Silver Wheaton Reports Record Production of Over Ten Million Silver Equivalent Ounces in the First Quarter of 2015
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 8, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --
TSX: SLW
NYSE: SLW
Silver Wheaton Corp. ("Silver Wheaton" or the "Company") (TSX:SLW) (NYSE:SLW) is pleased to announce its unaudited results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2015. All figures are presented in United States dollars unless otherwise noted.
FIRST QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS
- Record attributable silver equivalent production in Q1 2015 of 10.4 million ounces (6.3 million ounces of silver and 55,100 ounces of gold), compared with 9.0 million ounces in Q1 2014, representing an increase of 15%.
- Attributable silver equivalent sales volume in Q1 2015 of 7.7 million ounces (5.7 million ounces of silver and 28,400 ounces of gold), compared with 8.1 million ounces in Q1 2014, representing a decrease of 5%.
- During the three month period ending March 31, 2015, payable silver equivalent ounces attributable to the Company produced but not yet delivered increased by 1.6 million ounces to approximately 6.5 million ounces.
- Revenues of $130.5 million in Q1 2015 compared with $165.4 million in Q1 2014, representing a decrease of 21%.
- Average realized sale price per silver equivalent ounce sold in Q1 2015 of $16.90 ($16.95 per ounce of silver and $1,214 per ounce of gold), compared with $20.38 in Q1 2014, representing a decrease of 17%.
- Net earnings of $49.4 million ($0.13 per share) in Q1 2015 compared with $79.8 million ($0.22 per share) in Q1 2014, representing a decrease of 38%.
- Operating cash flows of $89.1 million ($0.24 per share[1]) in Q1 2015 compared with $114.8 million ($0.32 per share[1]) in Q1 2014, representing a decrease of 22%.
- Cash operating margin[1] in Q1 2015 of $12.44 per silver equivalent ounce compared with $15.81 in Q1 2014, representing a decrease of 21%.
- Average cash costs[1] in Q1 2015 were $4.14 and $388 per ounce of silver and gold, respectively. On a silver equivalent basis, average cash costs[1] decreased to $4.46 compared with $4.57 in Q1 2014.
- Declared quarterly dividend of $0.05 per common share.
- On January 5, 2015, the Company announced that it had amended its silver purchase agreement related to Barrick Gold Corporation's ("Barrick") Pascua-Lama project ("Pascua-Lama"), located on the border of Chile and Argentina.
- On February 27, 2015, the Company announced that it had amended and restated its revolving credit facility ("Revolving Facility"). Silver Wheaton increased the available credit from $1 billion to $2 billion and used proceeds drawn from the Revolving Facility together with cash on hand to repay the $1 billion of debt previously outstanding under the Company's non-revolving term loan.
- On March 2, 2015, Silver Wheaton announced that it had acquired from Vale S.A. ("Vale") an additional 25% of the life of mine gold production from its Salobo mine, located in Brazil, for an upfront payment of $900 million.
- On March 2, 2015, the Company announced that it had entered into an agreement with a syndicate of underwriters led by Scotiabank, pursuant to which they agreed to purchase, on a bought deal basis, 38,930,000 common shares of Silver Wheaton at a price of US$20.55 per share (the "Offering"), for aggregate gross proceeds to Silver Wheaton of approximately US$800 million.
- On March 17, 2015, the Company announced that it had closed the Offering and received $800 million in gross proceeds (net proceeds of approximately $769 million after payment of underwriters' fees and expenses).
- Events Subsequent to the Quarter
- Hudbay Minerals Inc.'s ("Hudbay") Constancia mine in Peru achieved commercial production on April 30, 2015.
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[1] Please refer to non-IFRS measures at the end of this press release.
"Silver Wheaton had a strong start to 2015, with record production in the first quarter and the addition of more gold from one of our cornerstone assets. For the first time in our history, Silver Wheaton produced over ten million silver equivalent ounces in one quarter. While the quarterly sales volumes did not reflect the record production, we recognize that this is simply a timing issue and we fully expect to see increased sales as the year progresses," said Randy Smallwood, President and Chief Executive Officer of Silver Wheaton. "Our record first quarter production was driven by the recent acquisition of an additional 25% of gold from the Salobo mine in Brazil, as well as the first contributions of gold and silver from the Constancia mine in Peru. We expect both of these streams to realize further gains over the coming year, as the Salobo mine is currently ramping-up production after expanding in the middle of last year and the Constancia mine achieved commercial production on April 30th of this year. We also continue to see some very good opportunities to add additional accretive ounces to our existing portfolio. Overall, the first quarter represents a strong start to what we believe will be a prolonged period of significant organic growth for Silver Wheaton without requiring any further capital."
