February 21, 2024
Vancouver, British
Columbia
Wheaton
Precious Metals Announces 2023 Production and Sales Results and
Forecasts 40% Growth in the Next Five
Years
"In 2023, the importance of our
diversified portfolio of high-quality, low-cost assets was
underscored by Wheaton's ability to meet its annual production
guidance, well within the projected range for the year, as strong
outperformances by Salobo and Constancia offset headwinds faced by
other assets. Moreover, in 2023, we expanded our portfolio by
securing agreements for eight development assets, further enhancing
our production profile and contributing to our five-year growth
profile of 40%," said Randy Smallwood, President and Chief Executive Officer of
Wheaton Precious Metals. "While our projected 2024 production is
consistent with levels attained in 2023, we anticipate growth in
the near-term as several assets are slated to commence operations
by year-end, with the expanded range in our 2024 guidance
accommodating the typical variability associated with development
project ramp-ups.
As the premier streaming company
with the highest proportion of revenue stemming from precious
metals, we consider Wheaton to be the best investment vehicle
available to gain long term exposure to precious metals. In
addition, with the strength of our balance sheet combined with the
demand for streaming capital, we believe Wheaton is strategically
positioned to further enhance its industry-leading growth
profile."
Wheaton Precious Metals™ Corp.
("Wheaton" or the "Company") will provide
full production and financial details with the release of its 2023
fourth quarter and full year results on Thursday, March 14, 2024,
after market close.
2023 Attributable Production and
Sales
Metal
|
2023
Production
Guidance
|
2023
Actual
Production[1],2
|
2023
Actual
Sales
|
Gold Ounces
|
|
374,585
|
327,336
|
Silver Ounces ('000s)
|
|
17,220
|
14,326
|
Other Metals (GEOs)2
|
|
22,194
|
24,424
|
Palladium
Ounces
|
|
15,800
|
13,919
|
Cobalt
pounds ('000s)
|
|
673
|
1,074
|
Gold Equivalent Ounces2 ("GEOs")
|
600,000
to 660,000
|
620,177
|
537,608
|
2023 GEOs based on: $1,850 / oz gold, $24 / oz silver,
$1,800 / oz palladium, $1,100 / oz platinum and $18.75 / lb
cobalt
|
In 2023, gold equivalent production
came within 2% of the mid-point of the guidance range, primarily as
a result of stronger than expected production at Salobo due to
higher throughput as the Salobo III expansion project ramped up,
and higher grades at Constancia from the mining of the high-grade
zones of the Pampacancha deposit. These outperformances were
partially offset by lower production from Peñasquito due to the
temporary suspension of the mine resulting from a labour dispute
lasting from June 7, 2023 to October 13, 2023, the
suspension of operations at Minto beginning May
13, 2023, and the halting of production at Aljustrel beginning
September 24, 2023.
Commodity Price Assumptions
Metal
|
Previous
2023
Forecast
|
Updated
2024
Forecast
|
Gold ($ / oz)
|
$ 1,850
|
$ 2,000
|
Silver ($ / oz)
|
$ 24.00
|
$ 23.00
|
Palladium ($ / oz)
|
$ 1,800
|
$ 1,000
|
Platinum ($ / oz)
|
$ 1,100
|
$ 950
|
Cobalt ($ / lb)
|
$ 18.75
|
$ 13.00
|
It is important to note that as gold
outperformed all other metals during 2023, the assumed metal prices
for 2024 results in lower gold equivalency
calculations1,3 in 2024 compared to 2023.
2024 and Long-Term Production
Outlook Using Updated Commodity Price Assumptions
Metal
|
2023
Actual
Production1,3
|
2024
Production
Guidance
|
2028
Target
Production
Guidance3,4
|
2029-2033
Average Annual
Production
Guidance3,4
|
Gold Ounces
|
374,585
|
325,000
to 370,000
|
|
|
Silver Ounces ('000s)
|
17,220
|
18,500 to
20,500
|
|
|
Other Metals (GEOs[3])
|
12,275
|
12,000 to
15,000
|
|
|
Gold Equivalent Ounces3
|
584,892
|
550,000
to 620,000
|
Over
800,000
|
Over
850,000
|
2024 and long-term GEOs
based on $2,000 / oz gold, $23 / oz silver, $1,000 / oz palladium,
$950 / oz platinum, and $13 / lb cobalt.
