Press release from PR Newswire
Silver Wheaton Reports a Strong Start to 2012 with Record Quarterly Revenues of US$200 Million
Monday, May 14, 2012
Silver Wheaton Reports a Strong Start to 2012 with Record Quarterly Revenues of US$200 Million06:30 EDT Monday, May 14, 2012
TSX: SLW
NYSE: SLW
VANCOUVER, May 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ - 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, 2012.
FIRST QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS
Attributable silver equivalent production of 6.7 million ounces (6.6
million ounces of silver and 2,100 ounces of gold), an increase of 8%
compared with Q1 2011.
Revenues increased 26% compared with Q1 2011, to a record US$199.6
million, on record silver equivalent sales of 6.1 million ounces (5.9
million ounces of silver and 3,900 ounces of gold).
Net earnings increased 20% compared with Q1 2011, to US$147.2 million
(US$0.42 per share).
Operating cash flows increased 29% compared with Q1 2011, to US$163.8
million (US$0.46 per share1).
Cash operating margin1 increased slightly compared with Q1 2011, to US$28.51 per silver
equivalent ounce, amongst the highest in the sector.
Average cash costs of US$4.081 per silver equivalent ounce (US$4.02 per ounce of silver and US$303 per
ounce of gold), relatively unchanged from Q1 2011.
Cash balance of US$997.5 million, with a net cash position of US$926.0
million at the end of Q1 2012.
Declared quarterly dividend of US$0.09 per common share, representing
20% of the cash generated by operating activities during the three
months ended December 31, 2011.
Announced attributable proven and probable silver reserves of 798
million ounces, nearly twice the reserves of any other silver company
in the world.
"Solid operating performance from across our portfolio of mines led to a
strong start in 2012," said Randy Smallwood, President and Chief
Executive Officer of Silver Wheaton. "We achieved record quarterly
revenues, and are on target to attaining our annual production guidance
of 27 million silver equivalent ounces. With continued positive
progress at our world-class cornerstone assets, including the
Peñasquito and Pascua-Lama mines, Silver Wheaton retains one of the
strongest growth profiles in the sector."
"While there continues to be a strong trend of expanding capital needs
in the mining industry, challenging global financial markets have made
access to traditional forms of capital, such as debt and equity, much
more difficult. In this environment, Silver Wheaton's streaming model
offers a particularly attractive funding solution for mining companies,
and we continue pursuing value-enhancing acquisitions. With
approximately US$1 billion in cash on hand, a fully undrawn $400
million revolving credit facility, and forecast annual operating cash
flows in excess of $600 million at current precious metals prices,
Silver Wheaton is exceptionally well-positioned to grow its portfolio
of high-quality precious metals streams, further boosting its long-term
production levels."
Financial Review
Revenues
Revenue was US$199.6 million in the first quarter of 2012, on silver
equivalent sales of 6.1 million ounces (5.9 million ounces of silver
and 3,900 ounces of gold), a record for the Company. This represents a
26% increase from the US$158.2 million of revenue generated in the
first quarter of 2011, due to a 25% increase in the number of silver
equivalent ounces sold. Increased sales were primarily related to the
timing of shipments of stockpiled concentrate and to increased
production at some of the mines underlying the Company's silver
purchase agreements.
Costs and Expenses
Average cash costs in the first quarter of 2012 were US$4.081 per silver equivalent ounce, compared with US$4.071 during the comparable period of 2011. This resulted in cash operating
margins1 of US$28.51 per silver equivalent ounce, a slight increase compared to
the first quarter of 2011.
During the first quarter of 2012, the Company recorded an income tax
expense of US$3.3 million, which includes a non-cash deferred income
tax expense of US$3.1 million, attributable primarily to the reversal
of previously recognized deferred income tax assets relating to the
decline in fair value of long-term investments in common shares and to
income from Canadian operations. This compared to an income tax
recovery of $2.3 million in the comparable period of the previous year,
which included a non-cash deferred income tax recovery of $2.5 million.
