UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 6-K

Report of Foreign Private Issuer Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 Under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

March 18, 2015

Commission File Number: 001-32482

SILVER WHEATON CORP.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Suite 3150, 666 Burrard Street
Vancouver, British Columbia
V6C 2X8
(604) 684-9648
(Address of principal executive offices)


 Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
 
Form 20-F    o             Form 40-F    þ
 
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): o
 
 
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): o
 
 
 
This report on Form 6-K shall be incorporated by reference into the registrant’s Registration Statement on Form F-3 (File No: 333-194702) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.


 
 
 
 
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DOCUMENTS FILED AS PART OF THIS FORM 6-K
 
See the Exhibit Index to this Form 6-K.
 
SIGNATURE
 
           Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
SILVER WHEATON CORP.
 
 
 
 
 
March 18, 2015
By:
 /s/ Curt Bernardi
 
 
 
Name:
Curt Bernardi
 
 
 
Title:
Senior Vice President, Legal
 
 
 
 
and Corporate Secretary
 





 

 

 









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EXHIBIT INDEX

 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
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slw6kexhibit99-1.htm



 
 
 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    TSX: SLW
 March 18, 2015    NYSE: SLW
 
SILVER WHEATON REPORTS FOURTH QUARTER
AND FULL YEAR RESULTS FOR 2014

Vancouver, British Columbia – Silver Wheaton Corp. (“Silver Wheaton” or the “Company”) (TSX:SLW) (NYSE:SLW) is pleased to announce its results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2014. All figures are presented in United States dollars unless otherwise noted.

FULL YEAR HIGHLIGHTS
 


•  
Attributable silver equivalent production for the year ended December 31, 2014 of 35.3 million ounces (25.7 million ounces of silver and 142,800 ounces of gold), compared with 35.8 million ounces in 2013, representing a decrease of 2%.
 
•  
Record silver equivalent sales volume for the year ended December 31, 2014 of 32.9 million ounces (23.5 million ounces of silver and 139,500 ounces of gold), compared with 30.0 million ounces in 2013, representing an increase of 10%.
 
•  
Revenues of $620.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared with $706.5 million in 2013, representing a decrease of 12%.
 
•  
Average realized sale price per silver equivalent ounce sold for the year ended December 31, 2014 of $18.86 ($18.92 per ounce of silver and $1,261 per ounce of gold), representing a decrease of 20% as compared with 2013.
 
•  
Adjusted net earnings¹ of $268.0 million ($0.75 per share) for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared with $375.5 million ($1.06 per share) in 2013, representing a decrease of 29%.
 
•  
During the third quarter of 2014, the Company recognized an impairment charge of $68.2 million related to its Mineral Park and Campo Morado silver interests.
 
•  
After including the impact of the impairment charge, net earnings were $199.8 million ($0.56 per share) compared with $375.5 million ($1.06 per share) in 2013, representing a decrease of 47%.
 
•  
Operating cash flows of $431.9 million ($1.20 per share¹) for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared with $534.1 million ($1.50 per share¹) in 2013, representing a decrease of 19%.
 


 1  Please refer to non-IFRS measures at the end of this press release.

 
 

 
- 2 -

 
•  
Cash operating margin¹ of $14.27 per silver equivalent ounce for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared with $18.93 in 2013, representing a decrease of 25%.
 
•  
Average cash costs¹ were $4.14 and $386 per ounce of silver and gold, respectively. On a silver equivalent basis, average cash costs¹ decreased to $4.59 compared with $4.65 in 2013.
 
•  
On March 26, 2014, the Company paid $125 million to Hudbay Minerals Inc. ("Hudbay") in satisfaction of the final upfront payment relative to the silver stream on the Constancia project.
 
•  
On September 26, 2014 the Company paid $135 million to Hudbay in satisfaction of the upfront payment relative to the gold stream on the Constancia project through the issuance of 6,112,282 common shares, at an average issuance price of $22.09 per share.

•  
As per Hudbay’s January 15, 2015 press release, initial concentrate production was achieved from Hudbay’s Constancia project during the fourth quarter of 2014 with commercial production forecast to be achieved in the second quarter of 2015.


FOURTH QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS
 


•  
Attributable silver equivalent production in Q4 2014 of 9.0 million ounces (6.4 million ounces of silver and 34,500 ounces of gold), compared with 9.7 million ounces in Q4 2013, representing a decrease of 8%.
 
•  
Attributable silver equivalent sales volume in Q4 2014 of 8.5 million ounces (5.7 million ounces of silver and 37,900 ounces of gold), compared with 8.0 million ounces in Q4 2013, representing an increase of 7%.
 
•  
Revenues of $140.4 million in Q4 2014 compared with $167.4 million in Q4 2013, representing a decrease of 16%.
 
•  
Average realized sale price per silver equivalent ounce sold in Q4 2014 of $16.43 ($16.46 per ounce of silver and $1,213 per ounce of gold), representing a decrease of 22% as compared with Q4 2013.
 
•  
Net earnings of $52.0 million ($0.14 per share) in Q4 2014 compared with $93.9 million ($0.26 per share) in Q4 2013, representing a decrease of 45%.
 
•  
Operating cash flows of $94.1 million ($0.26 per share¹) in Q4 2014 compared with $124.6 million ($0.35 per share¹) in Q4 2013, representing a decrease of 24%.
 
•  
Cash operating margin¹ in Q4 2014 of $11.92 per silver equivalent ounce compared with $16.30 in Q4 2013, representing a decrease of 27%.
 
•  
Average cash costs¹ in Q4 2014 were $4.13 and $391 per ounce of silver and gold, respectively. On a silver equivalent basis, average cash costs¹ decreased to $4.51 compared with $4.70 in Q4 2013.
 
•  
Declared quarterly dividend of $0.05 per common share.
 
 

1 Please refer to non-IFRS measures at the end of this press release.

 
 

 
- 3 -

 
EVENTS SUBSEQUENT TO THE QUARTER
 


•  
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”).

•  
On January 5, 2015, the Company announced that it had reached an agreement with Nyrstar Mining Ltd. (“Nyrstar”) resulting in the cancellation of the silver purchase agreement relating to the Campo Morado mine in Mexico in exchange for cash consideration of $25 million.

•  
On February 27, 2015, the Company announced that it had amended and restated its revolving credit facility (“Revolving Facility”). The Company increased the available credit from $1 billion to $2 billion, extended the term by 2 years, with the facility now maturing on February 27, 2020, and amended certain covenants. In addition, the Company 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 have 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).


OUTLOOK
 


•  
For 2015, Silver Wheaton’s estimated attributable silver equivalent production is forecast to be 43.5 million silver equivalent ounces1, including 230,000 ounces of gold. This represents an increase of over 20% from 2014.
•  
For 2019, estimated annual attributable production is anticipated to increase over 40% compared to 2014 levels, growing to approximately 51 million silver equivalent ounces1, including 325,000 ounces of gold.


“The last few months have positioned us exceptionally well for significant growth over the coming years,” said Randy Smallwood, President and Chief Executive Officer of Silver Wheaton. “To start, in mid-2014 Vale completed an expansion at the Salobo mine, doubling the mine’s capacity. Furthermore, Vale has continued to ramp up production at Salobo over the past eight months. Additionally, in the fourth quarter of 2014, Hudbay’s Constancia mine in Peru began production. Hudbay has done an excellent job of bringing Constancia online, and we look forward to the mine reaching commercial production in the second quarter of 2015, as projected by Hudbay. Finally, earlier this month we announced the acquisition of an additional gold stream on the Salobo mine, doubling the amount of gold we will receive from this cornerstone asset. We forecast production growing to approximately 51 million silver equivalent ounces in 2019, with Constancia and Salobo representing a significant portion of this growth.”


 
 Silver equivalent production forecast assumes a gold/silver ratio of 72:1

 
 

 
- 4 -


“While the precious metal markets remain quite volatile, Silver Wheaton’s business model was designed to perform well throughout the commodity price cycle. When precious metal prices climb, we tend to generate substantial cash flow. Conversely, in challenging price environments such as these, we tend to focus on acquiring accretive new precious metal streams to enhance our organic growth profile. A good example of this is our recent acquisition of additional gold from the Salobo mine,” continued Randy Smallwood. “Over our ten year history, we have grown our production and reserves and increased our portfolio to 27 assets globally. Over the next ten years, we look forward to working towards creating further opportunities and growth.”


Financial Review

Revenues

Revenue was $140.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2014, on silver equivalent sales of 8.5 million ounces (5.7 million ounces of silver and 37,900 ounces of gold). This represents a 16% decrease from the $167.4 million of revenue generated in the fourth quarter of 2013 due primarily to a 22% decrease in the average realized silver equivalent price ($16.43 in Q4 2014 compared with $21.00 in Q4 2013), being partially offset by a 7% increase in the number of silver equivalent ounces sold.

Revenue was $620.2 million in 2014, on silver equivalent sales of 32.9 million ounces (23.5 million ounces of silver and 139,500 ounces of gold). This represents a 12% decrease from the $706.5 million of revenue generated in 2013, due primarily to a 20% decrease in the average realized silver equivalent price ($18.86 in 2014 compared with $23.58 in 2013), partially offset by a 10% increase in the number of silver equivalent ounces sold.

Costs and Expenses

Average cash costs¹ in the fourth quarter of 2014 were $4.51 per silver equivalent ounce as compared with $4.70 during the comparable period of 2013. This resulted in a cash operating margin¹ of $11.92 per silver equivalent ounce, a reduction of 27% as compared with Q4 2013. The decrease in the cash operating margin was primarily due to a 22% decrease in the average silver equivalent price realized in Q4 2014 compared with Q4 2013.

Average cash costs¹ during the year ended December 31, 2014 were $4.59 per silver equivalent ounce, compared with $4.65 during the comparable period of 2013. This resulted in a cash operating margin¹ of $14.27 per silver equivalent ounce, a reduction of 25% as compared with 2013. The decrease in the cash operating margin was primarily due to a 20% decrease in the average silver equivalent price realized in 2014 compared with 2013.


 
1 Please refer to non-IFRS measures at the end of this press release.

 
 

 
- 5 -


Earnings and Operating Cash Flows

Net earnings and cash flow from operations in the fourth quarter of 2014 were $52.0 million ($0.14 per share) and $94.1 million ($0.26 per share¹), compared with $93.9 million ($0.26 per share) and $124.6 million ($0.35 per share¹) for the same period in 2013, a decrease of 45% and 24%, respectively. Earnings and cash flow continued to be impacted by lower gold and silver prices.

Adjusted net earnings¹ and cash flow from operations during the year ended December 31, 2014 were $268.0 million ($0.75 per share) and $431.9 million ($1.20 per share¹), compared with $375.5 million ($1.06 per share) and $534.1 million ($1.50 per share¹) for the same period in 2013, a decrease of 29% and 19%, respectively.

Balance Sheet

At December 31, 2014, the Company had approximately $308.1 million of cash on hand and $1 billion outstanding under the Company's non-revolving term loan.


Fourth Quarter Asset Highlights

During the fourth quarter of 2014, attributable silver equivalent production was 9.0 million ounces (6.4 million ounces of silver and 34,500 ounces of gold), representing a decrease of 8% compared with the fourth quarter of 2013. During 2014, attributable silver equivalent production was 35.3 million ounces (25.7 million ounces of silver and 142,800 ounces of gold), representing a decrease of 2% compared with 2013.

Operational highlights for the quarter ended December 31, 2014, are as follows:

Peñasquito

In the fourth quarter of 2014, the Peñasquito mine produced 1.6 million ounces of silver attributable to Silver Wheaton, a decrease of approximately 23% relative to the fourth quarter of 2013 due to lower grades being mined. Goldcorp Inc. (“Goldcorp”) anticipates returning to higher grade portions of the open pit in 2015.

As disclosed in Goldcorp’s 2014 annual management’s discussion and analysis (“MD&A”), following receipt of initial permits and finalizing the remaining construction contracts, construction on the Northern Well Field (“NWF”) project ramped up to full activity levels in the fourth quarter of 2014, with completion anticipated around mid-year 2015. Activities to address the additional regulatory requirements related to the interconnection to the existing well field continue as planned. Contingency plans remain in place for fresh water supply to the Peñasquito mine until the NWF is operational.