Financial Review
Revenues
Revenue was $130.5 million in the first quarter of 2015, on silver equivalent sales of 7.7 million ounces (5.7 million ounces of silver and 28,400 ounces of gold). This represents a 21% decrease from the $165.4 million of revenue generated in the first quarter of 2014 due primarily to a 17% decrease in the average realized silver equivalent price ($16.90 in Q1 2015 compared with $20.38 in Q1 2014), coupled with a 5% decrease in the number of silver equivalent ounces sold.
Costs and Expenses
Average cash costs[1] in the first quarter of 2015 were $4.46 per silver equivalent ounce as compared with $4.57 during the comparable period of 2014. This resulted in a cash operating margin[1] of $12.44 per silver equivalent ounce, a reduction of 21% as compared with Q1 2014. The decrease in the cash operating margin was primarily due to a 17% decrease in the average silver equivalent price realized in Q1 2015 compared with Q1 2014.
Earnings and Operating Cash Flows
Net earnings and cash flow from operations in the first quarter of 2015 were $49.4 million ($0.13 per share) and $89.1 million ($0.24 per share[1]), compared with $79.8 million ($0.22 per share) and $114.8 million ($0.32 per share[1]) for the same period in 2014, a decrease of 38% and 22%, respectively. Earnings and cash flow continued to be impacted by lower gold and silver prices.
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[1] Please refer to non-IFRS measures at the end of this press release.
Balance Sheet
At March 31, 2015, the Company had approximately $88.0 million of cash on hand and $800 million outstanding under the Company's $2 billion revolving term loan.
As per the Company's February 27, 2015, news release, Silver Wheaton amended its Revolving Facility by increasing the available credit from $1 billion to $2 billion and extending the term by two years, with the facility now maturing on February 27, 2020. As part of the amendment, the financial covenants were revised. The interest rate applicable to any drawings under the amended Revolving Facility remains unchanged. The Company used proceeds drawn from this amended Revolving Facility together with cash on hand to repay the $1 billion of debt previously outstanding under its non-revolving term loan and terminated that loan.
On March 2, 2015, the Company announced that it had entered into an agreement with a syndicate of underwriters led by Scotiabank, pursuant to which they had agreed to purchase, on a bought deal basis, 38,930,000 common shares of Silver Wheaton at a price of $20.55 per share (the "Offering"), for aggregate gross proceeds to Silver Wheaton of approximately $800 million. On March 17, 2015, the Company announced that it had closed the Offering and received $800 million in gross proceeds (net proceeds of approximately $769 million after payment of underwriters' fees and expenses). The net proceeds were used to help fund the Company's acquisition of an additional 25% gold stream from the Salobo mine.
First Quarter Asset Highlights
During the first quarter of 2015, attributable silver equivalent production was 10.4 million ounces (6.3 million ounces of silver and 55,100 ounces of gold), representing an increase of 15% compared with the first quarter of 2014.
Operational highlights for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, are as follows:
Salobo
In the first quarter of 2015, Salobo produced 27,185 ounces of gold attributable to Silver Wheaton, an increase of approximately 205% relative to the first quarter of 2014 primarily due to the doubling of the percentage of gold Silver Wheaton is entitled to as detailed below and the increased throughput as a result of the expansion to 24 million tons per annum ("Mtpa") which commenced production mid-year 2014.
On March 2, 2015, the Company amended the agreement with Vale to acquire an additional amount of gold equal to 25% of the life of mine gold production from any minerals from the Salobo mine that enter the Salobo mineral processing facility from and after January 1, 2015. This acquisition is in addition to the 25% of the Salobo mine gold production that the Company acquired pursuant to the agreement in 2013. Silver Wheaton is now entitled to a total of 50% of the life of mine gold production from the Salobo mine.
Under the amended agreement, the Company paid Vale upfront cash consideration of $900 million and will pay ongoing payments of the lesser of $400 per ounce of gold (subject to an inflationary adjustment of 1% commencing as of January 1, 2017) for the full 50% of gold production or the prevailing market price per ounce of gold delivered. The additional 25% life of mine production that was processed from and after January 1, 2015, accrued retroactively to the Company. If throughput capacity is expanded above the current 24 Mpta within a predetermined period, the Company will be required to make an additional payment to Vale, relative to the 50% stream, based on a set fee schedule.
Constancia
As disclosed in Hudbay's first quarter of 2015 MD&A, the Constancia mine achieved commercial production on April 30, 2015. Hudbay reported that ocean shipments began in April 2015 and that the mine and concentrator are currently operating at or above design capacity. According to Hudbay, the plant is performing as designed and throughput has occasionally exceeded design due to favourable ore characteristics, with peaks of over 90,000 tonnes per day. Hudbay has indicated that as at April 30, 2015, 42,575 tonnes of copper concentrate had been produced, of which approximately 20,500 tonnes had been shipped. Hudbay continues to expect the operation to achieve steady state design and feasibility level recoveries of copper in the fourth quarter of 2015.
