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Wheaton Precious Metals Announces Solid Second Quarter Results for 2023

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Wheaton Precious Metals Announces Solid Second Quarter Results for 2023

 

 

 

 

 

“Wheaton delivered solid operational results during the quarter, generating over $200 million of operating cash flow, primarily driven by significant sequential improvement at the recently commissioned expansion at our largest asset, Salobo. Furthermore, we continued to see momentum on the corporate development front with the addition of a new gold stream on Lumina Gold’s Cangrejos project and the expansion of our existing gold stream on Artemis Gold’s Blackwater project,” said Randy Smallwood, President and Chief Executive Officer of Wheaton Precious Metals. “Despite operations at Peñasquito being suspended in early June, we achieved quarter-over-quarter gold equivalent production growth. As such, we are reiterating our 2023 production guidance, which we now expect to have a slightly higher weighting toward gold, highlighting the resilience of our high-quality, diversified portfolio. Lastly, we are proud to have published our 2022 Sustainability Report and inaugural 2022 Climate Change Report, demonstrating our continued commitment to sustainability and focus on delivering value to all of our stakeholders.”

 

Solid Financial Results and Strong Balance Sheet

  • Second quarter of 2023: $265 million in revenue, $202 million in operating cash flow, $141 million in net earnings and $143 million in adjusted net earnings1
  • A cash balance of $829 million and no debt as at June 30, 2023, after making total upfront cash payments of $89 million relative to mineral stream interests in the quarter
  • Undrawn $2 billion revolving credit facility extended by an additional year with the facility now maturing on June 22, 2028
  • Declared a quarterly dividend1 of $0.15 per common share

 

High Quality Asset Base

  • Streaming agreements on 19 operating mines and 13 development projects
  • 93% of attributable production from assets in the lowest half of their respective cost curves2,3
  • 30 years of mine life based on Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves and potential additional mine life from mineral resource conversion and exploration2,4
  • Accretive portfolio growth:
    • Acquired a 6.6% gold stream on Lumina Gold Corp.’s Cangrejos Project
    • Expanded the gold stream on Artemis Gold Inc.’s Blackwater Project
  • Further de-risked growth profile: the Goose Project was acquired by B2Gold Corp. and Aris Mining Corporation received approval of the Environmental Management Plan which now permits the development of the Marmato Lower Mine
  • Second quarter production amounted to 147,700 gold equivalent ounces3, underscored by significant progress at the recently commissioned expansion at Salobo
  • Average annual production guidance for 2023 of 600,000 to 660,000 GEOs2,3 maintained, with sector-leading growth resulting in five and ten-year average annual production guidance of approximately 810,000 and 850,000 GEOs2,3, respectively

 

Leadership in Sustainability

  • Top Rankings: #1 out of 117 precious metals companies and ranked in the Global Top 50 companies by Sustainalytics, AA rated by MSCI, and Prime rated by ISS
  • Published inaugural Climate Change Report, detailing progress towards Net-Zero Carbon Emissions by 2050 and covering all material emissions including Scope 3
  • Published fourth annual Sustainability Report highlighting our commitment to progress and providing a comprehensive review of Wheaton’s performance in environmental, social and governance topics

 

Operational Overview 

 

(all figures in US dollars unless otherwise noted) Q2 2023 Q2 2022 Change YTD 2023 YTD 2022 Change
Units produced
Gold ounces 85,083 66,442 28.1 % 158,102 144,496 9.4 %
Silver ounces 4,417 6,500 (32.0) % 9,513 12,675 (24.9) %
Palladium ounces 3,880 3,899 (0.5) % 7,585 8,387 (9.6) %
Cobalt pounds 152 136 11.3 % 276 371 (25.6) %
Gold equivalent ounces 3 147,699 155,932 (5.3) % 291,700 320,843 (9.1) %
Units sold
Gold ounces 75,294 84,337 (10.7) % 137,899 162,238 (15.0) %
Silver ounces 4,437 5,848 (24.1) % 8,186 11,401 (28.2) %
Palladium ounces 3,392 3,378 0.4 % 6,338 7,453 (15.0) %
Cobalt pounds 265 225 17.8 % 588 736 (20.1) %
Gold equivalent ounces 3 138,835 165,766 (16.2) % 256,218 324,847 (21.1) %
Change in PBND and Inventory
Gold equivalent ounces 3 (4,872) (25,675) (20,803) 6,392 (36,737) (43,129)
Revenue $ 264,972 $ 302,922 (12.5) % $ 479,437 $ 610,166 (21.4) %
Net earnings $ 141,448 $ 149,074 (5.1) % $ 252,839 $ 306,542 (17.5) %
Per share $ 0.312 $ 0.330 (5.5) % $ 0.559 $ 0.679 (17.7) %
Adjusted net earnings 1 $ 142,584 $ 149,285 (4.5) % $ 247,015 $ 307,292 (19.6) %
Per share 1 $ 0.315 $ 0.331 (4.8) % $ 0.546 $ 0.681 (19.8) %
Operating cash flows $ 202,376 $ 206,359 (1.9) % $ 337,482 $ 416,899 (19.0) %
Per share 1 $ 0.447 $ 0.457 (2.2) % $ 0.746 $ 0.924 (19.3) %
All amounts in thousands except gold, palladium & gold equivalent ounces, and per share amounts.

Financial Review

 

Revenues

Revenue in the second quarter of 2023 was $265 million (56% gold, 41% silver, 2% palladium and 1% cobalt), with the $38 million decrease relative to the prior period quarter being primarily due to relative changes in the GEOs3 produced but not yet delivered partially offset by a 4% increase in realized commodity prices.

 

Revenue was $479 million in the six months ended June 30, 2023, representing a $131 million decrease from the comparable period of the previous year due primarily to a 21% decrease in the number of GEOs³ sold, resulting from lower production and relative changes in the GEOs3 produced but not yet delivered.

 

Cash Costs and Margin

Average cash costs¹ in the second quarter of 2023 were $422 per GEO³ as compared to $452 in the second quarter of 2022. This resulted in a cash operating margin¹ of $1,487 per GEO³ sold, an increase of 8% as compared with the second quarter of 2022, a result of the higher realized price per ounce.

 

Average cash costs¹ for the six months ended June 30, 2023 were $432 per GEO³ as compared to $446 in the comparable period of the previous year. This resulted in a cash operating margin¹ of $1,439 per GEO³ sold, virtually unchanged from the comparable period of the previous year.

 

Cash Flow from Operations

Operating cash flow in the second quarter of 2023 amounted to $202 million, with the $4 million decrease due primarily to the lower sales volumes, partially offset by higher amounts of interest received in the second quarter of 2023 coupled with the timing of the payout of the Company’s performance share units (“PSUs”), with the PSUs being paid out in the second quarter of 2022 while in 2023, they were paid out in the first quarter.

 

Operating cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2023 amounted to $337 million, with the $79 million decrease from the comparable period of the previous year being due primarily to the lower sales volumes, partially offset by higher amounts of interest received during the current year.

 

Balance Sheet (at June 30, 2023)

  • Approximately $829 million of cash on hand
  • The Company extended its existing undrawn $2 billion revolving term loan (the “Revolving Facility”) with its maturity date now June 22, 2028
  • During the second quarter of 2023, the Company made total upfront cash payments of $89 million relative to the mineral stream interests consisting of
    • a $31 million payment relative to the Goose Project precious metals purchase agreement
    • a $35 million payment relative to the Blackwater Silver PMPA
    • a $10 million payment relative to the expansion of the Blackwater Gold PMPA
    • a $12 million payment relative to the Cangrejos PMPA
  • 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.

 

Second Quarter Operating Asset Highlights

 

Salobo: In the second quarter of 2023, Salobo produced 54,800 ounces of attributable gold, an increase of approximately 61% relative to the second quarter of 2022, driven by higher throughput and grades. According to Vale S.A. (“Vale”), production in the second quarter was driven by a better-than-expected ramp up of Salobo III partially offset by planned maintenance activities and additional work on the crushers at Salobo I and II. Vale reports that planned maintenance activities will continue in the second half of 2023, and that the ramp up of Salobo III is expected to be fully completed in 2024.