Goldcorp has also reported that during 2014, the Peñasquito mine progressed with pre-feasibility studies on two projects: to assess the potential for producing saleable copper concentrate at the Peñasquito mine, the Concentrate Enrichment Project (“CEP”), and to assess the viability of leaching a pyrite concentrate from the zinc flotation tailings (“Pyrite Leach”). Goldcorp reports that successful implementation of one or both of these new process improvements has the potential to significantly improve the overall economics and life of mine duration. The pre-feasibility studies were essentially complete at the end of 2014 and Goldcorp expects the projects to be integrated as they enter the feasibility study phase. Goldcorp expects the feasibility study to be complete in early 2016.


 
1  Please refer to non-IFRS measures at the end of this press release.

 
 

 
- 6 -


San Dimas

On August 6, 2010, 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, plus Silver Wheaton received an additional 1.5 million ounces of silver per annum which was delivered by Goldcorp. Beginning on August 6, 2014, which was the fourth anniversary of the closing, Primero will deliver 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 ceases.

In the fourth quarter of 2014, San Dimas produced 1.7 million ounces of silver, a decrease of approximately 12% relative to the fourth quarter of 2013 primarily due to the cessation of supplemental silver deliveries from Goldcorp related to the sale of San Dimas to Primero in 2010. In the fourth quarter of 2013, the Goldcorp supplement was 375,000 ounces. Net of this supplement, San Dimas had higher production relative to the same period in the prior year due to increased throughput as a result of the expansion to 2,500 tonnes per day completed earlier in 2014. Primero has subsequently announced a further expansion to 3,000 tonnes per day that is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2016.

Constancia

As disclosed in Hudbay’s year end 2014 MD&A, physical construction of the Constancia project is essentially complete with initial production being achieved during the fourth quarter of 2014 and commencement of commercial production being on track for the second quarter of 2015. Hudbay also stated that the Constancia mine is expected to achieve full capacity in the second half of 2015.

Pascua-Lama / Barrick

In the fourth quarter of 2014, attributable silver production from Barrick was 0.7 million ounces, an increase of 63% relative to the fourth quarter of 2013 primarily due to higher grades at the Veladero mine.

In Barrick’s 2014 annual MD&A, Barrick states that they are currently engineering the permanent water management system and assessing the permitting requirements for construction with Chilean regulators. Barrick also states that the engineering studies indicate that an increase in the capacity of the water management system may be required above the volume approved in the project’s Chilean environmental approval. Barrick expects to submit their application for the new water management system by June 2015, with permitting taking about two years. Barrick has stated that a decision to restart development of the Pascua-Lama project will depend on improved economics and more certainty regarding legal and permitting matters.

 
 

 
- 7 -


Campo Morado

On December 31, 2014, Silver Wheaton reached an agreement with Nyrstar resulting in the cancellation of the silver purchase agreement relating to Campo Morado in exchange for cash consideration of $25 million payable on or before January 31, 2015. As part of this agreement, Silver Wheaton was entitled to 75% of the silver contained in concentrate produced at the Campo Morado mine on or prior to December 31, 2014, and was granted a five year right of first refusal on any silver streaming or royalty transaction in relation to any Nyrstar group property, globally. The $25 million payment was received by Silver Wheaton on January 30, 2015.

Other - Minto

In the fourth quarter of 2014, the Minto mine produced 3,398 ounces of gold, a decrease of 64% relative to the fourth quarter of 2013 primarily due to lower grade material being processed. As per Capstone Mining Corp.’s (“Capstone”) year end 2014 MD&A, surface mining was suspended at the end of Q3 2014 due to delays in receipt of the Water Use License ("WUL") Amendment, which is required to permit pre-stripping at Minto North. Fresh ore from underground mining was supplemented with stockpiled ore to feed the mill in Q4 2014. On February 6, 2015, the Yukon Water Board requested additional information from Capstone after the public comment period closed. Capstone responded to this Information Request on February 16. As a result, Capstone does not expect that the Minto North deposit will be stripped as planned at the beginning of Q2 2015.

Produced But Not Yet Delivered 1

During the fourth quarter of 2014, payable silver equivalent ounces produced but not yet delivered to Silver Wheaton by its partners decreased by 0.3 million ounces to approximately 4.8 million silver equivalent payable ounces at December 31, 2014.

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.


Events Subsequent to 2014

Pascua-Lama

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.


  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.

 
 

 
- 8 -


Salobo

On March 2, 2015, the Company agreed to amend the agreement with Vale to acquire from Vale 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 will pay Vale an upfront cash consideration of $900 million as well as 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 is processed from and after January 1, 2015 will accrue retroactively to the Company. The terms of the original gold stream on the Salobo mine were modified so that the annual inflationary adjustment that was scheduled to start in 2016 will now start coincident with this stream in 2017. If throughput capacity is expanded above the current 24 million tonnes per annum 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.

Amendments to Credit Facilities

On February 27, 2015 the Company amended its Revolving Facility by increasing the available credit from $1 billion to $2 billion and extending the term by 2 years, with the facility now maturing on February 27, 2020. As part of the amendment, the financial covenants were amended to require the Company to maintain: (i) a net debt to tangible net worth ratio of less than or equal to 0.75:1; and (ii) an interest coverage ratio of greater than or equal to 3.00:1. These covenants replaced the previously applicable leverage ratio and tangible net worth covenants. The interest rate applicable to any drawings under the amended Revolving Facility remains unchanged. On February 27, 2015, 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. Upon closing, the Company had $685 million drawn under the amended Revolving Facility.

Following the amendments to the Revolving Facility, the Company had over $1.3 billion of available credit as of February 27, 2015, which, together with cash, cash equivalents and ongoing operating cashflows, positions the Company well to fund all outstanding commitments and provides the flexibility to acquire additional accretive precious metal stream interests.

Equity Financing

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 US$20.55 per share (the “Offering”), for aggregate gross proceeds to Silver Wheaton of approximately US$800 million. In addition, Silver Wheaton granted the underwriters an option to purchase up to an additional 5,839,500 common shares at a price of US$20.55 per share, on the same terms and conditions as the Offering, exercisable at any time, in whole or in part, until the date that is 30 days following the closing of the Offering.

 
 

 
- 9 -


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). Silver Wheaton intends to use the net proceeds to fund the Company’s acquisition of an additional 25% gold stream from the Salobo Mine.


Reserves and Resources

As of December 31, 2014, Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves attributable to Silver Wheaton were 757.7 million ounces of silver compared with 781.3 million ounces reported by the Company in its MD&A for the quarter ended September 30, 2014, a decrease of 3%, and 9.27 million ounces of gold compared with 6.09 million ounces, an increase of 52%. On an attributable Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource basis, silver resources were 549.5 million ounces compared with 569.4 million ounces reported by the Company in its MD&A for the quarter ended September 30, 2014, a decrease of 3%, and gold resources were 2.76 million ounces compared with 1.92 million ounces, an increase of 43%. On an attributable Inferred Mineral Resource basis, silver resources were 275.2 million ounces compared with 298.7 million reported by the Company in its MD&A for the quarter ended September 30, 2014, a decrease of 8%, and gold resources were 1.46 million ounces compared with 1.03 million ounces, an increase of 41%. 

Estimated attributable reserves and resources contained in this press release are based on information available to the Company as of March 2, 2015, and therefore will not reflect updates, if any, after that date. Updated reserves and resources data incorporating year-end 2014 estimates will also be included in the Company's 2014 Annual Information Form. Silver Wheaton’s most current attributable reserves and resources, as of December 31, 2014, can be found on the Company’s website at www.silverwheaton.com.


2015 and Long-Term Silver Equivalent Production Forecast

Silver Wheaton is pleased to provide its updated one and five-year production guidance, which incorporates the additional 25% life of mine gold stream on the Salobo mine. In 2015, Silver Wheaton’s estimated attributable silver equivalent production is forecast to be 43.5 million silver equivalent ounces1, including 230,000 ounces of gold. In 2019, estimated annual attributable production is anticipated to increase over 40% compared with 2014 levels, growing to approximately 51 million silver equivalent ounces1, including 325,000 ounces of gold.

The additional ounces from Salobo to our production profile as well as the ramp-up of Hudbay’s Constancia mine in 2015 more than offset the anticipated reduction in attributable production from other assets in Silver Wheaton’s current streaming portfolio. Hudbay’s Constancia mine is expected to meet the completion test well before 2016, resulting in gold production from the 777 mine attributable to Silver Wheaton dropping from 100% to 50% in 2017. In addition, the 10-year term contract on Capstone Mining’s Cozamin mine, acquired with Silver Wheaton’s 2009 acquisition of Silverstone, expires in April 2017. Finally, as Hudbay provides no formal production guidance for its Rosemont project, Silver Wheaton no longer includes any production from the Rosemont project in its production forecast for 2019. As a reminder, Silver Wheaton also does not include any production from Barrick Gold Corp.’s Pascua-Lama project in its guidance.


1  Silver equivalent production forecast assumes a gold/silver ratio of 72:1

 
 

 
- 10 -


Attributable mine-by-mine actual 2013 and 2014 production and forecast 2015 production are as follows:


 
Attributable Production1, 2
 
2013
Actual
2014
Actual
2015
Forecast
       
Silver ounces produced (000's)
     
Peñasquito
6,216
7,318
7,300
San Dimas3
6,542
5,760
6,600
Barrick4
2,185
1,687
2,200
Yauliyacu
2,618
2,938
2,900
Other5
9,193
7,971
7,940
 
26,754
25,674
26,940
       
Gold ounces produced (000's)
     
777
66.3
46.2
45
Salobo
29.1
40.1
120
Sudbury6
33.0
35.3
35
Other7
22.6
21.3
30
 
151.0 
142.8 
230
       
Silver equivalent ounces produced (000's)8
35,823
35,285
43,500
       
 
1) 
Ounces produced represent quantity of silver and gold contained in concentrate or doré prior to smelting or refining deductions.
2)
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.
3) Production includes 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. Up until August 6, 2014, 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, plus Silver Wheaton received an additional 1.5 million ounces of silver per annum delivered by Goldcorp (in 2014 Goldcorp was only required to deliver 875 thousand ounces given the partial year). After August 6, 2014, Primero will deliver 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.
4)
Comprised of the Lagunas Norte, Pierina and Veladero silver interests.
5)  Includes the Los Filos, Zinkgruvan, Keno Hill, Mineral Park (prior to 2015), Cozamin, Neves-Corvo, Stratoni, Campo Morado (prior to 2015), Minto, 777, Constancia and Aljustrel silver interests.
6)  Comprised of the Coleman, Copper Cliff, Garson, Stobie, Creighton and Totten gold interests.
7)  Includes Minto and Constancia gold interests.
8)  Gold ounces produced are converted to a silver equivalent basis using a gold to silver ratio 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.


 
Webcast and Conference Call Details
 
A conference call will be held Thursday, March 19, 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:  68733807  
 Live audio webcast:  www.silverwheaton.com  
                                                                                                                                                                                         
Participants should dial in five to ten minutes before the call.

 
 

 
- 11 -


The conference call will be recorded and available until March 26, 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: 68733807  
Archived audio webcast: 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 www.silverwheaton.com and have been posted on SEDAR at 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.

 
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 payment by Silver Wheaton of US$900 million to Vale and the satisfaction of each party’s obligations in accordance with the Amended Salobo Purchase Agreement (as defined in the Canadian prospectus), in respect of the Salobo mine and the Constancia project, the anticipated receipt by Silver Wheaton of estimated additional gold and precious metal production, 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 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), 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”.  
 