San Dimas
On August 6, 2010, Goldcorp Inc. ("Goldcorp") completed the sale of the San Dimas mine to Primero Mining Corp ("Primero"). In conjunction with the sale, Silver Wheaton amended its silver purchase agreement relating to the mine. The term of the agreement, as it relates to San Dimas, was extended to the life of mine. During the first four years following the closing of the transaction, Primero delivered to Silver Wheaton a per annum amount equal to the first 3.5 million ounces of payable silver produced at San Dimas and 50% of any excess, and Silver Wheaton received an additional 1.5 million ounces of silver per annum that was delivered by Goldcorp. According to the amended agreement, beginning on August 6, 2014, the fourth anniversary of the closing, Primero delivers a per annum amount to Silver Wheaton equal to the first 6 million ounces of payable silver produced at San Dimas and 50% of any excess, and Goldcorp's obligation to deliver supplemental silver ceased.
In the first quarter of 2015, San Dimas produced 1.9 million ounces of silver, an increase of approximately 20% relative to the first quarter of 2014. This was primarily due to increased production as a result of the expansion to 2,500 tonnes per day ("tpd") which was completed early in 2014 and to the sharing threshold increasing to 6 million ounces[1]. In addition, during the quarter, the San Dimas mill consistently operated above its nameplate capacity of 2,500 tpd with an average throughput of 2,863 tpd, a 30% increase versus Q1 2014. Importantly, the San Dimas mine maintained pace with the mill, achieving record quarterly production of 2,931 tpd, 21% higher than in Q1 2014[2]. Metallurgical recoveries also reverted to their historical high levels with the completion of a final leach tank, averaging 93% for silver in the quarter.
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[1] In the prior year, the San Dimas mine reached the previous sharing threshold of 3.5 million ounces of silver on March 13, 2014.
[2] Primero's first quarter of 2015 MD&A dated May 6, 2015.
Peñasquito
In the first quarter of 2015, the Peñasquito mine produced 1.4 million ounces of silver attributable to Silver Wheaton, a decrease of approximately 29% relative to the fourth quarter of 2014 due to lower grades being mined and lower metallurgical recoveries. Goldcorp has indicated that it anticipates grades to improve throughout 2015.
As disclosed in Goldcorp's first quarter of 2015 MD&A, in the first quarter of 2015, Peñasquito commenced a feasibility study on the Metallurgical Enhancement Project ("MEP") which is the combined study to assess the feasibility of the Concentrate Enrichment Project ("CEP") and Pyrite Leach Peñasquito sulphide plant ("Pyrite Leach"). The study will assess the potential for producing saleable copper concentrate (CEP) and the viability of leaching a pyrite concentrate from the zinc flotation tailings (Pyrite Leach). Successful implementation of one or both of these new process improvements has the potential to improve the overall economics and life of mine of Peñasquito. The feasibility study is expected to be complete in early 2016.
Barrick / Pascua-Lama
In the first quarter of 2015, attributable silver production from Barrick was 0.6 million ounces, an increase of approximately 112% relative to the first quarter of 2014 primarily due to higher grades at the Veladero and Lagunas Norte mines.
On January 5, 2015, the Company announced that it had amended its silver purchase agreement related to Barrick's Pascua-Lama project. The amendment entails Silver Wheaton being entitled to 100% of the silver production from Barrick's Lagunas Norte, Pierina and Veladero mines until March 31, 2018, an extension of 1 ¼ years, and extending the completion test deadline an additional 2 ½ years to June 30, 2020. As a reminder, if the requirements of the completion test have not been satisfied by the amended completion date, the agreement may be terminated by Silver Wheaton. In such an event, Silver Wheaton will be entitled to the return of the upfront cash consideration of $625 million less a credit for any silver delivered up to that date.
Sudbury
In the first quarter of 2015, Sudbury produced 10,112 ounces of gold, an increase of approximately 57% relative to the first quarter of 2014 primarily due to the commencement of operations at the Totten mine as well as higher gold grades being mined.
Other: Toroparu
On April 22, 2015, the Company amended its early deposit precious metal purchase agreement with Sandspring Resources Ltd. ("Sandspring") to include the acquisition of an amount equal to 50% of the silver production from its Toroparu project ("Toroparu") located in the Republic of Guyana, South America. Silver Wheaton will pay Sandspring incremental upfront cash payments totaling $5.0 million for 50% of the payable silver production from Toroparu. In addition, Silver Wheaton will make ongoing payments to Sandspring of the lesser of the market price and $3.90 per payable ounce of silver delivered to Silver Wheaton over the life of Toroparu, subject to a 1% annual increase starting on the fourth anniversary of production. Sandspring is entitled to receive US$2.0 million of the incremental US$5.0 million cash payment in four equal installments over the course of 2015, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions.