Earnings and Operating Cash Flows
Net earnings in the first quarter of 2012 were US$147.2 million (US$0.42
per share), compared with US$122.2 (US$0.35 per share) for the same
period in 2011, an increase of 20%. Cash flow from operations in the
first quarter of 2012 was US$163.8 million (US$0.46 per share1), compared with US$127.2 million (US$0.36 per share1) for the same period in 2011, an increase of 29% (an increase of 28% on
a per share basis). The increase in net earnings and operating cash
flows is primarily attributable to a 25% increase in the number of
silver equivalent ounces sold.
Balance Sheet
At March 31, 2012, the Company had approximately US$997 million of cash
on hand. In addition, the Company had US$400 million of available
credit under its revolving bank debt facility. The combination of cash,
available credit, and strong operating cash flows, positions the
Company well to execute on its growth strategy of acquiring additional
accretive silver stream interests.
Operational Highlights
Attributable silver equivalent production was 6.7 million ounces (6.6
million ounces of silver and 2,100 ounces of gold) in the first quarter
of 2012, representing an increase of 8% compared to the first quarter
of 2011.
Operational highlights for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 are as
follows:
Peñasquito -
As stated in Goldcorp Inc.'s ("Goldcorp") press release dated March 28,
2012, the high pressure grinding roll supplemental feed system at the
Peñasquito mine was successfully commissioned during the first quarter
of 2012. Throughput in the last three weeks of March 2012 averaged over
110,000 tonnes per day, and included record daily throughput of 143,000
tonnes on March 13, 2012. In the ten days prior to mid-April,
throughput averaged 123,000 tonnes per day. Activities at Peñasquito
over the balance of 2012 will focus on further optimization of the
processing line. Peñasquito will become Silver Wheaton's largest
contributor of silver production in 2012, with forecast attributable
silver production of approximately 7 million ounces.
Pascua-Lama -
As stated by Barrick Gold Corporation in its first quarter 2012 MD&A,
the Pascua-Lama project remains on track to commence production in
mid-2013, with over 70% of the previously announced pre-production
capital budget of $4.7 to $5.0 billion committed. At the end of the
first quarter, earthworks in Chile and Argentina were approximately 97%
and 73% complete, respectively, with pre-stripping expected to commence
during the second quarter. Once in production, Pascua-Lama is forecast
to be one of the largest and lowest cost gold mines in the world with
an expected mine life in excess of 25 years. In its first full five
years of operation, Silver Wheaton's attributable silver production is
expected to average nine million ounces annually.
San Dimas -
As per Primero Mining Corp.'s ("Primero") March 28, 2012 disclosure, in
an effort to improve mine planning and expand long-term production
levels at its San Dimas mine, Primero elected to utilize block modeling
to estimate its mineral reserves and resources rather than the
polygonal method, which it had used historically. The estimates made
using this new approach resulted in a reduction in both silver reserves
and inferred resources at the San Dimas mine, as of December 31, 2011.
Primero's disclosure also states that there is significant exploration
potential at San Dimas beyond the stated mineral reserves and
resources, some of which has been reported as mineral potential.
Further details can be found in their March 28, 2012 disclosure.
Primero believes that the new estimation approach will improve mine
planning, and that further drilling and mine development will result in
mineral resources being converted to mineral reserves, a reasonable
amount of the exploration potential being converted to inferred
resources, and new mineral discoveries being realized.
Produced But Not Yet Delivered -
Payable silver equivalent ounces produced but not yet delivered to
Silver Wheaton by its partners was virtually unchanged in the first
quarter, with a total of approximately 4.2 million payable ounces at
March 31, 2012. The total is primarily attributable to Glencore
International AG's Yauliyacu mine, and Goldcorp's Penasquito mine,
where approximately 1.7 million and 1.3 million ounces of cumulative
payable silver ounces have been produced but not yet delivered to the
Company, respectively.
Detailed mine by mine production and sales figures can be found in the
Appendix of this press release and in Silver Wheaton's Management's
Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") in the 'Results of Operations and
Operational Review' section.
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 www.silverwheaton.com and have been posted on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
-----------------------------------------
1 Please refer to non-IFRS measures at the end of this press release.
Webcast and Conference Call Details
A conference call will be held Monday, May 14, 2012, 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:
1-888-231-8191
Dial from outside Canada or the US:
1-647-427-7450
Pass code:
71685970
Live audio webcast:
www.silverwheaton.com
Participants should dial in five to ten minutes before the call.
The conference call will be recorded and you can listen to an archive of
the call by one of the following methods:
Dial toll free from Canada or the US:
1-855-859-2056
Dial from outside Canada or the US:
1-416-849-0833
Pass code:
71685970
Archived audio webcast:
www.silverwheaton.com
About Silver Wheaton
Silver Wheaton is the largest silver streaming company in the world.
Based upon its current agreements, forecast 2012 attributable
production is approximately 27 million silver equivalent ounces,
including 16,500 ounces of gold. By 2016, annual attributable
production is anticipated to increase significantly to approximately 43
million silver equivalent ounces, including 35,000 ounces of gold. This
growth is driven by the Company's portfolio of world-class assets,
including silver streams on Goldcorp's Peñasquito mine and Barrick's
Pascua-Lama project.
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING-STATEMENTS
The information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements"
within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" within the meaning
of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking
statements, which are all statements other than statements of
historical fact, include, but are not limited to, statements with
respect to the future price of silver and gold, the estimation of
mineral reserves and resources, the realization of mineral reserve
estimates, the timing and amount of estimated future production, costs
of production, reserve determination, reserve conversion rates and
statements as to any future dividends. 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", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or
"believes", 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 silver and gold; the
absence of control over mining operations from which Silver Wheaton
purchases silver or gold 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, 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; and differences in
the interpretation or application of tax laws and regulations; 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 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
from which Silver Wheaton purchases silver or gold, 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 their public statements and achieve their stated production
outcomes, and such other assumptions and factors as set out herein.
Although Silver Wheaton has attempted to identify important factors
that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors
that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended.
There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to
be accurate. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on
forward-looking statements. 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.
Consolidated Statement of Earnings (unaudited)
Three Months Ended
March 31
(US dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts -
unaudited)
2012
2011
Sales
$
199,638
$
158,183
Cost of sales
Cost of sales, excluding depletion
$
25,019
$
19,948
Depletion
17,206
11,684
Total cost of sales
$
42,225
$
31,632
Earnings from operations
$
157,413
$
126,551
Expenses and other income
General and administrative 1
$
7,564
$
6,501
Foreign exchange gain
(30)
(4)
Other (income) expense
(650)
140
$
6,884
$
6,637
Earnings before income taxes
$
150,529
$
119,914
Income tax (expense) recovery
(3,348)
2,262
Net earnings
$
147,181
$
122,176
Basic earnings per share
$
0.42
$
0.35
Diluted earnings per share
$
0.41
$
0.34
Weighted average number of shares outstanding
Basic
353,529
352,898
Diluted
355,943
355,903
1) Equity settled stock based compensation (a non-cash item) included in
general and administrative expenses.
