Royal Gold Announces Reserve and Production Forecasts Associated with its Interests

DENVER -- (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Royal Gold, Inc. (NASDAQ: RGLD) (TSX: RGL), today announced updated estimates for ore reserves and mineralized material1 as of December 31, 2012, and calendar 2013 production estimates with respect to properties in its portfolio. These figures are provided by the operators, or obtained by Royal Gold through publicly available information, for properties on which the Company holds royalties and similar interests.

At the end of calendar 2012, precious metals reserves on properties subject to the Company’s interests, net of depletion, were approximately 82.8 million ounces of gold and 1.15 billion ounces of silver. This compares to reserves of approximately 84.5 million ounces of gold and 1.2 billion ounces of silver estimated as of December 31, 2011. The reserve reductions were due mainly to production depletion.

After applying the Company’s interests to the reserves noted above, net gold reserves attributable to Royal Gold totaled approximately 5.7 million ounces. On a gold equivalent basis, using a ratio of approximately 50:1 of silver to gold, precious metals reserves attributable to Royal Gold totaled approximately 6.2 million ounces, on a net reserve basis. Both net gold and net precious metals reserves attributable to Royal Gold’s interests remained constant year-over-year.

The attached table contains highlights of production information related to our producing interests provided by the operators of those properties. The complete Royalty/Metal Stream Portfolio, which includes reserves, mineralized material1, and production subject to the Company's interests on producing and development properties can be found on our website.

For further information about our royalties and similar interests, please see our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as our other public reports.


CORPORATE PROFILE

Royal Gold is a precious metals royalty company engaged in the acquisition and management of precious metal royalties and similar interests. The Company’s current portfolio consists of 205 properties on six continents, including interests on 36 producing mines and 23 development stage projects. Royal Gold is publicly traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “RGLD,” and on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “RGL.” The Company’s website is located at www.royalgold.com.


Cautionary "Safe Harbor" Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:

With the exception of historical matters, the matters discussed in this press release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from projections or estimates contained herein. Such forward-looking statements include statements regarding production estimates for calendar 2013 provided by the operators; reserves and additional mineralization estimates provided by the operators or obtained by Royal Gold through publicly available information; the sliding-scale features of our royalty structure at certain of our properties; and estimates of commencement of production. Net gold and metal reserves attributable to Royal Gold’s royalty and other interests are subject to certain assumptions and, like reserves, do not reflect actual ounces that will be produced. Like any royalty or similar interest on a non-producing or not yet in development project, our interests on development projects are subject to certain risks, such as the ability of the operators to bring the projects into production and operate in accordance with their feasibility studies and the ability of Royal Gold to make accurate assumptions regarding valuation and timing and amount of payments. In addition, many of our interests are subject to risks associated with conducting business in a foreign country, including application of foreign laws to contract and other disputes, foreign environmental laws and enforcement and uncertain political and economic environments. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, among others, changes in precious metals prices, performance of and production at our royalty properties, decisions and activities of the operators of our royalty properties, mine completion, unanticipated grade, geological, metallurgical, processing or other problems the operators of the mining properties may encounter, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, economic and market conditions, and future financial needs of our operators, as well as other factors described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Most of these factors are beyond the Company's ability to predict or control. The Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement made herein. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

1 The U.S. Securities and Exchange commission does not recognize this term. Mineralized material is not part of proven and probable reserves and may never be converted into reserves.


TABLE 1

Royal Gold’s Royalty Portfolio
Calendar Year 2013 Production Estimates 1,2

PROPERTY            ROYALTY        OPERATOR         METAL      PRODUCTION ESTIMATES
UNITED STATES
Bald Mountain            1.75% to 2.5% NSR 3   Barrick          Gold    44,000 oz
Cortez - GSR1 and GSR2   0.40% to 5.0% GSR 4   Barrick          Gold    64,000 oz
Cortez - GSR3            0.71% GSR             Barrick          Gold    64,000 oz
Cortez - NVR1            0.39% NVR             Barrick          Gold    53,000 oz
Gold Hill                1.0% to 2.0% NSR 5,6  Kinross/Barrick  Gold    50,000 to 60,000 oz
Gold Hill                1.0% to 2.0% NSR 5,6  Kinross/Barrick  Silver  80,000 to 90,000 oz
Goldstrike (SJ Claims)   0.9% NSR              Barrick          Gold    383,000 oz
Leeville                 1.8% NSR              Newmont          Gold    228,000 oz
Marigold                 2.0% NSR              Goldcorp/Barrick Gold    100,000 oz 7
Pinson             3.0% NSR – Cordilleran 8,9  Atna Resources   Gold    65,000 to 70,000 oz
                    2.94% NSR – Rayrock 8,10  	
Ruby Hill                3.0% NSR              Barrick          Gold    91,000 oz
Twin Creeks              2.0% GV               Newmont          Gold    3,000 oz
Wharf                    0.0% to 2.0% NSR 11   Goldcorp         Gold    55,000 to 60,000 oz
CANADA
Canadian Malartic        1.0% to 1.5% NSR 12   Osisko           Gold    409,000 oz 13
Holt                  0.00013 x Au price    StAndrewGoldfields  Gold  52,250 to 57,750 oz 14
Mt. Milligan     52.25% of the payable gold 15  Thompson Creek  Gold    Q3/Q4 16

TABLE 1 (cont.)