 
 
 

 
- 12 -
 
 
 
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: any specific risks relating to the satisfaction of each party’s obligations in accordance with the terms of  the Amended Salobo Purchase Agreement disclosed in the Canadian Prospectus (as defined below), 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 “Risk Factors” in the final short form prospectus of Silver Wheaton to be filed in Canada in connection with the Offering  (the “Canadian Prospectus”) available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and in the US final prospectus of Silver Wheaton dated March 9, 2015 (the “US Prospectus”) included in the Registration Statement on Form F-10 filed with the SEC.  Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable, including but not limited to: the payment by Silver Wheaton of US$900 million to Vale, and the satisfaction of each party’s obligations in accordance with the terms of the Amended Salobo Purchase Agreement, 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 Canadian Prospectus) 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.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
- 13 -

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 U.S. prospectus, a copy of which is available at 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.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
- 14 -

Summarized Financial Results


 
 
2014
2013
2012
 
Silver equivalent production 1
     
Attributable silver ounces produced (000’s)
25,674
26,754
26,669
Attributable gold ounces produced
142,815
151,204
50,482
Attributable silver equivalent ounces produced (000’s) 1
35,285
35,832
29,372
 
Silver equivalent sales 1
     
Silver ounces sold (000’s)
23,484
22,823
24,850
Gold ounces sold
139,522
117,319
46,094
Silver equivalent ounces sold (000’s) 1
32,891
29,963
27,328
 
Average realized price ($'s per ounce)
     
Average realized silver price
$           18.92
$           23.86
$           31.03
Average realized gold price
$           1,261
$           1,380
$           1,701
Average realized silver equivalent price 1
$           18.86
$           23.58
$           31.09
 
Average cash cost ($'s per ounce) 2
     
Average silver cash cost
$             4.14
$             4.12
$             4.06
Average gold cash cost
$              386
$              386
$              362
Average silver equivalent cash cost 1
$             4.59
$             4.65
$             4.30
 
Total revenue ($000's)
$       620,176
$       706,472
$       849,560
 
Net earnings ($000's)
$       199,826
$       375,495
$       586,036
 
Add back - impairment loss
68,151
-
-
 
Adjusted net earnings 2 ($000's)
$       267,977
$       375,495
$       586,036
 
Earnings per share
     
Basic
$             0.56
$             1.06
$             1.66
Diluted
$             0.56
$             1.05
$             1.65
 
Adjusted earnings per share 2
     
Basic
$             0.75
$             1.06
$             1.66
Diluted
$             0.74
$             1.05
$             1.65
 
Cash flow from operations ($000's)
$       431,873
$       534,133
$       719,404
 
Dividends
     
Dividends paid ($000's)
$         93,400³
$       160,013
$       123,852
Dividends paid per share
$             0.26
$             0.45
$             0.35
 
Total assets ($000's)
$    4,647,763
$    4,389,844
$    3,189,337
 
Total non-current financial liabilities ($000’s)
$    1,001,914
$       999,973
$         23,555
 
Total other liabilities ($000’s)
$         17,113
$         23,325
$         58,708
 
Shareholders' equity ($000's)
$    3,628,736
$    3,366,546
$    3,107,074
 
Shares outstanding
364,777,928
357,396,778
354,375,852

1)  
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.
2)  
Refer to discussion on non-IFRS measures at the end of this press release.
3)  
Dividends paid during 2014 were comprised of $79.8 million in cash and $13.6 million in common shares issued, with the Company issuing 646,618 common shares (an average of $21.08 per share) under the Company’s dividend reinvestment plan.

 
 

 
- 15 -


Consolidated Statement of Earnings

   
 
Years Ended December 31
 
(US dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
2014
2013
 
Sales
 
$
620,176
$
706,472
 
Cost of sales
         
Cost of sales, excluding depletion
 
$
151,097
$
139,352
Depletion
   
160,180
 
144,153
 
Total cost of sales
 
$
311,277
$
283,505
 
Earnings from operations
 
$
308,899
$
422,967
 
Expenses and other income
         
General and administrative 1
 
$
37,860
$
35,308
Impairment charges
   
68,151
 
-
Foreign exchange gain
   
(609)
 
(348)
Interest expense
   
2,277
 
6,083
Other expense
   
2,439
 
11,550
 
 
 
$
110,118
$
52,593
 
Earnings before income taxes
 
$
198,781
$
370,374
Income tax recovery
   
1,045
 
5,121
 
Net earnings
 
$
199,826
$
375,495
           
Basic earnings per share
 
$
0.56
$
1.06
Diluted earnings per share
 
$
0.56
$
1.05
 
Weighted average number of shares outstanding
         
Basic
   
359,401
 
355,588
Diluted
   
359,804
 
356,595
1)  Equity settled stock based compensation (a non-cash item) included in general and administrative expenses.
 
$
8,194
$
8,389

 
 

 
- 16 -


Consolidated Balance Sheets

   
 
December 31
December 31
 
(US dollars in thousands)
2014
2013
 
Assets
         
Current assets
         
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
308,098
$
95,823
Accounts receivable
   
4,132
 
4,619
Other
   
26,263
 
845
 
Total current assets
 
$
338,493
$
101,287
 
Non-current assets
         
Silver and gold interests
 
$
4,248,265
$
4,228,484
Early deposit - gold interest
   
13,599
 
13,602
Royalty interest
   
9,107
 
-
Long-term investments
   
32,872
 
40,801
Other
   
5,427
 
5,670
 
Total non-current assets
 
$
4,309,270
$
4,288,557
 
Total assets
 
$
4,647,763
$
4,389,844
 
Liabilities
         
Current liabilities
         
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
 
$
14,798
$
20,416
Current portion of performance share units
   
1,373
 
718
 
Total current liabilities
 
$
16,171
$
21,134
 
Non-current liabilities
         
Long-term portion of bank debt
 
$
998,518
$
998,136
Deferred income taxes
   
942
 
2,191
Performance share units
   
3,396
 
1,837
 
Total non-current liabilities
 
$
1,002,856
$
1,002,164
 
Total liabilities
 
$
1,019,027
$
1,023,298
 
Shareholders' equity
         
Issued capital
 
$
2,037,923
$
1,879,475
Reserves
   
(28,841)
 
(25,618)
Retained earnings
   
1,619,654
 
1,512,689
 
Total shareholders' equity
 
$
3,628,736
$
3,366,546
 
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
 
$
4,647,763
$
4,389,844


 
 

 
- 17 -


Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows


   
 
Years Ended December 31
 
(US dollars in thousands)
 
2014
2013
 
Operating activities
         
Net earnings
 
$
199,826
$
375,495
Adjustments for
         
Depreciation and depletion
   
160,506
 
144,393
Amortization of credit facility origination fees:
         
Interest expense
   
125
 
558
Amortization of credit facility origination fees - undrawn facilities
   
1,020
 
1,910
Write off of credit facility origination fees upon the cancellation of the Bridge Facility
   
-
 
4,490
Gain on disposal of silver interest
   
(1,260)
 
-
Impairment charges
   
68,151
 
-
Interest expense
   
2,151
 
5,525
Equity settled stock based compensation
   
8,194
 
8,389
Performance share units
   
2,516
 
646
Deferred income tax recovery
   
(1,249)
 
(5,275)
Loss on fair value adjustment of share purchase warrants held
   
-
 
2,694
Investment income recognized in net earnings
   
(351)
 
(431)
Other
   
(155)
 
(69)
Change in non-cash working capital
   
(5,561)
 
1,088
Cash generated from operations
 
$
433,913
$
539,413
Interest paid - expensed
   
(2,163)
 
(5,513)
Interest received
   
123
 
233
 
Cash generated from operating activities
$
431,873
$
534,133
 
Financing activities
         
Bank debt repaid
 
$
-
$
(1,725,060)
Bank debt drawn
   
-
 
2,675,000
Credit facility origination fees
   
(621)
 
(14,003)
Share issue costs
   
(152)
 
-
Share purchase warrants exercised
   
-
 
51,736
Share purchase options exercised
   
7,026
 
6,390
Dividends paid
   
(79,775)
 
(160,013)
 
Cash generated from (applied to) financing activities
$
(73,522)
$
834,050
 
Investing activities
         
Silver and gold interests
 
$
(125,321)
$
(2,025,973)
Interest paid - capitalized to silver interests
   
(14,063)
 
(10,954)
Silver and gold interests - early deposit
   
(150)
 
(13,450)
Royalty interest
   
(9,107)
 
-
Proceeds on disposal of silver interest
   
3,408
 
-
Dividend income received
   
228
 
227
Other
   
(1,016)
 
(304)
 
Cash applied to investing activities
$
(146,021)
$
(2,050,454)
 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
$
(55)
$
(122)
 
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
$
212,275
$
(682,393)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year
 
95,823
 
778,216
 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year
 
$
308,098
$
95,823

 
 

 
- 18 -



Summary of Ounces Produced and Sold

 
 
2014
2013
 
 
Q4
Q3
Q2
Q1
Q4
Q3
Q2
Q1
 
Silver ounces produced 2
               
San Dimas 3
         1,744
         1,290
           1,118
         1,608
         1,979
         1,660
          1,160
         1,743
Yauliyacu
            687
            875
            658
            718
            687
            639
            668
            624
Peñasquito
         1,582
         1,630
         2,054
         2,052
         2,047
         1,636
         1,440
         1,093
Barrick 4
            690
            397
            299
            301
            423
            465
            556
            741
Other 5
          1,701
         1,903
         2,182
         2,185
          2,119
         2,450
         2,586
         2,038
 
Total silver ounces produced
         6,404
         6,095
          6,311
         6,864
         7,255
         6,850
         6,410
         6,239
 
Gold ounces produced ²
               
777
         9,669
        12,105
         11,611
       12,785
        14,134
       18,259
       16,986
        16,951
Sudbury 6
         9,165
        12,196
         7,473
         6,426
         7,060
         7,341
         8,840
         9,869
Salobo
       12,253
        10,415
         8,486
         8,903
       10,067
         8,061
         6,342
         4,677
Other 7
         3,435
         6,959
         5,185
         5,749
         9,530
         2,894
         4,226
         5,967
 
Total gold ounces produced
       34,522
       41,675
       32,755
       33,863
       40,791
       36,555
       36,394
       37,464
 
Silver equivalent ounces of gold produced 8
         2,560
         2,786
         2,144
          2,121
         2,476
         2,237
         2,269
         2,096
 
Silver equivalent ounces produced 8
         8,964
         8,881
         8,455
         8,985
         9,731
         9,087
         8,679
         8,335
 
Silver equivalent ounces produced - as originally reported 2, 8
 n.a.
         8,447
         8,365
         8,977
         9,723
         8,948
         8,615
         8,046
 
Increase (Decrease) 2
 n.a.
            434
              90
                8
                8
            139
              64
            289
 
Silver ounces sold
               
San Dimas 3
         1,555
         1,295
          1,194
         1,529
         2,071
         1,560
          1,194
         1,850
Yauliyacu
            761
         1,373
              111
         1,097
            674
              13
            559
            149
Peñasquito
         1,640
         1,662
         1,958
         1,840
          1,412
         1,388
         1,058
         1,459
Barrick 4
            671
            377
            291
            361
            397
            447
            560
            753
Other 5
          1,106
         1,592
         1,673
         1,398
          1,510
         2,257
          1,771
          1,741
 
Total silver ounces sold
         5,733
         6,299
         5,227
         6,225
         6,064
         5,665
         5,142
         5,952
 
Gold ounces sold
               
777
         8,718
       15,287
       13,599
         6,294
       15,889
       16,972
       23,483
         9,414
Sudbury 6
         11,251
         5,566
         6,718
         6,878
         6,551
         6,534
         4,184
              111
Salobo
       14,270
         7,180
        11,902
       10,560
         6,944
         6,490
         2,793
            720
Other 7
         3,665
         8,685
         2,559
         6,390
         1,840
         5,287
         3,409
         6,698
 
Total gold ounces sold
       37,904
       36,718
       34,778
       30,122
       31,224
       35,283
       33,869
       16,943
 
Silver equivalent ounces of gold sold 8
         2,808
         2,441
         2,267
          1,891
         1,909
         2,163
         2,097
            971
 
Silver equivalent ounces sold 8
         8,541
         8,740
         7,494
          8,116
         7,973
         7,828
         7,239
         6,923
 
Gold / silver ratio 8
           74.1
           66.5
           65.2
           62.8
            61.1
           61.3
           61.9
           57.3
 
Cumulative payable silver equivalent ounces produced but not yet delivered 9
         4,839
         5,147
         5,996
         6,042
         5,997
         5,283
         4,736
         4,082

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, Mineral Park, Cozamin, Neves-Corvo, Stratoni, Keno Hill, Minto, 777, Aljustrel, Constancia 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.