 

Antamina: In the second quarter of 2023, Antamina produced 1.0 million ounces of attributable silver, a decrease of approximately 28% relative to the second quarter of 2022, primarily due to lower grades as per the mine plan.

 

Peñasquito: In the second quarter of 2023, Peñasquito produced 1.7 million ounces of attributable silver, a decrease of approximately 17% relative to the second quarter of 2022 due to lower throughput.

 

On June 8, 2023, Newmont Corporation reported that it had suspended operations at the Peñasquito mine due to a labour dispute. To date, Newmont has indicated that it is in ongoing discussions with the leadership for the National Union of Mine and Metal Workers of the Mexican Republic and remains focused on finding a sustainable resolution to the dispute.

 

Constancia: In the second quarter of 2023, Constancia produced 0.4 million ounces of attributable silver and 7,400 ounces of attributable gold, a decrease of approximately 28% and 7%, respectively, relative to the second quarter of 2022, with the decrease in both metals being primarily due to lower throughput and grades. As per Hudbay, full mining activities resumed in the Pampacancha pit in February and the period of higher planned stripping activities in the Pampacancha pit was completed in June, with higher-than-expected production forecast for the second half of the year.

 

Sudbury: In the second quarter of 2023, Vale’s Sudbury mines produced 7,700 ounces of attributable gold, an increase of approximately 46% relative to the second quarter of 2022. As per Vale, the increase in production from Sudbury was driven primarily due to lower production in the second quarter of 2022 due to a 28-day maintenance shutdown at the Sudbury smelter and refiner.

 

Stillwater: In the second quarter of 2023, the Stillwater mines produced 2,000 ounces of attributable gold and 3,900 ounces of attributable palladium, a decrease of approximately 7% for gold relative to the second quarter of 2022 while palladium production was virtually unchanged. As reported by Sibanye-Stillwater Limited, production in the quarter was impacted due to an incident in March at Stillwater West involving the shaft headgear, winder house and winder rope. As a result, production from the Stillwater West mine below the 50 level was suspended for approximately five weeks but recommenced on April 16, 2023.

 

San Dimas: In the second quarter of 2023, San Dimas produced 11,200 ounces of attributable gold, an increase of approximately 11% relative to the second quarter of 2022. First Majestic Silver Corp. reported that exploration drill holes at the San Dimas property intersected significant gold and silver mineralization in three separate veins: the Sinaloa North-Elia vein, the Santa Teresa vein and the Perez vein.

 

Other Gold: In the second quarter of 2023, total Other Gold attributable production was 1,900 ounces, a decrease of approximately 71% relative to the second quarter of 2022, primarily due to the closure of the 777 mine in June 2022 and the suspension of operations at the Minto mine in May 2023.

 

Other Silver: In the second quarter of 2023, total Other Silver attributable production was 1.3 million ounces, a decrease of approximately 48% relative to the second quarter of 2022, primarily due to the closure of the 777 mine and the termination of the Keno Hill and Yauliyacu PMPAs.

 

Voisey’s Bay: In the second quarter of 2023, the Voisey’s Bay mine produced 152,000 pounds of attributable cobalt, an increase of approximately 11% relative to the second quarter of 2022, 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. Production in the second quarter was also impacted as the annual maintenance schedule at the Long Harbour refinery (from May to July) was planned longer than the previous year. Vale reports that physical completion of the Voisey’s Bay underground mine extension was 85% at the end of the second quarter, with Reid Brook’s bulk material handling system expected to be delivered in the third quarter of 2023, and lateral development advancing on the Eastern Deeps. Vale achieved the first ore production from the Reid Brook deposit, the first of two underground mines to be developed in the project, in the second quarter of 2021. 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.

 

Second Quarter Development Asset Highlights

 

Blackwater Project: On June 14, 2023, the Company amended the Blackwater Gold PMPA. Under the terms of the amended agreement, the Company is entitled to purchase an amount of gold equal to 8% of the payable gold production until 464,000 ounces have been delivered (previously 279,908 ounces), with this threshold to increase should there be a delay in the anticipated timing of deliveries. Once the threshold has been achieved, the Company’s attributable gold production will drop to 4% of payable gold production for the life of the mine. In exchange for the amendment, the Company is committed to pay additional upfront cash consideration of $40 million, payable in four installments, with the first payment of $10 million having been paid on June 15, 2023. In conjunction with this amendment, Artemis announced that they were committing additional investment as part of its Phase 1 development in order to facilitate the potential fast-tracking of the Phase 2 expansion.

 

In addition, on July 4, 2023, Artemis announced receipt of the Fisheries Act Authorization for development of Blackwater, which will facilitate the commencement of construction of water diversion structures and dams in the Davidson Creek valley which runs through the basin of the Blackwater tailings storage facility.

 

Marmato Mine: On July 12, 2023, Aris Mining announced that they have received approval from the Corporación Autónoma Regional del Caldas, a regional environmental authority in Colombia, of the Environmental Management Plan which now permits the development of the Marmato Lower Mine.

 

Copper World Complex: On April 5, 2023, Hudbay announced the receipt of confirmation from the Army Corps of Engineers (“ACOE”) that Hudbay’s previous surrender of the Section 404 Clean Water Act permit for the former Rosemont project was formally accepted and revoked as requested. The ACOE also reaffirmed the validity of the March 2021 approved jurisdictional determinations whereby the ACOE determined there are no waters of the U.S. on the property, and therefore, a 404 Permit is not required. Hudbay continues to expect to receive the two remaining state permits required (an Aquifer Protection Permit and an Air Quality Permit) in the second half of 2023. Clearing and grading work to prepare for the Copper World site, including the construction of roads and other facilities, continues to be underway. As per Hudbay, pre-feasibility activities for the private land Phase I of the Copper World project are well-advanced and a pre-feasibility study is expected to be released in the third quarter of 2023.

 

Goose Project: On April 19, 2023, B2Gold acquired Sabina Gold & Silver Corp the owners of the Goose Project. Subsequent to closing, B2Gold exercised the option to acquire 33% of the stream under the Goose PMPA in exchange for a cash payment in the amount of $46 million, resulting in a gain on partial disposal of the Goose PMPA in the amount of $5 million. B2Gold continues to advance construction of the Goose Project, moving toward commencement of production in 2025 and initiating an exploration program to further define untapped potential and unlock further opportunities for growth.

 

Curipamba Project: On August 2, 2023, Adventus Mining Corp. provided an update that the Constitutional Court of Ecuador has admitted for processing an unconstitutionality claim filed by the indigenous group CONAIE and other complainants against Presidential Decree 754 that regulates environmental consultation for all public and private industries and sectors in Ecuador. Adventus also notes that the Constitutional Court ordered the provisional suspension of the Decree until the same Constitutional Court resolves the claim filed. Adventus indicates that the immediate effect of the provisional suspension of the Decree is that no medium or high impact projects, from any sector or industry in the country, including the Curipamba project, shall be able to obtain an environmental license until the Constitutional Court resolves this issue. Adventus reports that the Government of Ecuador has stated that it will employ all measures at its disposal to respond to the Constitutional Court.

 

Corporate Development

 

Cangrejos PMPA: On May 16, 2023, the Company entered into a PMPA with Lumina in respect of its 100% owned Cangrejos gold-copper project located in El Oro Province, Ecuador. Under the terms of the agreement, Wheaton will purchase 6.6% of the payable gold production until 700,000 ounces of gold have been delivered, at which point the stream will be reduced to 4.4% of the payable gold production for the life of the mine. Under the terms of the Cangrejos PMPA, the Company is committed to pay Lumina total upfront cash payments of $300 million, $48 million of which is available pre-construction, with the remainder to be paid in staged equal installments during construction of the mine, subject to various customary conditions being satisfied. As it relates to the $48 million, payments will be made in four installments, including (i) $12 million which was paid on closing; (ii) $10 million to be paid six months after closing; (iii) $15 million to be paid 12 months after closing; and (iv) $11 million that can be drawn upon for committed acquisition of surface rights.