Produced But Not Yet Delivered [1]
During the first quarter of 2015, payable silver equivalent ounces produced but not yet delivered to Silver Wheaton by its partners increased by 1.6 million ounces to approximately 6.5 million silver equivalent payable ounces at March 31, 2015, primarily related to an increase related to the Salobo gold purchase agreement. Payable ounces produced but not yet delivered to Silver Wheaton are expected to average approximately 2 to 3 months of annualized production but may vary from quarter to quarter due to a number of mining operations factors including mine ramp-up, delays in shipments, etc.
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[1] Payable silver equivalent ounces produced but not yet delivered are based on management estimates, and may be updated in future periods as additional information is received.
Detailed mine by mine production and sales figures can be found in the Appendix to this press release and in Silver Wheaton's MD&A in the 'Results of Operations and Operational Review' section.
Webcast and Conference Call Details
A conference call will be held Friday, May 8, 2015, 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: 25021471
Live audio webcast: http://www.silverwheaton.com
Participants should dial in five to ten minutes before the call.
The conference call will be recorded and available until May 15, 2015. 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: 25021471
Archived audio webcast: http://www.silverwheaton.com
This earnings release should be read in conjunction with Silver Wheaton's MD&A and unaudited Financial Statements, which are available on the Company's website at http://www.silverwheaton.com and have been posted on SEDAR at http://www.sedar.com.
Mr. Neil Burns, Vice President, Technical Services for Silver Wheaton, is a "qualified person" as such term is defined under National Instrument 43-101, and has reviewed and approved the information on mineral reserves and mineral resources disclosed in this news release.
About Silver Wheaton
Silver Wheaton is the largest pure precious metals streaming company in the world. Based upon its current agreements, forecast 2015 estimated annual attributable production is approximately 43.5 million silver equivalent ounces[1], including 230,000 ounces of gold. By 2019, estimated annual attributable production is anticipated to increase significantly to approximately 51 million silver equivalent ounces[1], including 325,000 ounces of gold. This anticipated growth is expected to be driven by the Company's portfolio of low-cost and long-life assets, including precious metal and gold streams on Vale's Salobo mine and Hudbay's Constancia project.
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[1] Silver equivalent production forecast assumes a gold/silver ratio of 72:1
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 projected increases to Silver Wheaton's production and cash flow profile, the expansion and exploration potential at the Salobo mine, projected changes to Silver Wheaton's production mix, the anticipated increases in total throughput at the Salobo mine, the estimated future production, the future price of commodities, the future price of silver or gold, the estimation of mineral reserves and mineral resources, the realization of mineral reserve estimates, the timing and amount of estimated future production (including 2015 and 2019 attributable annual production and produced but not yet delivered ounces), estimated costs of future production, reserve determination, estimated reserve conversion rates, any statements as to future dividends, the ability to fund outstanding commitments and continue to acquire accretive precious metal stream interests and assessments of the impact and resolution of various legal and tax matters. 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 Silver Wheaton to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: fluctuations in the price of commodities, the absence of control over the mining operations from which Silver Wheaton purchases silver or gold (the "Mining Operations") and risks related to these 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, risks relating to having to rely on the accuracy of the public disclosure and other information Silver 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 and Silver Wheaton's interpretation of, or compliance with, tax laws and regulations or accounting policies and rules, is found to be incorrect, risks relating to production estimates from Mining Operations, credit and liquidity risks, hedging risk, competition in the mining industry, risks related to Silver Wheaton's acquisition strategy, risks related to the market price of Silver Wheaton's shares, risks related to Silver Wheaton's holding of long-term investments in other exploration and mining companies, risks related to the declaration, timing and payment of dividends, the ability of Silver Wheaton and the Mining Operations to retain key management employees or procure the services of skilled and experienced personnel, risks related to claims and legal proceedings against Silver Wheaton or the Mining Operations, risks relating to unknown defects and impairments, risks related to the adequacy of internal control over financial reporting, risks related to governmental regulations, including environmental regulations, risks related to international operations of Silver Wheaton and the Mining Operations, risks relating to exploration, development and operations at the Mining Operations, the ability of Silver Wheaton and the Mining Operations to obtain and maintain necessary permits, the ability of Silver 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 reserves and mineral resources estimates, production estimates from Mining Operations, inability to replace and expand mineral reserves, uncertainties related to title and indigenous rights with respect to the mineral properties of the Mining Operations, commodity price fluctuations, the ability of Silver Wheaton and the Mining Operations to obtain adequate financing, the ability of Mining Operations to complete permitting, construction, development and expansion, challenges related to global financial conditions, risks related to future sales or issuance of equity securities, as well as those factors discussed in the section entitled "Description of the Business - Risk Factors" in Silver Wheaton's Annual Information Form available on SEDAR at http://www.sedar.com and in Silver Wheaton's Form 40-F on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable, including but not limited to: the continued operation of the Mining Operations, no material adverse change in the market price of commodities, that the Mining Operations will operate and the mining projects will be completed in accordance with public statements and achieve their stated production estimates, the continuing ability to fund or obtain funding for outstanding commitments, the ability to source and obtain accretive precious metal stream interests, expectations regarding the resolution of legal and tax matters, that Silver Wheaton will be successful in challenging any reassessment by the Canada Revenue Agency, the estimate of the carrying value of the precious metal purchase agreements (as defined in the Annual Information Form) and such other assumptions and factors as set out herein. Although Silver 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, Silver 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 for the purpose of providing investors with information to assist them in understanding Silver Wheaton's expected performance and may not be appropriate for other purposes. Any forward looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Silver 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 NOTE TO UNITED STATES INVESTORS REGARDING PRESENTATION OF MINERAL RESERVE AND MINERAL RESOURCE ESTIMATES: 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 the Company'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 the Annual Information Form, a copy of which is available at http://www.sec.gov.