 
 

 
- 19 -


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 December 31, 2014
 
Ounces
Produced²
Ounces
Sold
Sales
Average
Realized
Price
($'s Per
Ounce)
Average
Cash
Cost
($'s Per
Ounce)3
Average
Depletion
($'s Per
Ounce)
Net
Earnings
Cash Flow
From
Operations
Total Assets
 
Silver
                               
San Dimas
1,744
1,555
$
25,571
$
16.44
$
4.20
$
0.81
$
17,773
$
19,040
$
152,951
Yauliyacu
687
761
 
11,896
 
15.63
 
4.16
 
5.92
 
4,221
 
8,730
 
187,478
Peñasquito
1,582
1,640
 
27,493
 
16.76
 
4.05
 
2.98
 
15,966
 
20,851
 
451,145
Barrick 4
690
671
 
11,216
 
16.72
 
3.90
 
3.26
 
6,411
 
8,600
 
605,328
Other 5
1,701
1,106
 
18,219
 
16.47
 
4.29
 
3.95
 
9,101
 
12,929
 
559,747
 
 
6,404
5,733
$
94,395
$
16.46
$
4.13
$
3.00
$
53,472
$
70,150
$
1,956,649
 
Gold
                               
777
9,669
8,718
$
10,519
$
1,207
$
400
$
823
$
(141)
$
7,374
$
243,913
Sudbury 6
9,165
11,251
 
14,231
 
1,265
 
400
 
841
 
263
 
10,168
 
583,862
Salobo
12,253
14,270
 
16,924
 
1,186
 
400
 
462
 
4,625
 
11,216
 
1,302,202
Other 7
3,435
3,665
 
4,306
 
1,175
 
310
 
124
 
2,714
 
2,942
 
161,639
 
 
34,522
37,904
$
45,980
$
1,213
$
391
$
625
$
7,461
$
31,700
$
2,291,616
 
Silver equivalent 8
8,964
8,541
$
140,375
$
16.43
$
4.51
$
4.79
$
60,933
$
101,850
$
4,248,265
 
Corporate
                               
General and administrative
                 
$
(8,992)
       
Other
                     
89
       
 
Total corporate
                   
$
(8,903)
$
(7,730)
$
399,498
 
 
8,964
8,541
$
140,375
$
16.43
$
4.51
$
4.79
$
52,030
$
94,120
$
4,647,763

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.  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)  
Refer to discussion on non-IFRS measures at the end of this press release.
4)  
Comprised of the operating Lagunas Norte, Pierina and Veladero silver interests in addition to the non-operating Pascua-Lama silver interest.
5)  
Comprised of the operating Los Filos, Zinkgruvan, Cozamin, Neves-Corvo, Stratoni, Campo Morado, Minto, 777, Constancia and Aljustrel silver interests in addition to the non-operating Keno Hill, Rosemont and Loma de La Plata silver interests.
6)  
Comprised of the operating Coleman, Copper Cliff, Garson, Stobie, Creighton and Totten gold interests in addition to the non-operating Victor gold interest.
7)  
Comprised of the operating Minto and Constancia gold interests in addition to the non-operating Rosemont gold interest.
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.


 
 

 
- 20 -



 
Three Months Ended December 31, 2013
 
Ounces
Produced²
Ounces
Sold
Sales
Average
Realized
Price
($'s Per
Ounce)
Average
Cash
Cost
($'s Per
Ounce)3
Average
Depletion
($'s Per
Ounce)
Net
Earnings
Cash Flow
From
Operations
Total Assets
 
Silver
                               
San Dimas 4
1,979
2,071
$
42,071
$
20.32
$
4.17
$
0.82
$
31,753
$
33,443
$
157,492
Yauliyacu
687
674
 
14,681
 
21.78
 
4.12
 
5.75
 
8,030
 
11,904
 
207,277
Peñasquito
2,047
1,412
 
30,508
 
21.61
 
4.02
 
2.96
 
20,647
 
24,832
 
472,289
Barrick 5
423
397
 
8,629
 
21.72
 
3.90
 
3.31
 
5,765
 
6,891
 
601,107
Other 6
2,119
1,510
 
31,660
 
20.96
 
4.30
 
4.66
 
18,127
 
25,803
 
549,927
 
 
7,255
6,064
$
127,549
$
21.03
$
4.14
$
2.99
$
84,322
$
102,873
$
1,988,092
 
Gold
                               
777
14,134
15,889
$
20,127
$
1,267
$
400
$
802
$
1,036
$
13,771
$
280,026
Sudbury
7,060
6,551
 
8,363
 
1,277
 
400
 
829
 
311
 
5,743
 
609,454
Salobo
10,067
6,944
 
9,025
 
1,300
 
400
 
462
 
3,039
 
6,247
 
1,322,483
Other 8
9,530
1,840
 
2,352
 
1,278
 
306
 
115
 
1,577
 
2,192
 
28,429
 
 
40,791
31,224
$
39,867
$
1,277
$
394
$
691
$
5,963
$
27,953
$
2,240,392
 
Silver equivalent 9
9,731
7,973
$
167,416
$
21.00
$
4.70
$
4.98
$
90,285
$
130,826
$
4,228,484
 
Corporate
                               
General and administrative
                 
$
(7,150)
       
Other
                     
10,765
       
 
Total corporate
                   
$
3,615
$
(6,235)
$
161,360
 
 
9,731
7,973
$
167,416
$
21.00
$
4.70
$
4.98
$
93,900
$
124,591
$
4,389,844

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.  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)  
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 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.
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, Zinkgruvan, Keno Hill, Mineral Park, Cozamin, Neves-Corvo, Stratoni, Campo Morado, Minto, 777 and Aljustrel silver interests in addition to the non-operating Rosemont, Loma de La Plata and Constancia silver interests.
7)  
Comprised of the operating Coleman, Copper Cliff, Garson, Stobie and Creighton gold interests in addition to the non-operating Totten and Victor gold interests.
8)  
Comprised of the operating Minto gold interest in addition to the non-operating Rosemont and Constancia gold interests.
9)  
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.


 
 

 
- 21 -



 
Year Ended December 31, 2014
 
Ounces
Produced²
Ounces
Sold
Sales
Average
Realized
Price
($'s Per
Ounce)
Average
Cash
Cost
($'s Per
Ounce)3
Average
Depletion
($'s Per
Ounce)
Net
Earnings
Cash Flow
From
Operations
Total Assets
 
Silver
                               
San Dimas 4
5,760
5,573
$
104,095
$
18.68
$
4.19
$
0.81
$
76,228
$
80,769
$
152,951
Yauliyacu
2,938
3,342
 
64,011
 
19.15
 
4.15
 
5.92
 
30,353
 
50,152
 
187,478
Peñasquito
7,318
7,100
 
134,757
 
18.98
 
4.05
 
2.98
 
84,860
 
106,004
 
451,145
Barrick 5
1,687
1,700
 
31,687
 
18.64
 
3.90
 
3.26
 
19,508
 
23,065
 
605,328
Other 6
7,971
5,769
 
109,664
 
19.01
 
4.27
 
4.25
 
60,495
 
86,161
 
559,747
 
 
25,674
23,484
$
444,214
$
18.92
$
4.14
$
3.22
$
271,444
$
346,151
$
1,956,649
 
Gold
                               
777
46,170
43,898
$
55,535
$
1,265
$
400
$
823
$
1,863
$
38,318
$
243,913
Sudbury 7
35,260
30,413
 
38,720
 
1,273
 
400
 
841
 
962
 
26,993
 
583,862
Salobo
40,057
43,912
 
54,762
 
1,247
 
400
 
462
 
16,917
 
37,198
 
1,302,202
Other 8
21,328
21,299
 
26,945
 
1,265
 
309
 
124
 
17,713
 
19,936
 
161,639
 
 
142,815
139,522
$
175,962
$
1,261
$
386
$
607
$
37,455
$
122,445
$
2,291,616
 
Silver equivalent 9
35,285
32,891
$
620,176
$
18.86
$
4.59
$
4.87
$
308,899
$
468,596
$
4,248,265
 
Corporate
                               
General and administrative
                 
$
(37,860)
       
Impairment charges 10
                   
(68,151)
       
Other
                     
(3,062)
       
 
Total corporate
                   
$
(109,073)
$
(36,723)
$
399,498
 
 
35,285
32,891
$
620,176
$
18.86
$
4.59
$
4.87
$
199,826
$
431,873
$
4,647,763

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.  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)  
Refer to discussion on non-IFRS measures at the end of this press release.
4)  
Results for San Dimas include 875,000 ounces received from Goldcorp in connection with Goldcorp’s four year commitment, commencing 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.
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, Zinkgruvan, Mineral Park, Cozamin, Neves-Corvo, Stratoni, Campo Morado, Minto, 777, Constancia and Aljustrel silver interests in addition to the non-operating Keno Hill, Rosemont and Loma de La Plata silver interests.
7)  
Comprised of the operating Coleman, Copper Cliff, Garson, Stobie, Creighton and Totten gold interests in addition to the non-operating Victor gold interest.
8)  
Comprised of the operating Minto and Constancia gold interests in addition to the non-operating Rosemont gold interest.
9)  
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.
10)  
During the third quarter of 2014, the Company recognized an impairment charge of $68.2 million related to its previously owned Mineral Park and Campo Morado silver interests.  These former silver interests are reflected as a component of Other silver interests in this press release.

 
 

 
- 22 -



 
Year Ended December 31, 2013
 
Ounces
Produced²
Ounces
Sold
Sales
Average
Realized
Price
($'s Per
Ounce)
Average
Cash
Cost
($'s Per
Ounce)3
Average
Depletion
($'s Per
Ounce)
Net
Earnings
Cash Flow
From
Operations
Total Assets
 
Silver
                               
San Dimas 4
6,542
6,675
$
157,150
$
23.54
$
4.15
$
0.82
$
124,003
$
129,447
$
157,492
Yauliyacu
2,618
1,395
 
33,053
 
23.69
 
4.12
 
5.75
 
19,293
 
27,311
 
207,277
Peñasquito
6,216
5,317
 
126,587
 
23.81
 
4.02
 
2.82
 
90,229
 
105,213
 
472,289
Barrick 5
2,185
2,157
 
56,834
 
26.35
 
3.90
 
3.04
 
41,860
 
49,597
 
601,107
Other 6
9,193
7,279
 
170,963
 
23.49
 
4.23
 
4.37
 
108,303
 
141,020
 
549,927
 
 
26,754
22,823
$
544,587
$
23.86
$
4.12
$
2.93
$
383,688
$
452,588
$
1,988,092
 
Gold
                               
777
66,330
65,758
$
91,412
$
1,390
$
400
$
802
$
12,398
$
61,136
$
280,026
Sudbury 7
33,110
17,380
 
23,001
 
1,324
 
400
 
829
 
1,639
 
16,050
 
609,454
Salobo
29,147
16,947
 
22,552
 
1,331
 
400
 
462
 
7,945
 
15,774
 
1,322,483
Other 8
22,617
17,234
 
24,920
 
1,446
 
305
 
137
 
17,297
 
19,923
 
28,429
 
 
151,204
117,319
$
161,885
$
1,380
$
386
$
659
$
39,279
$
112,883
$
2,240,392
 
Silver equivalent 9
35,832
29,963
$
706,472
$
23.58
$
4.65
$
4.81
$
422,967
$
565,471
$
4,228,484
 
Corporate
                               
General and administrative
                 
$
(35,308)
       
Other
                     
(12,164)
       
 
Total corporate
                   
$
(47,472)
$
(31,338)
$
161,360
 
 
35,832
29,963
$
706,472
$
23.58
$
4.65
$
4.81
$
375,495
$
534,133
$
4,389,844

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.  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)  
Refer to discussion on non-IFRS measures at the end of this press release.
4)  
Results for San Dimas include 1,500,000 ounces received from Goldcorp in connection with Goldcorp’s four year commitment, commencing 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.
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, Zinkgruvan, Keno Hill, Mineral Park, Cozamin, Neves-Corvo, Stratoni, Campo Morado, Minto, 777 and Aljustrel silver interests in addition to the non-operating Rosemont, Loma de La Plata and Constancia silver interests.
7)  
Comprised of the operating Coleman, Copper Cliff, Garson, Stobie and Creighton gold interests in addition to the non-operating Totten and Victor gold interests.
8)  
Comprised of the operating Minto gold interest in addition to the non-operating Rosemont and Constancia gold interests.
9)  
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.

 
 

 
- 23 -




Non-IFRS Measures

Silver Wheaton has included, throughout this document, certain non-IFRS performance measures, including (i) adjusted net earnings and adjusted net earnings per share; (ii) operating cash flow per share (basic and diluted); (iii) average cash costs of silver and gold on a per ounce basis; and (iv) cash operating margin.

i.  
Adjusted net earnings and adjusted net earnings per share are calculated by removing the effects of the non-cash impairment charges. The Company believes that, in addition to conventional measures prepared in accordance with IFRS, the Company and certain investors use this information to evaluate the Company's performance.

The following table provides a reconciliation of adjusted net earnings and adjusted net earnings per share (basic and diluted).


 
 
Three Months Ended
December 31
Years Ended December 31
 
(in thousands, except for per share amounts)
2014
2013
2014
2013
 
Net earnings
$
52,030
$
93,900
$
199,826
$
375,495
Add back - impairment loss
 
-
 
-
 
68,151
 
-
 
Adjusted net earnings
$
52,030
$
93,900
$
267,977
$
375,495
 
Divided by:
               
Basic weighted average number of shares outstanding
 
364,436
 
357,389
 
359,401
 
355,588
 
Diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding
 
364,718
 
357,869
 
359,804
 
356,595
 
Equals:
               
Adjusted earnings per share - basic
$
0.14
$
0.26
$
0.75
$
1.06
 
Adjusted earnings per share - diluted
$
0.14
$
0.26
$
0.74
$
1.05

 
 
ii.  
Operating cash flow per share (basic and diluted) is calculated by dividing cash generated by operating activities by the weighted average number of shares outstanding (basic and diluted).  The Company presents operating cash flow per share as management and certain investors use this information to evaluate the Company’s performance in comparison to other companies in the precious metals mining industry who present results on a similar basis.

iii.  
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 evaluate the Company’s performance and ability to generate cash flow.
 
iv.  
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 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 www.silverwheaton.com and posted on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

 
 

 
- 24 -


For further information, please contact:

Patrick Drouin
Senior Vice President, Investor Relations
Silver Wheaton Corp.
Tel: 1-800-380-8687
Email: info@silverwheaton.com
Website: www.silverwheaton.com

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 

 


slw6kexhibit99-2.htm

 
 


 
 

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition for the Year Ended December 31, 2014

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) should be read in conjunction with Silver Wheaton Corp.’s (“Silver Wheaton” or the “Company”) consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014 and related notes thereto which have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”).  This MD&A contains “forward looking” statements that are subject to risk factors set out in the cautionary note contained on page 49 of this MD&A as well as throughout this document.  All figures are presented in United States dollars unless otherwise noted.  This MD&A has been prepared as of March 18, 2015.


Highlights

Operations

•  
Attributable silver equivalent production for the three months and year ended December 31, 2014 of 9.0 million ounces (6.4 million ounces of silver and 34,500 ounces of gold) and 35.3 million ounces (25.7 million ounces of silver and 142,800 ounces of gold), respectively, representing a decrease of 8% and 2% over the comparable periods in 2013.

•  
Attributable silver equivalent sales volume for the three months and year ended December 31, 2014 of 8.5 million ounces (5.7 million ounces of silver and 37,900 ounces of gold) and 32.9 million ounces (23.5 million ounces of silver and 139,500 ounces of gold), respectively, representing an increase of 7% and 10% over the comparable periods in 2013, with ounces sold for the most recently completed twelve month period representing a record for the Company.

•  
Average realized sale price per silver equivalent ounce sold for the three months and year ended December 31, 2014 of $16.43 ($16.46 per ounce of silver and $1,213 per ounce of gold) and $18.86 ($18.92 per ounce of silver and $1,261 per ounce of gold), representing a decrease of 22% and 20%, respectively, as compared to the comparable periods of 2013.

•  
Revenue for the three months and year ended December 31, 2014 of $140.4 million and $620.2 million, respectively, compared with $167.4 million and $706.5 million for the comparable periods in 2013, representing a decrease of 16% and 12%, respectively.

•  
Net earnings for the three months and year ended December 31, 2014 was $52.0 million ($0.14 per share) and $199.8 million ($0.56 per share), respectively, compared with $93.9 million ($0.26 per share) and $375.5 million ($1.06 per share) for the comparable periods in 2013, representing a decrease of 45% and 47%, respectively.

•  
During the third quarter of 2014, the Company recognized an impairment charge of $68.2 million related to its Mineral Park and Campo Morado silver interests.

•  
After removing the impact of the impairment charge, adjusted net earnings¹ for the three months and year ended December 31, 2014 of $52.0 million ($0.14 per share) and $268.0 million ($0.75 per share), respectively, compared with net earnings of $93.9 million ($0.26 per share) and $375.5 million ($1.06 per share) for the comparable periods in 2013, representing a decrease of 45% and 29%, respectively.

•  
Operating cash flows for the three months and year ended December 31, 2014 of $94.1 million ($0.26 per share²) and $431.9 million ($1.20 per share²), respectively, compared with $124.6 million ($0.35 per share²) and $534.1 million ($1.50 per share²) for the comparable periods in 2013, representing a decrease of 24% and 19%, respectively.

•  
On March 18, 2015, the Board of Directors declared a dividend in the amount of $0.05 per common share as per the Company’s stated dividend policy whereby the quarterly dividend will be equal to 20% of the average  of the operating cash flow of the previous four quarters.  This dividend is payable to shareholders of record on March 31, 2015 and is expected to be distributed on or about April 14, 2015.  The Company has implemented a dividend reinvestment plan (“DRIP”) whereby shareholders can elect to have dividends reinvested directly into additional Silver Wheaton common shares at a discount of 3% of the Average Market Price, as defined in the DRIP.


 1  Refer to discussion on non-IFRS measure (i) of page 28 of this MD&A
 2  Refer to discussion on non-IFRS measure (ii) of page 29 of this MD&A
 
 

SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [1]

 
 

 

 
•  
Average cash costs¹ for the three months and year ended December 31, 2014 of $4.51 and $4.59 per silver equivalent ounce, respectively.

•  
Cash operating margin² for the three months and year ended December 31, 2014 of $11.92 and $14.27 per silver equivalent ounce, respectively, representing a decrease of 27% and 25% relative to the comparable periods in 2013.

  
As at December 31, 2014, approximately 4.8 million payable silver equivalent ounces attributable to the Company have been produced at the various mines and will be recognized in future sales as they are delivered to the Company under the terms of their contracts.  This represents a decrease of 0.3 million payable silver equivalent ounces during the three month period ended December 31, 2014.

Corporate Development

•  
On March 2, 2015, the Company announced that it had agreed to amend its agreement with Vale S.A (“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 its agreement in 2013.

Other

•  
On March 31, 2014, with the unanimous consent of lenders, the term of the Company’s $1 billion non-revolving term-loan (“NRT Loan”) was extended by one year.

•  
On February 27, 2015, the Company announced that it had amended its $1 billion revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Facility”) by increasing the available credit from $1 billion to $2 billion and extending the term by 2 years, with the facility now maturing on February 27, 2020.  The Company used proceeds drawn from this amended Revolving Facility together with cash on hand to repay the NRT Loan.

•  
On March 26, 2014, the Company paid $125 million to Hudbay Minerals Inc. ("Hudbay") in satisfaction of the final upfront payment relative to the silver stream on the Constancia project.

•  
On May 8, 2014, the Company announced that it had implemented a dividend reinvestment plan whereby shareholders can elect to have dividends reinvested directly into additional Silver Wheaton common shares.

•  
On September 26, 2014 the Company paid $135 million to Hudbay in satisfaction of the upfront payment relative to the gold stream on the Constancia project through the issuance of 6,112,282 common shares, at an average issuance price of $22.09 per 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”).  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.

•  
On January 5, 2015, the Company announced that it had reached an agreement with Nyrstar Mining Ltd. (“Nyrstar”) resulting in the cancellation of the silver purchase agreement relating to the Campo Morado mine in Mexico in exchange for cash consideration of $25 million payable on or before January 31, 2015, with this payment being received on January 30, 2015.  As part of this agreement, Silver Wheaton will be entitled to 75% of the silver contained in concentrate produced at the Campo Morado mine on or prior to December 31, 2014, and will be granted a five year right of first refusal on any silver streaming or royalty transaction in relation to any Nyrstar group property, globally.


1 Refer to discussion on non-IFRS measure (iii) of page 30 of this MD&A
2 Refer to discussion on non-IFRS measure (iv) of page 31 of this MD&A
 
SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [2]

 
 

 


•  
As per Hudbay’s January 15, 2015 press release, initial concentrate production was achieved from Hudbay’s Constancia project during the fourth quarter of 2014 with commercial production projected for the second quarter of 2015 and full capacity thereafter.

•  
On March 2, 2015, the Company announced that, in connection with the amended Salobo precious metal purchase agreement, it had entered into an agreement with a syndicate of underwriters led by Scotiabank, pursuant to which they have 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. Silver Wheaton also agreed to grant to the underwriters an option to purchase up to an additional 5,839,500 common shares at a price of $20.55 per share, on the same terms and conditions as the Offering, exercisable at any time, in whole or in part, until the date that is 30 days following the closing of the Offering (the “Over Allotment Option”).

  
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 underwriters have until April 16, 2015 to exercise the Over Allotment Option.  In the event that the option is exercised in its entirety, the aggregate gross proceeds of the Offering to Silver Wheaton will be approximately $920 million.


Overview

Silver Wheaton Corp. is a mining company which generates its revenue from the sale of silver and gold.  The Company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange and trades under the symbol SLW.

Currently, the Company has entered into 18 long-term purchase agreements and one early deposit long-term purchase agreement associated with silver and/or gold ("precious metal purchase agreements”), relating to 27 different mining assets, whereby Silver Wheaton acquires silver and gold production from the counterparties for a per ounce cash payment which is fixed by contract, generally at or below the prevailing market price.  Attributable silver and gold as referred to in this MD&A and financial statements is the silver and gold production to which Silver Wheaton is entitled pursuant to the various purchase agreements.  During the year ended December 31, 2014, the per ounce price paid by the Company for silver and gold under the agreements averaged $4.14 and $386, respectively.  The primary drivers of the Company’s financial results are the volume of silver and gold production at the various mines to which the precious metal purchase agreements relate and the price of silver and gold realized by Silver Wheaton upon the sale of silver and gold received.


Outlook1

Silver Wheaton is the largest pure precious metals streaming company in the world.  Based upon its current agreements, forecast 2015 attributable production is approximately 43.5 million silver equivalent ounces, including 230,000 ounces of gold.  By 2019, estimated annual attributable production is anticipated to increase over 40% compared to 2014 levels, growing to approximately 51 million silver equivalent ounces, including 325,000 ounces of gold.  The additional ounces from Salobo to our production profile as well as the ramp-up of Hudbay's Constancia mine in 2015 more than offset the anticipated reduction in attributable production from other assets in Silver Wheaton's current streaming portfolio. Hudbay's Constancia mine is expected to meet the completion test well before 2016, resulting in gold production from the 777 mine attributable to Silver Wheaton dropping from 100% to 50% in 2017. In addition, the 10-year term contract on Capstone Mining's Cozamin mine, acquired with Silver Wheaton's 2009 acquisition of Silverstone, expires in April 2017. Finally, as Hudbay provides no formal production guidance for its Rosemont project, Silver Wheaton no longer includes any production from the Rosemont project in its production forecast for 2019. As a reminder, Silver Wheaton also does not include any production from Barrick's Pascua-Lama project in its guidance.