 

Sustainability

 

Annual Sustainability Report

  • Wheaton published its fourth annual Sustainability Report on May 15, 2023, highlighting its commitment to progress and providing a comprehensive review of Wheaton’s performance in environmental, social and governance topics including:
    • Strategy and Governance: Established a sustainability linked element in connection with the revolving credit facility
    • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Achieved target of 30% female Board members two years early
    • Investment Decisions and Due Diligence: 100% of new streaming agreements in 2022 screened for ESG issues and risks, and 85% of Wheaton’s mining partners are committed to implementing one or more industry sustainability standards, representing 89% of attributable 2022 production
    • Recognition: ‘ESG Industry Top-Rated’ in precious metals and ‘ESG Global 50 Top Rated’ out of over 15,000 multi-sector companies by Sustainalytics, ‘AA’ rated by MSCI and ‘Prime’ rated by ISS

 

Inaugural Climate Change Report: 

  • Wheaton published its inaugural Climate Change Report on June 15, 2023, highlighting:
    • Details on climate-related governance, strategy, risk management, and metrics and performance
    • Expanded information on the pathway to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and progress to date on this topic
    • Identification of climate risks and opportunities and management strategies
    • Commitment to support our partners’ decarbonization and climate solutions efforts
    • 68% of 2021 Scope 3 financed emissions covered by emissions reductions targets aligned to 2°C or less
    • Limited assurance over Scope 2 and Scope 3 finance emissions
  • On April 27, 2023, Hudbay announced the signing of a new 10-year power purchase agreement with ENGIE Energía Perú for access to a 100% renewable energy supply to Hudbay’s Constancia operations in Peru. As reported by Hudbay, Hudbay’s Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions are expected to significantly decline as a result of the new Constancia renewable energy supply agreement, which should reduce Wheaton’s attributable scope 3 emissions from the Constancia mine and help advance the Company’s Net Zero targets.

 

Community Investment Program:

  • During the quarter, Wheaton confirmed its support for a new Vale initiative aimed at reducing extreme poverty in the communities surrounding the Salobo mine. The program builds upon the success of previous initiatives supported by both Wheaton and the Vale Foundation aimed at promoting social and economic development.
  • During the quarter, the Wheaton Walk Through Time was completed at the University of British Columbia. Funded by Wheaton, the outdoor exhibit links the Pacific Museum of Earth and the Beaty Biodiversity Museum with an objective to garner interest among children and youth in earth sciences. It includes a Timeline of the geological and biological history of the earth since its formation 4.5 billion years ago in combination with a Tree of Life showing the evolutionary relationship between all living things.
  • The 2023 Courage to Come Back Awards Presented by Wheaton celebrated its 25th anniversary, attracting over 1,700 guests and raising over C$2.7 million for Coast Mental Health.

 

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 is forecast to be 320,000 to 350,000 ounces of gold, 20.0 to 22.0 million ounces of silver, and 22,000 to 25,000 GEOs of other metals, resulting in production of approximately 600,000 to 660,000 GEOs, unchanged from previous guidance2,3. Due to the suspension of the Peñasquito mine as a result of the ongoing labour dispute and the Company’s inability to forecast when it will be resolved, Wheaton now expects its full-year production to have a slightly higher weighting toward gold. Assuming the dispute is resolved and operations resume by the end of the third quarter of 2023, the Company expects to achieve its total GEO2,3 guidance of approximately 600,000 to 660,000 GEOs. For the five-year period ending in 2027, the Company estimates that average production will amount to 810,000 GEOs, while for the ten-year period ending in 2032, the Company estimates that average annual production will amount to 850,000 GEOs, also unchanged from previous guidance2,3.

 

In accordance with Wheaton Precious Metals™ Corp.’s MD&A and Financial Statements, reference to the Company and Wheaton includes the Company’s wholly owned subsidiaries.

 

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.sedarplus.ca.

 

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

 

___________________________
1  Please refer to non-IFRS measures at the end of this press release. Dividends declared in the referenced calendar quarter, relative to the financial results of the prior quarter. Details of the dividend can be found in the Wheaton’s news release date August 10, 2023, titled “Wheaton Precious Metals Declares Quarterly Dividend.”
2  Statements made in this section contain forward-looking information with respect to forecast production, funding outstanding commitments and continuing to acquire accretive mineral stream interests and readers are cautioned that actual outcomes may vary. Please see “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” for material risks, assumptions and important disclosure associated with this information.
3  Company reports & S and P Capital IQ est. of 2022 byproduct cost curves for gold, zinc/lead, copper, PGM, nickel & silver mines. GEOs relating to production and guidance, which are provided to assist the reader, are based on the following commodity price assumptions: gold $1,850/oz, silver $24/oz, palladium $1,800/oz, platinum $1,100/oz and cobalt $18.75/lb. 2023 Guidance assumes the resumption of production at Peñasquito before the end of Q3 2023. Five-year and ten-year guidance does not include any production from Pascua-Lama, Navidad, Cotabambas, Metates or additional expansions at Salobo outside of the Salobo III expansion. In addition, five-year guidance also does not include any production from Kutcho, or the Victor project at Sudbury. Ounces produced represent the quantity of silver, gold, palladium and cobalt contained in concentrate or doré prior to smelting or refining deductions.
4  Portfolio mine life based on recoverable reserves and resources as of Dec 31, 2022 and 2022 actual mill throughput and is weighted by individual reserve and resource category.

Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Earnings

 

Three Months Ended
June 30
Six Months Ended
June 30
(US dollars and shares in thousands, except per share
amounts – unaudited)
2023 2022 2023 2022
Sales $ 264,972 $ 302,922 $ 479,437 $ 610,166
Cost of sales
Cost of sales, excluding depletion $ 58,642 $ 74,943 $ 110,606 $ 144,936
Depletion 54,474 65,682 99,473 123,084
Total cost of sales $ 113,116 $ 140,625 $ 210,079 $ 268,020
Gross margin $ 151,856 $ 162,297 $ 269,358 $ 342,146
General and administrative expenses 10,216 9,685 20,315 19,089
Share based compensation 4,484 1,608 11,881 11,509
Donations and community investments 1,940 1,160 3,318 1,973
Earnings from operations $ 135,216 $ 149,844 $ 233,844 $ 309,575
Gain on disposal of mineral stream interest (5,027) (5,027)
Other (income) expense (8,692) (820) (16,254) (650)
Earnings before finance costs and income taxes $ 148,935 $ 150,664 $ 255,125 $ 310,225
Finance costs 1,352 1,389 2,731 2,811
Earnings before income taxes $ 147,583 $ 149,275 $ 252,394 $ 307,414
Income tax (expense) recovery (6,135) (201) 445 (872)
Net earnings $ 141,448 $ 149,074 $ 252,839 $ 306,542
Basic earnings per share $ 0.312 $ 0.330 $ 0.559 $ 0.679
Diluted earnings per share $ 0.312 $ 0.330 $ 0.558 $ 0.678
Weighted average number of shares outstanding
Basic 452,892 451,524 452,633 451,221
Diluted 453,575 452,359 453,368 452,123

Condensed Interim Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

As at
June 30
As at
December 31
(US dollars in thousands – unaudited) 2023 2022
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 828,837 $ 696,089
Accounts receivable 6,971 10,187
Cobalt inventory 4,956 10,530
Taxes receivable 4,217
Other 4,466 3,287
Total current assets $ 849,447 $ 720,093
Non-current assets
Mineral stream interests $ 5,691,166 $ 5,707,019
Early deposit mineral stream interests 46,843 46,092
Long-term equity investments 255,534 256,095
Property, plant and equipment 8,458 4,210
Other 28,457 26,397
Total non-current assets $ 6,030,458 $ 6,039,813
Total assets $ 6,879,905 $ 6,759,906
Liabilities
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 9,578 $ 12,570
Current taxes payable 2,763
Current portion of performance share units 8,692 14,566
Current portion of lease liabilities 609 818
Total current liabilities $ 18,879 $ 30,717
Non-current liabilities
Performance share units $ 4,549 $ 6,673
Lease liabilities 5,925 1,152
Deferred income taxes 190 165
Pension liability 3,949 3,524
Total non-current liabilities $ 14,613 $ 11,514
Total liabilities $ 33,492 $ 42,231
Shareholders’ equity
Issued capital $ 3,773,227 $ 3,752,662
Reserves (26,189) 66,547
Retained earnings 3,099,375 2,898,466
Total shareholders’ equity $ 6,846,413 $ 6,717,675
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 6,879,905 $ 6,759,906

Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

Three Months Ended
June 30
Six Months Ended
June 30
(US dollars in thousands – unaudited) 2023 2022 2023 2022
Operating activities
Net earnings $ 141,448 $ 149,074 $ 252,839 $ 306,542
Adjustments for
Depreciation and depletion 54,857 66,080 100,247 123,875
Gain on disposal of mineral stream interest (5,027) (5,027)
Interest expense 36 24 53 50
Equity settled stock based compensation 1,859 1,498 3,402 2,839
Performance share units – expense 2,625 110 8,479 8,670
Performance share units – paid (18,247) (16,675) (18,247)
Pension expense 291 271 458 429
Pension paid (20) (116)
Income tax expense (recovery) 6,135 201 (445) 872
Loss (gain) on fair value adjustment of share purchase warrants held 280 154 105 897
Investment income recognized in net earnings (8,880) (549) (16,028) (743)
Other 418 42 499 (92)
Change in non-cash working capital 1,685 7,365 (387) (8,553)
Cash generated from operations before income taxes and interest $ 195,707 $ 206,023 $ 327,404 $ 416,539
Income taxes paid (988) (80) (4,332) (112)
Interest paid (15) (25) (33) (51)
Interest received 7,672 441 14,443 523
Cash generated from operating activities $ 202,376 $ 206,359 $ 337,482 $ 416,899
Financing activities
Credit facility extension fees $ (846) $ (2) $ (846) $ (2)
Share purchase options exercised 1,134 1,777 10,510 7,549
Lease payments (177) (202) (379) (402)
Dividends paid (131,091) (117,117) (131,091) (117,117)
Cash used for financing activities $ (130,980) $ (115,544) $ (121,806) $ (109,972)
Investing activities
Mineral stream interests $ (88,710) $ (15,549) $ (120,234) $ (60,801)
Early deposit mineral stream interests (750) (750)
Net proceeds on disposal of mineral stream interests 46,400 46,400
Acquisition of long-term investments (31) (2,633) (8,175) (22,768)
Proceeds on disposal of long-term investments 202 202
Dividends received 917 108 917 220
Other (1,209) (89) (1,770) (125)
Cash used for investing activities $ (42,431) $ (18,163) $ (83,410) $ (84,224)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents $ 175 $ (189) $ 482 $ (122)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents $ 29,140 $ 72,463 $ 132,748 $ 222,581
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 799,697 376,163 696,089 226,045
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 828,837 $ 448,626 $ 828,837 $ 448,626

Summary of Units Produced

 

Q2 2023 Q1 2023 Q4 2022 Q3 2022 Q2 2022 Q1 2022 Q4 2021 Q3 2021
Gold ounces produced ²
Salobo 54,804 43,677 37,939 44,212 34,129 44,883 48,235 55,205
Sudbury 3 7,721 6,203 5,270 3,437 5,289 5,362 4,379 148
Constancia 7,444 6,905 10,496 7,196 8,042 6,311 9,857 8,533
San Dimas 4 11,166 10,754 10,037 11,808 10,044 10,461 13,714 11,936
Stillwater 5 2,017 1,960 2,185 1,833 2,171 2,497 2,664 2,949
Other
Marmato 639 457 533 542 778 477 479 433
777 6 3,509 4,003 4,462 4,717
Minto 1,292 3,063 2,567 3,050 2,480 4,060 3,506 1,703
Total Other 1,931 3,520 3,100 3,592 6,767 8,540 8,447 6,853
Total gold ounces produced 85,083 73,019 69,027 72,078 66,442 78,054 87,296 85,624
Silver ounces produced 2
Peñasquito 1,744 2,076 1,761 2,017 2,089 2,219 2,145 2,180
Antamina 960 851 1,067 1,327 1,330 1,210 1,309 1,475
Constancia 420 552 655 564 584 506 578 521
Other
Los Filos 7 28 28 14 21 35 42 37 17
Zinkgruvan 374 632 664 642 739 577 482 658
Neves-Corvo 407 436 369 323 345 344 522 362
Aljustrel 279 343 313 246 292 287 325 314
Cozamin 184 141 157 179 169 186 213 199
Marmato 7 8 9 7 7 11 7 10
Yauliyacu 8 261 463 756 637 382 372
Stratoni 9 129 18
Minto 14 29 33 33 26 45 44 25
Keno Hill 10  48 20 30 44
777 6 80 91 96 81
Total Other 1,293 1,617 1,820 1,914 2,497 2,240 2,267 2,100
Total silver ounces produced 4,417 5,096 5,303 5,822 6,500 6,175 6,299 6,276
Palladium ounces produced ²
Stillwater 5 3,880 3,705 3,869 3,229 3,899 4,488 4,733 5,105
Cobalt pounds produced ²
Voisey’s Bay 152 124 128 226 136 234 381 370
GEOs produced 11 147,699 144,000 142,887 153,025 155,932 164,911 177,490 175,767
Average payable rate 2
Gold 95.1 % 95.1 % 94.9 % 95.1 % 95.1 % 95.2 % 96.0 % 96.0 %
Silver 82.8 % 82.0 % 83.4 % 85.5 % 85.7 % 86.0 % 85.9 % 86.4 %
Palladium 94.1 % 96.0 % 91.7 % 95.0 % 94.6 % 92.7 % 92.2 % 94.5 %
Cobalt 93.3 % 93.3 % 93.3 % 93.3 % 93.3 % 93.3 % 93.3 % 93.3 %
GEO 11 90.4 % 89.1 % 89.2 % 90.3 % 90.2 % 90.5 % 91.3 % 91.3 %
1) All figures in thousands except gold and palladium ounces produced.
2) Quantity produced represent the amount of gold, silver, palladium and cobalt contained in concentrate or doré prior to smelting or refining deductions. Production figures and payable rates are based on information provided by the operators of the mining operations to which the mineral stream interests relate or management estimates in those situations where other information is not available. Certain production figures and payable rates may be updated in future periods as additional information is received.
3) Comprised of the Coleman, Copper Cliff, Garson, Creighton and Totten gold interests. Operations at the Sudbury mines were suspended from June 1, 2021 to August 9, 2021 as a result of a labour disruption by unionized employees.
4) Under the terms of the San Dimas PMPA, the Company is entitled to an amount equal to 25% of the payable gold production plus an additional amount of gold equal to 25% of the payable silver production converted to gold at a fixed gold to silver exchange ratio of 70:1 from the San Dimas mine. If the average gold to silver price ratio decreases to less than 50:1 or increases to more than 90:1 for a period of 6 months or more, then the “70” shall be revised to “50” or “90”, as the case may be, until such time as the average gold to silver price ratio is between 50:1 to 90:1 for a period of 6 months or more in which event the “70” shall be reinstated. For reference, attributable silver production from prior periods is as follows: Q2 2023 – 423,000 ounces; Q1 2023 – 401,000 ounces; Q4 2022 – 348,000 ounces; Q3 2022 – 412,000 ounces; Q2 2022 – 382,000 ounces; Q1 2022 – 408,000 ounces; Q4 2021 – 544,000 ounces; Q3 2021 – 472,000 ounces.
5) Comprised of the Stillwater and East Boulder gold and palladium interests.
6) On June 22, 2022, Hudbay announced that mining activities at 777 have concluded and closure activities have commenced.
7) Operations at Los Filos were temporarily suspended from June 22, 2021 to July 26, 2021 as the result of illegal blockades by a group of unionized employees and members of the Xochipala community.
8) On December 14, 2022 the Company terminated the Yauliyacu PMPA in exchange for a cash payment of $132 million.
9) The Stratoni mine was placed into care and maintenance during Q4-2021.
10) On September 7, 2022, the Company terminated the Keno Hill PMPA in exchange for $141 million of Hecla common stock.
11) GEOs, which are provided to assist the reader, are based on the following commodity price assumptions: $1,850 per ounce gold; $24.00 per ounce silver; $1,800 per ounce palladium; and $18.75 per pound cobalt; consistent with those used in estimating the Company’s production guidance for 2023.

Summary of Units Sold

 

Q2 2023 Q1 2023 Q4 2022 Q3 2022 Q2 2022 Q1 2022 Q4 2021 Q3 2021
Gold ounces sold
Salobo 46,030 35,966 41,029 31,818 48,515 42,513 47,171 35,185
Sudbury 2 4,775 4,368 4,988 5,147 7,916 3,712 965 1,915
Constancia 9,619 6,579 6,013 6,336 7,431 10,494 6,196 8,159
San Dimas 11,354 10,651 10,943 10,196 10,633 10,070 15,182 11,346
Stillwater 3 2,195 2,094 1,783 2,127 2,626 2,628 2,933 2,820
Other
Marmato 467 480 473 719 781 401 423 438
777 153 126 785 3,098 3,629 4,388 4,290 5,879
Minto 701 2,341 2,982 2,559 2,806 3,695 2,462 1,907
Total Other 1,321 2,947 4,240 6,376 7,216 8,484 7,175 8,224
Total gold ounces sold 75,294 62,605 68,996 62,000 84,337 77,901 79,622 67,649
Silver ounces sold
Peñasquito 1,913 1,483 2,066 1,599 2,096 2,188 1,818 2,210
Antamina 963 814 1,114 1,155 1,177 1,468 1,297 1,502
Constancia 674 366 403 498 494 644 351 484
Other
Los Filos 37 34 16 24 41 42 17 12
Zinkgruvan 370 520 547 376 650 355 346 354
Neves-Corvo 132 171 80 105 167 204 259 193
Aljustrel 182 205 156 185 123 145 133 155
Cozamin 150 119 150 154 148 177 174 170
Marmato 7 7 7 8 11 8 8 10
Yauliyacu 337 1,005 817 44 551 182
Stratoni (2) 133 42 41
Minto 7 29 23 22 21 31 27 24
Keno Hill 1 1 30 30 27 24 51
777 2 35 73 75 87 69 99
Total Other 887 1,086 1,352 1,982 2,081 1,253 1,650 1,291
Total silver ounces sold 4,437 3,749 4,935 5,234 5,848 5,553 5,116 5,487
Palladium ounces sold
Stillwater 3 3,392 2,946 3,396 4,227 3,378 4,075 4,641 5,703
Cobalt pounds sold
Voisey’s Bay 265 323 187 115 225 511 228 131
GEOs sold 4 138,835 117,383 138,218 135,179 165,766 159,082 152,826 145,704
Cumulative payable units PBND 5
Gold ounces 75,291 69,479 62,602 65,978 59,331 81,365 84,989 80,819
Silver ounces 1,267 2,023 1,572 2,243 2,400 2,659 2,997 2,698
Palladium ounces 6,122 5,751 5,098 5,041 6,267 5,535 5,629 5,619
Cobalt pounds 250 285 257 402 280 550 596 637
GEO 4 100,226 104,204 90,560 104,062 99,403 126,820 135,380 127,739
Inventory on hand
Cobalt pounds 310 398 633 556 582 410 657 488
1) All figures in thousands except gold and palladium ounces sold.
2) Comprised of the Coleman, Copper Cliff, Garson, Creighton and Totten gold interests.
3) Comprised of the Stillwater and East Boulder gold and palladium interests.
4) GEOs, which are provided to assist the reader, are based on the following commodity price assumptions: $1,850 per ounce gold; $24.00 per ounce silver; $1,800 per ounce palladium; and $18.75 per pound cobalt; consistent with those used in estimating the Company’s production guidance for 2023.
5) Payable gold, silver and palladium ounces as well as cobalt pounds produced but not yet delivered (“PBND”) are based on management estimates. These figures may be updated in future periods as additional information is received.

Results of Operations 

 

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

 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2023
Units
Produced²
Units
Sold
Average
Realized
Price
($’s
Per Unit)
Average
Cash
Cost
($’s Per
Unit) 3
Average
Depletion
($’s Per
Unit)
Sales Gain on
Disposal 4
Net
Earnings
Cash Flow
From
Operations
Total
Assets
Gold
Salobo 54,804 46,030 $ 1,985 $ 420 $ 330 $ 91,350 $ $ 56,790 $ 71,999 $ 2,356,169
Sudbury 5 7,721 4,775 2,000 400 1,025 9,549 2,747 7,579 274,048
Constancia 7,444 9,619 1,985 416 316 19,090 12,049 15,085 90,469
San Dimas 11,166 11,354 1,985 628 260 22,532 12,454 15,401 150,154
Stillwater 2,017 2,195 1,985 357 510 4,356 2,451 3,571 213,663
Other 6 1,931 1,321 1,994 1,131 186 2,634 894 1,252 537,197
85,083 75,294 $ 1,986 $ 461 $ 365 $ 149,511 $ $ 87,385 $ 114,887 $ 3,621,700
Silver
Peñasquito 1,744 1,913 $ 24.20 $ 4.43 $ 4.06 $ 46,291 $ $ 30,041 $ 37,816 $ 279,872
Antamina 960 963 24.20 4.70 7.06 23,302 11,985 18,780 532,828
Constancia 420 674 24.20 6.14 6.24 16,322 7,968 12,180 186,452
Other 7 1,293 887 23.88 5.75 3.46 21,166 5,027 18,031 15,878 482,572
4,417 4,437 $ 24.13 $ 5.01 $ 4.92 $ 107,081 $ 5,027 $ 68,025 $ 84,654 $ 1,481,724
Palladium
Stillwater 3,880 3,392 $ 1,438 $ 261 $ 445 $ 4,879 $ $ 2,482 $ 3,993 $ 224,099
Platinum
Marathon $ n.a. $ n.a. $ n.a. $ $ $ $ $ 9,448
Cobalt
Voisey’s Bay 152 265 $ 13.23 $ 3.20 ⁸ $ 13.85 $ 3,501 $ $ (1,009) $ 4,335 $ 354,195
Operating results $ 264,972 $ 5,027 $ 156,883 $ 207,869 $ 5,691,166
Other
General and administrative $ (10,216) $ (9,544)
Share based compensation (4,484)
Donations and community investments (1,940) (1,738)
Finance costs (1,352) (999)
Other 8,692 7,776
Income tax (6,135) (988)
Total other $ (15,435) $ (5,493) $ 1,188,739
$ 141,448 $ 202,376 $ 6,879,905
1) Units of gold, silver and palladium produced and sold are reported in ounces, while cobalt is reported in pounds. All figures in thousands except gold and palladium ounces produced and sold and per unit amounts.
2) Quantity produced represent the amount of gold, silver, palladium and cobalt contained in concentrate or doré prior to smelting or refining deductions. Production figures are based on information provided by the operators of the mining operations to which the mineral stream interests relate or management estimates in those situations where other information is not available. Certain production figures may be updated in future periods as additional information is received.
3) Refer to discussion on non-IFRS measure (iii) at the end of this press release.
4) The gain on disposal of Other silver interests relates to the gain on the buyback of 33% of the Goose PMPA.
5) Comprised of the operating Coleman, Copper Cliff, Garson, Creighton and Totten gold interests and the non-operating Stobie and Victor gold interests.
6) Comprised of the operating Marmato gold interests as well as the non-operating Minto, 777, Copper World Complex, Santo Domingo, Blackwater, Fenix, Goose, Marathon, Curipamba and Cangrejos gold interests. On June 22, 2022, Hudbay announced that mining activities at 777 have concluded and closure activities have commenced. On May 13, 2023, Minto announced the suspension of operations at the Minto mine.
7) Comprised of the operating Los Filos, Zinkgruvan, Neves-Corvo, Aljustrel, Cozamin and Marmato silver interests and the non-operating Minto, 777, Loma de La Plata, Stratoni, Pascua-Lama, Copper World Complex, Blackwater and Curipamba silver interests. On June 22, 2022, Hudbay announced that mining activities at 777 have concluded and closure activities have commenced. On May 13, 2023, Minto announced the suspension of operations at the Minto mine.
8) Cash cost per pound of cobalt sold during the second quarter of 2023 was net of a previously recorded inventory write-down of $0.5 million, resulting in a decrease of $1.81 per pound of cobalt sold. The Company reflects the cobalt inventory at the lower of cost and net realizable value, and will continue to monitor the market price of cobalt relative to the carrying of the inventory at each reporting period.

 

On a gold equivalent and silver equivalent basis, results for the Company for the three months ended June 30, 2023 were as follows:

 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2023
Ounces
Produced 1
Ounces
Sold
Average
Realized
Price
($’s Per
Ounce)
Average
Cash Cost
($’s Per
Ounce) 2
Cash
Operating
Margin
($’s Per
Ounce) 3
Average
Depletion
($’s Per
Ounce)
Gross
Margin
($’s Per
Ounce)
Gold equivalent basis 4 147,699 138,835 $    1,909 $    422 $    1,487 $    392 $    1,095
1) Quantity produced represent the amount of gold, silver, palladium and cobalt contained in concentrate or doré prior to smelting or refining deductions. Production figures are based on information provided by the operators of the mining operations to which the mineral stream interests relate or management estimates in those situations where other information is not available. Certain production figures may be updated in future periods as additional information is received.
2) Refer to discussion on non-IFRS measure (iii) at the end of this press release.
3) Refer to discussion on non-IFRS measure (iv) at the end of this press release.
4) GEOs, which are provided to assist the reader, are based on the following commodity price assumptions: $1,850 per ounce gold; $24.00 per ounce silver; $1,800 per ounce palladium; and $18.75 per pound cobalt; consistent with those used in estimating the Company’s production guidance for 2023.

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2022
Units
Produced²
Units
Sold
Average
Realized
Price
($’s
Per Unit)
Average
Cash Cost
($’s Per
Unit) 3
Average
Depletion
($’s Per
Unit)
Sales Net
Earnings
Cash Flow
From
Operations
Total
Assets
Gold
Salobo 34,129 48,515 $ 1,872 $ 416 $ 334 $ 90,842 $ 54,462 $ 70,649 $ 2,407,579
Sudbury 4 5,289 7,916 1,867 400 1,090 14,780 2,983 11,613 294,485
Constancia 8,042 7,431 1,872 412 271 13,915 8,838 10,686 98,930
San Dimas 10,044 10,633 1,872 624 260 19,910 10,520 13,280 161,350
Stillwater 2,171 2,626 1,872 340 429 4,917 2,897 4,024 217,530
Other 5 6,767 7,216 1,868 727 57 13,478 7,823 8,529 419,696
66,442 84,337 $ 1,872 $ 465 $ 369 $ 157,842 $ 87,523 $ 118,781 $ 3,599,570
Silver
Peñasquito 2,089 2,096 $ 22.47 $ 4.36 $ 3.57 $ 47,102 $ 30,488 $ 37,963 $ 306,742
Antamina 1,330 1,177 22.47 4.42 7.06 26,448 12,934 21,242 561,383
Constancia 584 494 22.47 6.08 6.35 11,101 4,958 7,784 198,672
Other 6 2,497 2,081 21.91 7.44 5.74 45,577 18,148 30,198 577,944
6,500 5,848 $ 22.27 $ 5.61 $ 5.28 $ 130,228 $ 66,528 $ 97,187 $ 1,644,741
Palladium
Stillwater 3,899 3,378 $ 2,132 $ 408 $ 399 $ 7,203 $ 4,477 $ 5,825 $ 229,855
Platinum
Marathon $ n.a. $ n.a. $ n.a. $ $ $ $ 4,852
Cobalt
Voisey’s Bay 136 225 $ 34.01 $ 6.86 $ 10.40 $ 7,649 $ 3,769 $ 13,797 $ 362,460
Operating results $ 302,922 $ 162,297 $ 235,590 $ 5,841,478
Other
General and administrative $ (9,685) $ (8,546)
Share based compensation (1,608) (18,247)
Donations and community investments (1,160) (1,152)
Finance costs (1,389) (1,011)
Other 820 (195)
Income tax (201) (80)
Total other $ (13,223) $ (29,231) $ 607,217
$ 149,074 $ 206,359 $ 6,448,695
1) Units of gold, silver and palladium produced and sold are reported in ounces, while cobalt is reported in pounds. All figures in thousands except gold and palladium ounces produced and sold and per unit amounts.
2) Quantity produced represent the amount of gold, silver, palladium and cobalt contained in concentrate or doré prior to smelting or refining deductions. Production figures are based on information provided by the operators of the mining operations to which the mineral stream interests relate or management estimates in those situations where other information is not available. Certain production figures may be updated in future periods as additional information is received.
3) Refer to discussion on non-IFRS measure (iii) at the end of this press release.
4) Comprised of the operating Coleman, Copper Cliff, Garson, Creighton and Totten gold interests as well as the non-operating Stobie and Victor gold interests.
5) Comprised of the operating Minto, 777 and Marmato gold interests as well as the non-operating Copper World Complex, Santo Domingo, Blackwater, Fenix, Goose, Marathon and Curipamba gold interests. On June 22, 2022, Hudbay announced that mining activities at 777 have concluded and closure activities have commenced. On May 13, 2023, Minto announced the suspension of operations at the Minto mine.
6) Comprised of the operating Los Filos, Zinkgruvan, Neves-Corvo, Aljustrel, Minto, 777, Marmato and Cozamin silver interests, the non-operating Stratoni, Loma de La Plata, Copper World Complex, Pascua-Lama, Blackwater and Curipamba silver interests and the previously owned Keno Hill and Yauliyacu silver interests. On June 22, 2022, Hudbay announced that mining activities at 777 have concluded and closure activities have commenced. On September 7, 2022, the Keno Hill PMPA was terminated in exchange for $141 million of Hecla common stock. On December 14, 2022 the Yauliyacu PMPA was terminated in exchange for a cash payment of $132 million. On May 13, 2023, Minto announced the suspension of operations at the Minto mine.

 

On a gold equivalent and silver equivalent basis, results for the Company for the three months ended June 30, 2022 were as follows:

 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2022
Ounces
Produced 1
Ounces
Sold
Average
Realized
Price
($’s Per
Ounce)
Average
Cash Cost
($’s Per
Ounce) 2
Cash
Operating
Margin
($’s Per
Ounce) 3
Average
Depletion
($’s Per
Ounce)
Gross
Margin
($’s Per
Ounce)
Gold equivalent basis 4 155,932 165,766 $    1,827 $    452 $    1,375 $    396 $    979
1) Quantity produced represent the amount of gold, silver, palladium and cobalt contained in concentrate or doré prior to smelting or refining deductions. Production figures are based on information provided by the operators of the mining operations to which the mineral stream interests relate or management estimates in those situations where other information is not available. Certain production figures may be updated in future periods as additional information is received.
2) Refer to discussion on non-IFRS measure (iii) at the end of this press release.
3) Refer to discussion on non-IFRS measure (iv) at the end of this press release.
4) GEOs, which are provided to assist the reader, are based on the following commodity price assumptions: $1,850 per ounce gold; $24.00 per ounce silver; $1,800 per ounce palladium; and $18.75 per pound cobalt; consistent with those used in estimating the Company’s production guidance for 2023.

