Royalty Gold debtThis is from their recent press release. It gives reasons why it is difficult to sell HRG's Detour Gold stock to pay down debt. Royalty Gold has a lot of security including Detour shares that it will not give up - unless, perhaps a huge penalty is paid. The good news is that they will not call their loan if continuing to get paid these healthy returns.
Taparko
At Taparko, the Company [RGI] recognized revenue of $10.4 million for fiscal 2009 on sales subject to our royalty interest of approximately 48,000 ounces of gold. Previous maintenance activities have improved vibration issues allowing the mill to operate at budgeted levels of availability in recent months. However, higher than acceptable vibration levels in the pinion/girth gear interface continue to limit mill throughput.
Pursuant to the Amended and Restated Funding Agreement dated February 22, 2006 (the "Funding Agreement"), between Royal Gold, Inc. and Somita SA ("Somita"), a 90% owned subsidiary of High River and the operator of Taparko, Somita is in breach of certain obligations under the Funding Agreement. As security for the Company's investment in Somita, two of High River's subsidiaries have pledged their equity interests in Somita and High River (West Africa) Ltd., the corporate parent of Somita. In addition, Royal Gold obtained as collateral a pledge of shares of certain equity investments in public companies held by High River. Royal Gold has not agreed to forbear pursuing any of its remedies under the Funding Agreement or on other agreements with High River and its affiliates.