
(3) Individually, except for our stream interest at Wassa, which contributed 5% and 6% of the total revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and our stream interest at Rainy River, which contributed 6% of the total revenue for each of the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, no stream or royalty included within the “Other” category contributed greater than 5% of our total revenue for either period.
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The increase in our total revenue resulted primarily from higher silver sales at Khoemac a u due to the ramp-up, higher gold production from the Cortez Legacy Zone and additional revenue from the Cortez royalties acquired in 2022. The increase was partially offset by lower gold sales at Mount Milligan and Andacollo and lower gold production at Peñasquito when compared to the prior year period. Peñasquito gold production was lower for the current year period primarily due to the suspension of operations on June 7, 2023 due to a strike by the Union.
Gold and silver ounces and copper pounds purchased and sold during the nine months ended September 30, 2023, and 2022, and gold and silver ounces and copper pounds in inventory as of September 30, 2023, and December 31, 2022, for our streaming interests were as follows:
Nine Months Ended
Nine Months Ended
As of
As of
September 30, 2023
September 30, 2022
September 30, 2023
December 31, 2022
Gold Stream
Purchases (oz.)
Sales (oz.)
Purchases (oz.)
Sales (oz.)
Inventory (oz.)
Inventory (oz.)
Mount Milligan
44,200
44,000
52,200
47,600
5,500
5,200
Pueblo Viejo
19,200
22,100
24,600
24,300
5,000
7,900
Andacollo
18,300
18,500
19,300
21,500
3,500
3,800
Other
35,900
35,400
33,300
32,100
4,600
4,100
Total
117,600
120,000
129,400
125,500
18,600
21,000
Nine Months Ended
Nine Months Ended
As of
As of
September 30, 2023
September 30, 2022
September 30, 2023
December 31, 2022
Silver Stream
Purchases (oz.)
Sales (oz.)
Purchases (oz.)
Sales (oz.)
Inventory (oz.)
Inventory (oz.)
Khoemac a u
1,141,200
1,163,100
652,800
580,400
84,100
105,900
Pueblo Viejo
684,100
850,800
900,700
897,600
171,100
337,800
Other
205,800
208,800
170,600
175,300
14,400
17,500
Total
2,031,100
2,222,700
1,724,100
1,653,300
269,600
461,200
Nine Months Ended
Nine Months Ended
As of
As of
September 30, 2023
September 30, 2022
September 30, 2023
December 31, 2022
Copper Stream
Purchases (Mlbs.)
Sales (Mlbs.)
Purchases (Mlbs.)
Sales (Mlbs.)
Inventory (Mlbs.)
Inventory (Mlbs.)
Mount Milligan
8.4
9.4
11.2
10.3
—
0.9
Cost of sales, which excludes depreciation, depletion and amortization, remained flat at $69.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, and 2022. 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 $30.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, from $25.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The increase was primarily due to higher corporate costs and an increase in non-cash stock compensation expense.
Depreciation, depletion and amortization decreased to $124.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, from $129.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. 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 when compared to the prior year period. The decrease was partially offset by higher depletion expense at Khoemac a u due to the ramp-up of production and additional depletion from the newly acquired royalties at Cortez when compared to the prior year period.
Interest and other expense increased to $24.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, from $11.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 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 period. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, amounts outstanding under our revolving credit facility averaged $421 million at an average all-in borrowing rate of 5.1%, compared to average amounts outstanding of $165 million at an average all-in borrowing rate of 3.0% for the prior year period.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we recorded income tax expense of $28.7 million, compared with income tax expense of $20.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The income tax expense resulted in an effective tax rate of 13.9% for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared with 10.0% for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The nine months ended September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022, included discrete tax benefits attributable to the release of a valuation allowance on certain deferred tax assets.
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview
At September 30, 2023, we had current assets of $163.8 million compared to current liabilities of $70.9 million, which resulted in working capital of $92.9 million and a current ratio of 2 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 decrease in working capital was primarily due to a decrease in our available cash, which resulted from increased debt repayments during the current period.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, liquidity needs were met from $314.7 million in net cash provided by operating activities and our available cash resources. As of September 30, 2023, we had $675 million available and $325 million outstanding under our revolving credit facility.