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30, 2023
Units
Produced²
Units
Sold
Average
Realized
Price
($’s
Per Unit)
Average
Cash
Cost
($’s Per
Unit) 3
Average
Depletion
($’s Per
Unit)
Sales Gain on
Disposal 4
Net
Earnings
Cash Flow
From
Operations
Total
Assets
Gold
Salobo 98,481 81,996 $ 1,949 $ 420 $ 330 $ 159,825 $ $ 98,261 $ 125,353 $ 2,356,169
Sudbury 5 13,924 9,143 1,954 400 1,025 17,866 4,841 13,925 274,048
Constancia 14,349 16,198 1,952 416 316 31,615 19,759 24,873 90,469
San Dimas 21,920 22,005 1,946 626 260 42,812 23,319 29,030 150,154
Stillwater 3,977 4,289 1,945 346 510 8,343 4,671 6,860 213,663
Other 6 5,451 4,268 1,932 1,306 117 8,247 2,173 2,407 537,197
158,102 137,899 $ 1,949 $ 477 $ 362 $ 268,708 $ $ 153,024 $ 202,448 $ 3,621,700
Silver
Peñasquito 3,820 3,396 $ 23.61 $ 4.43 $ 4.06 $ 80,162 $ $ 51,317 $ 65,119 $ 279,872
Antamina 1,811 1,777 23.58 4.63 7.06 41,897 21,128 33,668 532,828
Constancia 972 1,040 23.72 6.14 6.24 24,674 11,792 18,288 186,452
Other 7 2,910 1,973 23.33 5.86 2.95 46,025 5,027 33,668 35,925 482,572
9,513 8,186 $ 23.55 $ 5.04 $ 4.72 $ 192,758 $ 5,027 $ 117,905 $ 153,000 $ 1,481,724
Palladium
Stillwater 7,585 6,338 $ 1,517 $ 277 $ 428 $ 9,614 $ $ 5,149 $ 7,862 $ 224,099
Platinum
Marathon $ n.a. $ n.a. $ n.a. $ $ $ $ $ 9,448
Cobalt
Voisey’s Bay 276 588 $ 14.22 $ 3.25 ⁸ $ 13.85 $ 8,357 $ $ (1,693) $ 8,820 $ 354,195
Operating results $ 479,437 $ 5,027 $ 274,385 $ 372,130 $ 5,691,166
Other
General and administrative $ (20,315) $ (23,384)
Share based compensation (11,881) (16,675)
Donations and community investments (3,318) (3,146)
Finance costs (2,731) (2,066)
Other 16,254 14,955
Income tax 445 (4,332)
Total other $ (21,546) $ (34,648) $ 1,188,739
$ 252,839 $ 337,482 $ 6,879,905
1) Units of gold, silver and palladium produced and sold are reported in ounces, while cobalt is reported in pounds. All figures in thousands except gold and palladium ounces produced and sold and per unit amounts.
2) Quantity produced represent the amount of gold, silver, palladium and cobalt contained in concentrate or doré prior to smelting or refining deductions. Production figures are based on information provided by the operators of the mining operations to which the mineral stream interests relate or management estimates in those situations where other information is not available. Certain production figures may be updated in future periods as additional information is received.
3) Refer to discussion on non-IFRS measure (iii) at the end of this press release.
4) The gain on disposal of Other silver interests relates to the gain on the buyback of 33% of the Goose PMPA.
5) Comprised of the operating Coleman, Copper Cliff, Garson, Creighton and Totten gold interests and the non-operating Stobie and Victor gold interests.
6) Comprised of the operating Marmato gold interests as well as the non-operating Minto, 777, Copper World Complex, Santo Domingo, Blackwater, Fenix, Goose, Marathon, Curipamba and Cangrejos gold interests. On June 22, 2022, Hudbay announced that mining activities at 777 have concluded and closure activities have commenced. On May 13, 2023, Minto announced the suspension of operations at the Minto mine.
7) Comprised of the operating Los Filos, Zinkgruvan, Neves-Corvo, Aljustrel, Cozamin and Marmato silver interests and the non-operating Minto, 777, Loma de La Plata, Stratoni, Pascua-Lama, Copper World Complex, Blackwater and Curipamba silver interests. On June 22, 2022, Hudbay announced that mining activities at 777 have concluded and closure activities have commenced. On May 13, 2023, Minto announced the suspension of operations at the Minto mine.
8) Cash cost per pound of cobalt sold during the six months ended June 30, 2023 was net of a previously recorded inventory write-down of $1.5 million, resulting in a decrease of $2.57 per pound of cobalt sold. The Company reflects the cobalt inventory at the lower of cost and net realizable value, and will continue to monitor the market price of cobalt relative to the carrying of the inventory at each reporting period.

 

On a gold equivalent and silver equivalent basis, results for the Company for the six months ended June 30, 2023 were as follows:

 

Six Months Ended June 30, 2023
Ounces
Produced 1
Ounces
Sold
Average
Realized
Price
($’s Per
Ounce)
Average
Cash Cost
($’s Per
Ounce) 2
Cash
Operating
Margin
($’s Per
Ounce) 3
Average
Depletion
($’s Per
Ounce)
Gross
Margin
($’s Per
Ounce)
Gold equivalent basis 4 291,700 256,218 $    1,871 $    432 $    1,439 $    388 $    1,051
1) Quantity produced represent the amount of gold, silver, palladium and cobalt contained in concentrate or doré prior to smelting or refining deductions. Production figures are based on information provided by the operators of the mining operations to which the mineral stream interests relate or management estimates in those situations where other information is not available. Certain production figures may be updated in future periods as additional information is received.
2) Refer to discussion on non-IFRS measure (iii) at the end of this press release.
3) Refer to discussion on non-IFRS measure (iv) at the end of this press release.
4) GEOs, which are provided to assist the reader, are based on the following commodity price assumptions: $1,850 per ounce gold; $24.00 per ounce silver; $1,800 per ounce palladium; and $18.75 per pound cobalt; consistent with those used in estimating the Company’s production guidance for 2023.

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30, 2022
Units
Produced²
Units
Sold
Average
Realized
Price
($’s
Per Unit)
Average
Cash Cost
($’s Per
Unit) 3
Average
Depletion
($’s Per
Unit)
Sales Net
Earnings
Cash Flow
From
Operations
Total
Assets
Gold
Salobo 79,012 91,028 $ 1,872 $ 416 $ 334 $ 170,407 $ 102,147 $ 132,517 $ 2,407,579
Sudbury 4 10,651 11,628 1,865 400 1,091 21,689 4,354 17,038 294,485
Constancia 14,353 17,925 1,872 412 271 33,555 21,308 26,168 98,930
San Dimas 20,505 20,703 1,872 621 260 38,756 20,528 25,901 161,350
Stillwater 4,668 5,254 1,872 335 429 9,835 5,823 8,078 217,530
Other 5 15,307 15,700 1,865 750 40 29,275 16,871 17,351 419,696
144,496 162,238 $ 1,871 $ 470 $ 346 $ 303,517 $ 171,031 $ 227,053 $ 3,599,570
Silver
Peñasquito 4,308 4,284 $ 23.30 $ 4.36 $ 3.57 $ 99,829 $ 65,874 $ 81,151 $ 306,742
Antamina 2,540 2,645 23.37 4.71 7.06 61,806 30,680 49,001 561,383
Constancia 1,090 1,138 23.39 6.08 6.34 26,614 12,484 19,697 198,672
Other 6 4,737 3,334 22.89 6.93 4.88 76,311 36,946 54,073 577,944
12,675 11,401 $ 23.21 $ 5.36 $ 5.04 $ 264,560 $ 145,984 $ 203,922 $ 1,644,741
Palladium
Stillwater 8,387 7,453 $ 2,246 $ 400 $ 399 $ 16,736 $ 10,781 $ 13,755 $ 229,855
Platinum
Marathon $ n.a $ n.a $ n.a $ $ $ $ 4,852
Cobalt
Voisey’s Bay 371 736 $ 34.43 $ 6.09 $ 8.85 $ 25,353 $ 14,350 $ 17,060 $ 362,460
Operating results $ 610,166 $ 342,146 $ 461,790 $ 5,841,478
Other
General and administrative $ (19,089) $ (23,365)
Share based compensation (11,509) (18,247)
Donations and community investments (1,973) (1,567)
Finance costs (2,811) (2,088)
Other 650 488
Income tax (872) (112)
Total other $ (35,604) $ (44,891) $ 607,217
$ 306,542 $ 416,899 $ 6,448,695
1) Units of gold, silver and palladium produced and sold are reported in ounces, while cobalt is reported in pounds. All figures in thousands except gold and palladium ounces produced and sold and per unit amounts.
2) Quantity produced represent the amount of gold, silver, palladium and cobalt contained in concentrate or doré prior to smelting or refining deductions. Production figures are based on information provided by the operators of the mining operations to which the mineral stream interests relate or management estimates in those situations where other information is not available. Certain production figures may be updated in future periods as additional information is received.
3) Refer to discussion on non-IFRS measure (iii) at the end of this press release.
4) Comprised of the operating Coleman, Copper Cliff, Garson, Creighton and Totten gold interests as well as the non-operating Stobie and Victor gold interests.
5) Comprised of the operating Minto, 777 and Marmato gold interests as well as the non-operating Copper World Complex, Santo Domingo, Blackwater, Fenix, Goose, Marathon and Curipamba gold interests. On June 22, 2022, Hudbay announced that mining activities at 777 have concluded and closure activities have commenced. On May 13, 2023, Minto announced the suspension of operations at the Minto mine.
6) Comprised the operating Los Filos, Zinkgruvan, Neves-Corvo, Aljustrel, Minto, 777, Marmato and Cozamin silver interests, the non-operating Stratoni, Loma de La Plata, Copper World Complex, Pascua-Lama, Blackwater and Curipamba silver interests and the previously owned Keno Hill and Yauliyacu silver interests. On June 22, 2022, Hudbay announced that mining activities at 777 have concluded and closure activities have commenced. On September 7, 2022, the Keno Hill PMPA was terminated in exchange for $141 million of Hecla common stock. On December 14, 2022 the Yauliyacu PMPA was terminated in exchange for a cash payment of $132 million. On May 13, 2023, Minto announced the suspension of operations at the Minto mine.

