Wheaton Precious Metals Reports Strong Growth in Earnings and Cash Flow and Declares Fourth Quarterly Dividend of 2019
VANCOUVER, Nov. 14, 2019 - Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. ("Wheaton" or the "Company") is pleased to announce its results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2019. All figures are presented in United States dollars unless otherwise noted. In the third quarter of 2019, Wheaton generated over $140 million in operating cash flow resulting in adjusted net earnings of over $70 million, an increase of 31% and 107%, respectively. In addition, Wheaton had attributable gold production of over 100,000 ounces and remains on track for record annual gold production in 2019.
Operational Overview
| Q3 2019 | Q3 2018 | Change | |||||||
| Ounces produced | |||||||||
| Gold | 104,175 | 106,255 | (2.0)% | ||||||
| Silver | 6,095 | 5,584 | 9.2 % | ||||||
| Palladium | 5,471 | 8,817 | (37.9)% | ||||||
| Gold equivalent2 | 184,868 | 184,139 | 0.4% | ||||||
| Ounces sold | |||||||||
| Gold | 94,766 | 89,242 | 6.2 % | ||||||
| Silver | 4,484 | 5,018 | (10.6)% | ||||||
| Palladium | 4,907 | 3,668 | 33.8 % | ||||||
| Gold equivalent2 | 155,049 | 154,815 | 0.2% | ||||||
| Sales price per ounce | |||||||||
| Gold | $ | 1,471 | $ | 1,210 | 21.6 % | ||||
| Silver | $ | 17.09 | $ | 14.80 | 15.5 % | ||||
| Palladium | $ | 1,535 | $ | 955 | 60.7% | ||||
| Cash costs per ounce 1 | |||||||||
| Gold 1 | $ | 424 | $ | 418 | 1.4 % | ||||
| Silver 1 | $ | 5.16 | $ | 5.04 | 2.4 % | ||||
| Palladium 1 | $ | 271 | $ | 169 | 60.2 % | ||||
| Cash operating margin per ounce 1 | |||||||||
| Gold 1 | $ | 1,047 | $ | 792 | 32.2 % | ||||
| Silver 1 | $ | 11.93 | $ | 9.76 | 22.2 % | ||||
| Palladium 1 | $ | 1,264 | $ | 786 | 60.8 % | ||||
| Revenue | $ | 223,595 | $ | 185,769 | 20.4 % | ||||
| Net earnings | $ | 75,960 | $ | 34,021 | 123.3 % | ||||
| Per share | $ | 0.17 | $ | 0.08 | 112.5 % | ||||
| Adjusted net earnings 1 | $ | 72,692 | $ | 35,132 | 106.9 % | ||||
| Per share 1 | $ | 0.16 | $ | 0.08 | 105.4 % | ||||
| Operating cash flows | $ | 142,300 | $ | 108,413 | 31.3 % | ||||
| Per share 1 | $ | 0.32 | $ | 0.24 | 33.3 % | ||||
| Dividends declared 1 | $ | 40,197 | $ | 39,921 | 0.7 % | ||||
| Per share | $ | 0.09 | $ | 0.09 | 0.0 % | ||||
| All amounts in thousands except gold, palladium and gold equivalent ounces produced and sold, per ounce amounts and per share amounts. | |||||||||
Highlights
- Wheaton generated $142 million in operating cash flow in the third quarter of 2019, leading to a reduction in net debt of $146 million.
- Attributable gold production was relatively unchanged primarily due to higher production at Salobo and San Dimas being offset by lower production at the Stillwater mines due to reported production for the third quarter of 2018 including some material processed in prior periods.
- The increase in attributable silver production was primarily due to higher grades at Peñasquito.
- The decrease in attributable palladium production was due to lower production at the Stillwater mines due to reported production for the third quarter of 2018 including some material processed in prior periods.
- The increase in gold sales volume was due to positive changes in the balance of payable gold produced but not yet delivered to Wheaton, partially offset by lower production levels.
- The decrease in silver sales volume was due to negative changes in the balance of payable silver produced but not yet delivered to Wheaton at Peñasquito, partially offset by the higher production levels.
- The increase in adjusted net earnings was primarily due to higher margins resulting from increased realized prices for gold, silver and palladium sales of 22%, 15% and 61%, respectively.
- Declared quarterly dividend of $0.09 per common share in accordance with Wheaton's setting of a minimum quarterly dividend of $0.09 per common share for the duration of 2019, subject to the discretion of the Board of Directors.
- In September, Wheaton joined the United Nations Global Compact and announced its endorsement of the World Gold Council's Responsible Gold Mining Principles, demonstrating the company's continued commitment to corporate sustainability.
Updating Production Guidance
- Wheaton is updating production guidance for 2019, with estimated attributable gold production being increased to approximately 390,000 ounces due to continued outperformance primarily from the Salobo mine, while estimated attributable silver production has been adjusted to approximately 21 million ounces to reflect production interruptions at the Peñasquito mine. Forecast palladium production in 2019 remains unchanged at approximately 22,000 ounces.
- For the five-year period ending in 2023, the Company continues to estimate that average annual gold equivalent production2 will amount to 750,000 ounces.
"Wheaton's portfolio of high-quality, long-life assets continues to deliver strong results with over $140 million in operating cash flow generated in the third quarter of 2019," said Randy Smallwood, President and Chief Executive Officer of Wheaton Precious Metals. "Gold and silver prices increased on average approximately 17% over the previous year, while our cash flow and net earnings increased by over 30% and 100%, respectively. These solid results once again demonstrate the strength of Wheaton's business model, which focuses on reducing risk while providing significant leverage to higher commodity prices."
Financial Review
Revenues
Revenue was $224 million in the third quarter of 2019, on sales volume of 94,800 ounces of gold, 4.5 million ounces of silver and 4,900 ounces of palladium. This represents a 20% increase from the $186 million of revenue generated in the third quarter of 2018 due primarily to (i) a 22% increase in the average realized gold price ($1,471 in Q3 2019 compared with $1,210 in Q3 2018); (ii) a 15% increase in the average realized silver price ($17.09 in Q3 2019 compared with $14.80 in Q3 2018); and (iii) a 6% increase in the number of gold ounces sold; partially offset by (iv) an 11% decrease in the number of silver ounces sold.
Costs and Expenses
Average cash costs¹ in the third quarter of 2019 were $424 per gold ounce sold, $5.16 per silver ounce sold and $271 per palladium ounce sold, as compared with $418 per gold ounce, $5.04 per silver ounce and $169 per palladium ounce during the comparable period of 2018. This resulted in a cash operating margin¹ of $1,047 per gold ounce sold, $11.93 per silver ounce sold and $1,264 per palladium ounce sold, an increase of 32%, 22% and 61%, respectively, as compared with Q3 2018. The increase in the cash operating margin was primarily due to a 22%, 15% and 61% increase in the average realized gold, silver and palladium price, respectively, during Q3 2019 compared with Q3 2018.
Adjusted Net Earnings and Operating Cash Flows
Adjusted net earnings¹ and cash flow from operations in the third quarter of 2019 were $73 million ($0.16 per share) and $142 million ($0.32 per share¹), compared with adjusted net earnings¹ of $35 million ($0.08 per share) and cash flow from operations of $108 million ($0.24 per share¹) for the same period in 2018, an increase of 107% and 31%, respectively.
Balance Sheet
At September 30, 2019, the Company had approximately $152 million of cash on hand and $1.0 billion outstanding under the Company's $2 billion revolving term loan (the "Revolving Facility"). The Company uses excess cash to pay down the Revolving Facility, and during the three-month period ended September 30, 2019, the Company has repaid $82 million under the Revolving Facility. The average effective interest rate for the third quarter of 2019 was 4.02%.
