Wheaton Precious Metals Announces the Acquisition of a Precious Metals Stream from Adventus Mining’S Curipamba Project
January 17, 2022 TSX | NYSE | LSE: WPM
Vancouver, British Columbia
WHEATON PRECIOUS METALS ANNOUNCES THE ACQUISITION OF A
PRECIOUS METALS STREAM FROM ADVENTUS MINING’S CURIPAMBA
PROJECT
Wheaton Precious Metals™ Corp. (“Wheaton” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce
that its wholly -owned subsidiary, Wheaton Precious Metals International Ltd. ("Wheaton
International") has entered into a definitive Precious Metal Purchase Agreement ( the
“PMPA”) with Alliance Metals International, a subsidiary of Adventus Mining Corporation
(collectively “Adventus”) (TSX: ADZN) in respect to the Curipamba Project (“Curipamba” or
the “Project”) located in Ecuador. Curipamba is forecast to be a high-margin mine in the
lowest half of the copper cost curve with a 10-year open-pit mine life and the potential to
transition into an underground mine subsequent to the open pit1.
“Wheaton has had a successful long-term partnership with Adventus and welcomes the
opportunity to support the development of a project the caliber of Curipamba. Forecasted to
be a high quality, low -cost mine with significant exploration potential , Curipamba’s profile
aligns well with Wheaton’s accretive gr owth strategy” said Randy Smallwood, Wheaton’s
President and Chief Executive Officer. “Adventus has a strong entrepreneurial reputation and
shares Wheaton’s vision that responsible mining should benefit all stakeholders, including
support for the communities around the mines. We look forward to our continued partnership
with Adventus and shared success in Curipamba.”
TRANSACTION DETAILS
(All values in US$ unless otherwise noted)
▪ Upfront Consideration: Wheaton International will pay Adventus total upfront cash
consideration of $175.5 million (the “Deposit”), $13 million of which is available pre-
construction (the “Early Deposit”) and $500,000 of which will be paid to support certain
local community development initiatives around Curipamba. The remainder will be
payable in four staged installments during construction, subject to various customary
conditions being satisfied.
▪ Streamed Metal: Under the PMPA, Wheaton International will purchase: (i) 50% of
the payable gold production referenced from Curipamba, dropping to 33% for the life
of mine once 150,000 ounces of refined gold have been delivered; and (ii) 75% of the
payable silver production referenced from Curipamba, dropping to 50% for the life of
mine once 4.6 million ounces of refined silver have been delivered.
▪ Production Profile1: Attributable production is forecast to average 17,000 oz of gold
and 551,000 oz of silver per year for the first five years of production. Adventus
anticipates construction activities to begin as early as late 2022, with commissioning
and commencement of mine operations as early as 2024.
▪ Production Payments: Wheaton International will make ongoing payments for the
gold and silver ounces delivered equal to 18% of the spot prices (“Production
Payment”) until the value of gold and silver delivered less the Production Payment is
equal to the Deposit, at which point the Production Payment will increase to 22% of
the spot prices.
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▪ Incremental Reserves and Resources 2: The addition of Curipamba will increase
Wheaton’s estimated Proven and Prob able gold reserves by 0.26 Moz and silver
reserves by 7.1 Moz, Measured and Indicated gold resources by 0.06 Moz and silver
resources by 2.2 Moz, and Inferred gold resources by 0.02 Moz and silver resources
by 0.7 Moz. In addition, Wheaton believes significant exploration potential exists
within the large Curipamba property demonstrated by the recent discovery of the
Agua Santa prospect which is approximately 4.5 km southwest of El Domo.
▪ Community Investment Support: As part of the Deposit, Wheaton International has
agreed to provide $500,000 t o support local community development initiatives
around Curipamba being advanced by Adventus . In addition, by entering into the
PMPA, Adventus is eligible for additional community support through Wheaton’s
Partner CSR Program which provides financial support for its mining partners’
economic, environmental and social initiatives within the communities that are directly
influenced by the mines.
