First Quarter Results

RNS Number : 5382K
Wheaton Precious Metals Corp.
06 May 2022
 

May 6, 2022     

Vancouver, British Columbia     

Designated News Release     

FIRST quarter 2022 financial results

 

TSX | NYSE | LSE: WPM

 

WHEATON PRECIOUS METALS Announces solid start to 2022
 

"Wheaton once again had a solid start to the year, generating over $210 million in operating cash flow and continuing to return value to our shareholders through our competitive dividend," said Randy Smallwood, President and Chief Executive Officer of Wheaton Precious Metals. "In the first three months of 2022, we added two new streams and increased our interest in a pre-existing stream. In addition, we took a significant step in strengthening our environmental, social and governance strategy by formalizing our climate change policy, including setting a goal of reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050. The year is off to a good start, and I look forward to advancing on all of our initiatives throughout the year in order to continue building a strong, sustainable business, that delivers value and growth to all of our stakeholders."

 

First Quarter 2022 Highlights:

· Over $305 million in revenue and $210 million in operating cash flow during the quarter, resulting in a net cash balance of $376 million as at March 31, 2022.

· $158 million in adjusted net earnings1 during the first quarter of 2022.

· Announced a new precious metal purchase agreement ("PMPA") on Adventus Mining Corporation's Curipamba Project in respect of gold and silver production.

· Announced PMPA on Sabina Gold & Silver Corp.'s Goose Project in respect of gold production.

· Amended the PMPA on Aris Gold Corp.'s Marmato Mine, increasing the gold stream in exchange for additional upfront consideration.

· Adopted a climate change policy and commitment to net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

· Declared quarterly dividend 1 of $0.15 per common share, an increase of 7% relative to the comparable period in 2021 .

 

Operational Overview

(all figures in US dollars unless otherwise noted)

 

 

Q1 2022

 

 

Q1 2021

 

Change

Units produced

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gold ounces

 

 

79,087

 

 

78,529

 

 0.7 %

Silver ounces

 

 

6,206

 

 

6,765

 

(8.3)%

Palladium ounces

 

 

4,488

 

 

5,769

 

(22.2)%

Cobalt pounds

 

 

234

 

 

  1,162

 

(79.8)%

Gold equivalent ounces 2

 

 

171,367

 

 

196,756

 

(12.9)%

Units sold

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gold ounces

 

 

77,901

 

 

75,104

 

 3.7 %

Silver ounces

 

 

5,553

 

 

6,657

 

(16.6)%

Palladium ounces

 

 

4,075

 

 

  5,131

 

(20.6)%

Cobalt pounds

 

 

511

 

 

  132

 

 286.7%

Gold equivalent ounces 2

 

 

166,065

 

 

 172,271

 

(3.6)%

Revenue

 

$

307,244

 

$

324,119

 

(5.2)%

Net earnings

 

$

157,467

 

$

162,002

 

(2.8)%

Per share

 

$

0.349

 

$

0.360

 

(3.1)%

Adjusted net earnings 1

 

$

158,007

 

$

161,132

 

(1.9)%

Per share 1

 

$

0.350

 

$

0.358

 

(2.2)%

Operating cash flows

 

$

210,540

 

$

232,154

 

(9.3)%

Per share 1

 

$

0.467

 

$

0.516

 

(9.5)%

All amounts in thousands except gold, palladium & gold equivalent ounces and cobalt pounds produced & sold, and per share amounts.

 

 

Financial Review

Revenues

Revenue was $307 million in the first quarter of 2022 representing a 5% decrease from the first quarter of 2021 due primarily to a 4% decrease in the number of GEOs² sold.  

 

Cash Costs and Margin

Average cash costs¹ in the first quarter of 2022 were $421 per GEO² as compared to $457 in the first quarter of 2021.   This resulted in a cash operating margin¹ of $1,429 per GEO² sold, virtually unchanged as compared with the first quarter of 2021.

 

Balance Sheet (at March 31, 2022 )

· Approximately $376 million of cash on hand.

· The Company's $2 billion revolving term loan (the "Revolving Facility") remains fully undrawn.

· The Company is well positioned to fund all outstanding commitments as well as providing flexibility to acquire additional accretive mineral stream interests.

 

 

First Quarter Asset Highlights

Salobo: In the first quarter of 2022, Salobo produced 44,900 ounces of attributable gold, a decrease of approximately 4% relative to the first quarter of 2021. According to Vale S.A. ("Vale"), during the quarter, Salobo operations were impacted by both planned and corrective maintenance in the mill liners. In addition, above average seasonal rain level in the region during the fourth quarter of 2021 impacted mine plans in the first quarter of 2022; however, Vale does not anticipate any impact to the overall 2022 production.

 

As per Vale's First Quarter 2022 Performance Report, on January 6, 2022, heavy rainfall in the region of the Salobo III mine expansion caused a landslide that damaged part of a conveyor belt and blocked access to the project site. Vale reports that remediation work on the conveyor is ongoing and is expected to be completed in May. Furthermore, Vale does not foresee the impacts of this event modifying the project delivery date beyond the fourth quarter of 2022. Vale reports that physical completion of the Salobo III mine expansion was 90% at the end of the first quarter.

 

Antamina: In the first quarter of 2022, Antamina produced 1.3 million ounces of attributable silver, a decrease of approximately 20% relative to the first quarter of 2021, primarily due to lower grades as per the mine plan .

 

Constancia: In the first quarter of 2022, Constancia produced 0.5 million ounces of attributable silver and 6,300 ounces of attributable gold, an increase of approximately 25% and 157%, respectively, relative to the first quarter of 2021. Silver production increased primarily due to higher throughput and grades. The increase in gold production was primarily due to higher grades resulting from the commencement of ore production from the Pampacancha satellite deposit and the increase in fixed recoveries from 55% to 70%.

 

Sudbury: In the first quarter of 2022, Vale's Sudbury mines produced 6,400 ounces of attributable gold, a decrease of approximately 9% relative to the first quarter of 2021 primarily due to lower throughput as a result of the temporary closure of the Totten mine. As per Vale, on September 26, 2021, a large piece of equipment, called a bucket scoop, blocked and damaged the mine shaft resulting in its temporary closure. Vale has reported that production at the Totten mine, which accounts for approximately 15% to 20% of the Company's attributable gold production from Sudbury, resumed in the first quarter of 2022 and that operations at the Sudbury mines are expected to normalize in the second quarter of 2022.

 

Stillwater:   In the first quarter of 2022, the Stillwater mines produced 2,500 ounces of attributable gold and 4,500 ounces of attributable palladium, a decrease of approximately 18% for gold and 22% for palladium relative to the first quarter of 2021. The decrease was due to lower throughput and grades, partially offset by higher recoveries.

 

San Dimas: In the first quarter of 2022, San Dimas produced 10,500 ounces of attributable gold, virtually unchanged relative to the first quarter of 2021. First Majestic Silver Corp. ("First Majestic") reports that production in the first quarter of 2022 was impacted due to high absenteeism in the months of January and February caused by an increase in COVID-19 infections within the Tayoltita community.