Third Quarter Asset Highlights
Operational highlights for the quarter ended September 30, 2019, are as follows:
Salobo
In the third quarter of 2019, Salobo produced 73,600 ounces of attributable gold, virtually unchanged relative to the third quarter of 2018 as higher throughput was almost completely offset by lower grades and recovery. In Vale S.A.'s ("Vale") Third Quarter 2019 Performance Report, Vale reports that in July, Salobo achieved all-time monthly production records for copper and gold. Vale also noted that physical completion of the expansion at Salobo is now 27%, including the completion of the concrete foundations for the mill and primary crusher bases and the arrival to site of the first loads related to the long-distance conveyor belt.
Peñasquito
In the third quarter of 2019, Peñasquito produced 2.0 million ounces of attributable silver, an increase of approximately 93% relative to the third quarter of 2018 primarily due to higher grades. As per Newmont Goldcorp Corp.'s ("Newmont") third quarter MD&A, production at Peñasquito was impacted by the operation being placed into care and maintenance for 17 days in the third quarter of 2019 due to a blockade. The blockade was lifted in early October 2019; a gradual ramp up of operations started in late October while government-sponsored negotiations continue. Based on Newmont's disclosure, the impact of the illegal blockade on Wheaton's third quarter attributable production was approximately 0.4 million silver ounces.
Sudbury
In the third quarter of 2019, Vale's Sudbury mines produced 6,600 ounces of attributable gold, an increase of approximately 2% relative to the third quarter of 2018 primarily due to higher grades. Throughput at the Sudbury mines is typically lower in the third quarter as a result of planned maintenance shutdowns occurring in the summer months. This was consistent in 2018 and 2019.
Constancia
In the third quarter of 2019, Constancia produced 0.7 million ounces of attributable silver and 5,200 ounces of attributable gold, an increase of approximately 1% and 42%, respectively, relative to the third quarter of 2018. As per Wheaton's precious metals purchase agreement with Hudbay Minerals Inc. ("Hudbay") relating to Constancia (the "Constancia PMPA"), should Hudbay fail to achieve a minimum level of throughput at the Pampacancha satellite deposit during 2018, 2019 and 2020, Wheaton will be entitled to an increased portion of gold from Hudbay. As per Hudbay's MD&A for the first quarter of 2019, mining of the Pampacancha deposit is not expected to begin until later in 2020. Assuming ore production does not begin until 2020, the Company will be entitled to receive an additional 8,020 ounces of gold in 2019 and 2020 relative to the Constancia PMPA, with the deliveries to be made in quarterly installments, of which 2,005 ounces were received during the third quarter of 2019 and reported as production.
Stillwater
In the third quarter of 2019, the Stillwater mines produced 3,200 ounces of attributable gold and 5,500 ounces of attributable palladium, a decrease of approximately 49% for gold and 38% for palladium relative to the third quarter of 2018. The decreases relative to the third quarter of 2019 was largely due to reported production for the third quarter of 2018 including some material processed in prior periods. As part of the agreement, Wheaton was entitled to the attributable gold and palladium production for which an offtaker payment was received after July 1, 2018.
Other Gold
In the third quarter of 2019, total Other Gold attributable production was 4,300 ounces, a decrease of approximately 36% relative to the third quarter of 2018. The decrease was due primarily to the cessation of production at the Minto mine which was placed on care and maintenance in the fourth quarter of 2018. According to Pembridge Resources plc's news release dated October 16, 2019, mining has restarted at Minto in October with milling operations recommencing on October 10, 2019. Wheaton does not currently include any additional production from Minto in its 2019 or five-year guidance.
Other Silver
In the third quarter of 2019, total Other Silver attributable production was 2.2 million ounces, a decrease of approximately 12% relative to the third quarter of 2018. The decrease was driven primarily by lower production from the Aljustrel mine partially offset by higher production from Zinkgruvan.
Development Update – Rosemont
On August 1, 2019, Hudbay announced that the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona ("Court") issued a ruling in the lawsuits challenging the U.S. Forest Service's issuance of the Final Record of Decision ("FROD") for the Rosemont project in Arizona. The Court ruled to vacate and remand the FROD such that Rosemont cannot proceed with construction at this time. Hudbay stated that they believe that the Court has misinterpreted federal mining laws and Forest Service regulations as they apply to Rosemont. As such, Hudbay is working to appeal the Court's decision to the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals as they evaluate next steps for the project. As announced in August, Hudbay has suspended most of its early works activities at Rosemont and has deferred the previously announced process to identify a joint venture partner for Rosemont. Wheaton has not made any upfront payments to date relative to Rosemont nor included any production from Rosemont in its five-year guidance.
Produced But Not Yet Delivered 3
As at September 30, 2019, payable ounces attributable to the Company produced but not yet delivered amounted to 85,500 payable gold ounces, 4.2 million payable silver ounces and 4,200 payable palladium ounces, an increase of 4,300 payable gold ounces and 0.7 million payable silver ounces and a decrease of 300 payable palladium ounces during the three month period ended September 30, 2019. Payable gold ounces produced but not yet delivered increased primarily as a result of an increase related to the Salobo gold interest partially offset by a decrease at Sudbury. Payable silver ounces produced but not yet delivered increased slightly primarily as a result of increases related to the Peñasquito and Antamina silver interests. Payable ounces produced but not yet delivered to Wheaton are expected to average approximately two months of annualized production for silver and two to three months for both gold and palladium but may vary from quarter to quarter due to a number of mining operation factors including mine ramp-up and timing of shipments.
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.
Dividend
Fourth Quarterly Dividend
The fourth quarterly cash dividend for 2019 of US$0.09 will be paid to holders of record of Wheaton Precious Metals common shares as of the close of business on December 4, 2019 and will be distributed on or about December 16, 2019.
Under the Company's dividend policy, the quarterly dividend per common share is targeted to equal approximately 30% of the average cash generated by operating activities in the previous four quarters divided by the Company's then outstanding common shares, all rounded to the nearest cent. To minimize volatility in quarterly dividends, the Company has set a minimum quarterly dividend of $0.09 per common share for the duration of 2019.
The declaration, timing, amount and payment of future dividends remain at the discretion of the Board of Directors. This dividend qualifies as an 'eligible dividend' for Canadian income tax purposes.
Dividend Reinvestment Plan
The Company has previously implemented a Dividend Reinvestment Plan ("DRIP"). Participation in the DRIP is optional. For the purposes of this fourth quarterly dividend, the Company has elected to issue common shares under the DRIP through treasury at a 3% discount to the Average Market Price, as defined in the DRIP. However, the Company may, from time to time, in its discretion, change or eliminate the discount applicable to Treasury Acquisitions, as defined in the DRIP, or direct that such common shares be purchased in Market Acquisitions, as defined in the DRIP, at the prevailing market price, any of which would be publicly announced.
The DRIP and enrollment forms, including direct deposit, are available for download on the Company's website at www.wheatonpm.com, accessible by quick links directly from the home page, and can also be found in the 'investors' section, under the 'dividends' tab.
Registered shareholders may also enroll in the DRIP online through the plan agent's self-service web portal at: https://www.canstockta.com/en/InvestorServices/Investor_Information/Issuer_List/IssuerDetail.jsp?companyCode=1501.
Beneficial shareholders should contact their financial intermediary to arrange enrollment. All shareholders considering enrollment in the DRIP should carefully review the terms of the DRIP and consult with their advisors as to the implications of enrollment in the DRIP.
