Notes to the Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2024 (US Dollars)
The Salobo mine historically had a mill throughput capacity of 24 Mtpa and is currently ramping up to full capacity of 36 Mtpa, expected in the fourth quarter of 2024. On November 21, 2023, the Company and Vale jointly announced the successful completion of the throughput test for the first phase of the Salobo III expansion project, with the Salobo complex exceeding an average throughput of 32 Mtpa over a
90-day
period. As a result, Wheaton paid Vale $370 million on December 1, 2023, representing the amount due for completion of the first phase of the Salobo III expansion project.
The remaining balance of the expansion payment is dependent on the timing of completion and will be triggered once Vale expands actual throughput above 35 Mtpa for a period of 90 days. If actual throughput is expanded above 35 Mtpa by January 1, 2031, Wheaton will be required to make additional payments to Vale based on the size of the expansion and the timing of completion. The set payments range from a total of $52 million if throughput is expanded beyond 35 Mtpa by January 1, 2031, to up to $163 million if throughput is expanded beyond 35 Mtpa by January 1, 2025.
In addition, Wheaton will be required to make annual payments of between $5.1 million to $8.5 million for a
10-year
period following payment of the expansion payments if the Salobo mine implements a high-grade mine plan, with payments to be made for each year the high-grade plan is achieved.
The Company is committed to pay Hudbay total upfront cash payments of $230 million in two installments, with the first $50 million being advanced upon Hudbay’s receipt of permitting for the Copper World Complex and other customary conditions and the balance of $180 million being advanced once project costs incurred on the Copper World Complex exceed $98 million and certain other customary conditions. Under the Copper World Complex PMPA, the Company is permitted to elect to pay the deposit in cash or the delivery of common shares. Additionally, the Company will be entitled to certain delay payments, including where construction ceases in any material respect, or if completion is not achieved within agreed upon timelines.
Under the terms of the Marmato PMPA, the Company is committed to pay Aris Mining additional upfront cash payments of $122 million, payable during the construction of the Marmato Lower Mine development portion of the Marmato mine, subject to customary conditions.
Under the terms of the Santo Domingo PMPA, the Company is committed to pay Capstone Copper Corp., (“Capstone”) additional upfront cash payments of $260 million, which is payable during the construction of the Santo Domingo project, subject to customary conditions being satisfied, including Capstone attaining sufficient financing to cover total expected capital expenditures.
Under the terms of the Fenix PMPA, the Company is committed to pay Rio2 Limited (“Rio2”) additional upfront cash payments of $25 million, payable subject to certain customary conditions.
Under the terms of the Curipamba PMPA, the Company is committed to pay additional upfront cash payments of $162.2 million, which includes $250,000 which will be paid to support certain local community development initiatives around the Curipamba Project. The payments will be payable in four staged installments during construction, subject to various customary conditions being satisfied.
Under the terms of the Marathon PMPA, the Company is committed to pay additional upfront cash payments of $146 million (Cdn$200 million), which is to be paid in four staged installments during construction of the Marathon project, subject to various customary conditions being satisfied.
Under the terms of the Cangrejos PMPA, which had a closing date of May 16, 2023 and amended on May 31, 2024, the Company is committed to pay additional upfront consideration of $261 million. Of this amount, $6 million is payable on December 2, 2024, $3 million can be drawn upon for committed acquisition of surface rights and the remainder is to be paid in four staged equal installments during construction of the mine, subject to various customary conditions being satisfied.
WHEATON PRECIOUS METALS 2024 SECOND QUARTER REPORT - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS [40]