 

Other Gold: In the first quarter of 2022, total Other Gold attributable production was 8,500 ounces, a decrease of approximately 4% relative to the first quarter of 2021, primarily due to the mining of lower grade material at 777, which is scheduled to close in June 2022.

 

Other Silver: In the first quarter of 2022, total Other Silver attributable production was 2.2 million ounces, a decrease of approximately 14% relative to the first quarter of 2021, primarily due to lower grades at Aljustrel and the placement of Stratoni into care and maintenance.

 

Voisey's Bay: In the first quarter of 2022, the Voisey's Bay mine produced 234 thousand pounds of attributable cobalt , a decrease of approximately 80% relative to the first quarter of 2021. The apparent significant decrease relative to the first quarter of 2021 was primarily attributed to Wheaton being contractually entitled to any cobalt processed at the Long Harbour Processing Plant as of January 1, 2021, resulting in reported production in the first quarter of 2021 including some material produced at the Voisey's Bay Mine from prior periods. As per Vale's First Quarter 2022 Performance Report, physical completion of the Voisey's Bay underground mine extension was 70% at the end of the first quarter. 

 

Produced But Not Yet Delivered[3] and Inventory

As at March 31, 2022 , payable ounces and pounds attributable to the Company produced but not yet delivered amounted to:

· 82,400 payable gold ounces, a decrease of 2,600 ounces during Q1 2022 , primarily due to decreases at the Constancia and 777 mines partially offset by an increase at the Sudbury mines.

· 3.9 million payable silver ounces, a decrease of 0.3 million ounces during Q1 2022.

· 5,500 payable palladium ounces, virtually unchanged during Q1 2022.

· 550 thousand payable cobalt pounds, virtually unchanged during Q1 2022.  

 

As of March 31, 2022, approximately 410 thousand pounds of cobalt were held in inventory by Wheaton, a decrease of 247 pounds during Q1 2022.  

 

Detailed mine-by-mine production and sales figures can be found in the Appendix to this press release and in Wheaton's consolidated MD&A in the 'Results of Operations and Operational Review' section.

 

 

Corporate Development

Curipamba PMPA : On January 17, 2022, the Company entered into a PMPA with Adventus Mining Corporation ("Adventus") in respect of the Curipamba Project ("Curipamba") located in Ecuador. Under the Curipamba PMPA, Wheaton will purchase 50% of the payable gold production until 145,000 ounces have been delivered, thereafter dropping to 33% of payable gold production for the life of the mine and 75% of the payable silver production until 4.6 million ounces have been delivered, thereafter dropping to 50% for the life of mine. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company is committed to pay Adventus total upfront cash consideration of $175.5 million, $13 million of which is available pre-construction and $500,000 of which will be paid to support certain local community development initiatives around Curipamba. The remainder will be payable in four staged installments during construction, subject to various customary conditions being satisfied. In addition, Wheaton will make ongoing production payments for the gold and silver ounces delivered equal to 18% of the spot prices until the value of gold and silver delivered, net of the production payment, is equal to the upfront consideration of $175.5 million, at which point the production payment will increase to 22% of the spot prices.

 

Marathon   PMPA : On January 26, 2022, the Company entered into the previously announced PMPA with Generation Mining Limited ("Gen Mining") in respect of the Marathon Project located in Ontario, Canada. Under the Marathon PMPA, Wheaton will purchase 100% of the payable gold production until 150,000 ounces have been delivered, thereafter dropping to 67% of payable gold production for the life of the mine and 22% of the payable platinum production until 120,000 ounces have been delivered, thereafter dropping to 15% for the life of mine. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company has committed to pay Gen Mining total upfront cash consideration of C$240 million, C$40 million of which will be paid prior to construction and to be used for the development of the Marathon Project, with the remainder payable in four staged installments during construction, subject to various customary conditions being satisfied and pre-determined completion tests. Of this amount, $16 million (C$20 million) was paid on March 31, 2022. In addition, Wheaton will make ongoing production payments for the gold and platinum ounces delivered equal to 18% of the spot prices until the value of gold and platinum delivered, net of the production payment, is equal to the upfront consideration of C$240 million, at which point the production payment will increase to 22% of the spot prices.

 

Goose PMPA : On February 8, 2022, the Company announced that it had entered into a PMPA with Sabina Gold & Silver Corp. ("Sabina") in respect of the Goose Project, part of Sabina's Back River Gold District located in Nunavut, Canada. Under the Goose PMPA, Wheaton will purchase 4.15% of the payable gold production until 130,000 ounces have been delivered, thereafter dropping to 2.15% until 200,000 ounces have been delivered, thereafter dropping to 1.5% of the payable gold production. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company has committed to pay Sabina an upfront payment of $125 million in four equal installments during construction of the Goose Project, subject to customary conditions. In addition, Wheaton will make ongoing production payments for the gold ounces delivered equal to 18% of the spot gold price until the value of gold, net of the production payment is equal to the upfront consideration of $125 million, at which point the production payment will increase to 22% of the spot gold price.

 

Amendment to the Marmato PMPA: On March 21, 2022, the Company amended its PMPA with Aris Gold Corporation ("Aris Gold") in respect of the Marmato mines. Under the amended terms, Wheaton will purchase 10.5% of the gold production and 100% of the silver production from the Marmato Upper and Lower mines until 310,000 ounces of gold and 2.15 million ounces of silver have been delivered, after which the stream drops to 5.25% of the gold production and 50% of the silver production for the life of mine. This increases the gold stream from the original Marmato PMPA under which Wheaton was entitled to purchase 6.5% of the gold production until 190,000 ounces were delivered, after which the stream was to drop to 3.25% of the gold production. The silver stream is unchanged. Under the terms of the amended Marmato PMPA, the Company is committed to pay Aris Gold total upfront cash payments of $175 million ($65 million relating to the increase in the gold stream). Of this amount, $53 million ($15 million relating to the increase in the gold stream) has been paid and the remaining amount is payable during the construction of the Marmato Lower Mine, subject to customary conditions.   

 

 

Sustainability

Climate Change Commitments: On February 9, 2022, Wheaton announced the adoption of a Climate Change and Environmental Policy and commitment to net zero carbon emissions by 2050[4]. As part of this policy, Wheaton plans to establish targets across both Scope 2 and Scope 3 attributable emissions to support a 1.5° C trajectory. The Company has also committed an initial $4M to support our mining partners' efforts to move to renewable energy sources and reduce emissions at the mines in which we have an interest.

 

San Dimas Receives Recognition for Sustainability Efforts: The Mexican Center for Philanthropy (CEMEFI) and the Alliance for Corporate Social Responsibility (AliaRSE) has awarded First Majestic Silver Corp.'s ("First Majestic") San Dimas mining unit the Socially Responsible Business Distinction for 2022 (Distintivo Empressa Socialmente Responsible 2022). This distinction from within the Mexican community recognizes excellence in environmental and social responsibility and ethical management.