For purposes of comparison,
2023 Actual Production numbers have been adjusted to reflect 2024
commodity price assumptions.
|
2024 Production Outlook
In 2024, GEO3 production
is forecast to be consistent with levels achieved in 2023, as
expected stronger attributable production from Peñasquito and
Voisey's Bay is forecast to be offset by lower production from
Salobo, the suspension of operations at Minto, and the temporary
halting of production at Aljustrel. Attributable production is
forecast to increase at Peñasquito as a result of uninterrupted
operations, and at Voisey's Bay due to the ongoing transition from
the Ovoid pit to the underground mines. Attributable production is
forecast to decrease slightly at Salobo due to lower grades as per
the mine plan, which are expected to partially offset increasing
throughput as the Salobo III expansion project continues toward
completion. In addition, the Company anticipates production from
the Blackwater and Platreef Projects to commence in the fourth
quarter of 2024.
On May 13, 2023, it was announced
that operations at the Minto Mine had been suspended, and the Yukon
Government had assumed care and control of the site. On September
12, 2023, it was announced that as a result of low zinc prices, the
production of zinc and lead concentrates at the Aljustrel Mine
would be halted from September 24, 2023, until the second quarter
of 2025. Combined, the removal of production from Minto and
Aljustrel accounts for a 25,000 GEO3 reduction in 2024
production guidance.
Long-Term Production Outlook
Production is forecast to increase
by approximately 40% over the next five years to over 800,000
GEOs3,4 by 2028, primarily due to growth from Operating
assets including Salobo, Antamina, Peñasquito, Voisey's Bay and
Marmato; Development projects which are in-construction and/or
permitted including Platreef, Blackwater, Goose, Mineral Park,
Fenix and Santo Domingo; and Pre-development projects including
Curipamba, Marathon and Copper World, for which production is
anticipated towards the latter end of the five-year forecast
period.
From 2029 to 2033, attributable
production is forecast to average over 850,000 GEOs3,4
in the five-year period and incorporates additional incremental
production from pre-development assets including the Cangrejos,
Kudz ze Kayah, Curraghinalt, Victor, Toroparu and Kutcho projects,
in addition to the Brewery Creek, Black Pine and Mt. Todd
royalties.
Not included in
Wheaton's long-term forecast and instead
classified as 'optionality', includes
potential future production from Pascua Lama, Navidad, Cotabambas,
Metates and additional expansions at Salobo outside of the Salobo
III mine expansion project.
Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Results
Wheaton will release its 2023 fourth
quarter and full year results on Thursday,
March 14, 2024, after market close. A
conference call will be held on Friday, March 15, 2024, starting at
8:00am PT (11:00 am ET) to discuss these results. To
participate in the live call please use one of the following
methods:
Dial toll free from Canada or the
US:
1-888 664-6383
Dial from outside Canada or the
US:
1-416-764-8650
Pass code:
768302#
Live audio
webcast:
Webcast Link
Participants should dial in five to
ten minutes before the call.
The conference call will be recorded
and available until March 22, 2024 at 11:59 pm ET. The webcast will
be available for one year. You can listen to an archive of the call
by one of the following methods:
Dial toll free from Canada or the
US:
1-888 390-0541
Dial from outside Canada or the
US:
1-416-764-8677
Pass
code:
768302#
Archived audio
webcast:
Webcast Link
Wheaton Precious Metals' quarterly
reporting for the remainder of 2024 is scheduled to be issued,
after market close, on the following dates:
Q1
2024 - Thursday, May 9,
2024
Q2
2024 - Thursday, August 8,
2024
Q3
2024 - Thursday, November 7,
2024
Mr. Wes Carson, P.Eng., Vice
President, Mining Operations is a "qualified person" as such
term is defined under National Instrument 43-101, and has reviewed
and approved the technical information disclosed in this news
release.
About Wheaton Precious Metals Corp.
Wheaton Precious Metals
is the world's premier precious metals streaming
company with the highest-quality portfolio of long-life, low-cost
assets. Its business model offers investors leverage to commodity
prices and exploration upside but with a much lower risk profile
than a traditional mining company. Wheaton delivers amongst the
highest cash operating margins in the mining industry, allowing it
to pay a competitive dividend and continue to grow through
accretive acquisitions. The Company is committed to strong ESG
practices and giving back to the communities where Wheaton and its
mining partners operate. As a result, Wheaton has consistently
outperformed gold and silver, as well as other mining investments.
Wheaton creates sustainable value through streaming.
For further information:
Investor Contact
Emma Murray
Vice President, Investor
Relations
Tel: 1-844-288-9878
Email: info@wheatonpm.com
Media Contact
Simona Antolak
Vice President, Communications &
Corporate Affairs
Tel: 604-639-9870
Email: simona.antolak@wheatonpm.com
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS
This press release contains
"forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United
States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and
"forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable
Canadian securities legislation concerning the business, operations
and financial performance of Wheaton and, in some instances, the
business, mining operations and performance of Wheaton's precious
metal purchase agreement/royalty agreement ("PMPAs")
counterparties. Forward-looking statements, which are all
statements other than statements of historical fact, include, but
are not limited to, statements with respect to the future price of
commodities, the estimation of future production from mineral
stream interests and mineral royalty interests currently owned by
the Company (the "Mining Operations") (including in the estimation
of production, mill throughput, grades, recoveries and exploration
potential), the estimation of mineral reserves and mineral
resources (including the estimation of reserve conversion rates)
and the realization of such estimations, the commencement, timing
and achievement of construction, expansion or improvement projects
by Wheaton's PMPA counterparties at the "Mining Operations, the
payment of upfront cash consideration to counterparties under
PMPAs, the satisfaction of each party's obligations in accordance
with PMPAs and royalty arrangements and the receipt by the Company
of precious metals and cobalt production in respect of the
applicable Mining Operations under PMPAs or other payments under
royalty arrangements, the ability of Wheaton's PMPA counterparties
to comply with the terms of a PMPA (including as a result of the
business, mining operations and performance of Wheaton's PMPA
counterparties) and the potential impacts of such on Wheaton,
future payments by the Company in accordance with PMPAs, the costs
of future production, the estimation of produced but not yet
delivered ounces, the impact of epidemics, including the potential
heightening of other risks, future sales of common shares under the
ATM program, continued listing of the Company's common shares, any
statements as to future dividends, the ability to fund outstanding
commitments and the ability to continue to acquire accretive PMPAs,
including any acceleration of payments, projected increases to
Wheaton's production and cash flow profile, projected changes to
Wheaton's production mix, the ability of Wheaton's PMPA
counterparties to comply with the terms of any other obligations
under agreements with the Company, the ability to sell precious
metals and cobalt production, confidence in the Company's business
structure, the Company's assessment of taxes payable and the impact
of the CRA Settlement, possible domestic audits for taxation years
subsequent to 2016 and international audits, the Company's
assessment of the impact of any tax reassessments, the Company's
intention to file future tax returns in a manner consistent with
the CRA Settlement, assessments of the impact and resolution of
various legal and tax matters, including but not limited to audits,
and the Company's climate change and environmental commitments.
Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by
the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects"
or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled",
"estimates", "forecasts", "projects", "intends", "anticipates" or
"does not anticipate", or "believes", "potential", or variations of
such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events
or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken",
"occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking statements are subject to
known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may
cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or
achievements of Wheaton to be materially different from those
expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including
but not limited to risks related to the satisfaction of each
party's obligations in accordance with the terms of the Company's
PMPAs or royalty arrangements, risks associated with fluctuations
in the price of commodities (including Wheaton's ability to sell
its precious metals or cobalt production at acceptable prices or at
all), risks related to the Mining Operations (including
fluctuations in the price of the primary or other commodities mined
at such operations, regulatory, political and other risks of the
jurisdictions in which the Mining Operations are located, actual
results of mining, risks associated with the exploration,
development, operating, expansion and improvement of the Mining
Operations, environmental and economic risks of the Mining
Operations, and changes in project parameters as plans continue to
be refined), the absence of control over the Mining Operations and
having to rely on the accuracy of the public disclosure and other
information Wheaton receives from the Mining Operations,
uncertainty in the estimation of production from Mining Operations,
uncertainty in the accuracy of mineral reserve and mineral resource
estimation, risks of significant impacts on Wheaton or the Mining
Operations as a result of an epidemic, the ability of each party to
satisfy their obligations in accordance with the terms of the
PMPAs, the estimation of future production from Mining Operations,
Wheaton's interpretation of, compliance with or application of, tax
laws and regulations or accounting policies and rules being found
to be incorrect, any challenge or reassessment by the CRA of the
Company's tax filings being successful and the potential negative
impact to the Company's previous and future tax filings, assessing
the impact of the CRA Settlement (including whether there will be
any material change in the Company's facts or change in law or
jurisprudence), potential amendments to Canada's transfer pricing
rules under the Income Tax Act (Canada) that may result from the
Department of Finance's consultation paper released June 6,
2023, potential implementation of a 15% global minimum tax,
including the draft legislation issued for consultation by the
Canadian Federal Government on August 4, 2023 that would apply to
the income of the Company's non-Canadian subsidiaries, 15% global
minimum tax applicable from 1 January, 2025 under legislation
enacted December 22, 2023 in The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg to the
income of the Company's non-Canadian subsidiaries if the Canadian
Federal Government does not implement a 15% global minimum tax
applicable to income of the Company's non-Canadian subsidiaries
counterparty credit and liquidity, mine operator concentration,
indebtedness and guarantees, hedging, competition, claims and legal
proceedings against Wheaton or the Mining Operations, security over
underlying assets, governmental regulations, international
operations of Wheaton and the Mining Operations, exploration,
development, operations, expansions and improvements at the Mining
Operations, environmental regulations, climate change, Wheaton and
the Mining Operations ability to obtain and maintain necessary
licenses, permits, approvals and rulings, Wheaton and the Mining
Operations ability to comply with applicable laws, regulations and
permitting requirements, lack of suitable supplies, infrastructure
and employees to support the Mining Operations, inability to
replace and expand mineral reserves, including anticipated timing
of the commencement of production by certain Mining Operations
(including increases in production, estimated grades and
recoveries), uncertainties of title and indigenous rights with
respect to the Mining Operations, environmental, social and
governance matters, Wheaton and the Mining Operations ability to
obtain adequate financing, the Mining Operations ability to
complete permitting, construction, development and expansion,
global financial conditions, Wheaton's acquisition strategy and
other risks discussed in the section entitled "Description of the
Business - Risk Factors" in Wheaton's Annual Information Form
available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and Wheaton's Form 40-F for the year ended December 31, 2022
on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on EDGAR
(the "Disclosure"). Forward-looking statements are based on
assumptions management currently believes to be reasonable,
including (without limitation): that there will be no material
adverse change in the market price of commodities, that the Mining
Operations will continue to operate and the mining projects will be
completed in accordance with public statements and achieve their
stated production estimates, that the mineral reserves and mineral
resource estimates from Mining Operations (including reserve
conversion rates) are accurate, that each party will satisfy their
obligations in accordance with the PMPAs, that Wheaton will
continue to be able to fund or obtain funding for outstanding
commitments, that Wheaton will be able to source and obtain
accretive PMPAs, that neither Wheaton nor the Mining Operations
will suffer significant impacts as a result of an epidemic, that
any outbreak or threat of an outbreak of a virus or other
contagions or epidemic disease will be adequately responded to
locally, nationally, regionally and internationally, without such
response requiring any prolonged closure of the Mining Operations
or having other material adverse effects on the Company and
counterparties to its PMPAs, that the trading of the Company's
common shares will not be adversely affected by the differences in
liquidity, settlement and clearing systems as a result of multiple
listings of the Common Shares on the LSE, the TSX and the NYSE,
that the trading of the Company's common shares will not be
suspended, and that the net proceeds of sales of common shares, if
any, will be used as anticipated, that expectations regarding the
resolution of legal and tax matters will be achieved (including
ongoing CRA audits involving the Company), that Wheaton has
properly considered the interpretation and application of Canadian
tax laws to its structure and operations, that Wheaton has filed
its tax returns and paid applicable taxes in compliance with
Canadian tax law, that Wheaton's application of the CRA Settlement
is accurate (including the Company's assessment that there will be
no material change in the Company's facts or change in law or
jurisprudence), and such other assumptions and factors as set out
in the Disclosure. There can be no assurance that forward-looking
statements will prove to be accurate and even if events or results
described in the forward-looking statements are realized or
substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will
have the expected consequences to, or effects on, Wheaton. Readers
should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and
are cautioned that actual outcomes may vary. The forward-looking
statements included herein are for the purpose of providing readers
with information to assist them in understanding Wheaton's expected
financial and operational performance and may not be appropriate
for other purposes. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of
the date on which it is made, reflects Wheaton's management's
current beliefs based on current information and will not be
updated except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
Although Wheaton has attempted to identify important factors that
could cause actual results, level of activity, performance or
achievements to differ materially from those contained in
forward‑looking statements, there may be other factors that cause
results, level of activity, performance or achievements not to be
as anticipated, estimated or intended.