 

On a gold equivalent and silver equivalent basis, results for the Company for the six months ended June 30, 2022 were as follows:

 

Six Months Ended June 30, 2022
Ounces
Produced 1
Ounces
Sold
Average
Realized
Price
($’s Per
Ounce)
Average
Cash Cost
($’s Per
Ounce) 2
Cash
Operating
Margin
($’s Per
Ounce) 3
Average
Depletion
($’s Per
Ounce)
Gross
Margin
($’s Per
Ounce)
Gold equivalent basis 4 320,843 324,847 $    1,878 $    446 $    1,432 $    379 $    1,053
1) Quantity produced represent the amount of gold, silver, palladium and cobalt contained in concentrate or doré prior to smelting or refining deductions. Production figures are based on information provided by the operators of the mining operations to which the mineral stream interests relate or management estimates in those situations where other information is not available. Certain production figures may be updated in future periods as additional information is received.
2) Silver ounces produced and sold in thousands.
3) Refer to discussion on non-IFRS measure (iii) at the end of this press release.
4) Refer to discussion on non-IFRS measure (iv) at the end of this press release.
5) GEOs, which are provided to assist the reader, are based on the following commodity price assumptions: $1,850 per ounce gold; $24.00 per ounce silver; $1,800 per ounce palladium; and $18.75 per pound cobalt; consistent with those used in estimating the Company’s production guidance for 2023.

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.

 

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

 

Three Months Ended
June 30
Six Months Ended
June 30
(in thousands, except for per share amounts) 2023 2022 2023 2022
Net earnings $ 141,448 $ 149,074 $ 252,839 $ 306,542
Add back (deduct):
Gain on disposal of Mineral Stream
Interest
(5,027) (5,027)
(Gain) loss on fair value adjustment of
share purchase warrants held
280 154 105 897
Income tax (expense) recovery
recognized in the Statement of
Shareholders’ Equity
(292) 500
Income tax (expense) recovery
recognized in the Statement of OCI
6,044 349 2,090 155
Income tax recovery related to prior
year disposal of Mineral Stream
Interest
(2,672)
Other (161) (320) (802)
Adjusted net earnings $ 142,584 $ 149,285 $ 247,015 $ 307,292
Divided by:
Basic weighted average number of
shares outstanding
452,892 451,524 452,633 451,221
Diluted weighted average number of
shares outstanding
453,575 452,359 453,368 452,123
Equals:
Adjusted earnings per share – basic $ 0.315 $ 0.331 $ 0.546 $ 0.681
Adjusted earnings per share – diluted $ 0.314 $ 0.330 $ 0.545 $ 0.680

 

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
June 30
Six Months Ended
June 30
(in thousands, except for per share amounts) 2023 2022 2023 2022
Cash generated by operating activities $ 202,376 $ 206,359 $ 337,482 $ 416,899
Divided by:
Basic weighted average number of
shares outstanding
452,892 451,524 452,633 451,221
Diluted weighted average number of
shares outstanding
453,575 452,359 453,368 452,123
Equals:
Operating cash flow per share – basic $ 0.447 $ 0.457 $ 0.746 $ 0.924
Operating cash flow per share – diluted $ 0.446 $ 0.456 $ 0.744 $ 0.922

 

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

 

 

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

Three Months Ended
June 30
Six Months Ended
June 30
(in thousands, except for gold and palladium ounces sold
and per unit amounts)
2023 2022 2023 2022
Cost of sales $ 113,116 $ 140,625 $ 210,079 $ 268,020
Less:  depletion (54,474) (65,682) (99,473) (123,084)
Cash cost of sales $ 58,642 $ 74,943 $ 110,606 $ 144,936
Cash cost of sales is comprised of:
Total cash cost of gold sold $ 34,675 $ 39,189 $ 65,711 $ 76,321
Total cash cost of silver sold 22,234 32,834 41,231 61,149
Total cash cost of palladium sold 887 1,378 1,752 2,980
Total cash cost of cobalt sold 846 1,542 1,912 4,486
Total cash cost of sales $ 58,642 $ 74,943 $ 110,606 $ 144,936
Divided by:
Total gold ounces sold 75,294 84,337 137,899 162,238
Total silver ounces sold 4,437 5,848 8,186 11,401
Total palladium ounces sold 3,392 3,378 6,338 7,453
Total cobalt pounds sold 265 225 588 736
Equals:
Average cash cost of gold (per ounce) $ 461 $ 465 $ 477 $ 470
Average cash cost of silver (per ounce) $ 5.01 $ 5.61 $ 5.04 $ 5.36
Average cash cost of palladium (per ounce) $ 261 $ 408 $ 277 $ 400
Average cash cost of cobalt (per pound) $ 3.20 $ 6.86 $ 3.25 $ 6.09

 

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

 

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash operating margin.

Three Months Ended
June 30
Six Months Ended
June 30
(in thousands, except for gold and palladium ounces sold and per
unit amounts)
2023 2022 2023 2022
Total sales:
Gold $ 149,511 $ 157,842 $ 268,708 $ 303,517
Silver $ 107,081 $ 130,228 $ 192,758 $ 264,560
Palladium $ 4,879 $ 7,203 $ 9,614 $ 16,736
Cobalt $ 3,501 $ 7,649 $ 8,357 $ 25,353
Divided by:
Total gold ounces sold 75,294 84,337 137,899 162,238
Total silver ounces sold 4,437 5,848 8,186 11,401
Total palladium ounces sold 3,392 3,378 6,338 7,453
Total cobalt pounds sold 265 225 588 736
Equals:
Average realized price of gold (per ounce) $ 1,986 $ 1,872 $ 1,949 $ 1,871
Average realized price of silver (per ounce) $ 24.13 $ 22.27 $ 23.55 $ 23.21
Average realized price of palladium (per ounce) $ 1,438 $ 2,132 $ 1,517 $ 2,246
Average realized price of cobalt (per pound) $ 13.23 $ 34.01 $ 14.22 $ 34.43
Less:
Average cash cost of gold 1 (per ounce) $ (461) $ (465) $ (477) $ (470)
Average cash cost of silver 1 (per ounce) $ (5.01) $ (5.61) $ (5.04) $ (5.36)
Average cash cost of palladium 1 (per ounce) $ (261) $ (408) $ (277) $ (400)
Average cash cost of cobalt 1 (per pound) $ (3.20) $ (6.86) $ (3.25) $ (6.09)
Equals:
Cash operating margin per gold ounce sold $ 1,525 $ 1,407 $ 1,472 $ 1,401
As a percentage of realized price of gold 77 % 75 % 76 % 75 %
Cash operating margin per silver ounce sold $ 19.12 $ 16.66 $ 18.51 $ 17.85
As a percentage of realized price of silver 79 % 75 % 79 % 77 %
Cash operating margin per palladium ounce sold $ 1,177 $ 1,724 $ 1,240 $ 1,846
As a percentage of realized price of palladium 82 % 81 % 82 % 82 %
Cash operating margin per cobalt pound sold $ 10.03 $ 27.15 $ 10.97 $ 28.34
As a percentage of realized price of cobalt 76 % 80 % 77 % 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.sedarplus.com.

 

Posted August 11, 2023

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