This press release is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer of securities. A registration statement relating to the DRIP has been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and may be obtained under the Company's profile on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's website at http://www.sec.gov. A written copy of the prospectus included in the registration statement may be obtained by contacting the Corporate Secretary of the Company at 1021 West Hastings Street, Suite 3500, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6E 0C3.
Outlook
Wheaton is updating production guidance for 2019. Estimated attributable gold production has been increased to approximately 390,000 ounces, up from 385,000 ounces previously forecast due to continued outperformance primarily from the Salobo mine. Estimated attributable silver production has been adjusted to approximately 21 million ounces from 22.5 million ounces to reflect production interruptions at the Peñasquito mine. Forecast production of palladium in 2019 remains unchanged at approximately 22,000 ounces. For the five-year period ending in 2023, the Company estimates that average annual gold equivalent production2 will amount to 750,000 ounces. As a reminder, Wheaton does not currently include any production from Hudbay's Rosemont project nor the announced expansion at Salobo in its estimated average five-year production guidance4.
From a liquidity perspective, the $152 million of cash and cash equivalents as at September 30, 2019, combined with the liquidity provided by the available credit under the $2 billion Revolving Facility and ongoing operating cash flows positions the Company well to fund all outstanding commitments and known contingencies as well as providing flexibility to acquire additional accretive precious metal stream interests.
Webcast and Conference Call Details
A conference call and webcast will be held Friday, November 15, 2019, starting at 11:00 am (Eastern Time) 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: | 888-231-8191 |
| Dial from outside Canada or the US: | 647-427-7450 |
| Pass code: | 6890657 |
| Live audio webcast: | Click here |
Participants should dial in five to ten minutes before the call.
The conference call will be recorded and available until November 22, 2019 at 11:59 pm (Eastern Time). 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: | 855-859-2056 |
| Dial from outside Canada or the US: | 416-849-0833 |
| Pass code: | 6890657 |
| Archived audio webcast: | Click here |
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 has 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.aspxhttp://www.silverwheaton.com/company/corporate-governance/default.aspx.
End Notes
| 1 Please refer to non-IFRS measures at the end of this press release. Dividends declared in the referenced calendar | |||||||||||||||
| 2 Commodity price assumptions for the gold equivalent production and sales, including forecasts for 2019 and the five-year average are | |||||||||||||||
| 3 Payable gold, silver and palladium ounces produced but not yet delivered are based on management estimates and | |||||||||||||||
| 4 In preparing the long-term production forecast, Wheaton has considered the impact of Vale's announced approval | |||||||||||||||
Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Earnings
| Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | ||||||||
| (US dollars and shares in thousands, except per share | 2019 | 2018 | 2019 | 2018 | |||||
| Sales | $ | 223,595 | $ | 185,769 | $ | 638,110 | $ | 597,421 | |
| Cost of sales | |||||||||
| Cost of sales, excluding depletion | $ | 64,624 | $ | 63,202 | $ | 194,796 | $ | 182,195 | |
| Depletion | 63,396 | 64,684 | 193,180 | 184,444 | |||||
| Total cost of sales | $ | 128,020 | $ | 127,886 | $ | 387,976 | $ | 366,639 | |
| Gross margin | $ | 95,575 | $ | 57,883 | $ | 250,134 | $ | 230,782 | |
| General and administrative | 14,028 | 8,779 | 42,811 | 30,507 | |||||
| Impairment charges | - | - | 165,912 | - | |||||
| Earnings from operations | $ | 81,547 | $ | 49,104 | $ | 41,411 | $ | 200,275 | |
| Gain on disposal of mineral stream interest | - | - | - | (245,715) | |||||
| Other (income) expense | (3,533) | 1,301 | (709) | 1,157 | |||||
| Earnings before finance costs and income taxes | $ | 85,080 | $ | 47,803 | $ | 42,120 | $ | 444,833 | |
| Finance costs | 11,871 | 12,877 | 39,123 | 27,351 | |||||
| Earnings before income taxes | $ | 73,209 | $ | 34,926 | $ | 2,997 | $ | 417,482 | |
| Income tax recovery (expense) | 2,751 | (905) | 5,618 | 2,805 | |||||
| Net earnings | $ | 75,960 | $ | 34,021 | $ | 8,615 | $ | 420,287 | |
| Basic earnings per share | $ | 0.17 | $ | 0.08 | $ | 0.02 | $ | 0.95 | |
| Diluted earnings per share | $ | 0.17 | $ | 0.08 | $ | 0.02 | $ | 0.95 | |
| Weighted average number of shares outstanding | |||||||||
| Basic | 446,802 | 443,634 | 445,598 | 443,188 | |||||
| Diluted | 447,849 | 444,120 | 446,467 | 443,727 | |||||
Condensed Interim Consolidated Balance Sheets
| As at | As at | |||
| (US dollars in thousands - unaudited) | 2019 | 2018 | ||
| Assets | ||||
| Current assets | ||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 151,626 | $ | 75,767 |
| Accounts receivable | 3,613 | 2,186 | ||
| Current taxes receivable | 100 | 210 | ||
| Other | 2,067 | 1,541 | ||
| Total current assets | $ | 157,406 | $ | 79,704 |
| Non-current assets | ||||
| Mineral stream interests | $ | 5,797,752 | $ | 6,156,839 |
| Early deposit mineral stream interests | 31,741 | 30,241 | ||
| Mineral royalty interest | 3,036 | 9,107 | ||
| Long-term equity investments | 234,838 | 164,753 | ||
| Investment in associates | 935 | 2,562 | ||
| Convertible note receivable | 12,222 | 12,899 | ||
| Property, plant and equipment | 7,513 | 3,626 | ||
| Other | 13,416 | 10,315 | ||
| Total non-current assets | $ | 6,101,453 | $ | 6,390,342 |
| Total assets | $ | 6,258,859 | $ | 6,470,046 |
| Liabilities | ||||
| Current liabilities | ||||
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | $ | 23,491 | $ | 19,883 |