1
Statements made in this section contain forward-looking information with respect to forecast production, funding outstanding commitments and continuing to acquire accretive precious metal stream interests and readers are cautioned that actual outcomes may vary.  Please see “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” for material risks, assumptions and important disclosure associated with this information.

SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [3]

 
 

 




The $308.1 million of cash and cash equivalents as at December 31, 2014 combined with the liquidity provided by the available credit under the undrawn $1 billion Revolving Facility and ongoing operating cashflows, positions the Company well to fund all outstanding commitments as well as providing flexibility to acquire additional accretive precious metal stream interests.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [4]

 
 

 


Silver and Gold Interests1

The following table summarizes the silver and gold interests currently owned by the Company:
Silver and Gold
Interests
Mine
Owner
Location of
Mine
Upfront Consideration ¹
Attributable
Production to be
Purchased
Term of
Agreement
Date of
Original
Contract
 
Silver
Gold
San Dimas
Primero
Mexico
 $      189,799
 100% 2
 0%
Life of Mine
15-Oct-04
Yauliyacu
Glencore
Peru
 $      285,000
 100% 3
 0%
20 years
23-Mar-06
Peñasquito
Goldcorp
Mexico
 $      485,000
 25%
 0%
Life of Mine
24-Jul-07
777
Hudbay
Canada
 $      455,100
 100%
100%/50% 4
Life of Mine
8-Aug-12
Salobo
Vale
Brazil
 $   2,230,000 5
 0%
 50%
Life of Mine
28-Feb-13
Sudbury
   
 $      623,572 6
       
Coleman
Vale
Canada
 
 0%
 70%
20 years
28-Feb-13
Copper Cliff
Vale
Canada
 
 0%
 70%
20 years
28-Feb-13
Garson
Vale
Canada
 
 0%
 70%
20 years
28-Feb-13
Stobie
Vale
Canada
 
 0%
 70%
20 years
28-Feb-13
Creighton
Vale
Canada
 
 0%
 70%
20 years
28-Feb-13
Totten
Vale
Canada
 
 0%
 70%
20 years
28-Feb-13
Victor
Vale
Canada
 
 0%
 70%
20 years
28-Feb-13
Barrick
   
 $      625,000
       
Pascua-Lama
Barrick
Chile/Argentina
 
 25%
 0%
Life of Mine
8-Sep-09
Lagunas Norte
Barrick
Peru
 
 100%
 0%
8.5 years
8-Sep-09
Pierina
Barrick
Peru
 
 100%
 0%
8.5 years 7
8-Sep-09
Veladero
Barrick
Argentina
 
 100% 8
 0%
8.5 years
8-Sep-09
Other
             
Los Filos
Goldcorp
Mexico
 $          4,463
 100%
 0%
25 years
15-Oct-04
Zinkgruvan
Lundin
Sweden
 $        77,866
 100%
 0%
Life of Mine
8-Dec-04
Stratoni
Eldorado Gold 9
Greece
 $        57,500
 100%
 0%
Life of Mine
23-Apr-07
Minto
Capstone
Canada
 $        54,805
 100%
 100% 10
Life of Mine
20-Nov-08
Cozamin
Capstone
Mexico
 $        41,959
 100%
 0%
10 years
4-Apr-07
Neves-Corvo
Lundin
Portugal
 $        35,350
 100%
 0%
50 years
5-Jun-07
Aljustrel
I'M SGPS
Portugal
 $          2,451
 100% 11
 0%
50 years
5-Jun-07
Keno Hill
Alexco
Canada
 $        50,000
 25%
 0%
Life of Mine
2-Oct-08
Rosemont
Hudbay
United States
 $      230,000 12
 100%
 100%
Life of Mine
10-Feb-10
Loma de La Plata
Pan American
Argentina
 $        43,289 13
 12.5%
 0%
Life of Mine
n/a 14
Constancia
Hudbay
Peru
 $      429,900
 100%
 50% 15
Life of Mine
8-Aug-12
Early Deposit
       
 
   
Toroparu
Sandspring
Guyana
 $      148,500 16
 0%
 10% 16
Life of Mine
11-Nov-13

1)  
Expressed in United States dollars, rounded to the nearest thousand; excludes closing costs and capitalized interest, where applicable.
2)  
Until August 6, 2014, 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, plus Silver Wheaton received an additional 1.5 million ounces of silver per annum which was delivered by Goldcorp.  Beginning August 6, 2014, Primero will deliver 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.
3)  
To a maximum of 4.75 million ounces per annum.  In the event that silver sold and delivered to Silver Wheaton in any year totals less than 4.75 million ounces, the amount sold and delivered to Silver Wheaton in subsequent years will be increased to make up for any cumulative shortfall, to the extent production permits.
4)  
Silver Wheaton is entitled to acquire 100% of the life of mine gold production from Hudbay’s 777 mine until Hudbay’s Constancia project satisfies a completion test, or the end of 2016, whichever is later.  At that point, Silver Wheaton’s share of gold production from 777 will be reduced to 50% for the life of the mine.
5)  
Does not include the contingent payment related to the Salobo mine expansion.  Vale has recently completed the expansion of the mill throughput capacity at the Salobo mine to 24 million tonnes per annum (“Mtpa”) from its previous 12 Mtpa.  If actual throughput is expanded above 28 Mtpa within a predetermined period, Silver Wheaton will be required to make an additional payment to Vale based on a set fee schedule ranging from $88 million if throughput is expanded beyond 28 Mtpa by January 1, 2036, up to $720 million if throughput is expanded beyond 40 Mtpa by January 1, 2018.
6)  
Comprised of a $570 million upfront cash payment plus warrants to purchase 10 million shares of Silver Wheaton common stock at a strike price of $65, with a term of 10 years.
7)  
As per Barrick’s disclosure, closure activities were initiated at Pierina as of August 2013.
8)  
Silver Wheaton's attributable silver production is subject to a maximum of 8% of the silver contained in the ore processed at Veladero during the period.
9)  
95% owned by Eldorado Gold Corporation.
10)  
The Company is entitled to acquire 100% of the first 30,000 ounces of gold produced per annum and 50% thereafter.
11)  
As part of an agreement with I’M SGPS dated July 16, 2014, Silver Wheaton agreed to waive its rights to silver contained in copper concentrate at the Aljustrel mine while retaining the right to silver contained in zinc concentrate.
12)  
The upfront consideration is currently reflected as a contingent obligation, payable on an installment basis to partially fund construction of the Rosemont mine once certain milestones are achieved, including the receipt of key permits and securing the necessary financing to complete construction of the mine.
13)  
Comprised of $10.9 million allocated to the silver interest upon the Company’s acquisition of Silverstone Resources Corp. in addition to a contingent liability of $32.4 million, payable upon the satisfaction of certain conditions, including Pan American receiving all necessary permits to proceed with the mine construction.
14)  
Definitive terms of the agreement to be finalized.
15)  
Gold recoveries will be set at 55% for the Constancia deposit and 70% for the Pampacancha deposit until 265,000 ounces of gold have been delivered to the Company.
16)  
Comprised of $13.5 million paid to date in addition to $135 million to be payable on an installment basis to partially fund construction of the mine.  During the 60 day period following the delivery of a feasibility study, environmental study and impact assessment, and other related documents (collectively, the “Feasibility Documentation”), or after December 31, 2015 if the Feasibility Documentation has not been delivered to Silver Wheaton by such date, Silver Wheaton may elect not to proceed with the precious metal purchase agreement, at which time Silver Wheaton will be entitled to a return of $11.5 million of the early deposit  (on the basis that $2 million of the advanced $13.5 million is non-refundable) or, at Sandspring’s option, the stream percentage will be reduced from 10% to 0.774% (equivalent to the pro-rata stream based on a full purchase price of $11.5 million). 


1
Statements made in this section contain forward-looking information including the timing and amount of estimated future production and readers are cautioned that actual outcomes may vary. Please see “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” for material risks, assumptions and important disclosure associated with this information.
 

 
SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [5]

 
 

 


San Dimas

On October 15, 2004, the Company entered into an agreement with Goldcorp Inc. (“Goldcorp”) to acquire an amount equal to 100% of the silver produced by Goldcorp’s Luismin mining operations in Mexico (owned at the date of the transaction) for a period of 25 years.  The Luismin mining operations consisted primarily of the San Dimas and the Los Filos mines.

On August 6, 2010, 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, plus Silver Wheaton received an additional 1.5 million ounces of silver per annum which was delivered by Goldcorp.  Beginning on August 6, 2014, which was the fourth anniversary of the closing, Primero will deliver 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.  Goldcorp will continue to guarantee the delivery by Primero of all silver produced and owing to the Company until 2029.  Primero has provided Silver Wheaton with a right of first refusal on any metal stream or similar transaction it enters into.

As at December 31, 2014, approximately 0.2 million ounces of cumulative payable silver ounces have been produced at San Dimas but not yet delivered to the Company, representing an increase of 0.2 million payable silver ounces during the three month period ended December 31, 2014.1
 
As at December 31, 2014, the Company has received approximately 63.0 million ounces of silver related to San Dimas under the agreement, generating cumulative operating cash flows of approximately $889 million.  As at December 31, 2013, the San Dimas mine had proven and probable silver reserves of 49.5 million ounces and inferred silver resources of 73.0 million ounces (as described in the Attributable Reserves and Resources section of this MD&A).
 
Yauliyacu

On March 23, 2006, the Company entered into an agreement with Glencore International AG (“Glencore”) to acquire an amount equal to 100% of the silver produced from Glencore’s Yauliyacu mining operations in Peru, up to a maximum of 4.75 million ounces per year, for a period of 20 years.  In the event that silver sold and delivered to Silver Wheaton in any year totals less than 4.75 million ounces, the amount sold and delivered to Silver Wheaton in subsequent years will be increased to make up for any cumulative shortfall, to the extent production permits.  The cumulative shortfall as at March 23, 2014, representing the eight year anniversary, was 17.6 million ounces.  During the term of the agreement, Silver Wheaton has a right of first refusal on any future sales of silver streams from the Yauliyacu mine and a right of first offer on future sales of silver streams from any other mine owned by Glencore at the time of the initial transaction.

Since mid-2009, concentrate shipments from the Yauliyacu mine have been affected by the shut-down of La Oroya smelter in Peru, resulting in an inconsistent delivery schedule.  As at December 31, 2014, approximately 0.8 million ounces of cumulative payable silver ounces have been produced at Yauliyacu but not yet delivered to the Company, representing a decrease of 0.1 million payable silver ounces during the three month period ended December 31, 2014.1

As at December 31, 2014, the Company has received approximately 22.7 million ounces of silver related to the Yauliyacu mine under the agreement, generating cumulative operating cash flows of approximately $344 million.  As at December 31, 2014, the Company’s share of the Yauliyacu proven and probable silver reserves was 15.0 million ounces, measured and indicated silver resources was 45.5 million ounces and inferred silver resources was 28.7 million ounces (as described in the Attributable Reserves and Resources section of this MD&A).

Peñasquito

On July 24, 2007, the Company entered into an agreement with Goldcorp to acquire an amount equal to 25% of the silver produced from Goldcorp’s Peñasquito mining operations (the “Peñsaquito mine”) in Mexico for the life of mine.

As disclosed in Goldcorp's 2014 annual management’s discussion and analysis (“Goldcorp’s MD&A”), permitting delays experienced in the first quarter of 2014 due to unanticipated additional regulatory requirements related to the interconnection with the existing well fields, securing surface land access rights, and additional permitting requirements by the environmental authority deferred start up of construction of the Northern Well Field (“NWF”) project at the Peñasquito mine to mid-year 2014. Following receipt of initial permits and finalizing the remaining construction contracts, construction on the NWF project ramped up to full activity levels in the fourth quarter of 2014, with completion anticipated around mid-year 2015. Activities to address the additional regulatory requirements related to the interconnection to the existing well field continue as planned. Contingency plans remain in place for fresh water supply to the Peñasquito mine until the NWF is operational.


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.

SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [6]

 
 

 


Goldcorp has also reported that during 2014, the Peñasquito mine progressed with pre-feasibility studies on two projects: (i) to assess the potential for producing saleable copper concentrate at the Peñasquito mine, the Concentrate Enrichment Project (“CEP”); and (ii) to assess 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 significantly improve the overall economics and life of mine duration, through the addition of another saleable product with the CEP, and increasing gold and silver recoveries from Pyrite Leach. A US Patent for the CEP was filed during the first quarter of 2014. The pre-feasibility studies were essentially complete at the end of 2014 and Goldcorp expects the projects to be integrated as they enter the feasibility study phase which Goldcorp anticipates by the end of the first quarter of 2015. Goldcorp expects the feasibility study to be complete in early 2016.

Goldcorp’s MD&A reported that the 2014 drilling program ended with a total of 23,058 metres drilled, with 1,185 metres drilled during the fourth quarter of 2014. The exploration program continues to define the intersection of the copper-gold sulphide rich skarn ore body and porphyry deposit located below and adjacent to the diatreme ore body and is focused on a 200 metre spaced in-fill program. Goldcorp reported that exploration activities during 2014 focused on the in-fill of the vertical and horizontal size and extension of the skarn deposit where intersections show continuity of a significant sized body of copper and gold.

As at December 31, 2014, approximately 0.9 million ounces of cumulative payable silver ounces have been produced at Peñasquito but not yet delivered to the Company, representing a decrease of 0.2 million payable silver ounces during the three month period ended December 31, 2014.1

As at December 31, 2014, the Company has received approximately 26.4 million ounces of silver related to the Peñasquito mine under the agreement, generating cumulative operating cash flows of approximately $562 million.  As at December 31, 2014, the Company’s 25% share of the Peñasquito proven and probable silver reserves was 152.8 million ounces, measured and indicated silver resources was 108.5 million ounces and inferred silver resources was 5.4 million ounces (as described in the Attributable Reserves and Resources section of this MD&A).

Ejido Land Claims

As disclosed in Goldcorp’s MD&A, in 2005, prior to construction of the Peñasquito mine, an agreement was negotiated with the Cerro Gordo Ejido for the use of 600 hectares (approximately 1,483 acres) of surface land which includes 60% of the mine pit area, the waste rock facility and explosive magazine storage area and is located within the confines of the proposed Peñasquito mine site. The terms of the agreement were based on comparable surface valuations in the region as well as on similar agreements at the Peñasquito mine and other Mexican mining operations. In 2009, the Cerro Gordo Ejido commenced an action against Minera Peñasquito in Mexico’s agrarian courts challenging the land use agreement. Following a series of legal proceedings, the agrarian courts ruled on June 18, 2013, that the land use agreement was null and ordered the land to be returned to the Cerro Gordo Ejido for payment of 2.4 million Mexican pesos.  On March 12, 2015, Goldcorp announced that Minera Peñasquito had reached a definitive court approved settlement with the Cerro Gordo Ejido which fully resolves the dispute and, concurrently, Minera Peñasquito and the Cerro Gordo Ejido entered into a new thirty year surface land use agreement on commercial terms for the 600 hectares.
 
Barrick

On September 8, 2009, the Company entered into an agreement with Barrick to acquire an amount equal to 25% of the life of mine silver production from its Pascua-Lama project which is located in Chile and Argentina, as well as 100% of the silver production from its Lagunas Norte mine and Pierina mine, which are both located in Peru, and its Veladero2 mine which is located in Argentina (collectively referred to as the “Barrick mines”) until the end of 2013.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


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.
2
Silver Wheaton's attributable silver production is subject to a maximum of 8% of the silver contained in the ore processed at Veladero during the period.

 
SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [7]

 
 

 



During the fourth quarter of 2013, Barrick announced the temporary suspension of construction activities at its Pascua-Lama project, other than those required for environmental and regulatory compliance. During 2014, the project was placed on care and maintenance.

In Barrick’s 2014 annual management’s discussion and analysis (“Barrick’s MD&A”), Barrick states that they are currently engineering the permanent water management system and assessing the permitting requirements for construction with Chilean regulators. Barrick also states that the engineering studies indicate that an increase in the capacity of the water management system may be required above the volume approved in the project’s Chilean environmental approval. Barrick expects to submit their application for the new water management system by June 2015, with permitting taking about two years. Barrick has stated that a decision to re-start development of the Pascua-Lama project will depend on improved economics and more certainty regarding legal and permitting matters.

As a result of Barrick’s decision to temporarily suspend construction activities at the Pascua-Lama project, and the various amendments to the precious metal purchase agreement between Silver Wheaton and Barrick, Silver Wheaton is now entitled to 100% of the silver production from Barrick’s Lagunas Norte mine, Pierina mine (now in closure) and Veladero mine until the earlier of April 1, 2018 and the date Barrick satisfies the completion test. In addition, Silver Wheaton has agreed to extend the completion test deadline an additional 4 ½ years to June 30, 2020. If the requirements of the completion test have not been satisfied by the revised outside completion date, the agreement may be terminated by Silver Wheaton. In such an event, Silver Wheaton will be entitled to the return of $625 million less a credit for silver delivered up to that date. Barrick has also granted Silver Wheaton a five year right of first refusal on any further metal stream sales in connection with the Pascua-Lama project, where more than 50% of the value is derived from silver. In 2013, Barrick initiated the closure of its Pierina mine.

Barrick’s MD&A reports that it expects 2015 Veladero production to be down compared to 2014 production levels as a result of lower grade from the Federico pit. Barrick states that at Veladero there are a number of initiatives under way to reduce operating costs. Barrick also states that Veladero continues to be subject to restrictions that affect the amount of leach solution. New government regulations set a level limit for the leach solution pond, reducing storage capacity, impacting operational capacity to manage solution balance and reducing leaching kinetics, as ore has to be placed on upper levels of the leach pad to maintain pond level.

As at December 31, 2014, approximately 0.1 million ounces of cumulative payable silver ounces have been produced at the Barrick mines but not yet delivered to the Company, virtually unchanged from the balance at September 30, 2014.1

As at December 31, 2014, the Company has received approximately 12.7 million ounces of silver related to the Barrick mines under the agreement, generating cumulative operating cash flows of approximately $284 million.  As at December 31, 2013, the Company’s 25% share of the Pascua-Lama proven and probable silver reserves was 168.7 million ounces, measured and indicated silver resources was 28.7 million ounces and inferred silver resources was 3.2 million ounces (as described in the Attributable Reserves and Resources section of this MD&A).  In addition, as at December 31, 2014, the Company’s estimated share of the proven and probable silver reserves contained in the Lagunas Norte and Veladero mines is 55.4 million ounces.

Update on Matters Relating to Project Development

i.  
Pascua-Lama Challenge to SMA Regulatory Sanction
 
As per Barrick’s year-end 2014 financial statements, in May 2013, Compañía Minera Nevada (“CMN”), Barrick’s Chilean subsidiary that holds the Chilean portion of the Pascua-Lama project, received a Resolution (the “Resolution”) from Chile’s environmental regulator (the Superintendencia del Medio Ambiente, or “SMA”) that requires Barrick to complete the water management system for the Pascua-Lama project in accordance with the Pascua-Lama project’s environmental permit before resuming construction activities in Chile. The Resolution also required CMN to pay an administrative fine of approximately $16 million for deviations from certain requirements of the Pascua-Lama project’s Chilean environmental approval, including a series of reporting requirements and instances of non-compliance related to the Pascua-Lama project’s water management system. CMN paid the administrative fine in May 2013.

Barrick’s 2014 annual financial statements disclosed that on December 30, 2014, the Chilean Supreme Court declined to consider Barrick’s appeal of the Resolution. It further disclosed that as a result of the ruling, the SMA will now re-evaluate the approximately $16 million administrative fine it previously imposed on the Pascua-Lama project for deviations from certain requirements of the Pascua-Lama project’s Chilean environmental approval in 2013. Barrick has stated that a new resolution from the SMA is pending and could include more severe sanctions against the Pascua-Lama project such as a material increase in the amount of the fine above the approximately $16 million imposed by the SMA in May 2013 and/or the revocation of the Pascua-Lama project’s environmental permit.


 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.

SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [8]

 
 

 



ii.  
Pascua-Lama Environmental Damage Claim

Barrick’s 2014 annual financial statements disclosed that in June 2013, a group of local farmers filed an environmental damage claim against CMN, Barrick’s Chilean subsidiary that holds the Chilean portion of the Pascua-Lama project in the Environmental Court, alleging that CMN has damaged glaciers located in the Pascua-Lama project area. The plaintiffs are seeking a court order requiring CMN to remedy the alleged damage and implement measures to prevent such environmental impact from continuing, including by halting construction of the Pascua-Lama project in Chile. CMN presented its defense on October 9, 2013. A settlement and evidentiary hearing took place on January 8, 2014. Having failed to reach a settlement during that hearing, the parties proceeded to present documentary evidence and witness testimony to the Environmental Court. A final hearing was held in this matter on December 3, 2014, and a decision of the Environmental Court is pending. Barrick states that they intend to vigorously defend this matter.

iii.  
Argentine Glacier Legislation

Barrick’s 2014 annual financial statements disclosed that on September 30, 2010, the National Law on Minimum Requirements for the Protection of Glaciers was enacted in Argentina, and came into force in early November 2010. Barrick notes that the federal law bans new mining exploration and exploitation activities on glaciers and in the “peri glacial” environment, and subjects ongoing mining activities to an environmental audit. If such audit identifies significant impacts on glaciers and the peri glacial environment, the relevant authority is empowered to take action, which according to the legislation, could include the suspension or relocation of the activity. In the case of the Veladero mine and the Pascua-Lama project, the competent authority is the Province of San Juan. Barrick notes that in late January 2013, the Province of San Juan announced that it had completed the required environmental audit, which concluded that Veladero and the Pascua-Lama project do not impact glaciers or peri glaciers. Barrick states that the constitutionality of the federal glacier law is the subject of a challenge before the National Supreme Court of Argentina, which has not yet ruled on the issue. Barrick disclosed that on October 27, 2014, Barrick submitted its response to a motion by the federal government to dismiss the constitutional challenge to the federal glacier law on standing grounds and that a decision on the motion is pending. Barrick indicates that if the federal government’s arguments with respect to standing are accepted then the case will be dismissed. If they are not accepted then the National Supreme Court of Argentina will proceed to hear evidence on the merits.


777

On August 8, 2012, the Company entered into an agreement with Hudbay to acquire an amount equal to 100% of the life of mine silver and gold production from its currently producing 777 mine, located in Canada.  Silver Wheaton’s share of gold production at 777 will remain at 100% until the later of the end of 2016 or the satisfaction of a completion test relating to Hudbay’s Constancia project, after which it will be reduced to 50% for the remainder of the mine life.  Hudbay has granted Silver Wheaton a right of first refusal on any future streaming agreement, royalty agreement, or similar transaction related to the production of silver or gold from 777.  The silver production, sales and related costs associated with this agreement are reflected in this MD&A and financial statements as part of Other mines.
 
As at December 31, 2014, approximately 0.1 million ounces of cumulative payable silver equivalent ounces (including approximately 1,500 ounces of gold) have been produced at 777 but not yet delivered to the Company, virtually unchanged from the balance at September 30, 2014.1

As at December 31, 2014, the Company has received approximately 1.3 million ounces of silver and 138,000 ounces of gold related to the 777 mine under the agreement, generating cumulative operating cash flows of approximately $131 million. As at December 31, 2013, the Company's share of 777's proven and probable reserves was 8.4 million ounces of silver and 450,000 ounces of gold and inferred resources was 0.8 million ounces of silver and 20,000 ounces of gold (as described in the Attributable Reserves and Resources section of this MD&A).
 
 
 

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.
 
 

SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [9]

 
 

 



Salobo

On February 28, 2013, the Company entered into an agreement to acquire from Vale an amount of gold equal to 25% of the life of mine gold production from its currently producing Salobo mine, located in Brazil.

On March 2, 2015, the Company agreed to amend the agreement with Vale to acquire from Vale 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.