Royal Gold’s Royalty Portfolio
Calendar Year 2013 Production Estimates 1,2

PROPERTY       ROYALTY     OPERATOR     METAL    PRODUCTION  ESTIMATES
MEXICO
Dolores           3.25% NSR  Pan American Silver  Gold    63,500 to 68,000 oz
Dolores            2.0% NSR  Pan American Silver  Silver  3.25 to 3.45 million oz
El Chanate   2.0% to 4.0% NSR 17  AuRico Gold   Gold    17,000 oz 18
Mulatos      1.0% to 5.0% NSR 19  Alamos        Gold    180,000 to 200,000 oz
Peñasquito            2.0% NSR  Goldcorp        Gold    360,000 to 400,000 oz 20
Peñasquito            2.0% NSR  Goldcorp        Silver  20 to 21 million oz 20
Peñasquito            2.0% NSR  Goldcorp        Lead    145 to 160 million lbs 20
Peñasquito            2.0% NSR  Goldcorp        Zinc    285 to 305 million lbs 20
CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA
Andacollo 21   75% of payable gold (NSR)  Teck  Gold    63,000 oz 20
Don Mario             3.0% NSR  Orvana          Gold    12,000 oz 20,22
Don Mario             3.0% NSR  Orvana          Silver  650,000 oz 20,22
Don Mario             3.0% NSR  Orvana          Copper  12 million lbs 20,22
El Limon              3.0% NSR  B2Gold          Gold    54,000 to 58,000 oz
AUSTRALIA
Gwalia Deeps          1.5% NSR  St Barbara      Gold    175,000 to 190,000 oz 23
King of the Hills     1.5% NSR  St Barbara      Gold    55,000 to 60,000 oz 23
Meekatharra Gold     0.45% NSR  Reed Resources  Gold    100,000 to 150,000 oz
Project (Yaloginda)
South Laverton        1.5% NSR  Saracen         Gold    125,000 to 135,000 oz 23
AFRICA
Inata                 2.5% GSR  Avocet          Gold    135,000 oz
Taparko               2.0% GSR  High River      Gold    127,000 oz
EUROPE
Las Cruces            1.5% NSR  Inmet           Copper  151 to 159 million lbs 24

FOOTNOTES TO TABLE 1

1 Reported production is subject to our royalty interests, as reported to us by the operators of the mines, unless otherwise noted.

2. The estimates and production reports are prepared by the operators of the mining properties. Royal Gold does not participate in the preparation or verification of the operators’ estimates or production reports and has not independently assessed or verified the accuracy of such information. Please refer to our cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements and to the risk factors identified in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for information regarding factors that could affect actual results.

3 NSR sliding-scale schedule (price of gold per ounce – royalty rate): Below $375 – 1.75%; >$375 to $400 – 2.0%; >$400 to $425 – 2.25%; $425 and higher – 2.5%. All price points are stated in 1986 dollars and are subject to adjustment in accordance with a blended index comprised of labor, diesel fuel, industrial commodities, and mining machinery.

4 GSR sliding-scale schedule (price of gold per ounce – royalty rate): Below $210 – 0.40%; $210 to $229.99 – 0.50%; $230 to $249.99 – 0.75%; $250 to $269.99 – 1.30%; $270 to $309.99 – 2.25%; $310 to $329.99 – 2.60%; $330 to $349.99 – 3.00%; $350 to $369.99 – 3.40%; $370.00 to 389.99 – 3.75%; $390 to $409.99 – 4.0%; $410 to $429.99 – 4.25%; $430 to $449.99 – 4.50%; $450 to $469.99 – 4.75%; $470 and higher – 5.00%.

5 Round Mountain, a joint venture between Kinross and Barrick, has the right, at any time, to purchase the royalty interest for $10.0 million less any royalty payments paid prior to the purchase option being exercised. The royalty is subject to a minimum royalty payment of $100,000 per year, which is capped at $1.0 million. As of March 31, 2013, minimal royalty payments totaling $975,000 have been received. Once all royalty payments and the minimum royalty payment equals $10.0 million, the royalty terminates.