▪ Other Considerations:
o Curipamba will be subject to a 90 -day completion test based on a set mine
throughput level and designed production forecast.
o Until the first drawdown of the Deposit after the Early Deposit, Adventus would
have a one-time option to repurchase 33% of the stream (gold and silver) on
a change of control of Adventus for an amount ensuring a fixed internal rate
of return to Wheaton International.
o Adventus and certain of its subsidiaries will provide Wheaton International with
corporate guarantees and certain other security over their assets.
o Wheaton also intends to provide up to US$5M in equity to Adventus, subject
to a maximum ownership level below 10%.
FINANCING THE TRANSACTIONS
As at September 30, 2021, the Company had approximately $372 million of cash on hand ,
which when combined with the liquidity provided by the available credit under the $2 billion
revolving term loan and ongoing operating cash flows, positions the Company well to fund all
outstanding commitments and known contingencies and provides flexibility to acquire
additional accretive mineral stream interests.
ABOUT ADVENTUS MINING AND THE CURIPAMBA PROJECT
Adventus is a unique public company focused on copper-gold exploration and development
in Ecuador. Outside of Ecuador, Adventus also owns a portfolio of exploration projects in
Ireland that are funded by commercial partners and equity investments.
Curipamba comprises seven mineral concessions representing approximately 21,500
hectares and includes the advanced high-grade copper-gold El Domo deposit. Curipamba is
located in central Ecuador approximately 150 km northeast of the major port city of
Guayaquil. El Domo is a flat-lying tabular shaped VMS deposit, with mineralization beginning
at 30 metres from surface and dimensions of approximately 800 x 400 metres. Three well -
maintained gravel roads provide direct access to El Domo and most of the Curipamba project
area. Over 75,000 metres of diamond drilling has been completed on El Domo to date. In
2021, Adventus completed a feasibility study NI 43-101 Technical Report as well as
completed and submitted a detailed environmental and social impact assessment (ESI A)
report to the Government of Ecuador.
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Attributable Gold Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources – CURIPAMBA
Category Tonnage
Mt
Grade
Au g/t
Contained
Au Moz
Proven 1.6 2.83 0.14
Probable 1.7 2.23 0.12
P&P 3.2 2.52 0.26
Measured 0.0 0.00 0.00
Indicated 1.1 1.63 0.06
M&I 1.1 1.63 0.06
Inferred 0.4 1.62 0.02
Attributable Silver Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources – CURIPAMBA
Category Tonnage
Mt
Grade
Ag g/t
Contained
Ag Moz
Proven 2.4 41.4 3.1
Probable 2.5 49.7 4.0
P&P 4.9 45.7 7.1
Measured 0.0 0.0 0.0
Indicated 1.8 38.4 2.2
M&I 1.8 38.4 2.2
Inferred 0.7 31.6 0.7
Notes on Mineral Reserves & Mineral Resources:
1. All Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources have been estimated in accordance with the 2014
Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) Standards for Mineral Resources and
Mineral Reserves and National Instrument 43-101 – Standards for Disclosure for Mineral Projects
(“NI 43-101”).
2. Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources are reported above in millions of metric tonnes (“Mt”),
grams per metric tonne (“g/t”) and millions of ounces (“Moz”).
3. Qualified persons (“QPs”), as defined by the NI 43-101, for the technical information contained in this
document (including the Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource estimates) are:
a. Neil Burns, M.Sc., P.Geo. (Vice President, Technical Services); and
b. Ryan Ulansky, M.A.Sc., P.Eng. (Vice President, Engineering),
both employees of the Company (the “Company’s QPs”).
4. The Mineral Resources reported in the above tables are exclusive of Mineral Reserves. Adventus
report Mineral Resources inclusive of Mineral Reserves. The Company’s QPs have made the
exclusive Mineral Resource estimates for the mine based on average mine recoveries and diluti on.
5. Mineral Resources, which are not Mineral Reserves, do not have demonstrated economic viability.
6. Curipamba Project Mineral Reserves are reported as of October 22, 2021and Mineral Resources as
of October 26, 2021.
7. Curipamba Project Mineral Reserves are reported above an NSR cut-off of $32.99 assuming $1,630
per ounce gold, $21 per ounce silver, $3.31 per pound copper, $0.92 per pound lead and $1.16 per
pound zinc.