 

Partner Community Investment Program: Wheaton continues to support a wide range of programs with mining partners including Vale, Glencore, Hudbay and First Majestic Silver, focused on education, health, entrepreneurial support, and community engagement opportunities in the communities near the mines from which Wheaton receives precious metals. In the first quarter of 2022, all Partner Community Investment programs continued to operate as planned such as the continued enrollment of existing schoolteachers and administrators into the Enseña Peru training program, aimed at improving the academic performance for students living close to the Antamina mine.  During the quarter, the Wheaton team focused on engaging with partners on identifying and selecting programs and initiatives to be supported by Wheaton for 2022 and beyond.

 

 

About Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. and Outlook

Wheaton 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 commodity price leverage 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. As a result, Wheaton has consistently outperformed gold and silver, as well as other mining investments. Wheaton is committed to strong ESG practices and giving back to the communities where Wheaton and its mining partners operate. Wheaton creates sustainable value through streaming for all of its stakeholders.

 

Wheaton's estimated attributable production in 2022 is forecast to be 350,000 to 380,000 ounces of gold, 23.0 to 25.0 million ounces of silver, and 44,000 to 48,000 GEOs2 of other metals, resulting in production of approximately 700,000 to 760,000 GEOs2, unchanged from previous guidance. For the five-year period ending in 2026, the Company estimates that average production will amount to 850,000 GEOs2, while for the ten-year period ending in 2031, the Company estimates that average annual production will amount to 910,000 GEOs2, also unchanged from previous guidance.

 

In accordance with Wheaton Precious Metals™ Corp.'s ("Wheaton Precious Metals", "Wheaton" or the "Company") MD&A and financial statements, reference to the Company and Wheaton includes the Company's wholly owned subsidiaries.

 

 

 

 

Webcast and Conference Call Details

A conference call and webcast will be held on Friday, May 6, 2022 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:  78834538

 

Live webcast: 

https://produceredition.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1517108&tp_key=4577d49321

 

Participants should dial in five to ten minutes before the call.

 

The accompanying slideshow will also be available in PDF format on the 'Presentations' page of the Wheaton Precious Metals website before the conference call.

 

The conference call will be recorded and available until May 13, 2022 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:    834538 #

 

Archived webcast:

https://produceredition.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1517108&tp_key=4577d49321

 

This earnings release should be read in conjunction with Wheaton Precious Metals' MD&A and Financial Statements, which are available on the Company's website at www.wheatonpm.com and have been posted on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

 

Mr. Wes Carson, P.Eng., Vice President, Mining Operations is a "qualified person" as such term is defined under National Instrument 43-101, and have reviewed and approved the technical information disclosed in this news release.

 

Wheaton Precious Metals believes that there are no significant differences between its corporate governance practices and those required to be followed by United States domestic issuers under the NYSE listing standards. This confirmation is located on the Wheaton Precious Metals website at http://www.wheatonpm.com/Company/corporate-governance/default.aspx .  

 

 

 

Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Earnings

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31

(US dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts - unaudited)

 

2022

2021

Sales

 

$

307,244

$

324,119

Cost of sales

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales, excluding depletion

 

$

69,994

$

78,783

Depletion

 

 

57,402

 

70,173

Total cost of sales

 

$

127,396

$

148,956

Gross margin

 

$

179,848

$

175,163

General and administrative expenses

 

 

9,403

 

9,735

Share based compensation

 

 

9,902

 

1,630

Donations and community investments

 

 

813

 

606

Earnings from operations

 

$

159,730

$

163,192

Other (income) expense

 

 

170

 

119

Earnings before finance costs and income taxes

 

$

159,560

$

163,073

Finance costs

 

 

1,422

 

1,573

Earnings before income taxes

 

$

158,138

$

161,500

Income tax (expense) recovery

 

 

(671)

 

502

Net earnings

 

$

157,467

$

162,002

Basic earnings per share

 

$

0.349

$

0.360

Diluted earnings per share

 

$

0.348

$

0.360

Weighted average number of shares outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

450,915

 

449,509

Diluted

 

 

451,953

 

450,600

 

 

Condensed Interim Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

 

 

As at
March 31

As at
December 31

(US dollars in thousands - unaudited)

2022

2021

Assets

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

376,163

$

226,045

Accounts receivable

 

27,939

 

11,577

Other

 

9,875

 

12,102

Total current assets

$

413,977

$

249,724

Non-current assets

 

 

 

 

Mineral stream interests

$

5,894,884

$

5,905,797

Early deposit mineral stream interests

 

45,342

 

34,741

Mineral royalty interest

 

6,606

 

6,606

Long-term equity investments

 

92,194

 

61,477

Convertible notes receivable

 

-

 

17,086

Property, plant and equipment

 

5,183

 

5,509

Other

 

11,847

 

15,211

Total non-current assets

$

6,056,056

$

6,046,427

Total assets

$

6,470,033

$

6,296,151

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

$

11,861

$

13,935

Dividends payable

 

67,687

 

-

Current portion of performance share units

 

31,413

 

14,807

Current portion of lease liabilities

 

830

 

813

Other

 

150

 

136

Total current liabilities

$

111,941

$

29,691

Non-current liabilities

 

 

 

 

Lease liabilities

 

1,868

 

2,060

Deferred income taxes

 

121

 

100

Performance share units

 

3,759

 

11,498

Pension liability

 

2,883

 

2,685

Total non-current liabilities

$

8,631

$

16,343

Total liabilities

$

120,572

$

46,034

Shareholders' equity

 

 

 

 

Issued capital

$

3,711,294

$

3,698,998

Reserves

 

44,304

 

47,036

Retained earnings

 

2,593,863

 

2,504,083

Total shareholders' equity

$

6,349,461

$

6,250,117

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

$

6,470,033

$

6,296,151

 

 

 

Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31

(US dollars in thousands - unaudited)

 

2022

2021

Operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

$

157,467

$

162,002

Adjustments for

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and depletion

 

 

57,795

 

70,649

Interest expense

 

 

26

 

262

Equity settled stock based compensation

 

 

1,342

 

1,325

Performance share units

 

 

8,560

 

305

Pension expense

 

 

158

 

151

Income tax expense (recovery)

 

 

671

 

(502)

Loss (gain) on fair value adjustment of share purchase warrants held

 

 

743

 

950

Fair value (gain) loss on convertible note receivable

 

 

1,380

 

(1,238)

Investment income recognized in net earnings

 

 

(194)

 

(2)

Other

 

 

(1,514)

 

593

Change in non-cash working capital

 

 

(15,918)

 

(1,972)

Cash generated from operations before income taxes and interest

 

$

210,516

$

232,523

Income taxes recovered (paid)

 

 

(32)

 

(30)

Interest paid

 

 

(26)

 

(341)

Interest received

 

 

82

 

2

Cash generated from operating activities

 