| Current taxes payable | - | 3,361 | ||
| Current portion of performance share units | 9,513 | 5,578 | ||
| Current portion of lease liabilities | 657 | - | ||
| Other | 16 | 19 | ||
| Total current liabilities | $ | 33,677 | $ | 28,841 |
| Non-current liabilities | ||||
| Bank debt | $ | 1,013,500 | $ | 1,264,000 |
| Lease liabilities | 3,632 | - | ||
| Deferred income taxes | 134 | 111 | ||
| Performance share units | 6,472 | 5,178 | ||
| Total non-current liabilities | $ | 1,023,738 | $ | 1,269,289 |
| Total liabilities | $ | 1,057,415 | $ | 1,298,130 |
| Shareholders' equity | ||||
| Issued capital | $ | 3,583,654 | $ | 3,516,437 |
| Reserves | 87,758 | 7,893 | ||
| Retained earnings | 1,530,032 | 1,647,586 | ||
| Total shareholders' equity | $ | 5,201,444 | $ | 5,171,916 |
| Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | $ | 6,258,859 | $ | 6,470,046 |
Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
| Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | ||||||||
| (US dollars in thousands - unaudited) | 2019 | 2018 | 2019 | 2018 | |||||
| Operating activities | |||||||||
| Net earnings | $ | 75,960 | $ | 34,021 | $ | 8,615 | $ | 420,287 | |
| Adjustments for | |||||||||
| Depreciation and depletion | 63,845 | 64,974 | 194,590 | 185,206 | |||||
| Gain on disposal of mineral stream interest | - | - | - | (245,715) | |||||
| Gain on disposal of mineral royalty interest | (2,929) | - | (2,929) | - | |||||
| Impairment charges | - | - | 167,561 | - | |||||
| Interest expense | 10,885 | 11,806 | 36,473 | 23,055 | |||||
| Equity settled stock based compensation | 1,447 | 1,402 | 4,259 | 4,045 | |||||
| Performance share units | 4,803 | (85) | 5,004 | 3,415 | |||||
| Income tax expense (recovery) | (2,751) | 905 | (5,618) | (2,805) | |||||
| (Gain) loss on fair value adjustment of share purchase | |||||||||
| warrants held | (2) | 12 | 5 | 123 | |||||
| Share in losses of associate | 49 | 172 | 111 | 373 | |||||
| Fair value (gain) loss on convertible note receivable | (386) | 927 | 677 | 2,217 | |||||
| Investment income recognized in net (loss) earnings | (205) | (109) | (745) | (611) | |||||
| Other | (540) | (1,322) | 130 | (809) | |||||
| Change in non-cash working capital | 2,093 | 3,701 | (421) | (1,142) | |||||
| Cash generated from operations before income taxes and interest | $ | 152,269 | $ | 116,404 | $ | 407,712 | $ | 387,639 | |
| Income taxes paid | (1,751) | (742) | (5,334) | (844) | |||||
| Interest paid | (8,404) | (7,395) | (33,311) | (18,450) | |||||
| Interest received | 186 | 146 | 686 | 608 | |||||
| Cash generated from operating activities | $ | 142,300 | $ | 108,413 | $ | 369,753 | $ | 368,953 | |
| Financing activities | |||||||||
| Bank debt repaid | $ | (82,000) | $ | (28,000) | $ | (250,500) | $ | (214,000) | |
| Bank debt drawn | - | 452,000 | - | 824,500 | |||||
| Credit facility extension fees | (3) | - | (1,103) | (1,205) | |||||
| Share purchase options exercised | 12,662 | - | 33,055 | 1,027 | |||||
| Lease payments | (156) | - | (479) | - | |||||
| Dividends paid | (32,609) | (33,873) | (96,124) | (98,462) | |||||
| Cash (used for) generated from financing activities | $ | (102,106) | $ | 390,127 | $ | (315,151) | $ | 511,860 | |
| Investing activities | |||||||||
| Mineral stream interests | $ | (9) | $ | (506,171) | $ | (183) | $ | (1,116,406) | |
| Early deposit mineral stream interests | (750) | (4,254) | (1,500) | (8,712) | |||||
| Proceeds on disposal of mineral royalty interest | 9,000 | - | 9,000 | - | |||||
| Net proceeds on disposal of mineral stream interests | - | (4,000) | - | 226,000 | |||||
| Acquisition of long-term investments | - | (4,847) | (909) | (5,863) | |||||
| Investment in associate | - | - | (132) | - | |||||
| Proceeds on disposal of long-term investments | 16,307 | 47,734 | 16,307 | 47,734 | |||||
| Dividend income received | 20 | 20 | 59 | 60 | |||||
| Other | (313) | (664) | (1,520) | (3,089) | |||||
| Cash used for investing activities | $ | 24,255 | $ | (472,182) | $ | 21,122 | $ | (860,276) | |
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | $ | (5) | $ | 354 | $ | 135 | $ | 315 | |
| Increase in cash and cash equivalents | $ | 64,444 | $ | 26,712 | $ | 75,859 | $ | 20,852 | |
| Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | 87,182 | 92,661 | 75,767 | 98,521 | |||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | $ | 151,626 | $ | 119,373 | $ | 151,626 | $ | 119,373 | |
Summary of Ounces Produced
| Q3 2019 | Q2 2019 | Q1 2019 | Q4 2018 | Q3 2018 | Q2 2018 | Q1 2018 | Q4 2017 | |||
| Gold ounces produced ² | ||||||||||
| Salobo | 73,615 | 67,056 | 60,846 | 76,995 | 72,423 | 67,466 | 64,896 | 80,341 | ||
| Sudbury 3 | 6,633 | 9,029 | 11,374 | 6,646 | 6,510 | 6,476 | 3,511 | 8,568 | ||
| Constancia | 5,172 | 4,533 | 4,826 | 4,266 | 3,634 | 3,281 | 3,315 | 2,947 | ||
| San Dimas 4 | 11,239 | 11,496 | 10,290 | 10,092 | 10,642 | 5,726 | - | - | ||
| Stillwater | 3,238 | 3,675 | 3,137 | 3,472 | 6,376 | - | - | - | ||
| Other | ||||||||||
| Minto 5 | - | - | - | 1,441 | 2,546 | 2,554 | 2,707 | 3,328 | ||
| 777 | 4,278 | 4,788 | 4,445 | 4,248 | 4,124 | 4,982 | 5,645 | 5,478 | ||
| Total Other | 4,278 | 4,788 | 4,445 | 5,689 | 6,670 | 7,536 | 8,352 | 8,806 | ||
| Total gold ounces produced | 104,175 | 100,577 | 94,918 | 107,160 | 106,255 | 90,485 | 80,074 | 100,662 | ||
| Silver ounces produced 2 | ||||||||||
| San Dimas 4 | - | - | - | - | - | 607 | 1,606 | 1,324 | ||
| Peñasquito | 2,031 | 702 | 1,595 | 1,455 | 1,050 | 1,267 | 1,450 | 1,561 | ||
| Antamina | 1,224 | 1,343 | 1,180 | 1,225 | 1,406 | 1,394 | 1,304 | 1,434 | ||
| Constancia | 686 | 552 | 635 | 695 | 682 | 552 | 598 | 621 | ||
| Other | ||||||||||
| Los Filos | 40 | 37 | 38 | 29 | 21 | 33 | 29 | 48 | ||
| Zinkgruvan | 630 | 631 | 479 | 608 | 530 | 453 | 565 | 619 | ||
| Yauliyacu | 620 | 627 | 528 | 233 | 597 | 719 | 550 | 335 | ||
| Stratoni | 131 | 172 | 143 | 149 | 165 | 211 | 137 | 131 | ||
| Minto 5 | - | - | - | 8 | 25 | 30 | 35 | 30 | ||
| Neves-Corvo | 431 | 392 | 498 | 509 | 458 | 421 | 405 | 305 | ||
