Wheaton Precious Metals Generates Strong Cash Operating Margins in 2022

 

Designated News Release 
FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR FINANCIAL RESULTS

VANCOUVER, BC, March 9, 2023 /CNW/ - "Wheaton's portfolio of long-life, low-cost assets delivered over $1 billion in revenue and over $740 million in operating cash flow in 2022. This strong financial performance reflects the resiliency of Wheaton's streaming business model, which delivers amongst the highest margins in the precious metals space. Even in the current inflationary environment, Wheaton averaged 75% cash operating margins in 2022," said Randy Smallwood, President and Chief Executive Officer of Wheaton Precious Metals. "In addition, Wheaton took strategic steps forward by optimizing the portfolio, adding four new streams and making sector-leading commitments on the sustainability front. With one of the strongest balance sheets in the industry, we enter 2023 exceptionally well-positioned to deliver long-term shareholder value through the significant organic growth profile already embedded in the portfolio as well as through additional accretive acquisitions."

Solid Financial Results and Strong Balance Sheet

• Fourth Quarter of 2022: $236 million in revenue, $172 million in operating cash flow, $166 million in net earnings and $104 million in adjusted net earnings¹
• Full Year of 2022: $1,065 million in revenue, $743 million in operating cash flow, $669 million in net earnings and $505 million in adjusted net earnings¹
• A cash balance of $696 million and no debt as at December 31, 2022
• Undrawn US$2 billion revolving credit facility with a July 18, 2027 maturity date
• Declared a quarterly dividend¹ of $0.15 per common share

High Quality Asset Base

• Streaming agreements on 20 operating mines and 12 development projects
• 93% of attributable production from assets in the lowest half of their respective cost curves^2,3
• 30 years of mine life based on Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves and potential additional mine life from mineral resource conversion and exploration^2,4
• Attributable gold equivalent production of 148,300 ounces in the Fourth Quarter of 2022 and 638,100 for the Full Year of 2022
• Average annual production for the ten-year period ending December 31, 2032, is expected to be approximately 850,000 gold equivalent ounces ("GEOs")^2,3,5
• Completed the previously disclosed termination of the Yauliyacu precious metal purchase agreement ("PMPA"), resulting in a $51 million gain on the disposition in the fourth quarter

Leadership in Sustainability

• Top Rankings: #1 out of 114 precious metals companies and Global Top 50 out of over 15,000 multi-sector companies by Sustainalytics, AA rated by MSCI, and Prime rated by ISS
• Commitment to Net-Zero Carbon Emissions by 2050 supported by interim targets covering all material emissions including Scope 3
• Established a sustainability linked element in connection with the revolving credit facility
• Recognized as one of the Best 50 Corporate Citizens in Canada by Corporate Knights

Operational Overview 

Fourth Quarter Operating Asset Highlights

Salobo: In the fourth quarter of 2022, Salobo produced 37,900 ounces of attributable gold, a decrease of approximately 21% relative to the fourth quarter of 2021, primarily due to lower throughput and grades. According to Vale S.A.'s ("Vale"), plant availability was impacted due to additional planned and corrective maintenance performed in the fourth quarter.

Vale reports the Salobo III mine expansion project, which will increase the mill throughput by 50%, successfully commenced at the end of 2022. The project consists of two lines, the first of which started up in the fourth quarter of 2022 and the second expected to start in the first quarter of 2023.  

Subsequent to the quarter, Wheaton and Vale agreed to amend the Salobo PMPA to adjust the expansion payment terms in order to provide increased flexibility for the ramp-up of the expansion while also maintaining an incentive for Vale to maximize grade on an annual basis. The expansion payment will now be phased, with Wheaton making an initial payment once actual throughput is expanded above 32 million tonnes per annum ("Mtpa") and a second payment if actual throughput is expanded above 35 Mtpa, by January 1, 2031. The total cumulative payments will range from $283 million to $552 million, dependent at Vale's timing for each of the production increases. In addition, Wheaton will be required to make annual payments of between $5.1 million to $8.5 million for a 10-year period following payment of the expansion payments if the Salobo mine maintains a high-grade mine plan. 

Antamina: In the fourth quarter of 2022, Antamina produced 1.1 million ounces of attributable silver, a decrease of approximately 19% relative to the fourth quarter of 2021, primarily due to lower grades as per the mine plan.

Peñasquito: In the fourth quarter of 2022, Peñasquito produced 1.8 million ounces of attributable silver, a decrease of approximately 18% relative to the fourth quarter of 2021 with lower recovery and grades as per the mine plan.