$

210,540

$

232,154

Financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

Bank debt repaid

 

$

-

$

(195,000)

Share purchase options exercised

 

 

5,772

 

4,793

Lease payments

 

 

(200)

 

(214)

Cash (used for) generated from financing activities

 

$

5,572

$

(190,421)

Investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

Mineral stream interests

 

$

(45,252)

$

(151,019)

Early deposit mineral stream interests

 

 

(750)

 

(750)

Mineral royalty interest

 

 

-

 

(3,561)

Acquisition of long-term investments

 

 

(20,135)

 

-

Proceeds on disposal of long-term investments

 

 

-

 

112,188

Dividends received

 

 

112

 

-

Other

 

 

(36)

 

(134)

Cash (used for) generated from investing activities

 

$

(66,061)

$

(43,276)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

$

67

$

22

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

$

150,118

$

(1,521)

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

 

 

226,045

 

192,683

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

 

$

376,163

$

191,162

 

 

Summary of Units Produced

 

 

Q1 2022 

Q4 2021 

Q3 2021 

Q2 2021 

Q1 2021 

Q4 2020 

Q3 2020 

Q2 2020 

Gold ounces produced ²

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salobo

  44,883 

  48,235 

  55,205 

  55,590 

  46,622 

  62,854 

  63,408 

  59,104 

Sudbury 3

  6,395 

  4,379 

  148 

  4,563 

  7,004 

  6,659 

  3,798 

  9,257 

Constancia 7

  6,311 

  9,857 

  8,533 

  5,525 

  2,453 

  3,929 

  3,780 

  3,470 

San Dimas 4, 7

  10,461 

  13,714 

  11,936 

  11,478 

  10,491 

  11,652 

  9,228 

  6,074 

Stillwater 5

  2,497 

  2,664 

  2,949 

  2,962 

  3,041 

  3,290 

  3,176 

  3,222 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minto

  4,060 

  3,506 

  1,703 

  3,206 

  2,638 

  789 

  1,832 

  2,928 

777 8

  4,003 

  4,462 

  4,717 

  5,035 

  6,280 

  2,866 

  5,278 

  4,728 

Marmato

  477 

  479 

  433 

  1,713 

  - 

  - 

  - 

  - 

Total Other

  8,540 

  8,447 

  6,853 

  9,954 

  8,918 

  3,655 

  7,110 

  7,656 

Total gold ounces produced

  79,087 

  87,296 

  85,624 

  90,072 

  78,529 

  92,039 

  90,500 

  88,783 

Silver ounces produced 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peñasquito 7

  2,219 

  2,145 

  2,180 

  2,026 

  2,202 

  2,014 

  1,992 

  967 

Antamina 7

  1,260 

  1,366 

  1,548 

  1,558 

  1,577 

  1,930 

  1,516 

  612 

Constancia 7

  506 

  578 

  521 

  468 

  406 

  478 

  430 

  254 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Los Filos 7

  23 

  37 

  17 

  26 

  31 

  6 

  17 

  14 

Zinkgruvan

  577 

  482 

  658 

  457 

  420 

  515 

  498 

  389 

Yauliyacu 7

  637 

  382 

  372 

  629 

  737 

  454 

  679 

  273 

Stratoni 9

  - 

  129 

  18 

  164 

  165 

  185 

  156 

  148 

Minto

  45 

  44 

  25 

  33 

  21 

  16 

  15 

  19 

Neves-Corvo

  344 

  522 

  362 

  408 

  345 

  420 

  281 

  479 

Aljustrel

  287 

  325 

  314 

  400 

  474 

  440 

  348 

  388 

Cozamin

  186 

  213 

  199 

  183 

  230 

  - 

  - 

  - 

Marmato

  11 

  7 

  10 

  39 

  - 

  - 

  - 

  - 

Keno Hill

  20 

  30 

  44 

  55 

  27 

  - 

  - 

  - 

777 8

  91 

  96 

  81 

  83 

  130 

  51 

  96 

  108 

Total Other

  2,221 

  2,267 

  2,100 

  2,477 

  2,580 

  2,087 

  2,090 

  1,818 

Total silver ounces produced

  6,206 

  6,356 

  6,349 

  6,529 

  6,765 

  6,509 

  6,028 

  3,651 

Palladium ounces produced ²

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stillwater 5

  4,488 

  4,733 

  5,105 

  5,301 

  5,769 

  5,672 

  5,444 

  5,759 

Cobalt pounds produced ²

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Voisey's Bay

  234 

  381 

  370 

  380 

 1,162 ¹

  - 

  - 

  - 

GEOs produced 6

  171,367 

  184,551 

  183,012 

  190,272 

  196,756 

  185,436 

  177,230 

  144,188 

SEOs produced 6

  12,853 

  13,841 

  13,726 

  14,270 

  14,757 

  13,908 

  13,292 

  10,814 

Average payable rate 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gold

95.2%

96.0%

96.0%

95.8%

95.0%

95.2%

95.3%

94.7%

Silver

86.1%

86.0%

86.6%

86.9%

86.6%

86.3%

86.1%

81.9%

Palladium

92.7%

92.2%

94.5%

95.0%

91.6%

93.6%

94.0%

90.8%

Cobalt

93.3%

93.3%

93.3%

93.3%

93.3%

n.a.

n.a.

n.a.

GEO 6

90.6%

91.4%

91.3%

91.8%

90.7%

91.2%

91.2%

90.0%

1)  All figures in thousands except gold and palladium ounces produced.

2)  Quantity produced represent the amount of gold, silver, palladium and cobalt contained in concentrate or doré prior to smelting or refining deductions. Production figures and payable rates are based on information provided by the operators of the mining operations to which the mineral stream interests relate or management estimates in those situations where other information is not available. Certain production figures and payable rates may be updated in future periods as additional information is received. 

3)  Comprised of the Coleman, Copper Cliff, Garson, Creighton and Totten gold interests. Operations at the Sudbury mines were suspended from June 1, 2021 to August 9, 2021 as a result of a labour disruption by unionized employees.

4)  Under the terms of the San Dimas PMPA, the Company is entitled to an amount equal to 25% of the payable gold production plus an additional amount of gold equal to 25% of the payable silver production converted to gold at a fixed gold to silver exchange ratio of 70:1 from the San Dimas mine. If the average gold to silver price ratio decreases to less than 50:1 or increases to more than 90:1 for a period of 6 months or more, then the "70" shall be revised to "50" or "90", as the case may be, until such time as the average gold to silver price ratio is between 50:1 to 90:1 for a period of 6 months or more in which event the "70" shall be reinstated. Effective April 1, 2020, the fixed gold to silver exchange ratio was revised to 90:1, with the 70:1 ratio being reinstated on October 15, 2020. For reference, attributable silver production from prior periods is as follows: Q1-2022 - 408,000 ounces; Q4-2021 - 544,000 ounces; Q3-2021 - 472,000 ounces; Q2-2021 - 467,000 ounces; Q1-2021 - 429,000 ounces; Q4-2020 - 485,000 ounces; Q3-2020 - 420,000 ounces; Q2-2020 - 276,000 ounces.