| Aljustrel | 240 | 322 | 470 | 475 | 514 | 138 | - | - | ||
| Lagunas Norte 6 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 217 | 253 | ||
| Pierina 6 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 107 | 111 | ||
| Veladero 6 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 265 | 211 | ||
| 777 | 62 | 93 | 95 | 113 | 136 | 152 | 146 | 146 | ||
| Total Other | 2,154 | 2,274 | 2,251 | 2,124 | 2,446 | 2,157 | 2,456 | 2,189 | ||
| Total silver ounces produced | 6,095 | 4,871 | 5,661 | 5,499 | 5,584 | 5,977 | 7,414 | 7,129 | ||
| Palladium ounces produced ² | ||||||||||
| Stillwater | 5,471 | 5,736 | 4,729 | 5,869 | 8,817 | - | - | - | ||
| GEOs produced 7 | 184,868 | 166,483 | 169,506 | 180,936 | 184,139 | 164,043 | 171,328 | 188,408 | ||
| SEOs produced 7 | 15,020 | 13,527 | 13,772 | 14,701 | 14,961 | 13,329 | 13,920 | 15,308 | ||
| Average payable rate 2 | ||||||||||
| Gold | 95.1% | 95.3% | 95.6% | 95.5% | 95.4% | 94.9% | 94.7% | 95.0% | ||
| Silver | 85.2% | 83.4% | 83.0% | 83.1% | 83.5% | 86.8% | 89.7% | 90.1% | ||
| Palladium | 83.5% | 87.6% | 98.5% | 96.4% | 94.6% | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | ||
| 1) | All figures in thousands except gold and palladium ounces produced |
| 2) | Ounces produced represent the quantity of gold, silver and palladium contained in concentrate or doré prior to smelting or refining deductions. Production figures |
| 3) | Comprised of the Coleman, Copper Cliff, Garson, Stobie, Creighton and Totten gold interests. The Stobie gold interest was placed into care and maintenance as of |
| 4) | Pursuant to the San Dimas SPA with Primero, the Company acquired 100% of the payable silver produced at San Dimas up to 6 million ounces annually, and 50% |
| 5) | The Minto mine was placed into care and maintenance in October 2018 |
| 6) | In accordance with the Pascua-Lama precious metal purchase agreement, all deliveries from Lagunas Norte, Pierina and Veladero ceased effective March 31, 2018 |
| 7) | GEOs and SEOs, which are provided to assist the reader, are based on the following commodity price assumptions: $1,300 per ounce gold; $16.00 per ounce silver; |
Summary of Ounces Sold
| Q3 2019 | Q2 2019 | Q1 2019 | Q4 2018 | Q3 2018 | Q2 2018 | Q1 2018 | Q4 2017 | ||||
| Gold ounces sold | |||||||||||
| Salobo | 63,064 | 57,715 | 84,160 | 75,351 | 65,139 | 70,734 | 54,645 | 71,683 | |||
| Sudbury 2 | 7,600 | 8,309 | 4,061 | 4,864 | 2,560 | 4,400 | 5,186 | 12,059 | |||
| Constancia | 4,742 | 4,409 | 5,512 | 3,645 | 2,980 | 2,172 | 3,247 | 1,965 | |||
| San Dimas 3 | 11,374 | 10,284 | 11,510 | 8,453 | 9,771 | 3,738 | - | - | |||
| Stillwater | 3,314 | 3,301 | 2,856 | 3,473 | 2,075 | - | - | - | |||
| Other | |||||||||||
| Minto 4 | - | 765 | 3,307 | 2,674 | 796 | 2,284 | 1,763 | 2,020 | |||
| 777 | 4,672 | 5,294 | 3,614 | 4,353 | 5,921 | 3,812 | 5,132 | 6,568 | |||
| Total Other | 4,672 | 6,059 | 6,921 | 7,027 | 6,717 | 6,096 | 6,895 | 8,588 | |||
| Total gold ounces sold | 94,766 | 90,077 | 115,020 | 102,813 | 89,242 | 87,140 | 69,973 | 94,295 | |||
| Silver ounces sold | |||||||||||
| San Dimas 3 | - | - | - | - | - | 1,070 | 1,372 | 1,299 | |||
| Peñasquito | 1,233 | 912 | 1,164 | 901 | 1,241 | 1,547 | 1,227 | 1,537 | |||
| Antamina | 1,059 | 1,186 | 1,255 | 1,300 | 1,333 | 1,422 | 1,413 | 1,769 | |||
| Constancia | 521 | 478 | 735 | 629 | 567 | 410 | 574 | 491 | |||
| Other | |||||||||||
| Los Filos | 44 | 26 | 38 | 15 | 27 | 35 | 52 | 16 | |||
| Zinkgruvan | 459 | 337 | 232 | 543 | 326 | 297 | 391 | 597 | |||
| Yauliyacu | 574 | 542 | 15 | 317 | 697 | 521 | 360 | 642 | |||
| Stratoni | 126 | 240 | 80 | 78 | 125 | 171 | 148 | 110 | |||
| Minto 4 | - | 2 | 30 | 22 | - | 28 | (1) | 34 | |||
| Neves-Corvo | 243 | 194 | 265 | 240 | 234 | 178 | 169 | 119 | |||
| Aljustrel | 139 | 216 | 381 | 226 | 302 | - | - | - | |||
| Lagunas Norte 5 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 65 | 236 | 237 | |||
| Pierina 5 | - | - | - | - | - | 54 | 88 | 106 | |||
| Veladero 5 | - | - | - | - | 2 | 104 | 161 | 211 | |||
| 777 | 86 | 108 | 99 | 129 | 163 | 70 | 153 | 124 | |||
| Total Other | 1,671 | 1,665 | 1,140 | 1,570 | 1,877 | 1,523 | 1,757 | 2,196 | |||
| Total silver ounces sold | 4,484 | 4,241 | 4,294 | 4,400 | 5,018 | 5,972 | 6,343 | 7,292 | |||
| Palladium ounces sold | |||||||||||
| Stillwater | 4,907 | 5,273 | 5,189 | 5,049 | 3,668 | - | - | - | |||
| GEOs sold 6 | 155,049 | 147,755 | 173,255 | 162,205 | 154,815 | 160,627 | 148,055 | 184,061 | |||
| SEOs sold 6 | 12,598 | 12,005 | 14,077 | 13,179 | 12,579 | 13,051 | 12,029 | 14,955 | |||
| Cumulative payable gold ounces PBND 7 | 85,468 | 81,161 | 75,236 | 99,474 | 99,987 | 88,547 | 89,839 | 84,010 | |||
| Cumulative payable silver ounces PBND 7 | 4,165 | 3,418 | 3,591 | 3,184 | 3,015 | 3,375 | 4,126 | 3,828 | |||
| Cumulative payable palladium ounces PBND 7 | 4,163 | 4,504 | 4,754 | 5,282 | 4,671 | - | - | - | |||
| 1) | All figures in thousands except gold and palladium ounces sold. |
| 2) | Comprised of the Coleman, Copper Cliff, Garson, Stobie, Creighton and Totten gold interests. The Stobie gold interest was placed into care and maintenance as of |
| 3) | Pursuant to the San Dimas SPA with Primero, the Company acquired 100% of the payable silver produced at San Dimas up to 6 million ounces annually, and 50% |
| 4) | The Minto mine was placed into care and maintenance in October 2018. |
| 5) | In accordance with the Pascua-Lama precious metal purchase agreement, all deliveries from Lagunas Norte, Pierina and Veladero ceased effective March 31, 2018. |
| 6) | GEOs and SEOs, which are provided to assist the reader, are based on the following commodity price assumptions: $1,300 per ounce gold; $16.00 per ounce silver;| |
| 7) | Payable gold, silver and palladium ounces produced but not yet delivered ("PBND") are based on management estimates. These figures may be updated in future |
Results of Operations
The operating results of the Company's reportable operating segments are summarized in the tables and commentary below.