In accordance with the Company's MD&A and financial statements, reference to the Company includes the Company's wholly owned subsidiaries.
Condensed Interim Consolidated Statement of Earnings
Three Months Ended
March 31
(US dollars and shares in thousands, except per
share amounts - unaudited) 2015 2014
Sales $ 130,504 $ 165,379
Cost of sales
Cost of sales, excluding
depletion $ 34,464 $ 37,088
Depletion 32,045 36,621
Total cost of sales $ 66,509 $ 73,709
Earnings from operations $ 63,995 $ 91,670
Expenses and other income
General and administrative
[1] $ 8,170 $ 10,110
Foreign exchange gain (373) (281)
Interest expense 1,500 1,108
Other expense 2,297 910
$ 11,594 $ 11,847
Earnings before income taxes $ 52,401 $ 79,823
Income tax expense (2,982) (14)
Net earnings $ 49,419 $ 79,809
Basic earnings per share $ 0.13 $ 0.22
Diluted earnings per share $ 0.13 $ 0.22
Weighted average number of shares outstanding
Basic 370,844 357,398
Diluted 371,115 357,940
1) Equity settled stock based compensation (a
non-cash item) included in general and
administrative expenses. $ 1,922 $ 2,182
Condensed Interim Consolidated Balance
Sheets
March 31 December 31
(US dollars in thousands - unaudited) 2015 2014
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash
equivalents $ 88,008 $ 308,098
Accounts receivable 2,479 4,132
Other 1,250 26,263
Total current assets $ 91,737 $ 338,493
Non-current assets
Silver and gold
interests $ 5,118,826 $ 4,248,265
Early deposit - gold
interest 13,613 13,599
Royalty interest 9,107 9,107
Long-term investments 25,157 32,872
Other 9,634 5,427
Total non-current assets $ 5,176,337 $ 4,309,270
Total assets $ 5,268,074 $ 4,647,763
Liabilities
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and
accrued liabilities $ 15,060 $ 14,798
Dividends payable 20,198 -
Current portion of
performance share
units 3,328 1,373
Total current liabilities $ 38,586 $ 16,171
Non-current liabilities
Bank debt $ 800,000 $ 998,518
Deferred income taxes 133 942
Performance share
units 1,859 3,396
Total non-current liabilities $ 801,992 $ 1,002,856
Total liabilities $ 840,578 $ 1,019,027
Shareholders' equity
Issued capital $ 2,815,338 $ 2,037,923
Reserves (36,717) (28,841)
Retained earnings 1,648,875 1,619,654
Total shareholders' equity $ 4,427,496 $ 3,628,736
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 5,268,074 $ 4,647,763
Condensed Interim Consolidated Statement of Cash
Flows
Three Months Ended
March 31
(US dollars in thousands - unaudited) 2015 2014
Operating activities
Net earnings $ 49,419 $ 79,809
Adjustments for
Depreciation and depletion 32,142 36,688
Amortization of credit facility
origination fees:
Interest expense 113 55
Amortization of
credit facility
origination fees
- undrawn
facilities 248 251
Write off of
credit facility
origination fees
upon repayment
of NRT Loan 1,315 -
Interest expense 1,387 1,053
Equity settled stock based
compensation 1,922 2,182
Performance share units 782 147
Deferred income tax expense
(recovery) 2,936 (40)
Investment income recognized in
net earnings (132) (85)
Other (38) (78)
Change in non-cash working capital 150 (4,132)
Cash generated from operations $ 90,244 $ 115,850
Interest paid - expensed (1,188) (1,046)
Interest received 75 28
Cash generated from operating activities $ 89,131 $ 114,832
Financing activities
Bank debt repaid $ (1,000,000) $ -
Bank debt drawn 800,000 -
Credit facility origination fees (4,112) (600)
Shares issued 800,000 -
Share issue costs (30,344) -
Share purchase options exercised 2,887 13
Cash generated from (applied to) financing
activities $ 568,431 $ (587)
Investing activities
Silver and gold interests $ (900,003) $ (125,082)
Interest paid - capitalized to silver interests (1,824) (2,891)
Silver and gold interests - early deposit (13) (149)
Proceeds on disposal of silver interest 25,000 -
Dividend income received 57 57
Other (612) (26)
Cash applied to investing activities $ (877,395) $ (128,091)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash
equivalents $ (257) $ (7)
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents $ (220,090) $ (13,853)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 308,098 95,823
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 88,008 $ 81,970
Condensed Interim Summary of Ounces Produced and Sold
2015 2014 2013
Q1 Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1 Q4 Q3 Q2
Silver ounces
produced [2]
San Dimas [3] 1,928 1,744 1,290 1,118 1,608 1,979 1,660 1,160
Yauliyacu 576 687 875 658 718 687 639 668
Peñasquito 1,447 1,582 1,630 2,054 2,052 2,047 1,636 1,440
Barrick [4] 640 690 397 299 301 423 465 556
Other [5] 1,751 1,701 1,903 2,182 2,185 2,119 2,450 2,586
Total silver
ounces produced 6,342 6,404 6,095 6,311 6,864 7,255 6,850 6,410
Gold ounces
produced [2]
777 12,081 9,669 12,105 11,611 12,785 14,134 18,259 16,986
Sudbury [6] 10,112 9,924 12,196 7,473 6,426 7,060 7,341 8,840
Salobo 27,185 12,253 10,415 8,486 8,903 10,067 8,061 6,342
Other [7] 5,728 3,435 6,959 5,185 5,749 9,530 2,894 4,226
Total gold ounces
produced 55,106 35,281 41,675 32,755 33,863 40,791 36,555 36,394
Silver equivalent
ounces of gold
produced [8] 4,029 2,615 2,786 2,144 2,121 2,476 2,237 2,269
Silver equivalent
ounces produced [8] 10,371 9,019 8,881 8,455 8,985 9,731 9,087 8,679
Silver equivalent
ounces produced
- as originally
reported [2],[8] n.a. 8,964 8,447 8,365 8,977 9,723 8,948 8,615
Increase
(Decrease) [2] n.a. 55 434 90 8 8 139 64
Silver ounces sold
San Dimas [3] 1,901 1,555 1,295 1,194 1,529 2,071 1,560 1,194
Yauliyacu 320 761 1,373 111 1,097 674 13 559
Peñasquito 1,573 1,640 1,662 1,958 1,840 1,412 1,388 1,058
Barrick [4] 648 671 377 291 361 397 447 560
Other [5] 1,223 1,106 1,592 1,673 1,398 1,510 2,257 1,771
Total silver
ounces sold 5,665 5,733 6,299 5,227 6,225 6,064 5,665 5,142
Gold ounces sold
777 6,629 8,718 15,287 13,599 6,294 15,889 16,972 23,483
Sudbury [6] 8,033 11,251 5,566 6,718 6,878 6,551 6,534 4,184
Salobo 9,794 14,270 7,180 11,902 10,560 6,944 6,490 2,793
Other [7] 3,943 3,665 8,685 2,559 6,390 1,840 5,287 3,409
Total gold ounces
sold 28,399 37,904 36,718 34,778 30,122 31,224 35,283 33,869
Silver equivalent
ounces of gold
sold [8] 2,058 2,808 2,441 2,267 1,891 1,909 2,163 2,097
Silver equivalent
ounces sold [8] 7,723 8,541 8,740 7,494 8,116 7,973 7,828 7,239
Gold / silver
ratio [8] 72.5 74.1 66.5 65.2 62.8 61.1 61.3 61.9
Cumulative payable
silver equivalent
ounces produced but
not yet
delivered [9] 6,485 4,893 5,147 5,996 6,042 5,997 5,283 4,736
1) All figures in thousands except gold ounces produced and
sold.
2) Ounces produced represent the quantity of silver and
gold 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 silver or gold
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) The ounces produced and sold include ounces received
from Goldcorp in connection with Goldcorp's four year
commitment commencing on August 6,
2010 to deliver to Silver Wheaton 1.5 million ounces of
silver per annum resulting from their sale of San Dimas
to Primero.
4) Comprised of the Lagunas Norte, Pierina and Veladero
silver interests.
5) Comprised of the Los Filos, Zinkgruvan, Cozamin,
Neves-Corvo, Stratoni, Keno Hill, Minto, 777, Aljustrel
and Constancia silver interests in addition to
the previously owned Mineral Park and Campo Morado
silver interests.