5)  Comprised of the Stillwater and East Boulder gold and palladium interests.

6)  GEOs and SEOs, which are provided to assist the reader, are based on the following commodity price assumptions: $1,800 per ounce gold; $24.00 per ounce silver; $2,100 per ounce palladium; and $33.00 per pound cobalt; consistent with those used in estimating the Company's production guidance for 2022.

7)  Operations at these mines had been temporarily suspended during the second quarter of 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. During the second half of 2020, all of the operations were restarted. Additionally, operations at Los Filos were suspended from September 3, 2020 to December 23, 2020 as the result of an illegal road blockade by members of the nearby Carrizalillo community and had been temporarily suspended from June 22, 2021 to July 26, 2021 as the result of illegal blockades by a group of unionized employees and members of the Xochipala community.

8)  Operations at 777 were temporarily suspended from October 11, 2020 to November 25, 2020 as a result of an incident that occurred on October 9th during routine maintenance of the hoist rope and skip.

9)  The Stratoni mine was placed into care and maintenance during Q4-2021.

10)  Effective January 1, 2021, the Company was entitled to cobalt production from the Voisey's Bay mine. As per the Voisey's Bay PMPA with Vale, Wheaton is entitled to any cobalt processed at the Long Harbour Processing Plant as of January 1, 2021, resulting in reported production in the first quarter of 2021 including some material produced at the Voisey's Bay mine in the previous quarter. 

 

 

Summary of Units Sold

 

 

Q1 2022 

Q4 2021 

Q3 2021 

Q2 2021 

Q1 2021 

Q4 2020 

Q3 2020 

Q2 2020 

Gold ounces sold

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salobo

  42,513 

  47,171 

  35,185 

  57,296 

  51,423 

  53,197 

  59,584 

  68,487 

Sudbury 2

  3,712 

  965 

  1,915 

  6,945 

  3,691 

  7,620 

  7,858 

  7,414 

Constancia 6

  10,494 

  6,196 

  8,159 

  2,321 

  1,676 

  3,853 

  4,112 

  3,024 

San Dimas 6

  10,070 

  15,182 

  11,346 

  11,214 

  10,273 

  11,529 

  9,687 

  6,030 

Stillwater 3

  2,628 

  2,933 

  2,820 

  2,574 

  3,074 

  3,069 

  3,015 

  3,066 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minto

  3,695 

  2,462 

  1,907 

  2,359 

  2,390 

  1,540 

  - 

  - 

777

  4,388 

  4,290 

  5,879 

  5,694 

  2,577 

  5,435 

  5,845 

  4,783 

Marmato

  401 

  423 

  438 

  1,687 

  - 

  - 

  - 

  - 

Total Other

  8,484 

  7,175 

  8,224 

  9,740 

  4,967 

  6,975 

  5,845 

  4,783 

Total gold ounces sold

  77,901 

  79,622 

  67,649 

  90,090 

  75,104 

  86,243 

  90,101 

  92,804 

Silver ounces sold

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peñasquito 6

  2,188 

  1,818 

  2,210 

  1,844 

  2,174 

  1,417 

  1,799 

  1,917 

Antamina 6

  1,468 

  1,297 

  1,502 

  1,499 

  1,930 

  1,669 

  1,090 

  788 

Constancia 6

  644 

  351 

  484 

  295 

  346 

  442 

  415 

  254 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Los Filos 6

  42 

  17 

  12 

  42 

  27 

  - 

  19 

  25 

Zinkgruvan

  355 

  346 

  354 

  355 

  293 

  326 

  492 

  376 

Yauliyacu 6

  44 

  551 

  182 

  601 

  1,014 

  15 

  580 

  704 

Stratoni

  133 

  42 

  41 

  167 

  117 

  169 

  134 

  77 

Minto

  31 

  27 

  24 

  29 

  26 

  20 

  - 

  - 

Neves-Corvo

  204 

  259 

  193 

  215 

  239 

  145 

  201 

  236 

Aljustrel

  145 

  133 

  155 

  208 

  257 

  280 

  148 

  252 

Cozamin

  177 

  174 

  170 

  168 

  173 

  - 

  - 

  - 

Marmato

  8 

  8 

  10 

  35 

  - 

  - 

  - 

  - 

Keno Hill

  27 

  24 

  51 

  33 

  12 

  - 

  - 

  - 

777

  87 

  69 

  99 

  109 

  49 

  93 

  121 

  100 

Total Other

  1,253 

  1,650 

  1,291 

  1,962 

  2,207 

  1,048 

  1,695 

  1,770 

Total silver ounces sold

  5,553 

  5,116 

  5,487 

  5,600 

  6,657 

  4,576 

  4,999 

  4,729 

Palladium ounces sold

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stillwater 3

  4,075 

  4,641 

  5,703 

  3,869 

  5,131 

  4,591 

  5,546 

  4,976 

Cobalt pounds sold

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Voisey's Bay

  511 

  228 

  131 

  395 

  132 

  - 

  - 

  - 

GEOs sold 4

  166,065 

  157,439 

  149,862 

  176,502

  172,271

  152,613

  163,218

  161,664

SEOs sold 4

  12,455 

  11,808 

  11,240 

  13,238 

  12,920 

  11,446 

  12,241 

  12,125 

Cumulative payable units PBND 5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gold ounces

  82,350 

  84,989 

  80,819 

  66,238 

  70,072 

  70,555 

  75,750 

  79,632 

Silver ounces

  3,893 

  4,200 

  3,845 

  3,802 

  3,738 

  4,486 

  3,437 

  3,222 

Palladium ounces

  5,535 

  5,629 

  5,619 

  6,822 

  5,373 

  5,597 

  4,616 

  4,883 

Cobalt pounds

  550 

  596 

  637 

  777 

  820 

  - 

  - 

  - 

GEO 4

  150,794 

  158,477 

  150,317 

  139,145 

  141,206 

  136,894 

  126,968 

  128,291 

SEO 4

  11,310 

  11,886 

  11,274 

  10,436 

  10,590 

  10,267 

  9,523 

  9,622 

Inventory on hand

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cobalt pounds

  410 

  657 

  488 

  134 

  132 

  - 

  - 

  - 

1)  All figures in thousands except gold and palladium ounces sold.

2)  Comprised of the Coleman, Copper Cliff, Garson, Creighton and Totten gold interests.

3)  Comprised of the Stillwater and East Boulder gold and palladium interests.

4)  GEOs and SEOs, which are provided to assist the reader, are based on the following commodity price assumptions: $1,800 per ounce gold; $24.00 per ounce silver; $2,100 per ounce palladium; and $33.00 per pound cobalt; consistent with those used in estimating the Company's production guidance for 2022.

5)  Payable gold, silver and palladium ounces as well as cobalt pounds produced but not yet delivered ("PBND") are based on management estimates. These figures may be updated in future periods as additional information is received.