8. Curipamba Project Mineral Resources are reported above an NSR cut-off of $29.00 per tonne for the
open pit and $105 per tonne for the underground assuming $1,800 per ounce gold, $24 per ounce
silver, $4.00 per pound copper, $1.05 per pound lead and $1.30 per pound zinc .
9. The Curipamba PMPA provides that Adventus will deliver 75% of the silver production until 4.6
million ounces are delivered and 50% thereafter for the life of the mine and 50% of the gold
production until 150 thousand ounces are delivered and 33% thereafter for the life of the mine.
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Attributable reserves and resources have been calculated on the 75% / 50% basis for silver and 50%
/ 33% basis for gold.
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. Burns has reviewed mineral
resource estimates and Mr. Ulansky has reviewed the mineral reserve estimates).
For further information, please contact:
Patrick Drouin
Investor Relations
Wheaton Precious Metals Corp.
Tel: 1-844-288-9878
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.wheatonpm.com
1) Please see “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking-Statements” at the end of this news release for
material risks, assumptions, and important disclosure associated with this information. Based on report entitled
“National Instrument (NI) 43-101 Technical Report: Feasibility Study for the Curipamba El Domo Project, Central
Ecuador” with an effective date of October 26, 2021. Production forecasts contain forward looking information
and readers are cautioned that actual outcomes may vary. S&P data set for 2025 projected global cost curves.
2) Please refer to the Attributable Mineral Reserves & Mineral Resources table in this news release for full
disclosure of reserves and resources associated with Curipamba including accompanying footnotes.
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward -looking information" within the
meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation concerning the business, operations and
financial performance of Wheaton and, in some instances, the business, mining operations and
performance of Wheaton’s precious metals purchase agreement (“PMPA”) counterparties.
Forward-looking statements, which are all statements other than statements of historical fact,
include, but are not limited to, payment by Wheaton International of $175.5 million to Adventus
and the satisfaction of each party's obligations in accord ance with the Curipamba PMPA, the
receipt by Wheaton of silver and gold production in respect of Curipamba, the future price of
commodities, the estimation of future production from mineral stream interests owned by
Wheaton (the “Mining Operations”) (including in the estimation of production, mill throughput,
grades, recoveries and exploration potential), the estimation of mineral reserves and mineral
resources (including the estimation of reserve conversion rates) and the realization of such
estimations and the commencement, timing and achievement of construction, expansion or
improvement projects by Wheaton’s PMPA counterparties at Mining Operations. Generally, these
forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward -looking terminology such as
"plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates",
"forecasts", "projects", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", "potential",
or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results
"may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking
statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may
cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Wheaton to be
materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including
but not limited to risks associated with any specific risks relating to the satisfaction of each party's
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obligations in accordance with the terms of the Curipamba PMPA, fluctuations in the price of
commodities (including Wheaton’s ability to sell its precious metals or cobalt production at
acceptable prices or at all), the Mining Operations (including fluctuations in the price of the primary
or other commodities mined at such operations, regulatory, polit ical and other risks of the
jurisdictions in which the Mining Operations are located, actual results of mining, risks associated
with the exploration, development, operating, expansion and improvement of the Mining
Operations, environmental and economic risks of the Mining Operations, and changes in project
parameters as plans continue to be refined), and other risks discussed in the section entitled
"Description of the Business – Risk Factors" in Wheaton's Annual Information Form available on
SEDAR at www.sedar.com, and in Wheaton's Form 40-F for the year ended December 31, 2020
and Form 6 -K filed March 11, 2021 both available on EDGAR at www.sec.gov, as well as the
risks set out in Whe aton’s management’s discussions and analysis for the period ended
December 31, 2020 available on SEDAR and EDGAR (together, the “Disclosure”). Forward -
looking statements are based on assumptions management currently believes to be reasonable,
including (without limitation): the payment of $17 5.5 million to Adventus and the satisfaction of
each party's obligations in accordance with the terms of the Curipamba PMPA, that there will be
no material adverse change in the market price of commodities, that the Min ing Operations will
continue to operate and the mining projects will be completed in accordance with public
statements and achieve their stated production estimates, that the mineral reserve and mineral
resource estimates from Mining Operations (including reserve conversion rates) are accurate,
and such other assumptions and factors as set out in the Disclosure. There can be no assurance
that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate and even if events or results described
in the forward-looking statements are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance
that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, Wheaton. Readers should not
place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and are cautioned that actual outcomes may
vary. The forward -looking statements included herein are for the purpose of providing readers
with information to assist them in understanding Wheaton's expected financial and operational
performance and may not be appropriate for other purposes. A ny forward -looking statement
speaks only as of the date on which it is made, reflects Wheaton’s management’s current beliefs
based on current information and will not be updated except in accordance with applicable
securities laws. Although Wheaton has att empted to identify important factors that could cause
actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from those
contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results, level of
activity, performance or achievements not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended.