6) Comprised of the Coleman, Copper Cliff, Garson, Stobie,
Creighton and Totten gold interests.
7) Comprised of the Minto and Constancia gold interests.
8) Gold ounces produced and sold are converted to a silver
equivalent basis based on either (i) the ratio of the
average silver price received to the average
gold price received during the period from the assets
that produce both gold and silver; or (ii) the ratio of
the price of silver to the price of gold on the date
of sale as per the London Bullion Metal Exchange for the
assets which produce only gold.
9) Payable silver equivalent ounces produced but not yet
delivered are based on management estimates. These
figures may be updated in future periods
as additional information is received.
Results of Operations
The Company currently has nine reportable operating segments: the silver produced by the San Dimas, Yauliyacu, Peñasquito and Barrick mines, the gold produced by the 777, Sudbury and Salobo mines, the silver and gold produced by the Other mines and corporate operations.
Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
Average Average
Realized Cash
Price Cost
Ounces Ounces ($'s Per ($'s Per
Produced[2] Sold Sales Ounce) Ounce)[3]
Silver
San Dimas 1,928 1,901 $ 32,054 $ 16.86 $ 4.20
Yauliyacu 576 320 5,289 16.53 4.16
Peñasquito 1,447 1,573 27,010 17.17 4.07
Barrick [4] 640 648 10,877 16.79 3.90
Other [5] 1,751 1,223 20,782 16.99 4.26
6,342 5,665 $ 96,012 $ 16.95 $ 4.14
Gold
777 12,081 6,629 $ 7,929 $ 1,196 $ 400
Sudbury [6] 10,112 8,033 9,682 1,205 400
Salobo 27,185 9,794 12,096 1,235 400
Other [7] 5,728 3,943 4,785 1,213 311
55,106 28,399 $ 34,492 $ 1,214 $ 388
Silver
equivalent [8] 10,371 7,723 $ 130,504 $ 16.90 $ 4.46
Corporate
General and administrative
Other
Total corporate
10,371 7,723 $ 130,504 $ 16.90 $ 4.46
Table continued.
Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
Average
Depletion Cash Flow
($'s Per Net From
Ounce) Earnings Operations Total Assets
Silver
San Dimas $ 0.88 $ 22,398 $ 24,069 $ 151,280
Yauliyacu 6.43 1,899 3,958 185,419
Peñasquito 2.85 16,128 20,607 446,667
Barrick [4] 3.24 6,253 8,350 605,783
Other [5] 3.83 10,886 15,984 555,058
$ 2.65 $ 57,564 $ 72,968 $ 1,944,207
Gold
777 $ 823 $ (176) $ 5,643 $ 238,459
Sudbury [6] 841 (291) 6,053 577,103
Salobo 420 4,067 8,178 2,198,143
Other [7] 184 2,831 3,450 160,914
$ 600 $ 6,431 $ 23,324 $ 3,174,619
Silver
equivalent [8] $ 4.15 $ 63,995 $ 96,292 $ 5,118,826
Corporate
General and administrative $ (8,170)
Other (6,406)
Total corporate $ (14,576) $ (7,161) $ 149,248
$ 4.15 $ 49,419 $ 89,131 $ 5,268,074
All figures in thousands except gold ounces produced and sold and per ounce
1) amounts.
Ounces produced represent the quantity of silver and gold 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 silver
or gold interests relate or management estimates in those situations where other
information is not available. Certain production figures may be updated in future
2) periods as additional information is received.
3) Refer to discussion on non-IFRS measures at the end of this press release.
Comprised of the operating Lagunas Norte, Pierina and Veladero silver interests in
4) addition to the non-operating Pascua-Lama silver interest.
Comprised of the operating Los Filos, Zinkgruvan, Cozamin, Neves-Corvo, Stratoni,
Minto, 777 and Constancia silver interests in addition to the non-operating
5) Aljustrel, Keno Hill, Rosemont and Loma de La Plata silver interests.
Comprised of the operating Coleman, Copper Cliff, Garson, Stobie, Creighton and
6) Totten gold interests in addition to the non-operating Victor gold interest.
Comprised of the operating Minto and Constancia gold interests in addition to the
7) non-operating Rosemont gold interest.
Gold ounces produced and sold are converted to a silver equivalent basis based on
either (i) the ratio of the average silver price received to the average gold price
received during the period from the assets that produce both gold and silver; or
(ii) the ratio of the price of silver to the price of gold on the date of sale as
8) per the London Bullion Metal Exchange for the assets which produce only gold.