6)  Operations at these mines had been temporarily suspended during the second quarter of 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. During the second half of 2020, all of the operations were restarted.

 

 

Results of Operations 

 

The operating results of the Company's reportable operating segments are summarized in the tables and commentary below.

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2022

 

Units Produced²

Units
Sold

Average
Realized
Price
($'s
Per Unit)

Average
Cash Cost
($'s Per
Unit) 3

Average
Depletion
($'s Per
Unit)

Sales

Net
Earnings

Cash Flow
From
Operations

Total
Assets

Gold

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salobo

44,883

42,513

$

1,872

$

416

$

334

$

79,564

$

47,684

$

61,869

$

2,423,755

Sudbury 4

6,395

3,712

 

1,861

 

400

 

1,092

 

6,909

 

1,370

 

5,425

 

303,115

Constancia

6,311

10,494

 

1,872

 

412

 

271

 

19,641

 

12,471

 

15,482

 

100,944

San Dimas

10,461

10,070

 

1,872

 

618

 

260

 

18,846

 

10,008

 

12,621

 

164,110

Stillwater

2,497

2,628

 

1,872

 

329

 

429

 

4,918

 

2,926

 

4,054

 

218,657

Other 5

8,540

8,484

 

1,862

 

771

 

25

 

15,797

 

9,048

 

8,822

 

404,729

 

79,087

77,901

$

1,870

$

477

$

321

$

145,675

$

83,507

$

108,273

$

3,615,310

Silver

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peñasquito

2,219

2,188

$

24.10

$

4.36

$

3.57

$

52,727

$

35,387

$

43,188

$

314,217

Antamina

1,260

1,468

 

24.09

 

4.94

 

7.06

 

35,359

 

17,747

 

27,759

 

569,691

Constancia

506

644

 

24.10

 

6.08

 

6.33

 

15,513

 

7,526

 

11,913

 

201,811

Other 6

2,221

1,253

 

24.52

 

6.07

 

3.45

 

30,733

 

18,797

 

23,874

 

589,875

 

6,206

5,553

$

24.19

$

5.10

$

4.78

$

134,332

$

79,457

$

106,734

$

1,675,594

Palladium

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stillwater

4,488

4,075

$

2,339

$

394

$

399

$

9,533

$

6,303

$

7,930

$

231,203

Platinum

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marathon

-

-

$

n.a.

$

n.a.

$

n.a.

$

-

$

-

$

-

$

4,820

Cobalt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Voisey's Bay

234

511

$

34.61

$

5.76

$

8.17

$

17,704

$

10,581

$

3,263

$

367,957

Operating results

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

307,244

$

179,848

$

226,200

$

5,894,884

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General and administrative

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

(9,403)

$

(15,128)

 

 

Share based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(9,902)

 

-

 

 

Donations and community investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(813)

 

(430)

 

 

Finance costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,422)

 

(1,077)

 

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(170)

 

1,007

 

 

Income tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(671)

 

(32)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

(22,381)

$

(15,660)

$

575,149

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

157,467

$

210,540

$

6,470,033

 

 

1)  Units of gold, silver and palladium produced and sold are reported in ounces, while cobalt is reported in pounds. All figures in thousands except gold and palladium ounces produced and sold and per unit amounts.

2)  Quantity produced represent the amount of gold, silver, palladium and cobalt contained in concentrate or doré prior to smelting or refining deductions. Production figures are based on information provided by the operators of the mining operations to which the mineral stream interests relate or management estimates in those situations where other information is not available. Certain production figures may be updated in future periods as additional information is received.

3)  Refer to discussion on non-IFRS measure (iii) at the end of this press release.

4)  Comprised of the operating Coleman, Copper Cliff, Garson, Creighton and Totten gold interests and the non-operating Stobie and Victor gold interests.

5)  Comprised of the operating 777, Minto and Marmato gold interests as well as the non-operating Rosemont, Santo Domingo, Blackwater, Fenix, Goose, Marathon and Curipamba gold interests. 

6)  Comprised of the Los Filos, Zinkgruvan, Yauliyacu, Stratoni, Neves-Corvo, Aljustrel, Minto, Keno Hill, Cozamin, Marmato and 777 silver interests as well as the non-operating Loma de La Plata, Pascua-Lama, Rosemont, Blackwater and Curipamba silver interests. The Stratoni mine was placed into care and maintenance during Q4-2021.

 

On a gold equivalent and silver equivalent basis, results for the Company for the three months ended March 31, 2022 were as follows:

Three Months Ended March 31, 2022

 

Ounces
Produced 1, 2

Ounces
Sold 2

Average
Realized
Price
($'s Per
Ounce)

Average
Cash Cost
($'s Per
Ounce) 3

Cash Operating Margin
($'s Per Ounce) 4

Average
Depletion
($'s Per
Ounce)

Gross
Margin
($'s Per
Ounce)

Gold equivalent basis 5

171,367

166,065

 $  1,850 

 $  421 

 $  1,429 

 $  346 

 $  1,083 

Silver equivalent basis 5

12,853

12,455

 $  24.67 

 $  5.62 

 $  19.05 

 $  4.61 

 $  14.44 

 

1)  Quantity produced represent the amount of gold, silver, palladium and cobalt contained in concentrate or doré prior to smelting or refining deductions. Production figures are based on information provided by the operators of the mining operations to which the mineral stream interests relate or management estimates in those situations where other information is not available. Certain production figures may be updated in future periods as additional information is received. 

2)  Silver ounces produced and sold in thousands.

3)  Refer to discussion on non-IFRS measure (iii) at the end of this press release.

4)  Refer to discussion on non-IFRS measure (iv) at the end of this press release.

5)  GEOs and SEOs, which are provided to assist the reader, are based on the following commodity price assumptions: $1,800 per ounce gold; $24.00 per ounce silver; $2,100 per ounce palladium; and $33.00 per pound cobalt; consistent with those used in estimating the Company's production guidance for 2022.

