Vancouver Denver-based Royal Gold (RGL-T, RGLD-Q) generated net earnings of US$3.1 million, or 14 per share, for the first quarter of its 2006 fiscal year. The 17% increase over the previous quarter was attributed to higher gold prices and a step-up of the sliding-scale royalty rate (to 4.5%) at the Pipeline mining complex in Nevada.
Royal Gold holds a portfolio of royalties covering various operating mines and advanced exploration projects. Among its key assets are three royalties covering the Pipeline complex operated by Placer Dome (PDG-T, PDG-N). During the latest quarter ended Sept. 30, the mine complex produced 227,981 oz. gold, which provided the company with about US$5.4 million of royalty revenue.
Royal Gold also holds other Nevada royalties that together produced about US$1.3 million in royalty revenue. The company also holds royalties covering mines in Montana and Argentina. The latest quarter also saw Royal Gold agree to invest US$35 million in the development of an African open-pit mine in return for various payments and royalties.
More recently, the company formed a strategic alliance with Taranis Resources (TRO-V), a junior exploring advanced gold projects in Finland. As part of the deal, Royal Gold purchased Taranis shares and warrants valued at $375,000 in return for a 2% net smelter return (NSR) royalty and future earn-in rights on the properties.
Royal Gold will also fund US$500,000 of exploration work in return for a specific 2% NSR on the Kettukuusikko property. The company has an option to fund another US$600,000 of exploration in return for a 51% joint-venture interest in Kettukuusikko, and can increase this to 75% by funding a feasibility study.
Be the first to comment on "Royal rolls in profits from royalty pipeline"