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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 30, 2015

Registration No. 333-              

 

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM S-3

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 


 

Royal Gold, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

 

84-0835164

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

 


 

1660 Wynkoop Street, Suite 1000

Denver, Colorado 80202

(303) 573-1660

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 


 

Bruce C. Kirchhoff

Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

Royal Gold, Inc.

1660 Wynkoop Street, Suite 1000

Denver, Colorado 80202

(303) 573-1660

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 


 

Copy to:

Paul Hilton, Esq.

Hogan Lovells US LLP

1200 Seventeenth Street, Suite 1500

Denver, Colorado 80202

(303) 899-7300

 


 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:  From time to time after this registration statement becomes effective.

 


 

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box:  o

 

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box:  x

 

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering:  o

 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering:  o

 

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box:  x

 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box:  o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer  x

Accelerated filer  o

Non-accelerated filer  o

Smaller reporting company o

 

 

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Title of Each Class of Securities to be Registered

 

Amount to be
Registered(1)(2)

 

Proposed maximum
offering price
per unit(1)(2)

 

Proposed maximum
aggregate offering
price(1)(2)

 

Amount of
Registration Fee(3)

 

Debt Securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Warrants

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depositary Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase Contracts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Units

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

An indeterminate aggregate initial offering price or number of the securities of each identified class is being registered as may from time to time be issued at indeterminate prices. Separate consideration may not be received for registered securities that are issuable on exercise, conversion, exchange or settlement of other securities. The securities registered hereunder may be sold separately, together or as units with other securities registered hereunder.

(2)

Omitted pursuant to General Instruction II.E of Form S-3.

(3)

In accordance with Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r), the registrant is deferring payment of all registration fees.

(4)

Includes rights to purchase Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock which are referred to as “Rights.” Prior to the occurrence of certain events, the Rights will not be exercisable or evidenced separately from the registrant’s common stock, will be transferred with and only with such common stock, and will have no value except as reflected in the market price of the shares of common stock to which they are attached.

 

 

 



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PROSPECTUS

 

 

Debt Securities

Preferred Stock

Common Stock

Warrants

Depositary Shares

Purchase Contracts

Units

 

Royal Gold, Inc. may offer and sell debt securities, preferred stock, common stock, warrants, depositary shares or purchase contracts, as well as units that include any of these securities, from time to time in one or more offerings. These securities may, if applicable, be convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, other securities described in this prospectus. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities. In addition, selling securityholders to be named in a prospectus supplement may offer and sell our securities from time to time.

 

Each time we sell securities, we will provide a supplement to this prospectus that contains specific information about the offering and the amounts, prices and terms of the securities. Any prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should carefully read this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement before you invest in any of our securities.

 

The securities may be offered directly by us or by selling securityholders, through agents designated from time to time by us or to or through underwriters or dealers, on an immediate, continuous or delayed basis. If any agents, dealers or underwriters are involved in the sale of any of the securities, their names and any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement between or among them will be set forth, or will be calculable from the information set forth, in the applicable prospectus supplement. This prospectus may not be used to sell securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

 

Royal Gold’s common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “RGLD” and on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “RGL.”

 


 

Investing in our securities involves risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page [4] of this prospectus and the risks and uncertainties described in the documents Royal Gold files with the Securities and Exchange Commission that are incorporated in this prospectus by reference for certain risks and uncertainties relating to an investment in our securities.

 


 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 


 

This prospectus is dated April 30, 2015.

 



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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

Page

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

1

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

1

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

1

SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

2

THE COMPANY

4

RISK FACTORS

4

USE OF PROCEEDS

4

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

4

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

5

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

12

DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

18

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

19

DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS

19

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

19

SELLING SECURITYHOLDERS

20

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

20

LEGAL MATTERS

22

EXPERTS

22

 


 

We are responsible for the information contained and incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus we prepare or authorize. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information, and we take no responsibility for any other information that others may give you. We are not making an offer of these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted. The information in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, any free writing prospectus and any document incorporated by reference is only accurate as of the date of the respective documents in which the information appears. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

 

Unless we otherwise indicate or unless the context requires, all references in this prospectus to:

 

·                  “Royal Gold,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Royal Gold, Inc., except where the context otherwise requires or as otherwise indicated in this prospectus;

 

·                  “common stock” means our common stock, par value $0.01 per share; and

 

·                  “securities” means the debt securities, preferred stock, common stock, warrants, depositary shares, purchase contracts and units described in this prospectus.

 



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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

 

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) utilizing an automatic “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may sell different types of securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we and any selling securityholder may offer. Each time we or a selling securityholder sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement containing specific information about the terms of that offering and the securities being offered. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with additional information described under the headings “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference.”

 

This prospectus contains summaries of certain provisions contained in some of the contracts, agreements or other documents described herein, but reference is made to the actual documents for complete information. All of the summaries are qualified in their entirety by reference to the actual documents. Copies of some of the documents referred to herein have been filed or will be filed or incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and you may obtain copies of those documents as described below in the section entitled “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

 

We have filed with the SEC a “shelf” registration statement on Form S-3 relating to the securities that may be offered by this prospectus. This prospectus is part of the registration statement and does not contain all the information contained in the registration statement and the exhibits to the registration statement. We strongly encourage you to read carefully the registration statement and the exhibits to the registration statement.

 

In addition, we file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy the registration statement and any other document we file at the SEC public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the public reference room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains an internet site at http://www.sec.gov, which contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC, including us. You may also find our SEC filings under the heading “Investors” on our website at www.royalgold.com. The information on our website is not a part of this prospectus or any prospectus supplement.

 

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

 

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus, and those documents that are filed after the date of this prospectus and prior to the sale of securities to you pursuant to this prospectus will be considered a part of this prospectus. Information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede the previously filed information and the information contained in this prospectus. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings we will make with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), other than any portions of the respective filings that were furnished, rather than filed, pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Current Reports on Form 8-K (including exhibits related thereto) or other applicable SEC rules, prior to the termination or completion of the offerings under this prospectus:

 

·                  our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2014, filed on August 7, 2014, including portions of our Proxy Statement for the 2014 annual meeting of stockholders, filed on October 1, 2014, to the extent specifically incorporated by reference therein;

 

·                  our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended September 30, 2014, filed on October 30, 2014, December 31, 2014, filed on January 29, 2015, and March 31, 2015, filed on April 30, 2015;

 

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·                  our Current Reports on Form 8-K as filed on September 4, 2014, October 15, 2014, November 5, 2014, November 14, 2014, November 18, 2014 and January 29, 2015;

 

·                  the description of our common stock contained in our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 30, 2015, and any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description.

 

We make available free of charge through our Internet website at http://www.royalgold.com our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC. Information contained on our Internet website is not a part of this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. We will provide a copy of the documents we incorporate herein by reference, at no cost, to any person who receives this prospectus, including any beneficial owner. You may request a copy of any or all of these documents by writing or telephoning us at:

 

Royal Gold, Inc.

1660 Wynkoop Street, Suite 1000

Denver, CO 80202

Attn: Investor Relations

Telephone: (303) 573-1660

 

SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This prospectus, any prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated herein by reference contain or will contain certain references to future expectations and other forward-looking statements and information relating to us or to properties operated by others that are based on our beliefs and assumptions or those of management of the companies that operate properties on which we have royalty and stream interests, as well as information currently available to us. Such forward-looking statements include statements regarding projected production and reserves received from the operators of properties where we hold royalty and stream interests. Additional written or oral forward-looking statements may be made by us from time to time in filings with the SEC or otherwise. Words such as “may,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “forecast,” “potential,” “intend,” “continue,” “project” and variations of these words, comparable words and similar expressions generally indicate forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statement is made. Such forward-looking statements are within the meaning of that term in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Forward-looking statements inherently involve risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified. Do not unduly rely on forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include, among others:

 

·                  changes in gold and other metals prices on which our royalty and stream interests are paid or changes in prices of the primary metals mined at properties where we hold royalty and stream interests;

 

·                  the production at or performance of properties where we hold royalty and stream interests;

 

·                  the ability of operators to bring projects, particularly development stage properties, into production on schedule or operate in accordance with feasibility studies;

 

·                  challenges to mining, processing and related permits and licenses, or to applications for permits and licenses, by or on behalf of indigenous populations, non-governmental organizations or other third parties;

 

·                  decisions and activities of the operators of properties where we hold royalty and stream interests;

 

·                  liquidity or other problems our operators may encounter;

 