| Three Months Ended September 30, 2019 | ||||||||||||||||
| Ounces | Ounces | Average | Average | Average | Sales | Net | Cash Flow | Total | ||||||||
| Gold | ||||||||||||||||
| Salobo | 73,615 | 63,064 | $ | 1,471 | $ | 404 | $ | 383 | $ | 92,796 | $ | 43,155 | $ | 68,949 | $ | 2,627,534 |
| Sudbury 4 | 6,633 | 7,600 | 1,470 | 400 | 819 | 11,176 | 1,908 | 7,828 | 350,101 | |||||||
| Constancia | 5,172 | 4,742 | 1,471 | 404 | 361 | 6,978 | 3,351 | 5,234 | 112,252 | |||||||
| San Dimas | 11,239 | 11,374 | 1,471 | 606 | 310 | 16,737 | 6,323 | 9,571 | 197,927 | |||||||
| Stillwater | 3,238 | 3,314 | 1,471 | 263 | 519 | 4,876 | 2,285 | 4,005 | 231,512 | |||||||
| Other 5 | 4,278 | 4,672 | 1,470 | 419 | 462 | 6,870 | 2,754 | 4,912 | 15,089 | |||||||
| 104,175 | 94,766 | $ | 1,471 | $ | 424 | $ | 417 | $ | 139,433 | $ | 59,776 | $ | 100,499 | $ | 3,534,415 | |
| Silver | ||||||||||||||||
| Peñasquito | 2,031 | 1,233 | $ | 16.81 | $ | 4.21 | $ | 3.06 | $ | 20,721 | $ | 11,755 | $ | 15,531 | $ | 378,587 |
| Antamina | 1,224 | 1,059 | 16.80 | 3.46 | 8.73 | 17,792 | 4,885 | 14,420 | 679,521 | |||||||
| Constancia | 686 | 521 | 16.81 | 5.95 | 7.50 | 8,764 | 1,752 | 6,953 | 233,225 | |||||||
| Other 6 | 2,154 | 1,671 | 17.57 | 6.70 | 2.79 | 29,354 | 13,510 | 16,895 | 492,029 | |||||||
| 6,095 | 4,484 | $ | 17.09 | $ | 5.16 | $ | 4.81 | $ | 76,631 | $ | 31,902 | $ | 53,799 | $ | 1,783,362 | |
| Palladium | ||||||||||||||||
| Stillwater | 5,471 | 4,907 | $ | 1,535 | $ | 271 | $ | 470 | $ | 7,531 | $ | 3,897 | $ | 6,203 | $ | 252,465 |
| Cobalt | ||||||||||||||||
| Voisey's Bay | - | - | $ | n.a. | $ | n.a. | $ | n.a. | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 227,510 |
| Operating results | $ | 223,595 | $ | 95,575 | $ | 160,501 | $ | 5,797,752 | ||||||||
| Other | ||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative | $ | (14,028) | $ | (6,823) | ||||||||||||
| Finance costs | (11,871) | (9,122) | ||||||||||||||
| Other | 3,533 | (505) | ||||||||||||||
| Income tax recovery | 2,751 | (1,751) | ||||||||||||||
| Total Other | $ | (19,615) | $ | (18,201) | $ | 461,107 | ||||||||||
| $ | 75,960 | $ | 142,300 | $ | 6,258,859 | |||||||||||
| 1) | All figures in thousands except gold and palladium ounces produced and sold and per ounce amounts. |
| 2) | Ounces produced represent the quantity of gold, silver and palladium contained in concentrate or doré prior to smelting or refining deductions. Production figures are |
| 3) | Refer to discussion on non-IFRS measure (iii) at the end of this press release. |
| 4) | Please refer to page 3 of this press release for more information. |
| 5) | Comprised of the operating Coleman, Copper Cliff, Garson, Creighton and Totten gold interests as well as the non-operating Stobie and Victor gold interests. |
| 6) | Comprised of the operating 777 gold interest in addition to the non-operating Rosemont and Minto gold interests.. |
| 7) | Comprised of the operating Los Filos, Zinkgruvan, Yauliyacu, Stratoni, Neves-Corvo, Aljustrel and 777 silver interests as well as the non-operating Keno Hill, Minto, |
On a gold equivalent and silver equivalent basis, results for the Company for the three months ended September 30, 2019 were as follows:
| Three Months Ended September 30, 2019 | |||||||
| Ounces | Ounces | Average | Average | Cash | Average | Gross | |
| Gold equivalent basis 5 | 184,868 | 155,049 | $ 1,442 | $ 417 | $ 1,025 | $ 409 | $ 616 |
| Silver equivalent basis 5 | 15,020 | 12,598 | $ 17.75 | $ 5.13 | $ 12.62 | $ 5.03 | $ 7.59 |
| 1) | Ounces produced represent the quantity of gold, silver and palladium contained in concentrate or doré prior to smelting or refining deductions. Production figures are |
| 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: $1,300 per ounce gold; $16.00 per ounce silver; and $1,350 per ounce palladium, consistent with those used in estimating the Company's production guidance for 2019. Previously, GEOs and SEOs were calculated by referencing the average LBMA price during the period. This revised methodology of calculating GEOs and SEOs has been applied to all periods presented |
| Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 | ||||||||||||||||
| Ounces | Ounces | Average | Average | Average | Sales | Net | Cash Flow | Total | ||||||||
| Gold | ||||||||||||||||
| Salobo | 72,423 | 65,139 | $ | 1,210 | $ | 400 | $ | 386 | $ | 78,815 | $ | 27,604 | $ | 52,760 | $ | 2,735,159 |
| Sudbury 4 | 6,510 | 2,560 | 1,218 | 400 | 795 | 3,117 | 58 | 1,948 | 370,331 | |||||||
| Constancia | 3,634 | 2,980 | 1,216 | 400 | 374 | 3,625 | 1,318 | 2,433 | 118,910 | |||||||
| San Dimas | 10,642 | 9,771 | 1,200 | 600 | 556 | 11,725 | 428 | 5,862 | 212,915 | |||||||
| Stillwater | 6,376 | 2,075 | 1,205 | 217 | 526 | 2,500 | 958 | 2,049 | 238,033 | |||||||
| Other 5 | 6,670 | 6,717 | 1,225 | 402 | 480 | 8,230 | 2,306 | 5,390 | 23,728 | |||||||
| 106,255 | 89,242 | $ | 1,210 | $ | 418 | $ | 426 | $ | 108,012 | $ | 32,672 | $ | 70,442 | $ | 3,699,076 | |
| Silver | ||||||||||||||||
| Peñasquito | 1,050 | 1,241 | $ | 14.94 | $ | 4.17 | $ | 2.96 | $ | 18,544 | $ | 9,702 | $ | 13,369 | $ | 391,385 |
| Antamina | 1,406 | 1,333 | 14.98 | 2.98 | 8.70 | 19,956 | 4,398 | 16,235 | 721,388 | |||||||
| Constancia | 682 | 567 | 15.10 | 5.90 | 7.14 | 8,561 | 1,166 | 5,216 | 250,724 | |||||||
| Other 6 | 2,446 | 1,877 | 14.48 | 6.82 | 3.00 | 27,194 | 8,757 | 15,191 | 506,353 | |||||||
| 5,584 | 5,018 | $ | 14.80 | $ | 5.04 | $ | 4.97 | $ | 74,255 | $ | 24,023 | $ | 50,011 | $ | 1,869,850 | |
| Palladium | ||||||||||||||||
| Stillwater | 8,817 | 3,668 | $ | 955 | $ | 169 | $ | 462 | $ | 3,502 | $ | 1,188 | $ | 2,882 | $ | 261,796 |
| Cobalt | ||||||||||||||||
| Voisey's Bay | - | - | $ | n.a. | $ | n.a. | $ | n.a. | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 393,406 |
| Operating results | $ | 185,769 | $ | 57,883 | $ | 123,335 | $ | 6,224,128 | ||||||||
| Other | ||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative | $ | (8,779) | $ | (5,464) | ||||||||||||
| Finance costs | (12,877) | (8,351) | ||||||||||||||
| Other | (1,301) | (365) | ||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | (905) | (742) | ||||||||||||||
| Total other | $ | (23,862) | $ | (14,922) | $ | 361,890 | ||||||||||
| $ | 34,021 | $ | 108,413 | $ | 6,586,018 | |||||||||||
| 1) | All figures in thousands except gold ounces produced and sold and per ounce amounts. |
| 2) | Ounces produced represent the quantity of gold and silver contained in concentrate or doré prior to smelting or refining deductions. Production figures are based on |
| 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, the non-operating Stobie and Victor gold interests. |
| 5) | Comprised of the operating Minto and 777 gold interests in addition to the non-operating Rosemont gold interest. The Minto mine was placed into care and |
| 6) | Comprised of the operating Los Filos, Zinkgruvan, Yauliyacu, Stratoni, Minto, Neves-Corvo and 777 silver interests as well as the non-operating Keno Hill, Aljustrel, |
On a gold equivalent and silver equivalent basis, results for the Company for the three months ended September 30, 2018 were as follows:
| Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 | |||||||
| Ounces | Ounces | Average | Average | Cash | Average | Gross | |
| Gold equivalent basis 5 | 184,139 | 154,815 | $ 1,200 | $ 408 | $ 792 | $ 418 | $ 374 |
| Silver equivalent basis 5 | 14,961 | 12,579 | $ 14.77 | $ 5.02 | $ 9.75 | $ 5.14 | $ 4.61 |
| 1) | Ounces produced represent the quantity of gold and silver contained in concentrate or doré prior to smelting or refining deductions. Production figures are based on |
| 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: $1,300 per ounce gold; $16.00 per ounce silver; and $1,350 per ounce palladium, consistent with those used in estimating the Company's production guidance for 2019. Previously, GEOs and SEOs were calculated by referencing the average LBMA price during the period. This revised methodology of calculating GEOs and SEOs has been applied to all periods presented |
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; (iv) cash operating margin.