$
1,659
$
1,255
Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited)
March 31
December 31
(US dollars in thousands - unaudited)
2012
2011
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents
$
997,489
$
840,201
Accounts receivable
6,217
3,890
Other
1,336
1,221
Total current assets
$
1,005,042
$
845,312
Non-current assets
Silver and gold interests
$
1,857,112
$
1,871,726
Long-term investments
141,589
151,621
Deferred income taxes
744
2,301
Other
1,352
1,375
Total non-current assets
$
2,000,797
$
2,027,023
Total assets
$
3,005,839
$
2,872,335
Liabilities
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
$
6,575
$
8,709
Dividends payable
31,829
-
Current portion of bank debt
28,560
28,560
Current portion of silver interest payments
132,989
130,789
Total current liabilities
$
199,953
$
168,058
Non-current liabilities
Long-term portion of bank debt
42,920
50,060
Total liabilities
$
242,873
$
218,118
Shareholders' equity
Issued capital
$
1,795,951
$
1,793,772
Reserves
16,640
25,422
Retained earnings
950,375
835,023
Total shareholders' equity
$
2,762,966
$
2,654,217
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
$
3,005,839
$
2,872,335
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (unaudited)
Three Months Ended
March 31
(US dollars in thousands - unaudited)
2012
2011
Operating activities
Net earnings
$
147,181
$
122,176
Adjustments for
Depreciation and depletion
17,267
11,754
Equity settled stock based compensation
1,659
1,255
Deferred income tax expense (recovery)
3,068
(2,519)
(Gain) loss on fair value adjustment of share purchase warrants held
(675)
66
Investment income recognized in net earnings
(319)
(209)
Other
(98)
(133)
Change in non-cash operating working capital
(4,574)
(5,392)
Operating cash flows before interest income
$
163,509
$
126,998
Interest income received
302
198
Cash generated by operating activities
$
163,811
$
127,196
Financing activities
Bank debt repaid
$
(7,140)
$
(7,140)
Share purchase warrants exercised
10
61
Share purchase options exercised
924
4,395
Dividends paid
-
(10,595)
Cash applied to financing activities
$
(6,206)
$
(13,279)
Investing activities
Silver and gold interests
$
(180)
$
(2,542)
Silver and gold interests - interest paid
(215)
(315)
Dividend income received
17
11
Proceeds on disposal of long-term investments
-
24,270
Other
(20)
(8)
Cash (applied to) generated by investing activities
$
(398)
$
21,416
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
$
81
$
106
Increase in cash and cash equivalents
$
157,288
$
135,439
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
840,201
428,636
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$
997,489
$
564,075
Summary of Ounces Produced and Sold
2012
2011
2010
(in thousands)
Q1
Q4
Q3
Q2
Q1
Q4
Q3
Q2
Silver ounces produced 1
San Dimas 2
1,692
1,578
1,251
1,150
1,606
1,586
1,255
1,110
Zinkgruvan
642
390
379
414
508
428
508
478
Yauliyacu
550
583
608
674
683
651
633
692
Peñasquito
1,365
1,633
1,162
1,282
1,207
1,260
1,109
866
Cozamin
405
433
395
414
325
335
381
286
Barrick 3
667
723
794
741
722
458
682
697
Other 4
1,288
1,389
1,272
1,153
1,088
1,245
1,069
1,240
6,609
6,729
5,861
5,828
6,139
5,963
5,637
5,369
Silver equivalent ounces of gold produced 5
Minto
107
202
257
261
97
205
402
522
Silver equivalent ounces produced
6,716
6,931
6,118
6,089
6,236
6,168
6,039
5,891
Silver ounces sold
San Dimas 2
1,701
1,488
1,232
1,149
1,748
1,438
1,274
1,076
Zinkgruvan
517
425
319
401
321
421
635
313
Yauliyacu
497
655
11
471
120
470
87
517
Peñasquito
1,189
851
1,382
961
941
1,169
692
656
Cozamin
376
374
335
281
271
411
306
412
Barrick 3
656
755
747
726
680
482
533
727
Other 4
992
1,230
770
862
741
1,139
750
943
5,928
5,778
4,796
4,851
4,822
5,530
4,277
4,644
Silver equivalent ounces of gold sold 5
Minto
198
196
316
227
83
127
411
496
Silver equivalent ounces sold
6,126
5,974
5,112
5,078
4,905
5,657
4,688
5,140
Gold / silver ratio 5
51.2
51.9
50.4
40.1
33.0
49.7
57.7
65.4
Cumulative payable silver equivalent ounces produced but not yet
delivered 6
4,166
4,127
3,805
3,537
3,018
2,275
2,174
1,403
1)
Ounces produced represent the quantity of silver and gold contained in
concentrate or doré prior to smelting or refining deductions. Certain
production figures are based on management estimates.