Cautionary Language Regarding Reserves And Resources
For further information on Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources and on Wheaton more
generally, readers should refer to Whe aton’s Annual Information Form for the year ended
December 31, 2020 and other continuous disclosure documents filed by Wheaton since January
1, 2021, available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Wheaton’s Mineral Reserves and Mineral
Resources are subject to the qualifications and notes set forth therein. Mineral Resources which
are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.
Cautionary Note to United States Investors Concerning Estimates of Measured, Indicated
and Inferred Resources: The information contained herein has been prepared in accordance
with the requirements of the securities laws in effect in Canada, which differ from the
requirements of United States securities laws. The terms "mineral reserve", "proven mineral
reserve" and "probable mineral reserve" are Canadian mining terms defined in accordance
with Canadian National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI
43-101") and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (the "CIM") – CIM
Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, adopted by the CIM
Council, as amended (the "CIM Standards"). In addition, the terms "mineral resource",
"measured mineral resource", "indicated mineral resource" and "inferred mineral resource"
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are defined in and required to be disclosed by NI 43 -101. Investors are cautioned not to
assume that any part or all of the mineral deposits in these categories will ever be converted
into reserves. "Inferred mineral resources" have a great amount of uncer tainty as to their
existence and as to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any
part of an inferred mineral resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Under
Canadian rules, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of feasibility
or pre-feasibility studies, except in rare cases. Investors are cautioned not to assume that all
or any part of an inferred mineral resource exists or is economically or legally mineable.
Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.
Disclosure of "contained ounces" in a resource is permitted disclosure under Canadian
regulations. The SEC has adopted amendments to its disclosure rules to modernize the
mineral property disclosure requirements for issuers whose securities are registered with the
SEC under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).
These amendments became effective February 25, 2019 (the “SEC Modernization Rules”)
with compliance required for the first fiscal year beginning on or after January 1, 2021. Under
the SEC Modernization Rules, the historical property disclosure requirements for mining
registrants included in SEC Industry Guide 7 will be rescinded and replaced with discl osure
requirements in subpart 1300 of SEC Regulation S -K. Following the transition period, as a
foreign private issuer that is eligible to file reports with the SEC pursuant to the multi -
jurisdictional disclosure system, the Company is not required to prov ide disclosure on its
mineral properties under the SEC Modernization Rules and will continue to provide disclosure
under NI 43-101. As a result of the adoption of the SEC Modernization Rules, the SEC will
recognize estimates of “measured mineral resources ”, “indicated mineral resources” and
“inferred mineral resources.” In addition, the SEC has amended its definitions of “proven
mineral reserves” and “probable mineral reserves” to be “substantially similar” to the
corresponding definitions under the CIM Definition Standards that are required under NI 43-
101. However, while the above terms are “substantially similar” to CIM Definition Standards,
there are differences in the definitions under the SEC Modernization Rules and the CIM
Definition Standards. Accor dingly, there is no assurance any mineral reserves or mineral
resources that the Company may report as “proven mineral reserves”, “probable mineral
reserves”, “measured mineral resources”, “indicated mineral resources” and “inferred mineral
resources” under NI 43-101 would be the same had the Company prepared the reserve or
resource estimates under the standards adopted under the SEC Modernization Rules.
Accordingly, information contained herein that describes Wheaton’s mineral deposits may
not be comparable to similar information made public by U.S. companies subject to reporting
and disclosure requirements under the United States federal securities laws and the rules
and regulations thereunder. United States investors are urged to consider closely the
disclosure in Wheaton’s Form 40-F, a copy of which may be obtained from Wheaton or from
https://www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml.