Royal Gold is a publicly traded company that focuses on acquiring and managing precious metal royalties and streams. Founded in 1981, it has become a significant player in the mining industry, providing financing to mining companies while receiving a percentage of the revenue generated from their operations. The company primarily deals with gold, but it also has interests in other metals like silver and copper. By investing in royalties, Royal Gold allows investors to gain exposure to the mining sector without the operational risks associated with owning mines directly.