6 The 1.0% to 2.0% sliding-scale NSR royalty will pay 2.0% when the price of gold is above $350 per ounce and 1.0% when the price of gold falls to $350 per ounce or below. The silver royalty rate is based on the price of gold.

7 Total property production guidance of 142,500 to 150,000 ounces of gold reflects Barrick’s and Goldcorp’s combined interest and has been calculated from Goldcorp’s guidance of 95,000 to 100,000 ounces, which reflects their 66.7% interest. Reported guidance reflects production estimate from our area of interest.

8 Production forecast applies to Section 29 which currently holds about 95% of the reserves reported for the project.

9 An additional Cordilleran royalty applies to a portion of Section 28.

10 Additional Rayrock royalties apply to Sections 28, 32 and 33; these royalty rates vary depending on pre-existing royalties. The Rayrock royalties have a 200,000 ounce threshold that must be met in the pre-existing open pits before they become payable. As of March 31, 2012, approximately 103,000 ounces have been produced.

11 NSR sliding-scale schedule (price of gold per ounce – royalty rate): $0.00 to under $350 – 0.0%; $350 to under $400 – 0.5%; $400 to under $500 – 1.0%; $500 or higher – 2.0%.

12 NSR sliding-scale schedule (price of gold per ounce – royalty rate): $0.00 to $350 – 1.0%; above $350 – 1.5%.

13 The operator’s production guidance is 485,000 to 510,000 ounces of gold for the entire project.

14 The operator estimates that production at the Holt mine will comprise approximately 55% of their total production of 95,000 to 105,000 ounces for calendar 2013.

15 This is a metal stream whereby the purchase price for gold ounces delivered is $435 per ounce, or the prevailing market price of gold, if lower; no inflation adjustment. Payable factor is fixed at 97% of contained gold in concentrate.

16 Thompson Creek’s guidance is that production is scheduled to commence in the third calendar quarter of calendar 2013, with commercial production expected in the fourth quarter.

17 The NSR sliding-scale royalty is capped once payments of approximately $17 million have been received. NSR sliding-scale schedule (price of gold per ounce – royalty rate): less than $300 – 2.0%; $300 to $350 – 3.0%; greater than $350 – 4.0%.

18 Au Rico’s guidance for calendar 2013 is 70,000 to 80,000 ounces. The royalty payment cap of $17 million was reached with production of 17,000 ounces as of March 31, 2013.

19 The Company’s royalty is subject to a 2.0 million ounce cap on gold production. There have been approximately 1.1 million ounces of cumulative production, as of March 31, 2013. NSR sliding-scale schedule (price of gold per ounce – royalty rate): $0.00 to $299.99 – 1.0%; $300 to $324.99 – 1.50%; $325 to $349.99 – 2.0%; $350 to $374.99 – 3.0%; $375 to $399.99 – 4.0%; $400 or higher – 5.0%.

20 Recovered metal is contained in concentrate and is subject to third party treatment charges and recovery losses

21 The royalty rate is 75% until 910,000 payable ounces of gold have been produced; 50% thereafter. There have been approximately 155,000 cumulative payable ounces produced as of March 31, 2013. Gold is produced as a by-product of copper.

22 Production guidance for October 2012 through September 2013.

23 Production guidance for July 2012 through June 2013.

24 Inmet’s guidance for 2013 is 68,500 to 72,000 tonnes of copper, which converts to 151 to 159 million pounds of copper.

NOTE: The Table does not include production guidance for properties that the operators did not provide information. These properties are: Allan, Balcooma, Johnson Camp, Mt. Goode, Robinson, Skyline, Sega, Tambor, Troy, Voisey’s Bay, Williams, Wolverine, and three oil and gas royalties.


DEFINITIONS

The Company’s royalty portfolio contains several different types of royalties or similar interests which are defined as follows:

Gross Smelter Return (“GSR”) Royalty – A defined percentage of the gross revenue from a resource extraction operation, less, if applicable, certain contract-defined costs paid by or charged to the operator.

Gross Value ("GV") Royalty – A defined percentage of the gross value, revenue or proceeds from a resource extraction operation, without deductions of any kind.

Metal Stream – An agreement that provides, in exchange for an upfront payment, the right to purchase all or a portion of the precious metals produced from a base metal mine, at a price determined for the life of the transaction by the agreement.

Net Smelter Return (“NSR”) Royalty – A defined percentage of the gross revenue from a resource extraction operation, less a proportionate share of incidental transportation, insurance, refining and smelting costs.

Net Value Royalty (“NVR”) – A defined percentage of the gross revenue from a resource extraction operation, less certain contract-defined costs.

Royalty – The right to receive a percentage or other denomination of mineral production from a resource extraction operation.



Contacts

Royal Gold, Inc.
Karen Gross, 303-575-6504
Vice President and Corporate Secretary