i. Adjusted net earnings and adjusted net earnings per share are calculated by removing the effects of the non-cash impairment charges, non-cash fair value (gains) losses, non-cash share of losses of associates and other one-time (income) expenses. 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 | ||||||
| (in thousands, except for per share amounts) | 2019 | 2018 | ||||
| Net earnings | $ | 75,960 | $ | 34,021 | ||
| Add back (deduct): | ||||||
| Share in losses of associate | 49 | 172 | ||||
| (Gain) loss on fair value adjustment of share purchase | ||||||
| warrants held | (2) | 12 | ||||
| (Gain) loss on fair value adjustment of Kutcho | ||||||
| Convertible Note | (386) | 927 | ||||
| Gain on disposal of mineral royalty interest | (2,929) | - | ||||
| Adjusted net earnings | $ | 72,692 | $ | 35,132 | ||
| Divided by: | ||||||
| Basic weighted average number of shares outstanding | 446,802 | 443,634 | ||||
| Diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding | 447,849 | 444,120 | ||||
| Equals: | ||||||
| Adjusted earnings per share - basic | $ | 0.16 | $ | 0.08 | ||
| Adjusted earnings per share - diluted | $ | 0.16 | $ | 0.08 | ||
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 | ||||||
| (in thousands, except for per share amounts) | 2019 | 2018 | ||||
| Cash generated by operating activities | $ | 142,300 | $ | 108,413 | ||
| Divided by: | ||||||
| Basic weighted average number of shares outstanding | 446,802 | 443,634 | ||||
| Diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding | 447,849 | 444,120 | ||||
| Equals: | ||||||
| Operating cash flow per share - basic | $ | 0.32 | $ | 0.24 | ||
| Operating cash flow per share - diluted | $ | 0.32 | $ | 0.24 | ||
iii. Average cash cost of gold, silver and palladium on a per ounce basis is calculated by dividing the total cost of sales, less depletion, by the ounces sold. In the precious metal mining industry, this is a common performance measure but does not have any standardized meaning. 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 reconciliation of average cash cost of gold, silver and palladium on a per ounce basis.
| Three Months Ended | ||||||
| (in thousands, except for gold and palladium ounces sold and per ounce | 2019 | 2018 | ||||
| Cost of sales | $ | 128,020 | $ | 127,886 | ||
| Less: depletion | (63,396) | (64,684) | ||||
| Cash cost of sales | $ | 64,624 | $ | 63,202 | ||
| Cash cost of sales is comprised of: | ||||||
| Total cash cost of gold sold | $ | 40,154 | $ | 37,287 | ||
| Total cash cost of silver sold | 23,142 | 25,295 | ||||
| Total cash cost of palladium sold | 1,328 | 620 | ||||
| Total cash cost of sales | $ | 64,624 | $ | 63,202 | ||
| Divided by: | ||||||
| Total gold ounces sold | 94,766 | 89,242 | ||||
| Total silver ounces sold | 4,484 | 5,018 | ||||
| Total palladium ounces sold | 4,907 | 3,668 | ||||
| Equals: | ||||||
| Average cash cost of gold (per ounce) | $ | 424 | $ | 418 | ||
| Average cash cost of silver (per ounce) | $ | 5.16 | $ | 5.04 | ||
| Average cash cost of palladium (per ounce) | $ | 271 | $ | 169 | ||
iv. Cash operating margin is calculated by subtracting the average cash cost of gold, silver and palladium on a per ounce basis from the average realized selling price of gold, silver and palladium on a per ounce 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 | ||||||
| (in thousands, except for gold and palladium ounces sold and per ounce | 2019 | 2018 | ||||
| Total sales: | ||||||
| Gold | $ | 139,433 | $ | 108,012 | ||
| Silver | $ | 76,631 | $ | 74,255 | ||
| Palladium | $ | 7,531 | $ | 3,502 | ||
| Divided by: | ||||||
| Total gold ounces sold | 94,766 | 89,242 | ||||
| Total silver ounces sold | 4,484 | 5,018 | ||||
| Total palladium ounces sold | 4,907 | 3,668 | ||||
| Equals: | ||||||
| Average realized price of gold (per ounce) | $ | 1,471 | $ | 1,210 | ||
| Average realized price of silver (per ounce) | $ | 17.09 | $ | 14.80 | ||
| Average realized price of palladium (per ounce) | $ | 1,535 | $ | 955 | ||
| Less: | ||||||
| Average cash cost of gold 1 (per ounce) | $ | (424) | $ | (418) | ||
| Average cash cost of silver 1 (per ounce) | $ | (5.16) | $ | (5.04) | ||
| Average cash cost of palladium 1 (per ounce) | $ | (271) | $ | (169) | ||
| Equals: | ||||||
| Cash operating margin per gold ounce sold | $ | 1,047 | $ | 792 | ||
| As a percentage of realized price of gold | 71% | 65% | ||||
| Cash operating margin per silver ounce sold | $ | 11.93 | $ | 9.76 | ||
| As a percentage of realized price of silver | 70% | 66% | ||||
| Cash operating margin per palladium ounce sold | $ | 1,264 | $ | 786 | ||
| As a percentage of realized price of palladium | 82% | 82% | ||||
| 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
The information contained herein 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. Forward-looking statements, which are all statements other than statements of historical fact, include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to:
- estimated future production as a result of the Salobo Expansion;
- the commencement and timing of delivery of cobalt by Vale under the Voisey's Bay cobalt purchase agreement;
- the status of necessary permits for, and the commencement of production at, the Rosemont project;
- the effect of the Servicio de Administraci?n Tributaria ("SAT") legal claim on the business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows for 2010-2014 and 2015-2019 in respect of the San Dimas mine;
- the repayment of the Kutcho convertible note;
- the development and commencement of mining of the Pampacancha deposit at the Constancia mine;
- proposed improvements at mining operations;
- future payments by the Company in accordance with precious metal purchase agreements, including any acceleration of payments, estimated throughput and exploration potential;
- projected increases to Wheaton's production and cash flow profile;
- projected changes to Wheaton's production mix;
- anticipated increases in total throughput;
- the estimated future production (including increases in production, estimated grades and recoveries);
- the future price of commodities;
- the estimation of mineral reserves and mineral resources;
- the realization of mineral reserve estimates;
- the timing and amount of estimated future production (including 2019 and average attributable annual production over the next five years);
- the costs of future production;
- reserve determination;
- estimated reserve conversion rates and produced but not yet delivered ounces;
- any statements as to future dividends, the ability to fund outstanding commitments and the ability to continue to acquire accretive precious metal stream interests;
- confidence in the Company's business structure;
- the Company's assessment of the impact of the CRA Settlement for years subsequent to 2010;
- possible audits for taxation years subsequent to 2015;
- the Company's intention to file future tax returns in a manner consistent with the CRA Settlement; and
- assessments of the impact and resolution of various legal and tax matters, including but not limited to outstanding class actions.
