
February 18,
2025
Vancouver, British
Columbia
Wheaton
Precious Metals Exceeds 2024 Production Guidance and
Provides 2025 and Long-Term Outlook,
Projecting 40% Growth in the Next Five Years
Wheaton Precious Metals™ Corp.
("Wheaton" or the "Company") is pleased to report 2024 actual
production of over 633,000 gold equivalent ounces2
("GEOs"), exceeding the upper end of the 2024 production guidance
range of 620,000 GEOs2. The Company also provides 2025
production guidance of 600,000 to 670,000 GEOs3 and
forecasts growth of approximately 40% to 870,000 GEOs3
by 2029. Wheaton will provide full
production and financial details with the release of its 2024
fourth quarter and full year results on Thursday, March 13, 2025,
after market close.
"Wheaton's diversified portfolio of
high-quality, low-cost assets had an exceptional year in 2024,
exceeding the top-end of our annual production guidance range,
driven by strong performances, particularly from Salobo, which
achieved record quarterly production in the fourth quarter.
Moreover, we continued our corporate development momentum with
investments into four assets, further enhancing and contributing to
our five-year growth profile of approximately
40%," said Randy
Smallwood, President and Chief Executive Officer of Wheaton
Precious Metals. "The past year ultimately
set a strong foundation for our sector leading growth profile,
which we believe will propel Wheaton to a level of precious metals
production unprecedented in the streaming industry.
As the leading streaming company with the largest
share of revenue derived from precious metals, we believe Wheaton
offers an optimal opportunity for long-term exposure in this
sector. With a robust balance sheet and growing demand for
streaming capital, we are confident that Wheaton is strategically
positioned to continue driving its industry-leading growth
trajectory."
2024 Attributable Production and
Sales Using 2024 Commodity
Price Assumptions
Metal
|
2024
Production
Guidance
|
2024
Actual
Production[1]
|
2024
Actual
Sales
|
Gold Ounces
|
325,000
to 370,000
|
379,742
|
332,701
|
Silver Ounces ('000s)
|
18,500 to
20,500
|
20,657
|
16,072
|
Other Metals (GEOs[2])
|
12,000 to
15,000
|
16,196
|
14,940
|
Palladium
Ounces
|
|
15,632
|
17,270
|
Cobalt
pounds ('000s)
|
|
1,289
|
970
|
Gold Equivalent Ounces2
|
550,000
to 620,000
|
633,481
|
532,468
|
2024 GEOs based on:
$2,000 / oz gold, $23 / oz silver, $1,000 / oz palladium, $950 / oz
platinum and $13.00 / lb cobalt
|
In 2024, gold equivalent production
exceeded the upper limits of the guidance range, primarily
resulting from stronger than expected production at Salobo due to
higher gold grades and recoveries, and higher grades at Constancia
from the mining of the Pampacancha deposit. These outperformances
were partially offset by lower-than-expected production from San
Dimas and Zinkgruvan, in both instances due to lower
grades.
As at December 31, 2024,
approximately 163,850 GEO2's were in produced but not
yet delivered ("PBND") representing approximately three months of
payable production. This build in PBND is an increase from the
preceding four quarters and at the upper end of our guided range of
two to three months, due to a significant increase in
quarter-over-quarter production driven by record quarterly
production at Salobo coupled with relative differences in timing of
sales.
Commodity Price Assumptions
Metal
|
Previous
2024
Forecast
|
Updated
2025
Forecast
|
Gold ($ / oz)
|
$ 2,000
|
$ 2,600
|
Silver ($ / oz)
|
$ 23.00
|
$ 30.00
|
Palladium ($ / oz)
|
$ 1,000
|
$ 950
|
Platinum ($ / oz)
|
$ 950
|
$ 950
|
Cobalt ($ / lb)
|
$ 13.00
|
$ 13.50
|
2025 and Long-Term Production
Outlook Using 2025
Commodity Price Assumptions
Metal
|
2024
Actual
Production1
|
2025
Production
Guidance
|
2029
Target
Production
Guidance
|
2030-2034
Average Annual
Production
Guidance
|
Gold Ounces
|
379,742
|
350,000
to 390,000
|
|
|
Silver Ounces ('000s)
|
20,657
|
20,500 to
22,500
|
|
|
Other Metals (GEOs[3])
|
12,406
|
12,500 to
13,500
|
|
|
Gold Equivalent Ounces3
|
630,485
|
600,000
to 670,000
|
870,000
|
Over
950,000
|
2025 and long-term GEOs
based on $2,600 / oz gold, $30 / oz silver, $950 / oz palladium,
$950 / oz platinum, and $13.50 / lb cobalt.
For purposes of comparison,
2024 actual production numbers have been adjusted to reflect 2025
commodity price assumptions.
|
2025 Production Outlook
The midpoint of the 2024 guidance
range compared to the midpoint of the 2025 guidance range suggests
year-over-year production growth of approximately 10%, in alignment
with the Company's previously stated long-term growth
forecast. The
Company anticipates that 2025 GEO3 production will
increase from levels achieved in 2024. This forecast growth is
driven by stronger attributable production from Antamina, the
start-up of several development projects, and a stable forecast for
Salobo production. This increase is expected to be largely offset
by lower production from Peñasquito and
Constancia.
Attributable production is forecast
to increase at Antamina in 2025 due to expected higher silver
grades, as a result of a higher ratio of copper-zinc ore versus
copper-only ore being mined in 2025. Wheaton's 2025 forecast also
includes inaugural production from four projects currently in
development; Blackwater, Goose, Mineral Park and Platreef, all of
which are expected to commence in 2025. In addition, the Aljustrel
Mine is anticipated to re-start production in the third quarter of
2025, following the announcement made on
September 12, 2023, that as a result of low zinc prices, the
production of zinc and lead concentrates would be temporarily
halted from September 24, 2023 onward. Increased production from the forementioned assets is
anticipated to be offset by lower production at Peñasquito, as
mining transitions from the Chile Colorado to the main Peñasco pit,
which contains lower relative silver grades. In addition, lower
production levels are anticipated at Constancia, predominantly due
to additional gold benches being mined in late 2024 that were
brought forward from the 2025 plan, coupled with the expectation
that total mill ore feed from Pampacancha
will be approximately 25% in 2025, lower than the typical one-third
in prior years as Pampacancha approaches
depletion. After a record-breaking quarter
to end 2024, production levels at Salobo are expected to remain
consistent, with higher throughput levels attributable to the
Salobo III expansion project anticipated to be offset by lower gold
grades.
Long-Term Production Outlook
Production is forecast to increase
by approximately 40% over the next five years to 870,000
GEOs3 by 2029, due to growth from multiple Operating
assets including Antamina, Aljustrel and Marmato; Development
assets that are in construction, including the Blackwater, Mineral
Park, Goose, Platreef, Fenix, Kurmuk, and Koné projects; and
Pre-development assets including the El Domo4 and Copper
World projects.
From 2030 to 2034, attributable
production is forecast to average over 950,000 GEOs3
annually and incorporates additional incremental production from
Pre-development assets including the Santo Domingo, Cangrejos, Kudz
ze Kayah, Marathon and Kutcho projects, in addition to the Mt.
Todd, Black Pine and DeLamar royalties.
Not included in
Wheaton's long-term forecast and instead
classified as 'optionality', is potential
future production from nine other assets including Pascua-Lama and
Navidad, in addition to expansions at Salobo outside of the Salobo
III mine expansion project.
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.
Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Results
Wheaton will release its 2024 fourth
quarter and full year results on Thursday,
March 13, 2025, after market close. A conference
call will be held on Friday, March 14, 2025, 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:
1-888-510-2154
Dial from outside Canada or the
US:
1-437-900-0527
Pass
code:
69732#
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 20, 2025 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:
1-888-660-6345
Dial from outside Canada or the
US:
1-646-517-4150
Pass
code:
69732#
Archived audio
webcast:
Webcast Link
Wheaton Precious Metals' quarterly
reporting for the remainder of 2025 is scheduled to be issued,
after market close, on the following dates:
Q1
2025 - Thursday, May 8,
2025
Q2
2025 - Thursday, August 7,
2025
Q3
2025 - Thursday, November 6,
2025
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. Wheaton's
shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange, New York Stock
Exchange and London Stock Exchange under the symbol WPM. Learn more
about Wheaton Precious Metals at www.wheatonpm.com or follow us on
social media.
For
further information:
Investor Contact
Emma Murray
Vice President, Investor
Relations
Tel: 1-844-288-9878
Email: info@wheatonpm.com
End
Notes
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
Metals Purchase Agreement ("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 the 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 Mining
Operations;
· the
payment of upfront cash consideration to counterparties under
PMPAs, the satisfaction of each party's obligations in accordance
with PMPAs and the receipt by the Company of precious metals and
cobalt production or other payments in respect of the applicable
Mining Operations under PMPAs;
· 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, including any
acceleration of payments;
· the
costs of future production;
· the
estimation of produced but not yet delivered ounces;
· the
future sales of Common Shares under, the amount of net proceeds
from, and the use of the net proceeds from, the at-the-market
equity program;
· continued listing of the Common Shares on the LSE, NYSE and
TSX;
· any
statements as to future dividends;
· the
ability to fund outstanding commitments and the ability to continue
to acquire accretive PMPAs;
· 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, including taxes payable
under the GMT, and the impact of the CRA Settlement, and the
Company's ability to pay its taxes;
· possible CRA domestic audits for taxation years subsequent to
2017 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:
· 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 exploration, development, operating, expansion and
improvement at the Mining Operations, environmental and economic
risks of the Mining Operations, and changes in project parameters
as Mining Operations plans continue to be refined);
· 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 owners and operators of the Mining
Operations as the basis for its analyses, forecasts and assessments
relating to its own business;
· risks
related to the uncertainty in the accuracy of mineral reserve and
mineral resource estimation;
· risks
related to the satisfaction of each party's obligations in
accordance with the terms of the Company's PMPAs, including the
ability of the companies with which the Company has PMPAs to
perform their obligations under those PMPAs in the event of a
material adverse effect on the results of operations, financial
condition, cash flows or business of such companies, any
acceleration of payments, estimated throughput and exploration
potential;
· risks
relating to production estimates from Mining Operations, including