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2021

 

Units Produced²

Units
Sold

Average
Realized
Price
($'s
Per Unit)

Average
Cash Cost
($'s Per
Unit) 3

Average
Depletion
($'s Per
Unit)

Sales

Net
Earnings

Cash Flow
From
Operations

Total
Assets

Gold

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salobo

46,622

51,423

$

1,796

$

412

$

374

$

92,356

$

51,946

$

71,163

$

2,490,127

Sudbury 4

7,004

3,691

 

1,812

 

400

 

1,024

 

6,688

 

1,431

 

5,219

 

317,235

Constancia

2,453

1,676

 

1,796

 

408

 

315

 

3,010

 

1,798

 

2,326

 

105,041

San Dimas

10,491

10,273

 

1,796

 

612

 

322

 

18,450

 

8,851

 

12,162

 

178,891

Stillwater

3,041

3,074

 

1,796

 

329

 

397

 

5,521

 

3,290

 

4,510

 

223,090

Other 5

8,918

4,967

 

1,812

 

629

 

-

 

9,000

 

5,878

 

5,855

 

7,591

 

78,529

75,104

$

1,798

$

450

$

374

$

135,025

$

73,194

$

101,235

$

3,321,975

Silver

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peñasquito

2,202

2,174

$

26.21

$

4.29

$

3.55

$

56,983

$

39,940

$

47,655

$

342,857

Antamina

1,577

1,930

 

26.21

 

5.18

 

7.53

 

50,581

 

26,058

 

40,591

 

612,401

Constancia

406

346

 

26.21

 

6.02

 

7.56

 

9,072

 

4,372

 

6,988

 

214,428

Other 6

2,580

2,207

 

25.95

 

9.41

 

6.30

 

57,247

 

22,589

 

39,098

 

612,237

 

6,765

6,657

$

26.12

$

6.33

$

5.82

$

173,883

$

92,959

$

134,332

$

1,781,923

Palladium

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stillwater

5,769

5,131

$

2,392

$

427

$

442

$

12,275

$

7,813

$

10,084

$

239,118

Cobalt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Voisey's Bay

1,162

132

$

22.19

$

4.98

$

8.17

$

2,936

$

1,197

$

(966)

$

225,348

Operating results

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

324,119

$

175,163

$

244,685

$

5,568,364

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General and administrative

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

(9,735)

$

(12,664)

 

 

Share based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,630)

 

-

 

 

Donations and community investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(606)

 

(498)

 

 

Finance costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,573)

 

(1,229)

 

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(119)

 

1,890

 

 

Income tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

502

 

(30)

 

 

Total other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

(13,161)

$

(12,531)

$

360,048

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

162,002

$

232,154

$

5,928,412

 

1)  Units of gold, silver and palladium produced and sold are reported in ounces, while cobalt is reported in pounds. All figures in thousands gold and palladium ounces produced and sold and per unit amounts.

2)  Quantity produced represent the amount of gold, silver, palladium and cobalt contained in concentrate or doré prior to smelting or refining deductions. Production figures are based on information provided by the operators of the mining operations to which the mineral stream interests relate or management estimates in those situations where other information is not available. Certain production figures may be updated in future periods as additional information is received.

3)  Refer to discussion on non-IFRS measure (iii) at the end of this press release.

4)  Comprised of the operating Coleman, Copper Cliff, Garson, Creighton and Totten gold interests as well as the non-operating Stobie and Victor gold interests.

5)  Comprised of the operating Minto, 777 and Marmato gold interests as well as the non-operating Rosemont gold interest.

6)  Comprised of the operating Los Filos, Zinkgruvan, Yauliyacu, Stratoni, Neves-Corvo, Aljustrel, Minto, Keno Hill, 777, Marmato and Cozamin silver interests as well as the non-operating Loma de La Plata, Pascua-Lama and Rosemont silver interests.

 

On a gold equivalent and silver equivalent basis, results for the Company for the three months ended March 31, 2021 were as follows:

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2021

 

Ounces
Produced 1, 2

Ounces
Sold 2

Average
Realized
Price
($'s Per
Ounce)

Average
Cash Cost
($'s Per
Ounce) 3

Cash Operating Margin
($'s Per Ounce) 4

Average
Depletion
($'s Per
Ounce)

Gross
Margin
($'s Per
Ounce)

Gold equivalent basis 5

196,756

172,271

 $  1,881 

 $  457 

 $  1,424 

 $  407 

 $  1,017 

Silver equivalent basis 5

14,757

12,920

 $  25.09 

 $  6.10 

 $  18.99 

 $  5.43 

 $  13.56 

1)  Quantity produced represent the amount of gold, silver, palladium and cobalt contained in concentrate or doré prior to smelting or refining deductions. Production figures are based on information provided by the operators of the mining operations to which the mineral stream interests relate or management estimates in those situations where other information is not available. Certain production figures may be updated in future periods as additional information is received.

2)  Silver ounces produced and sold in thousands.

3)  Refer to discussion on non-IFRS measure (iii) at the end of this press release.

4)  Refer to discussion on non-IFRS measure (iv) at the end of this press release.

5)  GEOs and SEOs, which are provided to assist the reader, are based on the following commodity price assumptions: $1,800 per ounce gold; $24.00 per ounce silver; $2,100 per ounce palladium; and $33.00 per pound cobalt; consistent with those used in estimating the Company's production guidance for 2022.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-IFRS Measures

 

Wheaton has included, throughout this document, certain non-IFRS performance measures, including (i) adjusted net earnings and adjusted net earnings per share; (ii) operating cash flow per share (basic and diluted); (iii) average cash costs of gold, silver and palladium on a per ounce basis and cobalt on a per pound basis, with the Company receiving its first deliveries of cobalt from Voisey's Bay during the first quarter of 2021; and (iv) cash operating margin. The Company has removed the non-IFRS measure associated with net debt as Wheaton fully repaid its debt during the first quarter of 2021.

 

i.  Adjusted net earnings and adjusted net earnings per share are calculated by removing the effects of  non-cash impairment charges (reversals) (if any), non-cash fair value (gains) losses and other one-time (income) expenses as well as the reversal of non-cash income tax expense (recovery) which is offset by income tax expense (recovery) recognized in the Statements of Shareholders' Equity and OCI, respectively. The Company believes that, in addition to conventional measures prepared in accordance with IFRS, management and certain investors use this information to evaluate the Company's performance.

 

The following table provides a reconciliation of adjusted net earnings and adjusted net earnings per share (basic and diluted).

 

Three Months Ended
March 31

(in thousands, except for per share amounts)

 

2022

 

2021

Net earnings

 

$

157,467

 

$

162,002

Add back (deduct):

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Gain) loss on fair value adjustment of share purchase warrants held

 

 

743

 

 

950

(Gain) loss on fair value adjustment of convertible notes receivable

 

 

1,380

 

 

(1,238)

Income tax expense (recovery) recognized in the Statement of Shareholders' Equity

 

 

793

 

 

1,568

Income tax expense (recovery) recognized in the Statement of OCI

 

 

(194)

 

 

(2,137)

Other

 

 

(2,182)

 

 

(13)

Adjusted net earnings

 

$

158,007

 

$

161,132

Divided by:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic weighted average number of shares outstanding

 

 

450,915

 

 

449,509

Diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding

 

 

451,953

 

 

450,600

Equals:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted earnings per share - basic

 

$

0.350

 

$

0.358

Adjusted earnings per share - diluted

 

$

0.350

 

$

0.358

 

 

 

 

ii.  Operating cash flow per share (basic and diluted) is calculated by dividing cash generated by operating activities by the weighted average number of shares outstanding (basic and diluted). The Company presents operating cash flow per share as management and certain investors use this information to evaluate the Company's performance in comparison to other companies in the precious metal mining industry who present results on a similar basis.

 

The following table provides a reconciliation of operating cash flow per share (basic and diluted).