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:
- Vale is unable to produce the estimated future production in connection with the Salobo Expansion;
- Wheaton is unable to sell its cobalt production delivered under the Voisey's Bay cobalt purchase agreement at acceptable prices or at all or there is a decrease in demand for cobalt, the decrease in uses for cobalt or the discovery of new supplies of cobalt, any or all of which could result in a decrease to the price of cobalt or a decrease in the ability to sell cobalt;
- Hudbay is unable to obtain, maintain and defend all necessary permits and decisions needed for the Rosemont project;
- First Majestic being able to defend the validity of the 2012 APA, is unable to pay taxes in Mexico based on realized silver prices or the SAT proceedings or actions otherwise having an adverse impact on the business, financial condition or results of operation in respect of the San Dimas mine;
- Kutcho not being able to make payments under the Kutcho Convertible Note;
- Hudbay will not commence development and /or mining of the Pampacancha deposit at the Constancia mine;
- proposed improvements at mining operations will not be achieved;
- that each party does not satisfy its obligations in accordance with the terms of the precious metal purchase agreements;
- risks related to the satisfaction of each party's obligations in accordance with the terms of the Company's precious metal purchase agreements, including the ability of the companies with which the Company has precious metal purchase agreements to perform their obligations under those precious metal purchase agreements 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;
- fluctuations in the price of commodities;
- risks related to the mining operations including risks related to fluctuations in the price of the primary commodities mined at such operations, actual results of mining and exploration activities, environmental, economic and political risks of the jurisdictions in which the mining operations are located, and changes in project parameters as 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;
- differences in the interpretation or application of tax laws and regulations or accounting policies and rules;
- Wheaton's interpretation of, or compliance with, 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;
- any challenge 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;
- any reassessment of the Company's tax filings and the continuation or timing of any such process being outside the Company's control;
- any requirement to pay reassessed tax, and the amount of any tax, interest and penalties that may be payable changing due to currency fluctuations;
- risks in 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;
- credit and liquidity risks;
- indebtedness and guarantees risks;
- mine operator concentration risks;
- hedging risk;
- competition in the streaming industry;
- risks related to Wheaton's acquisition strategy;
- risks related to the market price of the common shares of Wheaton (the "Common Shares");
- equity price risks related to Wheaton's holding of long?term investments in other companies;
- risks related to interest rates;
- risks related to the declaration, timing and payment of dividends;
- the ability of Wheaton and the mining operations to retain key management employees or procure the services of skilled and experienced personnel;
- litigation risk associated with outstanding legal matters;
- risks related to claims and legal proceedings against Wheaton or the mining operations;
- risks relating to activist shareholders;
- risks relating to reputational damage;
- risks relating to unknown defects and impairments;
- risks relating to security over underlying assets;
- risks related to ensuring the security and safety of information systems, including cyber security risks;
- risks related to the adequacy of internal control over financial reporting;
- risks related to fluctuations in commodity prices of metals produced from the mining operations other than precious metals or cobalt;
- risks related to governmental regulations;
- risks related to international operations of Wheaton and the mining operations;
- risks relating to exploration, development and operations at the mining operations;
- risks related to environmental regulations and climate change;
- 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 infrastructure and employees to support the mining operations;
- uncertainty in the accuracy of mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates;
- inability to replace and expand mineral reserves;
- risks relating to production estimates from mining operations, 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 relating to future sales or the issuance of equity securities; 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, and in Wheaton's Form 40-F for the year ended December 31, 2018 and Form 6-K filed March 20, 2019 both on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. (the "Disclosure").
Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions management currently believes to be reasonable, including but not limited to:
- Vale is able to produce the estimated future production as a result of the Salobo Expansion;
- Wheaton is able to sell cobalt production delivered under the Voisey's Bay cobalt purchase agreement at acceptable prices;
- Hudbay is able to obtain, maintain and defend all necessary permits and decisions needed for the Rosemont project;
- that Kutcho will make all required payments and not be in default under the Kutcho Convertible Note;
- that Wheaton will be able to terminate the Pascua-Lama precious metal purchase agreement in accordance with its terms;
- Hudbay will commence development and /or mining of the Pampacancha deposit at the Constancia mine or will deliver a delay payment in accordance with the precious metals purchase agreement;
- proposed improvements at mining operations will be achieved;
- that each party will satisfy their obligations in accordance with the precious metal purchase agreements;
- 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 Wheaton will continue to be able to fund or obtain funding for outstanding commitments;
- that Wheaton will be able to source and obtain accretive precious metal stream interests;
- expectations regarding the resolution of legal and tax matters, including the ongoing class action litigation and CRA audits involving the Company;
- that Wheaton will be successful in challenging any reassessment by the CRA;
- that Wheaton has properly considered the 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 ability to enter into new precious metal purchase agreements will not be impacted by any CRA reassessment;
- expectations and assumptions concerning prevailing tax laws and the potential amount that could be reassessed as additional tax, penalties and interest by the CRA;
- that Wheaton's assessment of the impact of the CRA Settlement for years subsequent to 2010 are 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;
- the estimate of the recoverable amount for any precious metal purchase agreement with an indicator of impairment; and
- such other assumptions and factors as set out in the Disclosure.
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. 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. Accordingly, 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 investors 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. Wheaton does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that are included or incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
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, 2018 and other continuous disclosure documents filed by Wheaton since January 1, 2019, 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"). These definitions differ from the definitions in Industry Guide 7 ("SEC Industry Guide 7") under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"). Under U.S. standards, mineralization may not be classified as a "reserve" unless the determination has been made that the mineralization could be economically and legally produced or extracted at the time the reserve determination is made. Also, under SEC Industry Guide 7 standards, a "final" or "bankable" feasibility study is required to report reserves, the three-year historical average price is used in any reserve or cash flow analysis to designate reserves and the primary environmental analysis or report must be filed with the appropriate governmental authority. 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; however, these terms are not defined terms under SEC Industry Guide 7 and are normally not permitted to be used in reports and registration statements filed with the SEC. 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; however, the SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute "reserves" by SEC standards as in place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures. 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 http://www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml.
In accordance with the Company's MD&A and financial statements, reference to the Company includes the Company's wholly owned subsidiaries.
SOURCE Wheaton Precious Metals Corp.
Contact
Patrick Drouin, Senior Vice President, Investor Relations, Wheaton Precious Metals Corp., Tel: 1-844-288-9878, Email: info@wheatonpm.com; Website: www.wheatonpm.com