Constancia: In the fourth quarter of 2022, Constancia produced 0.7 million ounces of attributable silver and 10,500 ounces of attributable gold, an increase of approximately 13% and 6%, respectively, relative to the fourth quarter of 2021, with the increase in silver being primarily due to higher grades and recovery while the increase in gold production being primarily due to the mining of higher-grade material. According to Hudbay Minerals Inc. ("Hudbay"), gold production was lower than expected in the fourth quarter as a result of short-term changes in the mine plan that prioritized the processing of lower grade stockpiles and shorter-haulage distance ore from the Constancia pit versus higher-grade ore from the Pampacancha pit. These changes were implemented by Hudbay to ration fuel during a period of nation-wide social unrest and road blockades following a change in Peru's political leadership in early December 2022, and ensured the plant continued to operate uninterrupted.

Sudbury: In the fourth quarter of 2022, Vale's Sudbury mines produced 6,300 ounces of attributable gold, an increase of approximately 45% relative to the fourth quarter of 2021, primarily due to higher throughput as fourth quarter 2021 production was impacted by the temporary closure of the Totten Mine after the shaft was damaged on September 26, 2021.

Stillwater: In the fourth quarter of 2022, the Stillwater mines produced 2,200 ounces of attributable gold and 3,900 ounces of attributable palladium, a decrease of approximately 18% for gold and 18% for palladium relative to the fourth quarter of 2021. As per Sibanye-Stillwater Limited ("Sibanye"), the ramp-up of production post the regional flood event in early June 2022 progressed well, with production rates normalising during Q4 2022. Sibanye continues to reposition the Stillwater operations for the current skills shortage and changing macro environment and expects further normalization of production rates in 2023.

San Dimas: In the fourth quarter of 2022, San Dimas produced 10,000 ounces of attributable gold, a decrease of approximately 27% relative to the fourth quarter of 2021, primarily due to the mining of lower grade material. According to First Majestic Silver Corp., silver and gold grades were impacted primarily due to the processing of lower grade development ores from the Perez vein and higher tonnages from underground areas with challenging ground conditions within the Jessica and Regina veins in the Noche Buena area.

Other Gold: In the fourth quarter of 2022, total Other Gold attributable production was 3,100 ounces, a decrease of approximately 63% relative to the fourth quarter of 2021, primarily due to the closure of the 777 mine in June 2022.

Other Silver: In the fourth quarter of 2022, total Other Silver attributable production was 1.8 million ounces, a decrease of approximately 19% relative to the fourth quarter of 2021, primarily due to the placement of Stratoni into care and maintenance, the closure of the 777 mine and the termination of the Keno Hill and Yauliyacu PMPAs. 

Voisey's Bay: In the fourth quarter of 2022, the Voisey's Bay mine produced 128,000 pounds of attributable cobalt, a decrease of approximately 66% relative to the fourth quarter of 2021, primarily due to mining lower grade material during the ongoing transitional period between the depletion of the Ovoid open-pit mine and ramp-up to full production of the Voisey's Bay underground project. Vale reports that physical completion of the Voisey's Bay underground mine extension was 81% at the end of the fourth quarter. In the second quarter of 2021, Vale achieved the first ore production from the Reid Brook deposit, the first of two underground mines to be developed in the project. Eastern Deeps, the second deposit, has started to extract development ore from the deposit and is scheduled to start the main production ramp-up in the second half of 2023.

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.

Fourth Quarter Development Asset Highlights

Blackwater Project: Artemis Gold Inc. ("Artemis") announced that it had executed an order for construction equipment required for major construction activities with the initial fleet expected to be delivered in early Q2 2023. In addition, plant site preparation is well advanced with the majority of the bulk earth works completed, and work on the construction camp is proceeding on schedule with 150 rooms and kitchen facilities on track to be ready for occupation by the end of February. Artemis also announced that it has closed the $385 million project loan facility to fund a significant component of the estimated construction costs of the Blackwater project. On March 9, 2023, Artemis announced the approval of its BC Mines Act Permit for the Blackwater project. The approval of the BC Mines Act Permit is the final step required to allow Artemis to commence major works construction activities at the Blackwater Mine in Q1 2023 with the expectation of an initial gold pour in the second half of 2024.

Copper World Complex: Hudbay reports that it has executed a new strategy at Copper World focused on project de-risking and a two-phase mine plan with the first phase located on private land claims. The pre-feasibility study for Phase I of Copper World is well-advanced with the main facility engineering completed and metallurgical test work being analyzed as part of the concentrate leaching trade off evaluations. The pre-feasibility study is expected to be released in the second quarter of 2023.

Goose Project: Subsequent to the quarter, Sabina Gold & Silver Corp. ("Sabina") announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement (the "Agreement") pursuant to which B2Gold Corp. has agreed to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Sabina.

Marathon Project: Generation Mining Limited ("Gen Mining") announced that the Marathon Project was approved by the joint Federal and Provincial Environmental Assessment process, and that they will now proceed to obtain the necessary permits for construction and operation.

Curipamba Project: Adventus Mining Corporation ("Adventus") announced that the Government of Ecuador has signed the Investment Contract in support of the development of the El Domo deposit, which is part of the Curipamba Project.

Portfolio Optimization

Yauliyacu: On August 18, 2022, the Company announced that it had entered into an agreement with Glencore plc ("Glencore") to terminate its silver stream on the Yauliyacu mine in Peru for a cash payment of $150 million, less the aggregate value of any deliveries to Wheaton, prior to closing, of silver produced subsequent to December 31, 2021. The transaction closed on December 6, 2022, and the Company received a cash payment of $132 million. The Yauliyacu PMPA was terminated on December 14, 2022.

Financial Review

Revenues

Revenue was $236 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 representing a 15% decrease from the fourth quarter of 2021 due primarily to a 10% decrease in the number of GEOs³ sold; and a 6% decrease in the average realized gold equivalent³ price. 

Revenue was $1,065 million in the year ended December 31, 2022, representing an 11% decrease from 2021 due primarily to a 6% decrease in the number of gold equivalent³ ounces sold; and a 6% decrease in the average realized gold equivalent³ price.

Cash Costs and Margin

Average cash costs¹ in the fourth quarter of 2022 were $434 per GEO² as compared to $433 in the fourth quarter of 2021. This resulted in a cash operating margin¹ of $1,226 per GEO³ sold, a decrease of 8% as compared with the fourth quarter of 2021.

Average cash costs¹ in 2022 were $433 per GEO² as compared to $439 in 2021. This resulted in a cash operating margin¹ of $1,292 per GEO³ sold, a 7% decrease from the 2021.

Balance Sheet (at December 31, 2022)

• Approximately $696 million of cash on hand.
• During the fourth quarter of 2022, the Company made upfront cash payments totaling $44 million relative to PMPAs.
• With the existing cash on hand coupled with the fully undrawn $2 billion revolving credit facility, the Company is well positioned to fund all outstanding commitments and known contingencies as well as providing flexibility to acquire additional accretive mineral stream interests.

Reserves and Resources (at December 31, 2022)

• Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves attributable to Wheaton were 13.90 million ounces of gold compared with 14.04 million ounces as reported in Wheaton's 2021 Annual Information Form ("AIF"), a decrease of 1%; 489.2 million ounces of silver compared with 564.6 million ounces, decrease of 13%; 0.60 million ounces palladium compared with 0.63 million ounces, a decrease of 3%; 0.17 million ounces of platinum, unchanged; and 33.2 million pounds of cobalt compared to 31.4 million pounds, an increase of 6%. On a GEO³ basis, total Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves for all metals attributable to Wheaton were 21.27 million ounces, a decrease of 5% with 2% related to the terminations of the Yauliyacu and Keno Hill streams and the closure of the 777 mine.
• Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources attributable to Wheaton were 5.47 million ounces of gold compared with 5.44 million ounces as reported in Wheaton's 2021 AIF, an increase of 1%; 674.8 million ounces of silver compared with 767.8 million ounces, a decrease of 12%; 0.09 million ounces of palladium compared to 0.12 million ounces, a decrease of 28%; 0.097 million ounces of platinum, unchanged; and 1.5 million pounds of cobalt, unchanged. On a GEO³ basis, total Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources for all metals attributable to Wheaton were 14.38 million ounces, a decrease of 8% with 6% related to the terminations of the Yauliyacu and Keno Hill streams.
• Inferred Mineral Resources attributable to Wheaton were 4.69 million ounces of gold compared with 4.98 million ounces as reported in Wheaton's 2021 AIF, a decrease of 6%; 327.9 million ounces of silver compared with 461.1 million ounces, a decrease of 29%, 0.35 million ounces of palladium, unchanged; 0.017 million ounces of platinum, unchanged; and 7.8 million pounds of cobalt compared to 6.8, an increase of 13%. On a GEO³ basis, total Inferred Mineral Resources for all metals attributable to Wheaton were 9.37 million ounces, a decrease of 18% with 13% related to the terminations of the Yauliyacu and Keno Hill streams.