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
Average Average
Realized Cash
Price Cost
Ounces Ounces ($'s Per ($'s Per
Producedsquared Sold Sales Ounce) Ounce)[3]
Silver
San Dimas [4] 1,608 1,529 $ 31,608 $ 20.67 $ 4.17
Yauliyacu 718 1,097 22,166 20.21 4.12
Peñasquito 2,052 1,840 37,562 20.42 4.05
Barrick [5] 301 361 7,407 20.53 3.90
Other [6] 2,185 1,398 28,001 20.02 4.19
6,864 6,225 $ 126,744 $ 20.36 $ 4.12
Gold
777 12,785 6,294 $ 8,039 $ 1,277 $ 400
Sudbury [7] 6,426 6,878 8,812 1,281 400
Salobo 8,903 10,560 13,479 1,276 400
Other [8] 5,749 6,390 8,305 1,300 309
33,863 30,122 $ 38,635 $ 1,283 $ 381
Silver
equivalent [9] 8,985 8,116 $ 165,379 $ 20.38 $ 4.57
Corporate
General and administrative
Other
Total corporate
8,985 8,116 $ 165,379 $ 20.38 $ 4.57
Table continued.
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
Average
Depletion Cash Flow
($'s Per Net From
Ounce) Earnings Operations Total Assets
Silver
San Dimas [4] $ 0.81 $ 23,986 $ 25,232 $ 156,246
Yauliyacu 5.92 11,147 17,646 200,778
Peñasquito 2.98 24,632 30,111 466,810
Barrick [5] 3.26 4,823 6,765 602,315
Other [6] 3.99 16,551 23,288 670,088
$ 3.21 $ 81,139 $ 103,042 $ 2,096,237
Gold
777 $ 823 $ 344 $ 5,522 $ 274,848
Sudbury [7] 841 273 6,060 603,666
Salobo 462 4,378 9,255 1,317,606
Other [8] 124 5,536 5,886 27,691
$ 552 $ 10,531 $ 26,723 $ 2,223,811
Silver
equivalent [9] $ 4.51 $ 91,670 $ 129,765 $ 4,320,048
Corporate
General and administrative $ (10,110)
Other (1,751)
Total corporate $ (11,861) $ (14,933) $ 156,817
$ 4.51 $ 79,809 $ 114,832 $ 4,476,865
All figures in thousands except gold ounces produced and sold and per ounce
1) amounts.
Ounces produced represent the quantity of silver and gold 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 silver
or gold interests relate or management estimates in those situations where other
information is not available. Certain production figures may be updated in future
2) periods as additional information is received.
3) Refer to discussion on non-IFRS measures at the end of this press release.
Results for San Dimas include 375,000 ounces received from Goldcorp in connection
with Goldcorp's four year commitment commencing on August 6, 2010 to deliver to
Silver Wheaton 1.5 million ounces of silver per annum resulting from their sale of
4) San Dimas to Primero.
Comprised of the operating Lagunas Norte, Pierina and Veladero silver interests in
5) addition to the non-operating Pascua-Lama silver interest.
Comprised of the operating Los Filos, Zinkgruvan, Keno Hill, Cozamin, Neves-Corvo,
Stratoni, Minto, 777 and Aljustrel silver interests; the non-operating Rosemont,
Loma de La Plata and Constancia silver interests; and the previously owned Mineral
6) Park and Campo Morado silver interests.
Comprised of the operating Coleman, Copper Cliff, Garson, Stobie, Totten and
7) Creighton gold interests in addition to the non-operating Victor gold interest.
Comprised of the operating Minto gold interest in addition to the non-operating
8) Rosemont and Constancia gold interests.
Gold ounces produced and sold are converted to a silver equivalent basis based on
either (i) the ratio of the average silver price received to the average gold price
received during the period from the assets that produce both gold and silver; or
(ii) the ratio of the price of silver to the price of gold on the date of sale as
9) per the London Bullion Metal Exchange for the assets which produce only gold.
Non-IFRS Measures
Silver Wheaton has included, throughout this document, certain non-IFRS performance measures, including (i) operating cash flow per share (basic and diluted); (ii) average cash costs of silver and gold on a per ounce basis; and (iii) cash operating margin.
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 metals
i. mining industry who present results on a similar basis.
Average cash cost of silver and gold on a per ounce basis is calculated by
dividing the total cost of sales, less depletion, by the ounces sold. In the
precious metals 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
ii. evaluate the Company's performance and ability to generate cash flow.
Cash operating margin is calculated by subtracting the average cash cost of
silver and gold on a per ounce basis from the average realized selling price of
silver and gold 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 metals
iii. mining industry who present results on a similar basis.
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 Silver Wheaton's Management Discussion and Analysis available on the Company's website at http://www.silverwheaton.comand posted on SEDAR at http://www.sedar.com.
Patrick Drouin, Senior Vice President, Investor Relations, Silver Wheaton Corp., Tel: +1-800-380-8687, Email: info@silverwheaton.com, Website: http://www.silverwheaton.com
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