2)
Beginning in the third quarter of 2010, the ounces produced and sold
include ounces received from Goldcorp in connection with Goldcorp's
four year commitment to deliver to Silver Wheaton 1.5 million ounces
of silver per annum resulting from their sale of San Dimas to Primero.
3)
Comprised of the Lagunas Norte, Pierina and Veladero silver interests.
4)
Comprised of the Los Filos, Mineral Park, Neves-Corvo, Stratoni, Keno
Hill, Minto, Aljustrel and Campo Morado silver interests in addition to
the previously owned La Negra and San Martin silver interests.
5)
Gold ounces produced and sold are converted to a silver equivalent basis
on 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.
6)
Based on management estimates.
Results of Operations (unaudited)
Three Months Ended March 31, 2012
Ounces
Produced 2
Ounces
Sold
Sales
(US$'s)
Average
Realized
Price
(US$'s
Per
Ounce)
Average
Cash Cost
(US$'s
Per
Ounce) 3
Average
Depletion
(US$'s
Per
Ounce)
Net
Earnings
(US$'s)
Cash Flow
From
Operations
(US$'s)
Total Assets
(US$'s)
Silver
San Dimas 4
1,692
1,701
$
55,566
$
32.66
$
4.09
$
0.79
$
47,267
$
48,606
$
166,188
Zinkgruvan
642
517
16,938
32.73
4.14
1.68
13,927
13,495
56,771
Yauliyacu
550
497
15,586
31.36
4.02
5.02
11,094
13,588
227,518
Peñasquito
1,365
1,189
38,760
32.61
3.99
2.96
30,500
34,018
501,455
Cozamin
405
376
12,609
33.58
4.08
4.05
9,557
10,139
23,595
Barrick 5
667
656
21,503
32.80
3.90
4.34
16,100
18,946
600,651
Other 6
1,288
992
32,200
32.44
3.95
3.99
24,320
27,051
247,933
6,609
5,928
$
193,162
$
32.58
$
4.02
$
2.79
$
152,765
$
165,843
$
1,824,111
Gold
Minto
2,088
3,860
6,476
1,678
303
171
4,648
5,149
33,001
Silver equivalent 7
6,716
6,126
$
199,638
$
32.59
$
4.08
$
2.81
$
157,413
$
170,992
$
1,857,112
Corporate
General and administrative
$
(7,564)
Other
(2,668)
Total corporate
$
(10,232)
$
(7,181)
$
1,148,727
6,716
6,126
$
199,638
$
32.59
$
4.08
$
2.81
$
147,181
$
163,811
$
3,005,839
1)
All figures in thousands except gold ounces produced and sold and per
ounce amounts.
2)
Ounces produced represent the quantity of silver and gold contained in
concentrate or doré prior to smelting or refining deductions. Certain
production figures are based on management estimates.
3)
Refer to discussion on non-IFRS measures at the end of this press
release.
4)
Results for San Dimas include 375,000 ounces received from Goldcorp in
connection with Goldcorp's four year commitment to deliver to Silver
Wheaton 1.5 million ounces of silver per annum resulting from their
sale of San Dimas to Primero.
5)
Comprised of the operating Lagunas Norte, Pierina and Veladero silver
interests in addition to the non-operating Pascua-Lama silver interest.
6)
Comprised of the operating Los Filos, Keno Hill, Mineral Park,
Neves-Corvo, Stratoni, Campo Morado, Minto and Aljustrel silver
interests in addition to the non-operating Rosemont silver and gold
interest and Loma de La Plata silver interest.
7)
Gold ounces produced and sold are converted to a silver equivalent basis
on 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.