Estimated attributable reserves and resources contained in this press release are based on information available to the Company as of March 2, 2023, and therefore will not reflect updates, if any, after that date. Updated reserves and resources data incorporating year-end 2022 estimates will also be included in the Company's 2022 Annual Information Form. Wheaton's most current attributable reserves and resources, as of December 31, 2022, can be found on the Company's website at www.wheatonpm.com.

Sustainability

Community Investment Program:

• In 2022, Wheaton's contribution to the Nature Trust of B.C. was directed towards the Shoal Creek Estuary in an effort to acquire, protect and enhance estuaries along the B.C. coastline. In the fourth quarter, the Fall Gala Presented by Wheaton raised over $1.5 million in support of The Nature Trust's conservation programs.
• In 2022, Wheaton made a $1 million commitment to the British Columbia Institute of Technology's Inspire Campaign aimed at transforming the campus into a dynamic new learning environment.
• In the fourth quarter, the Sports Celebrities Festival Presented by Wheaton Precious Metals raised over CA$550,000 in support of Special Olympics BC and the Canucks for Kids Fund.

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 2023 as well as the 5-year average and 10-year annual gold equivalent production is as follows:

In 2023, gold equivalent production is forecast to be slightly higher than 2022 as expected stronger attributable production from Salobo and Constancia is forecast to be offset by weaker production from Antamina and the termination of the silver stream on Yauliyacu. Attributable production is forecast to increase at Salobo as a result of uninterrupted operations as well as the start-up of the Salobo III mine expansion and at Constancia due to higher grades associated with the mining of the Pampacancha deposit. Attributable production is forecast to decrease a Antamina due to lower grades as per the mine plan.

Average forecast production over the next five years is expected to increase primarily due to anticipated continued production growth from Salobo, Stillwater, Constancia, Voisey's Bay and Marmato as well as incremental production ounces from Blackwater, Toroparu, Marathon, Copper World Complex and Santo Domingo towards the latter end of the forecast period. Average forecast production over the next ten years includes additional incremental production from the Fenix project, Kutcho project and the Victor mine in Sudbury. Vale S.A. has indicated the potential for an additional expansion after the Salobo III expansion, but Wheaton does not currently include this in its forecast. Lastly, although Barrick Gold Corp. continues to advance a comprehensive review of the Pascua Lama project, Wheaton does not include any production from the project in its estimated average ten-year production 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 will be held on Friday, March 10, 2023, starting at 11:00 am (Eastern Time) to discuss these results. To participate in the live call please use one of the following methods:

To join the conference call without operator assistance, you may register and enter your phone number here to receive an instant automated call back.

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: 94667668
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 17, 2023 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: 667668 #
Archived audio webcast: Webcast Link

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, Neil Burns, P.Geo., Vice President, Technical Services for Wheaton Precious Metals and Ryan Ulansky, P.Eng., Vice President, Engineering, are 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 (specifically Mr. Carson has reviewed production figures, Mr. Burns has reviewed mineral resource estimates and Mr. Ulansky has reviewed the mineral reserve estimates).

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.  

End Notes

Consolidated Statements of Earnings

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Summary of Units Produced

Summary of Units Sold

Results of Operations 

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

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

 

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

 

On a gold equivalent and silver equivalent basis, results for the Company for the year ended December 31, 2022 were as follows:

 

On a gold equivalent and silver equivalent basis, results for the Company for the year ended December 31, 2021 were as follows:

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; and (iv) cash operating margin.

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 risks relating to the satisfaction of each party's obligations in accordance with the terms of the Company's PMPAs or royalty arrangements, risks associated with fluctuations in the price of commodities (including Wheaton's ability to sell its precious metals or cobalt production at acceptable prices or at all), risks related to the Mining Operations (including fluctuations in the price of the primary or other commodities mined at such operations, regulatory, political and other risks of the jurisdictions in which the Mining Operations are located, actual results of mining, risks associated with the exploration, development, operating, expansion and improvement of the Mining Operations, environmental and economic risks of the Mining Operations, and changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined), the absence of control over the Mining Operations and having to rely on the accuracy of the public disclosure and other information Wheaton receives from the Mining Operations, uncertainty in the estimation of production from Mining Operations, uncertainty in the accuracy of mineral reserve and mineral resource estimation, risks of significant impacts on Wheaton or the Mining Operations as a result of an epidemic (including the COVID-19 virus pandemic), the ability of each party to satisfy their obligations in accordance with the terms of the PMPAs, the estimation of future production from Mining Operations, Wheaton's interpretation of, compliance with or application of, tax laws and regulations or accounting policies and rules being found to be incorrect, any challenge or reassessment by the CRA of the Company's tax filings being successful and the potential negative impact to the Company's previous and future tax filings, assessing the impact of the CRA Settlement (including whether there will be any material change in the Company's facts or change in law or jurisprudence), potential 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 is accurate (including the Company's assessment that there will be no material change in the Company's facts or change in law or jurisprudence), and such other assumptions and factors as set out in the Disclosure. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate and even if events or results described in the forward-looking statements are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, Wheaton. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and are cautioned that actual outcomes may vary. The forward-looking statements included herein are for the purpose of providing readers with information to assist them in understanding Wheaton's expected financial and operational performance and may not be appropriate for other purposes. Any forward looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, reflects Wheaton's management's current beliefs based on current information and will not be updated except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Although Wheaton has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from those contained in forward–looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results, level of activity, performance or achievements not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended.

Cautionary Language Regarding Reserves And Resources

For further information on Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources and on Wheaton more generally, readers should refer to Wheaton's Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2022, which will be filed on or about March 31, 2023 and other continuous disclosure documents filed by Wheaton since January 1, 2023, available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Wheaton's Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources are subject to the qualifications and notes set forth therein. Mineral Resources which are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.

Cautionary Note to United States Investors Concerning Estimates of Measured, Indicated and Inferred Resources: The information contained herein has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the securities laws in effect in Canada, which differ from the requirements of United States securities laws. The terms "mineral reserve", "proven mineral reserve" and "probable mineral reserve" are Canadian mining terms defined in accordance with Canadian National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (the "CIM") – CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, adopted by the CIM Council, as amended (the "CIM Standards"). In addition, the terms "mineral resource", "measured mineral resource", "indicated mineral resource" and "inferred mineral resource" are defined in and required to be disclosed by NI 43-101. Investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of the mineral deposits in these categories will ever be converted into reserves. "Inferred mineral resources" have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and as to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Under Canadian rules, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies, except in rare cases. Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource exists or is economically or legally mineable. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Disclosure of "contained ounces" in a resource is permitted disclosure under Canadian regulations. The SEC has adopted amendments to its disclosure rules to modernize the mineral property disclosure requirements for issuers whose securities are registered with the SEC under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). These amendments became effective February 25, 2019 (the "SEC Modernization Rules") with compliance required for the first fiscal year beginning on or after January 1, 2021. Under the SEC Modernization Rules, the historical property disclosure requirements for mining registrants included in SEC Industry Guide 7 will be rescinded and replaced with disclosure requirements in subpart 1300 of SEC Regulation S-K. Following the transition period, as a foreign private issuer that is eligible to file reports with the SEC pursuant to the multi-jurisdictional disclosure system, the Company is not required to provide disclosure on its mineral properties under the SEC Modernization Rules and will continue to provide disclosure under NI 43-101.  As a result of the adoption of the SEC Modernization Rules, the SEC will recognize estimates of "measured mineral resources", "indicated mineral resources" and "inferred mineral resources." In addition, the SEC has amended its definitions of "proven mineral reserves" and "probable mineral reserves" to be "substantially similar" to the corresponding definitions under the CIM Definition Standards that are required under NI 43-101. However, while the above terms are "substantially similar" to CIM Definition Standards, there are differences in the definitions under the SEC Modernization Rules and the CIM Definition Standards. Accordingly, there is no assurance any mineral reserves or mineral resources that the Company may report as "proven mineral reserves", "probable mineral reserves", "measured mineral resources", "indicated mineral resources" and "inferred mineral resources" under NI 43-101 would be the same had the Company prepared the reserve or resource estimates under the standards adopted under the SEC Modernization Rules. Accordingly, information contained herein that describes Wheaton's mineral deposits may not be comparable to similar information made public by U.S. companies subject to reporting and disclosure requirements under the United States federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. United States investors are urged to consider closely the disclosure in Wheaton's Form 40-F, a copy of which may be obtained from Wheaton or from https://www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wheaton-precious-metals-generates-strong-cash-operating-margins-in-2022-301768352.html

SOURCE Wheaton Precious Metals Corp.

View original content: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/March2023/09/c6836.html