anticipated timing of the commencement of production by certain
Mining Operations;
· Wheaton's interpretation of, or compliance with, or
application of, tax laws and regulations or accounting policies and
rules, being found to be incorrect or the tax impact to the
Company's business operations being materially different than
currently contemplated, or the ability of the Company to pay such
taxes as and when due;
· 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;
· risks
in 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);
· risks
related to any 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;
· risks
relating to Wheaton's interpretation of, compliance with, or
application of the GMT, including Canada's GMTA and the legislation
enacted in Luxembourg, that applies to the income of the Company's
subsidiaries for fiscal years beginning on or after December 31,
2023;
· counterparty credit and liquidity risks;
· mine
operator and counterparty concentration risks;
· indebtedness and guarantees risks;
· hedging risk;
· competition in the streaming industry risk;
· risks
relating to security over underlying assets;
· risks
relating to third-party PMPAs;
· risks
relating to revenue from royalty interests;
· risks
related to Wheaton's acquisition strategy;
· risks
relating to third-party rights under PMPAs;
· risks
relating to future financings and security issuances;
· risks
relating to unknown defects and impairments;
· risks
related to governmental regulations;
· risks
related to international operations of Wheaton and the Mining
Operations;
· risks
relating to exploration, development, operating, expansions and
improvements at the Mining Operations;
· risks
related to environmental regulations;
· the
ability of Wheaton and the Mining Operations to obtain and maintain
necessary licenses, permits, approvals and rulings;
· the
ability of Wheaton and the Mining Operations to comply with
applicable laws, regulations and permitting
requirements;
· lack
of suitable supplies, infrastructure and employees to support the
Mining Operations;
· risks
related to underinsured 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 related to title and indigenous rights with
respect to the mineral properties of the Mining
Operations;
· the
ability of Wheaton and the Mining Operations to obtain adequate
financing;
· the
ability of the Mining Operations to complete permitting,
construction, development and expansion;
· challenges related to global financial conditions;
· risks
associated with environmental, social and governance
matters;
· risks
related to fluctuations in commodity prices of metals produced from
the Mining Operations other than precious metals or
cobalt;
· risks
related to claims and legal proceedings against Wheaton or the
Mining Operations;
· risks
related to the market price of the Common Shares of
Wheaton;
· the
ability of Wheaton and the Mining Operations to retain key
management employees or procure the services of skilled and
experienced personnel;
· risks
related to interest rates;
· risks
related to the declaration, timing and payment of
dividends;
· risks
related to access to confidential information regarding Mining
Operations;
· risks
associated with multiple listings of the Common Shares on the LSE,
NYSE and TSX;
· risks
associated with a possible suspension of trading of Common
Shares;
· risks
associated with the sale of Common Shares under the at-the-market
equity program, including the amount of any net proceeds from such
offering of Common Shares and the use of any such
proceeds;
· equity
price risks related to Wheaton's holding of long‑term investments
in other companies;
· risks
relating to activist shareholders;
· risks
relating to reputational damage;
· risks
relating to expression of views by industry analysts;
· risks
related to the impacts of climate change and the transition to a
low-carbon economy;
· risks
associated with the ability to achieve climate change and
environmental commitments at Wheaton and at the Mining
Operations;
· risks
related to ensuring the security and safety of information systems,
including cyber security risks;
· risks
relating to generative artificial intelligence;
· risks
relating to compliance with anti-corruption and anti-bribery
laws;
· risks
relating to corporate governance and public disclosure
compliance;
· risks
of significant impacts on Wheaton or the Mining Operations as a
result of an epidemic or pandemic;
· risks
related to the adequacy of internal control over financial
reporting; 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, 2023
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
public disclosure and other information Wheaton receives from the
owners and operators of the Mining Operations is accurate and
complete;
· that
the production estimates from Mining Operations 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
the terms and conditions of a PMPA are sufficient to recover
liabilities owed to the Company;
· that
Wheaton has fully considered the value and impact of any
third-party interests in PMPAs;
· that
expectations regarding the resolution of legal and tax matters will
be achieved (including CRA audits involving the
Company);
· that
Wheaton has properly considered the application of Canadian tax
laws to its structure and operations and that Wheaton will be able
to pay taxes when due;
· that
Wheaton has filed its tax returns and paid applicable taxes in
compliance with Canadian tax laws;
· that
Wheaton's application of the CRA Settlement is accurate (including
the Company's assessment that there has been no material change in
the Company's facts or change in law or jurisprudence);
· that
Wheaton's assessment of the tax exposure and impact on the Company
and its subsidiaries of the implementation of a 15% global minimum
tax is accurate;
· that
any sale of Common Shares under the at-the-market equity program
will not have a significant impact on the market price of the
Common Shares and that the net proceeds of sales of Common Shares,
if any, will be used as anticipated;
· that
the trading of the 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;
· the
estimate of the recoverable amount for any PMPA with an indicator
of impairment;
· that
neither Wheaton nor the Mining Operations will suffer significant
impacts as a result of an epidemic or pandemic; 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.