Three Months Ended March 31, 2011
Ounces
Produced 2
Ounces
Sold
Sales
(US$'s)
Average
Realized
Price
(US$'s
Per
Ounce)
Average
Cash Cost
(US$'s
Per
Ounce) 3
Average
Depletion
(US$'s
Per
Ounce)
Net
Earnings
(US$'s)
Cash Flow
From
Operations
(US$'s)
Total Assets
(US$'s)
Silver
San Dimas 4
1,606
1,748
$
58,371
$
33.39
$
4.04
$
0.71
$
50,051
$
50,203
$
170,274
Zinkgruvan
508
321
11,049
34.41
4.08
1.69
9,195
9,606
59,578
Yauliyacu
683
120
3,523
29.36
3.98
5.02
2,443
3,045
235,718
Peñasquito
1,207
941
27,020
28.72
3.90
2.41
21,085
23,351
512,664
Cozamin
325
271
8,651
31.87
4.04
4.62
6,299
7,776
29,694
Barrick 5
722
680
21,663
31.84
3.90
3.55
16,595
17,451
597,453
Other 6
1,088
741
24,027
32.44
3.93
3.95
18,186
20,184
264,138
6,139
4,822
$
154,304
$
32.00
$
3.98
$
2.33
$
123,854
$
131,616
$
1,869,519
Gold
Minto
2,925
2,524
3,879
1,537
300
168
2,697
2,870
36,322
Silver equivalent 7
6,236
4,905
$
158,183
$
32.24
$
4.07
$
2.38
$
126,551
$
134,486
$
1,905,841
Corporate
General and administrative
$
(6,501)
Other
2,126
Total corporate
$
(4,375)
$
(7,290)
$
851,224
6,236
4,905
$
158,183
$
32.24
$
4.07
$
2.38
$
122,176
$
127,196
$
2,757,065
1)
All figures in thousands except gold ounces produced and sold and per
ounce amounts.
2)
Ounces produced represent the quantity of silver and gold contained in
concentrate or doré prior to smelting or refining deductions. Certain
production figures are based on management estimates.
3)
Refer to discussion on non-IFRS measures at the end of this press
release.
4)
Results for San Dimas include 375,000 ounces received from Goldcorp in
connection with Goldcorp's four year commitment to deliver to Silver
Wheaton 1.5 million ounces of silver per annum resulting from their
sale of San Dimas to Primero.
5)
Comprised of the operating Lagunas Norte, Pierina and Veladero silver
interests in addition to the non-operating Pascua-Lama silver interest.
6)
Comprised of the operating Los Filos, Keno Hill, Mineral Park,
Neves-Corvo, Stratoni, Campo Morado, Minto and Aljustrel silver
interests in addition to the non-operating Rosemont silver and gold
interest and Loma de La Plata silver interest.
7)
Gold ounces produced and sold are converted to a silver equivalent basis
on 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.
Non-IFRS Measures
Silver Wheaton has included, throughout this document, certain non-IFRS
performance measures, including (i) average cash costs of silver and
gold on a per ounce basis; (ii) operating cash flows per share (basic
and diluted); and (iii) cash operating margin.
i.
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. The
Company believes that, in addition to conventional measures prepared in
accordance with IFRS, certain investors use this information to
evaluate the Company's performance and ability to generate cash flow.
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 it believes that certain investors use
this information to evaluate the Company's performance in comparison to
other companies in the precious metals mining industry who present
results on a similar basis.
iii.
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 it believes that certain investors
use this information to evaluate the Company's performance in
comparison to other companies in the precious metals 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 pages 14 to 16 of
Silver Wheaton's Management Discussion and Analysis available on the
Company's website at www.silverwheaton.com and posted on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
SOURCE Silver Wheaton Corp.For further information: <p> Brad Kopp <br/> Senior Vice President, Investor Relations<br/> Silver Wheaton Corp.<br/> Tel: 1-800-380-8687<br/> Email: <a href="mailto:info@silverwheaton.com">info@silverwheaton.com</a><br/> Website: <a href="http://www.silverwheaton.com">www.silverwheaton.com</a> </p>