·                  hazards and risks at the properties where we hold royalty and stream interests that are normally associated with developing and mining properties, including unanticipated grade and geological, metallurgical, processing or other problems, mine operating and ore processing facility problems, pit wall or tailings dam failures, industrial accidents, environmental hazards and natural catastrophes such as floods or earthquakes and access to raw materials, water and power;

 

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·                  changes in operators’ mining, processing and treatment techniques may change the production of minerals subject to our royalty and stream interests;

 

·                  changes in the methodology employed by our operators to calculate our royalty and stream interests in accordance with the agreements that govern them;

 

·                  changes in project parameters as plans of the operators of properties where we hold royalty and stream interests are refined;

 

·                  changes in estimates of reserves and mineralization by the operators of properties where we hold royalty and stream interests;

 

·                  contests to our royalty and stream interests and title and other defects to the properties where we hold royalty and stream interests;

 

·                  economic and market conditions;

 

·                  future financial needs;

 

·                  federal, state and foreign legislation governing us or the operators of properties where we hold royalty and stream interests;

 

·                  the availability of royalty and stream interests for acquisition or other acquisition opportunities and the availability of debt or equity financing necessary to complete such acquisitions;

 

·                  our ability to make accurate assumptions regarding the valuation, timing and amount of revenue to be derived from our royalty and stream interests when evaluating acquisitions;

 

·                  risks associated with conducting business in foreign countries, including application of foreign laws to contract and other disputes, environmental, real estate, contract and permitting laws, currency fluctuations, expropriation of property, repatriation of earnings, taxation, price controls, inflation, import and export regulations, community unrest and labor disputes, endemic health issues, corruption, enforcement and uncertain political and economic environments;

 

·                  changes in laws governing us, the properties where we hold royalty and stream interests or the operators of such properties;

 

·                  risks associated with issuances of additional common stock or incurrence of indebtedness in connection with acquisitions or otherwise including risks associated with the issuance and conversion of convertible notes;

 

·                  acquisition and maintenance of permits and authorizations, completion of construction and commencement and continuation of production at the properties where we hold royalty and stream interests;

 

·                  changes in management and key employees; and

 

·                  failure to complete future acquisitions;

 

as well as other factors described elsewhere in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and in the other filings we make with the SEC. Most of these factors are beyond our ability to predict or control. Future events and actual results could differ materially from those set forth in, contemplated by or underlying the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made. We disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking statements made herein, except as required by law. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

 

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THE COMPANY

 

Royal Gold, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, is engaged in the business of acquiring and managing precious metals royalties, metal streams, and similar 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. 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. We seek to acquire existing royalty and stream interests or to finance projects that are in production or in the development stage in exchange for royalty or stream interests. In the ordinary course of business, we engage in a continual review of opportunities to acquire existing royalty and stream interests, to create new royalty and stream interests through the financing of mine development or exploration, or to acquire companies that hold royalty and stream interests. We currently, and generally at any time, have acquisition opportunities in various stages of active review, including, for example, our engagement of consultants and advisors to analyze particular opportunities, analysis of technical, financial and other confidential information, submission of indications of interest, participation in preliminary discussions and negotiations and involvement as a bidder in competitive processes.

 

We were incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware on January 5, 1981. Our principal executive offices are located at 1660 Wynkoop Street, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80202. Our telephone number is (303) 573-1660. We maintain a website at http://www.royalgold.com. Information presented or accessed through our website is not incorporated into, or made a part of, this prospectus.

 

RISK FACTORS

 

An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks incorporated by reference to our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or Current Reports on Form 8-K we file after the date of this prospectus, and all other information contained or incorporated by reference into this prospectus, as updated by our subsequent filings under the Exchange Act, and the risk factors and other information contained in the applicable prospectus supplement before acquiring any of such securities. The occurrence of any of these risks might cause you to lose all or a part of your investment in the offered securities. See “Where You Can Find More Information” included elsewhere in this prospectus. In addition, please see “Special Note About Forward-Looking Statements” in this prospectus, where we describe additional uncertainties associated with our business and the forward-looking statements included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

 

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

Unless we specify otherwise in a prospectus supplement, the net proceeds from the sale of securities offered from time to time using this prospectus will be used for our general corporate purposes, which may include repayment or refinancing of debt, acquisitions or working capital. We will not receive proceeds from sales of selling securityholders except as otherwise specified in an applicable prospectus supplement.

 

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

 

The following table sets forth the ratio of earnings to fixed charges of Royal Gold for the periods indicated.

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

Fiscal Year Ended June 30,

 

 

 

March 31, 2015

 

2014

 

2013

 

2012

 

2011

 

2010

 

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges

 

3.40

 

4.77

 

7.43

 

25.25

 

18.72

 

16.89

 

 

For the purpose of computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, earnings consist of income from continuing operations before income taxes, net income attributable to non-controlling interests, and losses or earnings from equity investments plus fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of interest expensed and capitalized, amortization of debt issuance costs and that portion of rental expense we believe to be representative of interest.

 

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We have no outstanding shares of preferred stock with required dividend payments for the periods indicated above. Therefore, the ratios of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends are identical to the ratios presented in the table above.

 

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

 

We may issue debt securities under an indenture, dated June 20, 2012, between us and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, and Computershare Trust Company of Canada, as Canadian trustee, which we refer to as the “base indenture.” As used in this prospectus, “debt securities” means our direct general obligations and may include debentures, notes, bonds or other evidences of indebtedness that we issue and a trustee authenticates and delivers under the base indenture. The prospectus supplement relating to any offering of debt securities will describe more specific terms of the debt securities being offered.

 

Debt securities will be issued under the base indenture in one or more series established pursuant to a supplemental indenture or a resolution duly adopted by our board of directors or a duly authorized committee thereof. The base indenture does not limit the aggregate principal amount of debt securities that may be issued thereunder, or the amount of any series that may be issued. In this prospectus, we refer to the base indenture (together with each applicable supplemental indenture or resolution establishing the applicable series of debt securities) as the “indenture.” The indenture will be subject to, and governed by, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.

 

The summary set forth below does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the base indenture and the supplemental indenture or board resolution (including the form of debt security) relating to the applicable series of debt securities, the form of each of which is or will be filed or incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and incorporated herein by reference.

 

General Terms of the Indenture

 

The indenture does not limit the amount of debt securities that we may issue. It provides that we may issue debt securities up to the principal amount that we may authorize and they may be in any currency or currency unit that we may designate. Except for the limitations on consolidation, merger and sale of all or substantially all of our assets contained in the indenture, the terms of the indenture do not contain any covenants or other provisions designed to give holders of any debt securities protection against changes in our operations, financial condition or transactions involving us. For each series of debt securities, any restrictive covenants for those debt securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement for those debt securities.

 

We may issue the debt securities issued under the indenture as “discount securities,” which means they may be sold at a discount below their stated principal amount. These debt securities, as well as other debt securities that are not issued at a discount, may, for United States federal income tax purposes, be treated as if they were issued with “original issue discount,” or OID, because of interest payment and other characteristics. Special United States federal income tax considerations applicable to debt securities issued with original issue discount will be described in more detail in any applicable prospectus supplement.

 

You should refer to the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of debt securities for a description of the following terms of the debt securities offered by that prospectus supplement and by this prospectus:

 

·                  the title and authorized denominations of those debt securities;

 

·                  any limit on the aggregate principal amount of that series of debt securities;

 

·                  the date or dates on which principal and premium, if any, of the debt securities of that series is payable;

 

·                  interest rates, and the dates from which interest, if any, on the debt securities of that series will accrue, and the dates when interest is payable and the maturity;

 

·                  the right, if any, to extend the interest payment periods and the duration of the extensions;

 

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·                  if the amount of payments of principal or interest is to be determined by reference to an index or formula, or based on a coin or currency other than that in which the debt securities are stated to be payable, the manner in which these amounts are determined and the calculation agent, if any, with respect thereto;

 

·                  the place or places where and the manner in which the principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the debt securities of that series will be payable and the place or places where those debt securities may be presented for transfer and, if applicable, conversion or exchange;

 

·                  the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, the currency or currencies in which, and other terms and conditions upon which those debt securities may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at our option or the option of a holder of those securities, if we or a holder is to have that option;

 

·                  our obligation or right, if any, to redeem, repay or purchase those debt securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provision or at the option of a holder of those securities, and the terms and conditions upon which the debt securities will be redeemed, repaid or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to that obligation;

 

·                  the terms, if any, on which the debt securities of that series will be subordinate in right and priority of payment to our other debt;

 

·                  the denominations in which those debt securities will be issuable;

 

·                  if other than the entire principal amount of the debt securities when issued, the portion of the principal amount payable upon acceleration of maturity as a result of a default on our obligations;

 

·                  whether those debt securities will be issued in fully registered form without coupons or in a form registered as to principal only with coupons or in bearer form with coupons;

 

·                  whether any securities of that series are to be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities and the depositary for those global securities;

 

·                  if other than United States dollars, the currency or currencies in which payment of principal of or any premium or interest on those debt securities will be payable;

 

·                  if the principal of or any premium or interest on the debt securities of that series is to be payable, or is to be payable at our election or the election of a holder of those securities, in securities or other property, the type and amount of those securities or other property, or the manner of determining that amount, and the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, any such election may be made;

 

·                  the events of default and covenants relating to the debt securities that are in addition to, modify or delete those described in this prospectus;

 

·                  conversion or exchange provisions, if any, including conversion or exchange prices or rates and adjustments thereto;

 

·                  whether and upon what terms the debt securities may be defeased, if different from the provisions set forth in the indenture;

 

·                  the nature and terms of any security for any secured debt securities;

 

·                  the terms applicable to any debt securities issued at a discount from their stated principal amount; and

 

·                  any other specific terms of any debt securities.

 

The applicable prospectus supplement will present material United States federal income tax considerations for holders of any debt securities and the securities exchange or quotation system on which any debt securities are to be listed or quoted.

 

Conversion or Exchange Rights

 

Debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for shares of our equity securities or other securities. The terms and conditions of conversion or exchange will be stated in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms will include, among others, the following:

 

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·                  the conversion or exchange price;

 

·                  the conversion or exchange period;

 

·                  provisions regarding our ability or the ability of any holder to convert or exchange the debt securities;

 

·                  events requiring adjustment to the conversion or exchange price; and

 

·                  provisions affecting conversion or exchange in the event of our redemption of the debt securities.

 

Consolidation, Merger or Sale

 

The terms of the indenture prevent us from consolidating or merging with or into, or conveying, transferring or leasing all or substantially all of our assets to, any person, unless (i) we are the surviving corporation or the successor corporation or person to which our assets are conveyed, transferred or leased is organized under the laws of the United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia and it expressly assumes our obligations under the debt securities and the indenture and (ii) immediately after completing such a transaction, no event of default under the indenture, and no event that, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an event of default under the indenture, has occurred and is continuing. When the person to whom our assets are conveyed, transferred or leased has assumed our obligations under the debt securities and the indenture, we will be discharged from all our obligations under the debt securities and the indenture except in limited circumstances.

 

This covenant would not apply to any recapitalization transaction, a change of control affecting us or a highly leveraged transaction, unless the transaction or change of control were structured to include a merger or consolidation or conveyance, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of our assets.

 

Events of Default

 

The indenture provides that the following will be “events of default” with respect to any series of debt securities:

 

·                  failure to pay interest for 30 days after the date payment is due and payable;

 

·                  failure to pay principal or premium, if any, on any debt security when due, either at maturity, upon any redemption, by declaration or otherwise and, in the case of technical or administrative difficulties, only if such default persists for a period of more than three business days;

 

·                  failure to make sinking fund payments when due and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days;

 

·                  failure to perform other covenants for 60 days after notice of such default or breach and request for it to be remedied;

 

·                  events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization relating to us; or

 

·                  any other event of default provided in the applicable officer’s certificate, resolution of our board of directors or the supplemental indenture under which we issue a series of debt securities.

 

An event of default for a particular series of debt securities does not necessarily constitute an event of default for any other series of debt securities issued under the indenture. For each series of debt securities, any modifications to the above events of default will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement for those debt securities.

 

The indenture provides that if an event of default specified in the first, second, third, fourth or sixth bullets above occurs and is continuing, either the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may declare the principal amount of all those debt securities (or, in the case of discount securities or indexed securities, that portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) to be due and payable immediately. If an event of default specified in the fifth bullet above occurs and is continuing, then the principal amount of all those debt securities (or, in the case of discount securities or indexed securities, that portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) will be due and payable immediately, without any declaration or other act on the part of the trustee or any holder. In certain cases,

 

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the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may, on behalf of holders of all those debt securities, waive any past default and consequences of such default.

 

The indenture imposes limitations on suits brought by holders of debt securities against us. Except for actions for payment of overdue principal or interest, no holder of debt securities of any series may institute any action against us under the indenture unless:

 

·                  the holder has previously given to the trustee written notice of a continuing default;

 

·                  the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the affected series have requested that the trustee institute the action;

 

·                  the requesting holders have offered the trustee indemnity for the reasonable costs, expenses and liabilities that may be incurred by bringing the action;

 

·                  the trustee has not instituted the action within 60 days of the request and offer of indemnity; and

 

·                  the trustee has not received inconsistent direction by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the affected series.

 

We will be required to file annually with the trustee a certificate, signed by one of our officers, stating whether or not the officer knows of any default by us in the performance, observance or fulfillment of any condition or covenant of the indenture.

 

Discharge, Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

 

We can discharge or decrease our obligations under the indenture as stated below.

 

We may discharge obligations to holders of any series of debt securities that have not already been delivered to the trustee for cancellation and that have either become due and payable or are by their terms to become due and payable, or are scheduled for redemption, within one year. We may effect a discharge by irrevocably depositing with the trustee cash or government obligations denominated in the currency of the debt securities, as trust funds, in an amount certified to be enough to pay when due, whether at maturity, upon redemption or otherwise, the principal of, and any premium and interest on, the debt securities and any mandatory sinking fund payments.

 

Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may also discharge any and all of our obligations to holders of any series of debt securities at any time, which we refer to as defeasance. We may also be released from the obligations imposed by any covenants of any outstanding series of debt securities and provisions of the indenture, and we may omit to comply with those covenants without creating an event of default under the trust declaration, which we refer to as covenant defeasance. We may effect defeasance and covenant defeasance only if, among other things:

 

·                  we irrevocably deposit with the trustee cash or government obligations denominated in the currency of the debt securities, as trust funds, in an amount certified by a nationally recognized firm of independent certified accountants to be enough to pay at maturity, or upon redemption, the principal (including any mandatory sinking fund payments) of, and any premium and interest on, all outstanding debt securities of the series; and

 

·                  we deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel from a nationally recognized law firm to the effect that the holders of the series of debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the defeasance or covenant defeasance and that defeasance or covenant defeasance will not otherwise alter the holders’ U.S. federal income tax treatment of principal, and any premium and interest payments on, the series of debt securities.

 

In the case of a defeasance by us, the opinion we deliver must be based on a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service issued, or a change in U.S. federal income tax law occurring, after the date of the indenture.

 

Although we may discharge or decrease our obligations under the indenture as described in the preceding paragraphs, we may not discharge certain enumerated obligations, including but not limited to, our duty to register

 

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the transfer or exchange of any series of debt securities, to replace any temporary, mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen series of debt securities or to maintain an office or agency in respect of any series of debt securities.

 

Modification of the Indenture

 

The indenture provides that we and the trustee may enter into supplemental indentures without the consent of the holders of debt securities to, among other things:

 

·                  evidence the assumption by a successor entity of our obligations;

 

·                  add to our covenants for the benefit of the holders of debt securities, or to surrender any rights or power conferred upon us;

 

·                  add any additional events of default;

 

·                  cure any ambiguity or correct any inconsistency or defect in the indenture;

 

·                  add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of the indenture in a manner that will become effective only when there is no outstanding debt security which is entitled to the benefit of the provision as to which the modification would apply;

 

·                  add guarantees to or secure any debt securities;

 

·                  establish the forms or terms of debt securities of any series;

 

·                  evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee and add to or change any of the provisions of the indenture as is necessary for the administration of the trusts by more than one trustee;

 

·                  add to or change any provision of the indenture as is necessary to permit or facilitate the issuance of debt securities in bearer form;

 

·                  change the location of (i) payment of principal, premium or interest; (ii) surrender of the debt securities for registration, transfer or exchange and (iii) notices and demands to or upon the Company;

 

·                  supplement any provision of the indenture to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of any debt securities provided that it does not adversely affect the interests of the holders of any outstanding debt securities;

 

·                  conform the terms of any debt securities to the description of such debt securities in the prospectus and prospectus supplement offering the debt securities;

 

·                  eliminate any provision that was required at the time we entered into the indenture but, as a result of an amendment to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”), is no longer required;

 

·                  modify, eliminate or add to the provisions of the indenture to effect or evidence any change required by an amendment to the Trust Indenture Act; and

 

·                  make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under the indenture as long as the new provisions do not adversely affect the interests of the holders of any outstanding debt securities of any series created prior to the modification.

 

Any provision of the indenture shall automatically be deemed to have been modified, eliminated or added to the extent required to be made as a result of an amendment to the Trust Indenture Act.

 

The indenture also provides that we and the trustee may, with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of debt securities of each series of debt securities affected by such supplemental indenture then outstanding, add any provisions to, or change in any manner, eliminate or modify in any way the provisions of, the indenture or any supplemental indenture or modify in any manner the rights of the holders of the debt securities. We and the trustee may not, however, without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security affected thereby:

 

·                  extend the final maturity of any debt security;

 

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·                  reduce the principal amount or premium, if any;

 

·                  reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest;

 

·                  change the method of calculating the rate of interest;

 

·                  reduce the amount of the principal of any debt security issued with an original issue discount that is payable upon acceleration;

 

·                  change the currency in which the principal, and any premium or interest, is payable;

 

·                  impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on any debt security when due;

 

·                  if applicable, adversely affect the right of a holder to convert or exchange a debt security; or

 

·                  reduce the percentage of holders of debt securities of any series whose consent is required for any modification of the indenture or for waivers of compliance with or defaults under the indenture with respect to debt securities of that series.

 

The indenture provides that the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities of any series, by notice to the relevant trustee, may on behalf of the holders of the debt securities of that series waive any default and its consequences under the indenture except:

 

·                  a default in the payment of the principal of or premium or interest on any such debt security; or

 

·                  a default in respect of a covenant or provision of the indenture that cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security of each series affected.

 

Registered Global Securities and Book Entry System

 

The debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in book-entry form and may be represented by one or more fully registered global securities. We will deposit any registered global securities with a depositary or with a nominee for a depositary identified in the applicable prospectus supplement and registered in the name of such depositary or nominee. In such case, we will issue one or more registered global securities denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of all of the debt securities of the series to be issued and represented by such registered global security or securities. This means that we will not issue certificates to each holder.

 

Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for debt securities in definitive registered form, a registered global security may not be transferred except as a whole:

 

·                  by the depositary for the registered global security to its nominee;

 

·                  by a nominee of the depositary to the depositary or another nominee of the depositary; or

 

·                  by the depositary or its nominee to a successor of the depositary or a nominee of the successor.

 

The prospectus supplement relating to a series of debt securities will describe the specific terms of the depositary arrangement involving any portion of the series represented by a registered global security. We anticipate that the following provisions will apply to all depositary arrangements for debt securities:

 

·                  ownership of beneficial interests in a registered global security will be limited to persons that have accounts with the depositary for such registered global security, these persons being referred to as “participants,” or persons that may hold interests through participants;

 

·                  upon the issuance of a registered global security, the depositary for the registered global security will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the participants’ accounts with the respective principal amounts of the debt securities represented by the registered global security beneficially owned by the participants;

 

·                  any dealers, underwriters, or agents participating in the distribution of the debt securities will designate the accounts to be credited; and

 

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·                  ownership of beneficial interest in the registered global security will be shown on, and the transfer of the ownership interest will be effected only through, records maintained by the depositary for the registered global security for interests of participants, and on the records of participants for interests of persons holding through participants.

 

The laws of some states may require that specified purchasers of securities take physical delivery of the securities in definitive form. These laws may limit the ability of those persons to own, transfer or pledge beneficial interests in registered global securities.

 

So long as the depositary for a registered global security, or its nominee, is the registered owner of the registered global security, the depositary or such nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the debt securities represented by the registered global security for all purposes under the indenture. Except as stated below, owners of beneficial interests in a registered global security:

 

·                  will not be entitled to have the debt securities represented by a registered global security registered in their names;

 

·                  will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of the debt securities in the definitive form; and

 

·                  will not be considered the owners or holders of the debt securities under the relevant indenture.

 

Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in a registered global security must rely on the procedures of the depositary for the registered global security and, if the person is not a participant, on the procedures of a participant through which the person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the indenture.

 

We understand that under existing industry practices, if we request any action of holders or if an owner of a beneficial interest in a registered global security desires to give or take any action that a holder is entitled to give or take under the indenture, the depositary for the registered global security would authorize the participants holding the relevant beneficial interests to give or take the action, and the participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through the participants to give or take the action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners holding through them.

 

We will make payments of principal and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on debt securities represented by a registered global security registered in the name of a depositary or its nominee to the depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owners of the registered global security. Neither we nor the trustee, or any other agent of ours or the trustee will be responsible or liable for any aspect of the records relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial ownership interests in the registered global security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to the beneficial ownership interests.

 

We expect that the depositary for any debt securities represented by a registered global security, upon receipt of any payments of principal and premium, if any, and interest, if any, in respect of the registered global security, will immediately credit participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the registered global security as shown on the records of the depositary. We also expect that standing customer instructions and customary practices will govern payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in the registered global security held through the participants, as is now the case with the securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name.” We also expect that any of these payments will be the responsibility of the participants.

 

If the depositary for any debt securities represented by a registered global security is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depositary or stops being a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, we will appoint an eligible successor depositary. If we fail to appoint an eligible successor depositary within 90 days, we will issue the debt securities in definitive form in exchange for the registered global security. In addition, we may at any time and in our sole discretion decide not to have any of the debt securities of a series represented by one or more registered global securities. In that event, we will issue debt securities of the series in a definitive form in exchange for all of the registered global securities representing the debt securities. The trustee will register any debt securities issued in definitive form in exchange for a registered global security in the name or names as the depositary, based upon instructions from its participants, shall instruct the trustee.

 

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We may also issue bearer debt securities of a series in the form of one or more global securities, referred to as “bearer global securities.” We will deposit these securities with a depositary identified in the prospectus supplement relating to the series. The prospectus supplement relating to a series of debt securities represented by a bearer global security will describe the applicable terms and procedures. These will include the specific terms of the depositary arrangement and any specific procedures for the issuance of debt securities in definitive form in exchange for a bearer global security, in proportion to the series represented by a bearer global security.

 

Concerning the Trustee

 

The indenture provides that there may be more than one trustee under the indenture, each for one or more series of debt securities. If there are different trustees for different series of debt securities, each trustee will be a trustee of a trust under the indenture separate and apart from the trust administered by any other trustee under that indenture. Except as otherwise indicated in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, any action permitted to be taken by a trustee may be taken by such trustee only on the one or more series of debt securities for which it is the trustee under the indenture. Any trustee under the indenture may resign or be removed from one or more series of debt securities.

 

The indenture provides that, except during the continuance of an event of default, the trustee will perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in the indenture. During the existence of an event of default, the trustee will exercise those rights and powers vested in it under the indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise as a prudent person would exercise under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.

 

The trustee may engage in other transactions with us. If it acquires any conflicting interest relating to any duties concerning the debt securities, however, it must eliminate the conflict or resign as trustee.

 

No Individual Liability of Incorporators, Stockholders, Officers or Directors

 

The indenture provides that no past, present or future director, officer, stockholder or employee of ours, any of our affiliates, or any successor corporation, in their capacity as such, shall have any individual liability for any of our obligations, covenants or agreements under the debt securities or the indenture.

 

Governing Law

 

The indenture and the debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

 

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

 

General

 

The following description of our capital stock, together with the additional information in any applicable prospectus supplement, summarizes the material terms and provisions of our capital stock and various provisions of our restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, which we also refer to as our certificate of incorporation, and amended and restated bylaws, as amended, which we also refer to as our bylaws. For additional information about the terms of our capital stock, please refer to our certificate of incorporation, bylaws, and our First Amended and Restated Rights Agreement, dated as of September 10, 2007, which we refer to as our stockholder rights agreement, that are incorporated by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. The terms of these securities may also be affected by the general corporation law of the state of Delaware. The summary below is not intended to be complete and is qualified by reference to the provisions of applicable law and our certificate of incorporation, bylaws and stockholder rights agreement.

 

Our authorized capital stock consists of 100,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share. As of April 23, 2015, there were 65,187,520 issued and outstanding shares of common stock and one share of preferred stock, designated as The Special Voting Preferred Stock, issued or outstanding. In addition, as of such date, there were 4,482 exchangeable shares of RG Exchangeco Inc., a wholly-owned Canadian subsidiary of the Company (“RG Exchangeco”) outstanding which are exchangeable at any time into shares of the Company’s common stock on a one-for-one basis and entitle their holders to voting and economic rights that are, as nearly as practicable, equivalent to the voting and economic rights

 

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of shares of Royal Gold common stock. Rights to purchase Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value per share (the “Series A Preferred Stock”) have been distributed to holders of our common stock under our stockholder rights agreement. A maximum of 500,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock is currently authorized for issuance upon exercise of these rights.

 

Common Stock

 

Holders of common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held in the election of directors and on all other matters submitted to a vote of stockholders and do not have any cumulative voting rights. Holders of common stock are entitled to receive ratably such dividends, if any, when, as and if declared by the board of directors, out of funds legally available therefor, subject to any preferential dividend rights of any outstanding preferred stock.

 

Upon the liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the Company, the holders of common stock are entitled to receive ratably the net assets of the Company available after payment of all debts and other liabilities, subject to the prior rights of any outstanding preferred stock. Holders of common stock have no preemptive, subscription, redemption, or conversion rights other than the right, when exercisable, to purchase one one-thousandth of a share of our Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock as described further below. The outstanding shares of common stock are, and the shares offered by us by any prospectus supplement accompanying this prospectus will be, when issued and paid for, fully paid and non-assessable.

 

RG Exchangeco Exchangeable Shares

 

The exchangeable shares were issued by RG Exchangeco, our wholly-owned subsidiary. The exchangeable shares are substantially the economic equivalent of shares of common stock of Royal Gold.

 

Dividends.  Holders of exchangeable shares are entitled to receive, subject to applicable law, dividends as follows:

 

·                  in the case of a cash dividend declared on Royal Gold common stock, an amount in cash for each exchangeable share equal to the cash dividend declared on each share of Royal Gold common stock;

 

·                  in the case of a stock dividend declared on Royal Gold common stock to be paid in shares of Royal Gold common stock, such number of exchangeable shares for each exchangeable share as is equal to the number of shares of Royal Gold common stock to be paid on each share of Royal Gold common stock unless in lieu of such stock dividend RG Exchangeco elects to effect a corresponding and contemporaneous and economically equivalent (as determined by the board of directors of RG Exchangeco) subdivision of the outstanding exchangeable shares; or

 

·                  in the case of a dividend declared on Royal Gold common stock in property other than cash or shares of Royal Gold common stock, such type and amount of property for each exchangeable share as is the same as or economically equivalent (to be determined by the board of directors of RG Exchangeco) to the type and amount of property declared as a dividend on each share of Royal Gold common stock.

 

The declaration dates, record dates and payment dates for dividends on the exchangeable shares are the same as the relevant dates for the dividends on Royal Gold common stock.

 

Voting rights.  Holders of exchangeable shares receive, through a voting trust and The Special Voting Preferred Stock, the benefit of Royal Gold voting rights, entitling the holder to one vote for each exchangeable share held on the same basis and in the same circumstances as one share of Royal Gold common stock.

 

Other.  The exchangeable shares are exchangeable at any time, at the option of the holder on a one-for-one basis for shares of Royal Gold common stock.

 

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Preferred Stock

 

The Special Voting Preferred Stock

 

As of the date of this prospectus, we had one share of preferred stock, designated as The Special Voting Preferred Stock, issued or outstanding.

 

Dividends and liquidation rights.  The trustee holder of The Special Voting Preferred Stock is not entitled to receive any dividends or other distributions or to receive or participate in any distribution of assets upon our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up.

 

Voting rights.  The trustee holder of The Special Voting Preferred Stock has the right to cast a number of votes equal to the number of then outstanding exchangeable shares but has agreed to only cast a number of votes equal to the number of exchangeable shares as to which it has received voting instructions from the owners of record of those exchangeable shares (other than Royal Gold and its affiliates), on the relevant record date. As of April 23, 2015, the Special Voting Preferred Stock was entitled to 4,482 votes, based upon 4,482 exchangeable shares outstanding on such date. The trustee holder of The Special Voting Preferred Stock will vote together with holders of the Royal Gold common stock as a single class.

 

Other.  The trustee holder of The Special Voting Preferred Stock has no pre-emptive rights to acquire any securities of Royal Gold.

 

Series A Preferred Stock

 

Rights to purchase Series A Preferred Stock have been distributed to holders of our common stock under our stockholder rights agreement, and a maximum of 500,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock are authorized for issuance on exercise of rights. Our preferred stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series, without stockholder approval. Subject to limitations prescribed by law, the board of directors is authorized to determine the voting powers (if any), designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, and qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, for each series of preferred stock that may be issued, and to fix the number of shares of each such series. Thus, the board of directors, without stockholder approval, could authorize the issuance of preferred stock with voting, conversion and other rights that could adversely affect the voting power and other rights of holders of common stock or other series of preferred stock or that could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of the Company.

 

Preferred stock will be issued under a certificate of designations relating to each series of preferred stock, subject to our certificate of incorporation. When a particular series of preferred stock is offered, the prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of the securities, including:

 

·                  the title and stated value of the preferred stock;

 

·                  the number of shares of the preferred stock offered, the dividend and liquidation preference per share and the offering price of the preferred stock;

 

·                  the dividend rate(s), period(s) and/or payment date(s) or method(s) of calculation of such rates, periods or dates applicable to the preferred stock;

 

·                  whether the preferred stock will have preemptive rights;

 

·                  the procedures for auction and remarketing, if any, of the preferred stock;

 

·                  the sinking fund provisions, if applicable, for the preferred stock;

 

·                  the redemption provisions, if applicable, for the preferred stock;

 

·                  whether the preferred stock will be convertible into or exchangeable for other securities and, if so, the terms and conditions of conversion or exchange, including the conversion price or exchange ratio and the conversion or exchange period (or the method of determining the same);

 

·                  whether the preferred stock will have voting rights and the terms of the voting rights, if any;

 

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·                  whether the preferred stock will be listed on any securities exchange;

 

·                  the transfer agent for the preferred stock;

 

·                  whether the preferred stock will be issued with any other securities and, if so, the amount and terms of such securities; and

 

·                  any other specific terms, preferences or rights of, or limitations or restrictions on, the preferred stock.

 

Anti-Takeover Provisions

 

Effect of Delaware Anti-takeover Statute

 

We are subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, an anti-takeover law. In general, Section 203 prohibits a Delaware corporation from engaging in any business combination with any interested stockholder for a period of three years following the date that the stockholder became an interested stockholder, unless:

 

·                  prior to that date, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;

 

·                  upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the number of shares of voting stock outstanding (but not the voting stock owned by the interested stockholder) those shares owned (i) by persons who are directors and also officers and (ii) employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or

 

·                  on or subsequent to that date, the business combination is approved by the board of directors of the corporation and authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder.

 

Section 203 defines “business combination” to include the following:

 

·                  any merger or consolidation involving the corporation and the interested stockholder;

 

·                  any sale, transfer, pledge or other disposition of 10% or more of the assets of the corporation involving the interested stockholder;

 

·                  subject to certain exceptions, any transaction that results in the issuance or transfer by the corporation of any stock of the corporation to the interested stockholder;

 

·                  any transaction involving the corporation that has the effect of increasing the proportionate share of the stock of any class or series of the corporation beneficially owned by the interested stockholder; or

 

·                  the receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits provided by or through the corporation.

 

In general, Section 203 defines an interested stockholder as any entity or person beneficially owning 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation, or who beneficially owns 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation at any time within a three year period immediately prior to the date of determining whether such person is an interested stockholder, and any entity or person affiliated with, controlling, or controlled by any of these entities or persons.

 

Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws Provisions

 

Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws include provisions that may have the effect of discouraging, delaying or preventing a change in control or an unsolicited acquisition proposal that a stockholder might consider favorable, including a proposal that might result in the payment of a premium over the market price for the shares held by stockholders. These provisions are summarized in the following paragraphs.

 

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Classified Board of Directors.  Our certificate of incorporation provides for our board of directors to be divided into three classes of directors serving staggered three year terms. The classification of the board of directors has the effect of requiring at least two annual stockholder meetings, instead of one, to replace a majority of the members of the board of directors.

 

Authorized but Unissued or Undesignated Capital Stock.  Our authorized capital stock consists of 100,000,000 shares of common stock and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock. The authorized but unissued (and in the case of preferred stock, undesignated) stock may be issued by the board of directors in one or more transactions. In this regard, our certificate of incorporation grants the board of directors broad power to establish the rights and preferences of authorized and unissued preferred stock. The issuance of shares of preferred stock pursuant to the board of directors’ authority described above could decrease the amount of earnings and assets available for distribution to holders of common stock and adversely affect the rights and powers, including voting rights, of such holders and may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control. The board of directors does not currently intend to seek stockholder approval prior to any issuance of preferred stock, unless otherwise required by law.

 

Special Meetings of Stockholders.  Our bylaws provide that special meetings of our stockholders may be called only by our chairman of the board of directors, chief executive officer, president or board of directors. Stockholders do not have the right to call special meetings or to bring business before special meetings.

 

Stockholder Action by Written Consent.  Under Delaware law, unless otherwise provided in a corporation’s certificate of incorporation, any action that may be taken at a meeting of stockholders may be taken without a meeting and without prior notice if a written consent is signed by the holders of the minimum number of votes necessary to authorize the action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote were present and voted. Our bylaws provide the same standard for written consent and require a stockholder seeking to take action by written consent to give written notice to our secretary requesting that the board of directors fix a record date and include in such notice certain specified information and representations regarding (i) each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or re-election as a director, (ii) any other business the stockholder proposes to take by written consent, (iii) the stockholder giving notice and the beneficial owner, if any, or any affiliate or associate thereof, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made (collectively, the “Proposing Stockholder”), (iv) any agreements, arrangements and understandings between the Proposing Stockholder and any other person in connection with the proposal of such business or nominations by the stockholder, (v) whether the Proposing Stockholder is a holder of record of stock and entitled to vote, and (vi) whether the Proposing Stockholder is or intends to be part of a group that intends to solicit consents from stockholders.

 

Notice Procedures.  Our bylaws establish advance notice procedures with regard to all stockholder proposals to be brought before meetings of our stockholders, including proposals relating to the nomination of candidates for election as directors and amendments to our certificate of incorporation or bylaws. These procedures provide that, as to matters not sought to be included in the Company’s proxy statement, the stockholder must give timely notice of such stockholder proposals in writing to our secretary prior to the meeting and update or supplement such notice, as required by our bylaws. All stockholder proposals must also otherwise be a proper matter for stockholder action pursuant to our certificate of incorporation, our bylaws and applicable law. Generally, to be timely a stockholder’s notice must be received by the secretary at the principal executive offices of the Company (a) in the case of an annual meeting, not less than 90 nor more than 120 calendar days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting (provided, however, that if the date of the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 30 days after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder must be so delivered, or mailed and received, not less than 90 nor more than 120 calendar days before such annual meeting, or not more than 10 calendar days following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made by the Company), or (b) in the case of a special meeting, not more than 120 calendar days before such special meeting nor less than the later of (i) 90 calendar days prior to such meeting or (ii) if a public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting less than 100 calendar days prior to such meeting, 10 calendar days following such public announcement. Stockholders are not permitted to make proposals to be brought before any special meeting of our stockholders other than the nomination of candidates for election as directors where the stated purpose for such special meeting includes the election of directors.

 

Any such notice must include certain specified information and representations regarding (i) each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or re-election as a director, (ii) any other business the stockholder

 

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proposes to bring before the meeting, (iii) the Proposing Stockholder, (iv) any agreements, arrangements and understandings between the Proposing Stockholder and any other person in connection with the proposal of such business or nominations by the stockholder, (v) whether the Proposing Stockholder is a holder of record of stock and entitled to vote, and (vi) whether the Proposing Stockholder is or intends to be part of a group that intends (a) to deliver a proxy statement and/or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Company’s outstanding capital stock required to approve or adopt the proposal and/or (b) otherwise to solicit proxies from stockholders in support of such proposal. As to matters sought to be included in the Company’s proxy statement, stockholders must comply with Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act.

 

Stockholder Rights Plan

 

Rights to purchase Series A Preferred Stock have been distributed to holders of our common stock under our stockholders rights agreement. A maximum of 500,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock is currently authorized for issuance upon exercise of these rights. Our stockholders rights agreement provides that attached to each share of our common stock is one right that, when exercisable, entitles the holder to purchase one one-thousandth of a share of Series A Preferred Stock at a purchase price of $175, subject to adjustment. In certain events, including when a person or group becomes the owner of 15% or more of our outstanding common stock (except by reason of share acquisitions by the Company) or when a person or group commences a tender offer or exchange offer for 15% or more of our outstanding common stock, the rights become exercisable. Exercise of the rights would entitle the holders of the rights (other than the acquiring person or group) to receive that number of one one-thousandths of a share of Series A Preferred Stock with a market value equal to two times the exercise price of the rights. At any time after the rights become exercisable, but before the acquiring person or group has obtained 50% or more of our outstanding common stock, our board of directors, under certain circumstances, may exchange each of the rights for a share of common stock or one one-thousandth of a Series A Preferred Share or the preferred stock equivalent. Accordingly, exercise or exchange of the rights may cause substantial dilution to a person or group that attempts to acquire the Company. The rights, which expire on September 10, 2017, may be redeemed at a price of $.001 per right at any time until the tenth day following an announcement that an individual, corporation or other entity has acquired 15% or more of our outstanding common stock, except as otherwise provided in our stockholders rights agreement. Our stockholders rights agreement makes the takeover of the Company much more difficult.

 

Limitation of Director Liability

 

As permitted by provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law, our certificate of incorporation limits, in certain circumstances, the monetary liability of our directors for breaches of their fiduciary duties as directors. These provisions do not eliminate the liability of a director:

 

·                  for a breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the Company or its stockholders;

 

·                  for acts or omissions by a director not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;

 

·                  arising under Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (relating to the declaration of dividends and purchase or redemption of shares in violation of the Delaware General Corporation Law); or

 

·                  for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

 

In addition, these provisions do not limit our rights or the rights of our stockholders, in appropriate circumstances, to seek equitable remedies such as injunctive or other forms of non-monetary relief. Such remedies may not be effective in all cases.

 

Indemnification Arrangements

 

Our bylaws provide that the Company shall indemnify our directors and officers to the full extent permitted by Delaware law. Under such provisions any director or officer, who, in his or her capacity as such, is made or threatened to be made a party to any suit or proceeding, may be indemnified if the board of directors determines such director or officer acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interest of the Company. Our bylaws and the Delaware General Corporation Law further provide that such

 

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indemnification is not exclusive of any other rights to which such individuals may be entitled under the bylaws, any agreement, any vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise.

 

We have entered into indemnification agreements with all of our current directors and officers to assure them that they will be indemnified to the extent permitted by our bylaws and the Delaware General Corporation Law. The indemnification agreements provide our directors and officers indemnification against, among other things, any and all expenses, judgments, fines, penalties, and amounts paid in settlement by the director or officer, provide for the advancement of expenses incurred by the director or officer in connection with any proceeding and obligate the director or officer to reimburse Royal Gold for all amounts so advanced if it is subsequently determined, as provided in the indemnification agreements, that the director or officer is not entitled to indemnification. The indemnification agreements also provide certain methods and presumptions for determining whether the director or officer is entitled to indemnification, among other matters, as set forth in such agreement. However, we are not required to indemnify a person on account of any action, claim or proceeding (other than as specifically provided in our bylaws) initiated by such person against the Company unless such action, claim or proceeding (i) relates to such person’s right to indemnification under any indemnification agreement entered into by such person and the Company, (ii) was authorized in the specific case by action of the board of directors, or (iii) as otherwise required under the Delaware General Corporation Law.

 

Our bylaws also provide that the Company may, to the extent authorized by the board of directors, provide rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses to employees and agents of the Company similar to those conferred to directors and officers, as described above.

 

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling Royal Gold pursuant to our certificate of incorporation, our bylaws or any indemnification agreement, Royal Gold has been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed under the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

 

Transfer Agent

 

The transfer agent for our common stock is Computershare Trust Company, Golden, Colorado; and Computershare Trust Company of Canada, Toronto, Ontario.

 

DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

 

We may, at our option, elect to issue fractional shares of preferred stock rather than full shares of preferred stock. If we exercise this option, we will issue to the public receipts for depositary shares, and each of these depositary shares will represent a fraction (to be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement) of a share of a particular series of preferred stock.

 

The shares of any series of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares will be deposited under a deposit agreement between us and a bank or trust company selected by us. The depositary will have its principal office in the United States and a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000. Subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, each owner of a depositary share will be entitled, in proportion to the applicable fraction of a share of preferred stock underlying the depositary share, to all of the rights and preferences of the preferred stock underlying that depositary share. Those rights may include dividend, voting, redemption, conversion and liquidation rights.

 

The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued under a deposit agreement. Depositary receipts will be distributed to those persons purchasing the fractional shares of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares, in accordance with the terms of the offering. The material terms of the deposit agreement, the depositary shares and the depositary receipts will be described in a prospectus supplement relating to the depositary shares. You should also refer to the forms of the deposit agreement and depositary receipts that will be filed with the SEC in connection with the offering of the specific depositary shares.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

 

We may issue warrants, including warrants to purchase debt securities, preferred stock or common stock. Warrants may be issued independently or together with any equity or debt securities and may be attached to or separate from such equity or debt securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between Royal Gold and a warrant agent. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants of such series and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of warrants. Terms of the warrants and the applicable warrant agreement will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, including:

 

·                  the title of the warrants;

 

·                  the aggregate principal amount of the warrants and the issue price of the warrants;

 

·                  the number of securities for, and the price at, which the warrants are exercisable and the period during which the warrants may be exercised;

 

·                  the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which the price of the warrants may be payable;

 

·                  in the case of warrants to purchase preferred stock, the designation, number of shares, stated value and terms, such as liquidation, dividend, conversion and voting rights, of the series of preferred stock purchasable upon exercise of the warrants, and the price at which such number of shares of preferred stock of such series may be purchased upon such exercise;

 

·                  in the case of warrants to purchase debt securities, the designation, aggregate principal amount, currencies, denominations and terms of the series of debt securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants and the price at which the debt securities may be purchased upon exercise;

 

·                  if applicable, the date on and after which the warrants and the related securities will be separately transferable;

 

·                  any provision adjusting the securities that may be purchased on exercise of the warrants, and the exercise price of the warrants, to prevent dilution or otherwise; and

 

·                  any other terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the warrants.

 

DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS

 

We may issue purchase contracts for the purchase or sale of, among other things, any of our other securities described in this prospectus or securities of third parties. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, each purchase contract will entitle the holder thereof to purchase or sell, and obligate us to sell or purchase, on specified dates, the securities specified in the applicable prospectus supplement at a specified price or prices, which may be based on a formula, all as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Additional information regarding any purchase contracts we may offer will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

 

We may issue units consisting of any of our other securities described in this prospectus, which units may also include securities of third parties. Additional information regarding any units we may offer will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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SELLING SECURITYHOLDERS

 

Selling securityholders may use this prospectus in connection with the resale of securities from time to time. The applicable prospectus supplement will identify the selling securityholders, the terms of the securities and other information regarding the transaction, such as the price of the securities, the names of any underwriter or broker-dealer, if used, and the commissions paid or discounts or concessions allowed to such underwriter or broker-dealer, where applicable. The selling securityholders may be deemed to be underwriters in connection with the securities they resell and any profits on the sales may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. The selling securityholders will receive all the proceeds from their sale of securities. We will not receive any proceeds from sales by selling securityholders except as otherwise specified in an applicable prospectus supplement. We may pay all expenses incurred with respect to the registration of the shares of common stock owned by the selling securityholders, other than underwriting fees, discounts or commissions which will be borne by the selling securityholders.

 

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

The Company or the selling securityholders, if any, may sell securities offered by means of this prospectus in and outside the United States (1) to or through underwriters or dealers, (2) directly to purchasers, (3) through agents, or (4) through a combination of any of these methods. The prospectus supplement relating to the offered securities will set forth the terms of the offering, including:

 

·                  the name or names of any underwriters, dealers or agents;

 

·                  the purchase price of the offered securities;

 

·                  any initial public offering price;

 

·                  the net proceeds to us;

 

·                  any delayed delivery arrangements;

 

·                  any underwriting discounts, commissions and other items constituting underwriters’ compensation;

 

·                  any discounts, concessions or other items allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers or agents;

 

·                  any commissions paid to agents; and

 

·                  any securities exchanges on which the offered securities may be listed.

 

We may use one or more underwriters in the sale of the offered securities, in which case the offered securities will be acquired by the underwriter or underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions either:

 

·                  at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed;

 

·                  at market prices prevailing at the time of sale;

 

·                  at prices related to such prevailing market prices; or

 

·                  at negotiated prices.

 

The Company or the selling securityholders may directly solicit offers to purchase our securities and may sell such securities directly to institutional investors or others, who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any resale thereof. The Company or the selling securityholders will describe the terms of direct sales in the prospectus supplement.

 

Agents designated by the Company or the selling securityholders may solicit offers to purchase the securities from time to time. The prospectus supplement will name any such agent involved in the offer or sale of the securities and will set forth any commissions payable by us or the selling securityholders to such agent. Unless otherwise indicated in such prospectus supplement, any such agent will be acting on a reasonable best efforts basis for the period of its appointment. Any such agent may be deemed to be an underwriter of the securities so offered and sold.

 

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If the Company or the selling securityholders utilizes an underwriter in the sale of the securities offered by this prospectus, the Company or the selling securityholders will execute an underwriting agreement with the underwriter or underwriters at the time of sale. We will provide the name of any underwriter in the prospectus supplement that the underwriter will use to make resales of the securities to the public. In connection with a sale of securities offered by means of this prospectus, underwriters may be deemed to have received compensation from the Company or the selling securityholders in the form of underwriting discounts or commissions and may also receive commissions from purchasers of securities for whom they may act as agent. Underwriters may sell securities offered by means of this prospectus to or through dealers, and such dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agent. Any underwriting compensation paid by the Company or the selling securityholders to underwriters or agents in connection with the offering of securities offered by means of this prospectus, and any discounts, concessions or commissions allowed by underwriters to participating dealers, will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Underwriters, dealers and agents participating in the distribution of the offered securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts or commissions received by them and any profit realized by them upon the resale of the offered securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions, under the Securities Act.

 

Underwriters, dealers and agents may be entitled, under agreements that may be entered into with the Company or the selling securityholders, to indemnification against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to any contribution with respect to payments which they may be required to make in respect thereof and may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us in the ordinary course of business.

 

If the Company or the selling securityholders use delayed delivery contracts, the Company or the selling securityholders will, directly or through agents, underwriters or dealers, disclose that they are using them in the prospectus supplement and state when they will demand payment and delivery of the securities under the delayed delivery contracts. The Company or the selling securityholders may further agree to adjustments before a public offering to the underwriters’ purchase price for the securities based on changes in the market value of the securities. The prospectus supplement relating to any such public offering will contain information on the number of securities to be sold, the manner of sale or other distribution, and other material facts relating to the public offering. These delayed delivery contracts will be subject only to the conditions that the Company or the selling securityholders set forth in the prospectus supplement.

 

To facilitate the offering of securities, certain persons participating in the offering may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the securities. This may include over-allotments or short sales of the securities, which involve the sale by persons participating in the offering of more securities than the Company sold to them. In these circumstances, these persons would cover such over-allotments or short positions by exercising their over-allotment option, if any, or making purchases in the open market. In addition, these persons may stabilize or maintain the price of the securities by bidding for or purchasing securities in the open market or by imposing penalty bids, whereby selling concessions allowed to dealers participating in the offering may be reclaimed if securities sold by them are repurchased in connection with stabilization transactions. The effect of these transactions may be to stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. These transactions may be discontinued at any time.

 

In addition, the Company may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement so indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of stock. The third party in such sale transactions will be an underwriter and will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement. In addition, the Company may otherwise loan or pledge securities to a financial institution or other third party that in turn may sell the securities short using this prospectus and an applicable prospectus supplement. Such financial institution or other third party may transfer its economic short position to investors in our securities or in connection with a concurrent offering of other securities.

 

The selling securityholders may also sell our securities in one or more privately negotiated transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act,

 

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Section 4(a)(1) of the Securities Act or other applicable exemptions, regardless of whether the securities are covered by the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. Such sales, if any, will not form part of the plan of distribution described in this prospectus. The selling securityholders will act independently of us in making decisions with respect to the timing, manner and size of each such sale.

 

Other than the common stock, all securities offered by this prospectus will be a new issue of securities with no established trading market. Any underwriter to whom securities are sold by us or the selling securityholders for public offering and sale may make a market in such securities, but such underwriters may not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. The securities may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange or a foreign securities exchange, except for the common stock which is currently listed and traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market and Toronto Stock Exchange. Any common stock sold by this prospectus will be listed for trading on the NASDAQ Global Select Market subject to official notice of issuance. The Company cannot give you any assurance as to the liquidity of the trading markets for any securities.

 

Agents, underwriters and dealers may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us and our subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business.

 

LEGAL MATTERS

 

The validity of the securities being offered by this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Hogan Lovells US LLP, Denver, Colorado.

 

EXPERTS

 

The consolidated financial statements of Royal Gold, Inc. appearing in Royal Gold, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2014, and the effectiveness of Royal Gold, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2014, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

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PART II

 

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

Item 14.         Other Expenses of Issuance and Distributions.

 

The expenses to be borne by us in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered, other than underwriting discounts and commissions, are set forth below. All amounts are estimated except for the registration fee.

 

SEC registration fee

 

$

*

 

Printing expenses

 

$

**

 

Accounting fees and expenses

 

$

**

 

Legal fees and expenses

 

$

**

 

Trustee fees and expenses

 

$

**

 

Rating agency fees

 

$

**

 

Miscellaneous

 

$

**

 

Total

 

$

**

 

 


*                 The registrant is deferring payment of the registration fee in reliance on Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r).

**          These fees are calculated based upon the number of issuances and amount of securities offered and accordingly cannot be estimated at this time.

 

Item 15.         Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

 

Delaware General Corporation Law

 

Under Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended (the “Delaware Statute”), a corporation may indemnify its directors, officers, employees and agents and its former directors, officers, employees and agents and those who serve, at the corporation’s request, in such capacities with another enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), as well as judgments, fines and settlements in nonderivative lawsuits, actually and reasonably incurred in connection with the defense of any action, suit or proceeding in which they or any of them were or are made parties or are threatened to be made parties by reason of their serving or having served in such capacity. The Delaware Statute provides, however, that such person must have acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in (or not opposed to) the best interest of the corporation and, in the case of a criminal action, such person must have had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. In addition, the Delaware Statute does not permit indemnification in an action or suit by or in the right of the corporation, where such person has been adjudged liable to the corporation, unless, and only to the extent that, a court determines that such person fairly and reasonably is entitled to indemnity for expenses the court deems proper in light of liability adjudication. Indemnity is mandatory to the extent a claim, issue or matter has been successfully defended. The Delaware Statute provides that a corporation has the power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person described above, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under the provisions of the Delaware Statute.

 

Section 102 of the Delaware Statute allows a corporation to eliminate the personal liability of directors of a corporation to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for a breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except where the director breached his duty of loyalty, failed to act in good faith, engaged in intentional misconduct or knowingly violated a law, authorized the payment of a dividend or approved a stock repurchase in violation of Delaware law or obtained an improper personal benefit.

 

Section 174 of the Delaware Statute provides, among other things, that a director who willfully or negligently approves of an unlawful payment of dividends or an unlawful stock purchase or redemption may be held liable for such actions. A director who was either absent when the unlawful actions were approved or dissented at the time may avoid liability by causing his or her dissent to such actions to be entered in the books containing the minutes of the meetings of the board of directors at the time such action occurred or immediately after such absent director receives notice of the unlawful acts.

 

Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws

 

Royal Gold’s restated certificate of incorporation and the amended and restated bylaws provide for mandatory indemnification or similar rights of directors and officers generally to the same extent as is authorized by the Delaware Statute. Under the bylaws, Royal Gold must advance expenses incurred by an officer or director in defending any such action if the director or officer undertakes to repay such amount if it is ultimately determined that he or she is not entitled to indemnification. To the extent authorized by the board

 

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of directors, Royal Gold may also similarly indemnify and advance expenses to employees and agents. The provisions of the certificate of incorporation and bylaws do not preclude Royal Gold from indemnifying other persons from similar or other expenses and liabilities as the board of directors or the stockholders may determine in a specific instance or by resolution of general application.

 

The foregoing description of certain provisions of Royal Gold’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws is qualified in its entirety by the actual certificate of incorporation and bylaws of Royal Gold respectively filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on February 8, 2008, and as Exhibit 3.1 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 4, 2014.

 

Indemnification Agreements and Insurance

 

The registrant has entered into indemnification agreements with its current officers and directors. The indemnification agreements provide such persons indemnification against, among other things, any and all expenses, judgments, fines, penalties, and amounts paid in settlement by the director or officer, provide for the advancement of expenses incurred by the director or officer in connection with any proceeding and obligate the director or officer to reimburse the registrant for all amounts so advanced if it is subsequently determined, as provided in the indemnification agreements, that the director or officer is not entitled to indemnification. The indemnification agreements also provide certain methods and presumptions for determining whether the officer or director is entitled to indemnification, among other matters, as set forth in such agreement.

 

The foregoing description of the indemnification agreements is qualified in its entirety by the Form of Amended and Restated Indemnification Agreement with directors and officers of Royal Gold filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K on August 28, 2014.

 

Royal Gold also maintains directors’ and officers’ liability insurance.

 

Item 16.         Exhibits.

 

The Exhibit Index attached to this registration statement is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 17.         Undertakings.

 

(a)         The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

 

(1)         To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

 

(i)             To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

 

(ii)          To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and

 

(iii)       To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

 

provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(l)(i), (a)(l)(ii) and (a)(l)(iii) of this section do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 that is part of the registration statement.

 

(2)         That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

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(3)         To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

 

(4)         That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:

 

(i)             Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

 

(ii)          Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5) or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(l)(i), (vii) or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof; provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

 

(5)         That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities: The undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

 

(i)             Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

 

(ii)          Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

 

(iii)       The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

 

(iv)      Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

 

(b)         The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

(c)          Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

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Table of Contents

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Denver, State of Colorado, on April 30, 2015.

 

 

ROYAL GOLD, INC.

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Tony Jensen

 

Name:

Tony Jensen

 

Title:

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Bruce C. Kirchhoff and Stefan L. Wenger and either of them, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to this registration statement, or any registration statement for the same offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), to file the same with all exhibits thereto, and any and all instruments or documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and to execute, deliver and file any other documents and instruments in the undersigned’s name or on the undersigned’s behalf which said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or either of them, may determine to be necessary or advisable to comply with the Securities Act and any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder, and any such attorney-in-fact may make such changes and additions to this registration statement or such other documents or instruments as such attorney-in-fact may deem necessary or appropriate, granting each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person and hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.

 

Signature

 

Title

 

Date

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Tony Jensen

 

Director, President and Chief Executive Officer

 

April 30, 2015

Tony Jensen

 

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Stefan L. Wenger

 

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

April 30, 2015

Stefan L. Wenger

 

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ William Hayes

 

Chairman

 

April 30, 2015

William Hayes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Gordon J. Bogden

 

Director

 

April 30, 2015

Gordon J. Bogden

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ M. Craig Haase

 

Director

 

April 30, 2015

M. Craig Haase

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ C. Kevin McArthur

 

Director

 

April 30, 2015

C. Kevin McArthur

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Christopher M.T. Thompson

 

Director

 

April 30, 2015

Christopher M.T. Thompson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Ronald J. Vance

 

Director

 

April 30, 2015

Ronald J. Vance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

1.1*

 

Form of Underwriting Agreement

 

 

 

3.1

 

Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Royal Gold’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on February 8, 2008)

 

 

 

3.2

 

Amended and Restated Certificate of Designations of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock of Royal Gold, Inc. (incorporated by referenced to Exhibit 3.1 to Royal Gold’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 10, 2007)

 

 

 

3.3

 

Amended and Restated Bylaws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 4, 2014)

 

 

 

4.1

 

Form of Common Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(b) to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-l (Registration No. 2-84642), filed on June 17, 1983)

 

 

 

4.2

 

First Amended and Restated Rights Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Form 8-A/A (Amendment No. 1) filed on September 10, 2007)

 

 

 

4.3*

 

Form of Preferred Stock Certificate

 

 

 

4.4

 

Indenture among Royal Gold, Inc., Wells Fargo Bank, National Association and Computershare Trust Company of Canada, dated June 20, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 20, 2012)

 

 

 

4.5*

 

Form of Certificate of Designations

 

 

 

4.6*

 

Form of Warrant Certificate

 

 

 

4.7*

 

Form of Warrant Agreement

 

 

 

4.8*

 

Form of Depositary Receipt

 

 

 

4 .9*

 

Form of Depositary Agreement

 

 

 

4.10*

 

Form of Purchase Contract Agreement

 

 

 

4.11*

 

Form of Unit Agreement

 

 

 

5.1**

 

Opinion of Hogan Lovells US LLP

 

 

 

12 .1**

 

Statement of Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges

 

 

 

23 .1**

 

Consent of Ernst & Young LLP

 

 

 

23 .2**

 

Consent of Hogan Lovells US LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)

 

 

 

24 .1**

 

Power of Attorney (included on signature page)

 

 

 

25 .1**

 

Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, by Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

 


*                 To be filed, if necessary, as an exhibit to a post-effective amendment to this registration statement or as an exhibit to a report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and incorporated herein by reference.

 

**          Filed herewith.