Working capital, combined with available capacity under our revolving credit facility, resulted in approximately $768 million of total liquidity at September 30, 2023. We were in compliance with each financial covenant under the revolving credit facility as of September 30, 2023. Refer to Note 3 of our notes to consolidated financial statements and below under Recent Liquidity Developments for further discussion on our debt.
We believe that our current financial resources and funds generated from operations will be adequate to cover anticipated expenditures for debt service and general and administrative expense costs for the foreseeable future. Our current financial resources are also available to fund dividends and for acquisitions of stream and royalty interests, including any conditional funding schedules. Our long-term capital requirements are primarily affected by our ongoing acquisition activities. We currently, and generally at any time, have acquisition opportunities in various stages of active review. In the event of one or more substantial stream or royalty interest or other acquisitions, we may seek additional debt or equity financing as necessary. We occasionally borrow and repay amounts under our revolving credit facility and may do so in the future.
Please refer to our risk factors included in Part 1, Item 1A of our 2022 10-K for a discussion of certain risks that may impact our liquidity and capital resources.
Recent Liquidity Developments
Revolving Credit Facility Repayment
On September 6, 2023, we made a $75 million principal payment towards the outstanding balance on the revolving credit facility leaving $675 million available as of September 30, 2023.
Cash Flows
Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $314.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to $316.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The decrease was primarily due to higher interest payments on amounts outstanding under our revolving credit facility during the current period. The decrease was partially offset by an increase in cash proceeds received from our stream interests, net of cost of sales, when compared to the prior year period.
Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities totaled $2.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to $716.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The decrease was primarily due to fewer acquisitions of royalty and stream interests compared to the prior year period.
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Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities totaled $327.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $378.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The decrease was primarily due to repayments of $250 million on our revolving credit facility during the current year period.
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards and Critical Accounting Policies
Refer to Note 1 of our notes to consolidated financial statements for further discussion on any recently adopted accounting standards. Refer to Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our 2022 10-K for discussion on our critical accounting policies.
Forward-Looking Statements
This report and our other public communications include “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. Forward-looking statements include, among others, statements regarding the following: our acquisition strategy; our due diligence process; our expected financial performance and outlook, including sales volume, revenue, expenses, and tax rates; operators’ expected operating and financial performance, including production, deliveries, mine plans, environmental and feasibility studies, technical reports, mine facilities, estimates of mineral resources and mineral reserves, development, and asset assessments (including Centerra’s full asset optimization review of Mount Milligan and Barrick’s preliminary economic assessment at the Fourmile Project), and permitting activities; receipt of metal deliveries, including deferred amounts at Pueblo Viejo; anticipated liquidity, capital resources, financing and stockholder returns; and prices for gold, silver, copper, and other metals.
Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include, among others, the following: a lower-price environment for gold, silver, copper, or other metals; operating activities or financial performance of properties on which we hold stream or royalty interests, including inaccuracies in operators’ disclosures, variations between actual and forecasted performance, operators’ ability to complete projects on schedule and as planned, operators’ changes to mine plans and mineral reserves and mineral resources (including updated mineral reserve and mineral resource information), liquidity needs, mining and environmental hazards and risks (including from climate change), labor disputes, distribution and supply chain disruptions, permitting and licensing issues, or operational disruptions; contractual issues involving our stream or royalty agreements; delays in the completion of the plant expansion at Pueblo Viejo; adverse results of Centerra’s Mount Milligan asset optimization studies and Barrick’s assessment of the Four Mile project; contractual issues involving our stream or royalty agreements; the timing of deliveries of metals from operators and our subsequent sales of metal; risks associated with doing business in foreign countries; increased competition for stream and royalty interests; potential cyber-attacks, including ransomware; our ability to identify, finance, and complete acquisitions; adverse economic and market conditions, including as a result of government policies, war, natural disasters, and public health issues; changes in laws or regulations governing us, operators or operating properties; changes in management and key employees; pandemics and epidemics, and any related government policies and actions; and other risk factors described in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our 2022 10-K. Most of these factors are beyond our ability to predict or control.
Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made. We disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
Text extracted from the filing as submitted to EDGAR. Formatting, tables and exhibits are simplified for reading; the original document is authoritative for anything you rely on.