 

Three Months Ended
March 31

(in thousands, except for per share amounts)

 

2022

 

2021

Cash generated by operating activities

 

$

210,540

 

$

232,154

Divided by:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic weighted average number of shares outstanding

 

 

450,915

 

 

449,509

Diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding

 

 

451,953

 

 

450,600

Equals:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating cash flow per share - basic

 

$

0.467

 

$

0.516

Operating cash flow per share - diluted

 

$

0.466

 

$

0.515

 

 

iii.  Average cash cost of gold, silver and palladium on a per ounce basis and cobalt on a per pound basis is calculated by dividing the total cost of sales, less depletion, by the ounces or pounds sold. In the precious metal mining industry, this is a common performance measure but does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS. In addition to conventional measures prepared in accordance with IFRS, management and certain investors use this information to evaluate the Company's performance and ability to generate cash flow.

 

The following table provides a calculation of average cash cost of gold, silver and palladium on a per ounce basis and cobalt on a per pound basis.

 

Three Months Ended
March 31

(in thousands, except for gold and palladium ounces sold and per unit amounts)

 

2022

 

2021

Cost of sales

 

$

127,396

 

$

148,956

Less:  depletion

 

 

(57,402)

 

 

(70,173)

Cash cost of sales

 

$

69,994

 

$

78,783

Cash cost of sales is comprised of:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total cash cost of gold sold

 

$

37,133

 

$

33,774

Total cash cost of silver sold

 

 

28,314

 

 

42,160

Total cash cost of palladium sold

 

 

1,603

 

 

2,191

Total cash cost of cobalt sold

 

 

2,944

 

 

658

Total cash cost of sales

 

$

69,994

 

$

78,783

Divided by:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total gold ounces sold

 

 

77,901

 

 

75,104

Total silver ounces sold

 

 

5,553

 

 

6,657

Total palladium ounces sold

 

 

4,075

 

 

5,131

Total cobalt pounds sold

 

 

511

 

 

132

Equals:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average cash cost of gold (per ounce)

 

$

477

 

$

450

Average cash cost of silver (per ounce)

 

$

5.10

 

$

6.33

Average cash cost of palladium (per ounce)

 

$

394

 

$

427

Average cash cost of cobalt (per pound)

 

$

5.76

 

$

4.98

 

iv.  Cash operating margin is calculated by subtracting the average cash cost of gold, silver and palladium on a per ounce basis and cobalt on a per pound basis from the average realized selling price of gold, silver and palladium on a per ounce basis and cobalt on a per pound basis. The Company presents cash operating margin as management and certain investors use this information to evaluate the Company's performance in comparison to other companies in the precious metal mining industry who present results on a similar basis as well as to evaluate the Company's ability to generate cash flow.

 

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash operating margin.

 

Three Months Ended
March 31

(in thousands, except for gold and palladium ounces sold and per unit amounts)

 

2022

 

2021

Total sales:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gold

 

$

145,675

 

$

135,025

Silver

 

$

134,332

 

$

173,883

Palladium

 

$

9,533

 

$

12,275

Cobalt

 

$

17,704

 

$

2,936

Divided by:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total gold ounces sold

 

 

77,901

 

 

75,104

Total silver ounces sold

 

 

5,553

 

 

6,657

Total palladium ounces sold

 

 

4,075

 

 

5,131

Total cobalt pounds sold

 

 

511

 

 

132

Equals:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average realized price of gold (per ounce)

 

$

1,870

 

$

1,798

Average realized price of silver (per ounce)

 

$

24.19

 

$

26.12

Average realized price of palladium (per ounce)

 

$

2,339

 

$

2,392

Average realized price of cobalt (per pound)

 

$

34.61

 

$

22.19

Less:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average cash cost of gold 1 (per ounce)

 

$

(477)

 

$

(450)

Average cash cost of silver 1 (per ounce)

 

$

(5.10)

 

$

(6.33)

Average cash cost of palladium 1 (per ounce)

 

$

(394)

 

$

(427)

Average cash cost of cobalt 1 (per pound)

 

$

(5.76)

 

$

(4.98)

Equals:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash operating margin per gold ounce sold

 

$

1,393

 

$

1,348

As a percentage of realized price of gold

 

 

74%

 

 

75%

Cash operating margin per silver ounce sold

 

$

19.09

 

$

19.79

As a percentage of realized price of silver

 

 

79%

 

 

76%

Cash operating margin per palladium ounce sold

 

$

1,945

 

$

1,965

As a percentage of realized price of palladium

 

 

83%

 

 

82%

Cash operating margin per cobalt pound sold

 

$

28.85

 

$

17.21

As a percentage of realized price of cobalt

 

 

83%

 

 

78%

1) Please refer to non-IFRS measure (iii), above.

 

 

These non-IFRS measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS, and other companies may calculate these measures differently.  The presentation of these non-IFRS measures is intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. For more detailed information, please refer to Wheaton's MD&A available on the Company's website at www.wheatonpm.com and posted on SEDAR at www.sedar.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 PMPA 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 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 mineral stream interests owned by Wheaton (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 COVID-19 virus pandemic), 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 for years subsequent to 2010, 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, the Company's climate change and environmental commitments, and assessments of the impact and resolution of various legal and tax matters, including but not limited to audits. 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 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 of significant impacts on Wheaton or the Mining Operations as a result of an epidemic (including the COVID-19 virus pandemic), 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, 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 for years subsequent to 2010 (including whether there will be any material change in the Company's facts or change in law or jurisprudence), potential implementation of a 15% global minimum tax, 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.sedar.com, Wheaton's Form 40-F for the year ended December 31, 2021 and Form 6-K filed March 31, 2022 both 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 (including the COVID-19 virus pandemic), 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 law 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 for years subsequent to 2010 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 for years subsequent to 2010), 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.

 

 

For further information, please contact:

 

Patrick Drouin

Investor Relations

Wheaton Precious Metals Corp.

Tel: 1-844-288-9878

Email: info@wheatonpm.com

Website: www.wheatonpm.com

 

 

 

[1] Please refer to non-IFRS measures at the end of this press release. Dividends declared in the referenced calendar quarter, relative to the financial results of the prior quarter. Details of the dividend can be found in the Wheaton's news release date May 5, 2022, titled "Wheaton Precious Metals Declares Quarterly Dividend."

[2] Commodity price assumptions for the gold equivalent production and sales in 2022 are $1,800 / ounce gold, $24 / ounce silver, and $2,100 / ounce palladium and $33 / pound cobalt. Other metal includes palladium and cobalt.

[3] Payable gold, silver and palladium ounces and cobalt pounds produced but not yet delivered are based on management estimates only and rely upon information provided by the owners and operators of mining operations and may be revised and updated in future periods as additional information is received.

[4] Net zero includes emissions reductions in line with a 1.5 trajectory across Scopes 1, 2 and 3. Achievement of net zero may include the use of offsets for residual emissions in 2050.

 

 

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