Under the amended agreement, the Company will pay Vale cash consideration of $900 million on or before March 25, 2015 for the increased gold stream. In addition, the Company is required to make 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 is processed from and after January 1, 2015 will accrue retroactively to the Company. The terms of the existing gold stream on the Salobo mine were modified so that the annual inflationary adjustment that was scheduled to start in 2016 will now start coincident with this stream in 2017.

As reported by Vale, Vale is in the process of ramping up mill throughput at the Salobo mine from 12 million tonnes per annum (“Mtpa”) to 24 Mtpa, with the potential to further increase throughput beyond 24 Mtpa. Under the terms of the amended agreement, if the expansion to 24 Mtpa is not completed by December 31, 2016, the Company continues to be entitled to a gross up (a temporary increased percentage of gold production) based on the pro rata achievement of the target production. Extensive mineral reserves and exploration potential suggest that an even greater throughput expansion potential exists. If throughput capacity is expanded 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 ranging from $88 million if throughput is expanded beyond 28 Mtpa by January 1, 2036, to up to $720 million if throughput is expanded beyond 40 Mtpa by January 1, 2018. There will be no additional deposit due if the expansion does not occur until after January 1, 2036. Any future further increase in mill throughput at the Salobo mine is expected to allow the Company to enhance its production growth profile and benefit from any future exploration successes at the Salobo mine.

As at December 31, 2014, approximately 0.4 million ounces of cumulative payable silver equivalent ounces (approximately 5,000 ounces of gold) have been produced at Salobo but not yet delivered to the Company, representing a decrease of 0.1 million payable silver equivalent ounces during the three month period ended December 31, 2014.1

As of December 31, 2014, the Company has received approximately 60,900 ounces of gold related to the Salobo mine under the agreement, generating cumulative operating cash flows of approximately $53 million.  As at December 31, 2014, the Company's 50% share of the Salobo proven and probable gold reserves was 6.7 million ounces, measured and indicated gold resources was 1.5 million ounces and inferred gold resources was 0.7 million ounces (as described in the Attributable Reserves and Resources section of this MD&A).

Sudbury

On February 28, 2013, the Company entered into an agreement to acquire from Vale an amount of gold equal to 70% of the gold production from certain of its currently producing Sudbury mines located in Canada, including the Coleman mine, Copper Cliff mine, Garson mine, Stobie mine, Creighton mine, Totten mine and the Victor project (the “Sudbury mines”) for a period of 20 years.
 
As at December 31, 2014, approximately 1.1 million ounces of cumulative payable silver equivalent ounces (approximately 14,100 ounces of gold) have been produced at Sudbury but not yet delivered to the Company, representing a decrease of 0.1 million payable silver equivalent ounces during the three month period ended December 31, 2014.1
 
 
As of December 31, 2014, the Company has received approximately 47,800 ounces of gold related to the Sudbury mines under the agreement, generating cumulative operating cash flows of approximately $43 million. As at December 31, 2014, the Company's 70% share of the Sudbury mines proven and probable gold reserves was 680,000 ounces, measured and indicated gold resources was 320,000 ounces and inferred gold resources was 120,000 ounces (as described in the Attributable Reserves and Resources section of this MD&A).

 
 
 
 
 

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.

SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [10]

 
 

 

 
 
Other

Other silver and gold interests consist of the following:

i.  
As part of the agreement with Goldcorp to acquire silver from the Luismin mining operations, on October 15, 2004, the Company entered into an agreement with Goldcorp to acquire 100% of the silver production from its Los Filos mine in Mexico for a period of 25 years, commencing October 15, 2004.  In addition, pursuant to Goldcorp’s sale of the San Dimas mine, Goldcorp delivered to Silver Wheaton 1.5 million ounces of silver per year until August 6, 2014, which is reflected in this MD&A and financial statements as part of the silver production and sales relating to San Dimas;

ii.  
On December 8, 2004, the Company entered into an agreement with Lundin Mining Corporation (“Lundin”) to acquire 100% of the silver produced by Lundin’s Zinkgruvan mining operations in Sweden for the life of mine;

iii.  
On April 23, 2007, the Company entered into an agreement with European Goldfields Limited, which was acquired by Eldorado Gold Corporation (“Eldorado Gold”) on February 24, 2012, to acquire 100% of the life of mine silver production from its 95% owned Stratoni mine in Greece;

iv.  
On October 2, 2008, the Company entered into an agreement with Alexco Resource Corp. (“Alexco”) to acquire an amount equal to 25% of the life of mine silver production from its Keno Hill silver district in Canada, including the Bellekeno mine (see additional discussion below);

v.  
On May 21, 2009, the Company completed the acquisition of Silverstone Resources Corp. (the “Silverstone Acquisition”).  As part of the Silverstone Acquisition, the Company acquired a precious metal purchase agreement with Capstone Mining Corp. (“Capstone”) to acquire 100% of the silver and gold produced (subject to certain thresholds) from Capstone’s Minto mine in Canada for the life of mine.  The Company is entitled to acquire 100% of all the silver produced and 100% of the first 30,000 ounces of gold produced per annum and 50% thereafter;

vi.  
As part of the Silverstone Acquisition, the Company acquired a silver purchase agreement with Capstone to acquire 100% of the silver produced from Capstone’s Cozamin mine in Mexico for a period of 10 years, commencing on April 4, 2007;

vii.  
As part of the Silverstone Acquisition, the Company acquired an agreement with Lundin to acquire 100% of the silver production from its Neves-Corvo mine in Portugal for a period of 50 years, commencing June 5, 2007;

viii.  
As part of the Silverstone Acquisition, the Company acquired an agreement with I’M SGPS to acquire 100% of the silver production from its Aljustrel mine in Portugal for a period of 50 years, commencing June 5, 2007.  As part of an agreement with I'M SGPS dated July 16, 2014, Silver Wheaton agreed to waive its rights to silver contained in copper concentrate at the Aljustrel mine while retaining the right to silver contained in zinc concentrate;

ix.  
As part of the Silverstone Acquisition, the Company acquired an agreement with Aquiline Resources Inc., which was acquired by Pan American Silver Corp. (“Pan American”) on December 22, 2009, to acquire an amount equal to 12.5% of the life of mine silver production from the Loma de La Plata zone of the Navidad project in Argentina, the definitive terms of which are to be finalized.  The Company is committed to pay Pan American total upfront cash payments of $32.4 million following the satisfaction of certain conditions, including Pan American receiving all necessary permits to proceed with the mine construction;
 
 x.  
On February 10, 2010, the Company entered into an agreement with Augusta Resource Corporation, which was acquired by Hudbay on July 16, 2014, to acquire an amount equal to 100% of the life of mine silver and gold production from the Rosemont Copper project (“Rosemont”) in the United States. The Company is committed to pay Hudbay total upfront cash payments of $230 million, payable on an installment basis to partially fund construction of the Rosemont mine once certain milestones are achieved, including the receipt of key permits and securing the necessary financing to complete construction of the mine; and

xi.  
On August 8, 2012, the Company entered into an agreement with Hudbay to acquire an amount equal to 100% of the life of mine silver production from the Constancia project (“Constancia”) in Peru. On November 4, 2013, the Company amended its agreement with Hudbay to include the acquisition of an amount equal to 50%1 of the life of mine gold production from Constancia. If the Constancia processing plant fails to achieve at least 90% of expected throughput and silver recovery by December 31, 2016, Silver Wheaton would be entitled to continued delivery of 100% of the gold production from Hudbay’s 777 mine. If the completion test has not been satisfied by December 31, 2020, Silver Wheaton would be entitled to a proportionate return of the upfront cash consideration relating to Constancia. In addition, Silver Wheaton would be entitled to additional compensation in respect of the gold stream should there be a delay in achieving completion or mining the Pampacancha deposit beyond the end of 2018. Hudbay has granted Silver Wheaton a right of first refusal on any future streaming agreement, royalty agreement, or similar transaction related to the production of silver or gold from Constancia (see additional discussion below).
 
 


1
Gold recoveries will be set at 55% for the Constancia deposit and 70% for the Pampacancha deposit until 265,000 ounces of gold have been delivered to the Company.

 
SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [11]

 
 

 



Mineral Park

On March 17, 2008, the Company entered into an agreement with Mercator Minerals Ltd. (“Mercator”) to acquire an amount equal to 100% of the life of mine silver production from its Mineral Park mine in the United States.  On September 30, 2013 Mercator announced that, in light of the commodity price environment, capital market conditions and the challenges these pose for Mercator, Mercator’s board of directors had advanced and accelerated its ongoing process to review strategic alternatives.  On December 12, 2013, Mercator announced that they had entered a plan of arrangement with Intergeo MMC Ltd. (“Intergeo”) to combine and create a new copper-focused metals company, however this plan of arrangement was subsequently cancelled.  On August 26, 2014, Mercator disclosed that they had filed a Notice of Intention (“NOI”) under the Canadian Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (“BIA”), with the NOI being the first stage of a restructuring process under the BIA.  On September 5, 2014, Mercator was deemed to have filed an assignment in bankruptcy.  In addition, on August 26, 2014, four of Mercator’s subsidiaries (including Mineral Park Inc., the owner of the Mineral Park mine) filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy petitions in the United States. The bankruptcy of Mercator and its subsidiaries is an indicator of impairment related to the Mineral Park silver interest.

On November 4, 2014, the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware approved a settlement agreement among Silver Wheaton, the four Mercator United States subsidiaries in bankruptcy and their secured lenders. Under the settlement agreement, a portion of the sale proceeds from the sale of the Mineral Park mine and assets is to be paid to Silver Wheaton and Silver Wheaton retains the right to proceed against Mercator, the Canadian parent company, as guarantor under the stream. In return for these agreements, the settlement provides for the termination of any claim Silver Wheaton may have against the Mineral Park mine. If Silver Wheaton recovers proceeds under the settlement agreement, Silver Wheaton will recognize such proceeds in the period in which they are received. The amount of any recoveries by Silver Wheaton under the settlement agreement and the ultimate outcome and recoveries from the Canadian bankruptcy proceedings are uncertain.

As a result, management has estimated that the value of the Mineral Park silver interest under both the Fair Value Approach and the Value-In-Use Approach is nominal.  Based on this conclusion, the Company has reported an impairment charge of $37.1 million during the third quarter of 2014, representing the carrying value of the Mineral Park silver interest at September 30, 2014.

As at September 30 2014 and December 31, 2014, the Company has received approximately 2.1 million ounces of silver related to the Mineral Park mine under the agreement, generating cumulative operating cash flows of approximately $51.1 million, as compared to an original upfront cash payment of $42.0 million.

Campo Morado

On May 13, 2008, the Company entered into an agreement with Farallon Mining Ltd., which was acquired by Nyrstar NV (“Nyrstar”) on January 5, 2011, to acquire an amount equal to 75% of the life of mine silver production from its Campo Morado mine in Mexico.  As per Nyrstar's July 24, 2014 news release, there has been a continuing reduction of ore grades at Campo Morado as the G9 orebody nears exhaustion and the mine begins treating the remaining ore bodies, which have lower overall grades than G9.  As a result, during the third quarter of 2014, the estimate of future production from Campo Morado was reduced, with this reduction representing an indicator of impairment related to the Campo Morado silver interest.  At September 30, 2014, management estimated that the recoverable amount under the Campo Morado silver interest was $25 million, resulting in an impairment charge of $31.1 million which was recorded in the third quarter of 2014.

On December 31, 2014, the Company reached an agreement with Nyrstar resulting in the cancellation of the silver purchase agreement relating to Campo Morado in exchange for cash consideration of $25 million payable on or before January 31, 2015. This amount due under the agreement, which was classified on the balance sheet at December 31, 2014 as a component of Other current assets, was received on January 30, 2015. As part of this agreement, the Company will be entitled to 75% of the silver contained in concentrate produced at the Campo Morado mine on or prior to December 31, 2014, and will be granted a five year right of first refusal on any silver streaming or royalty transaction in relation to any Nyrstar group property, globally.

SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [12]

 
 

 



As at December 31, 2014, the Company has received approximately 4.5 million ounces of silver related to the Campo Morado mine under the agreement, generating cumulative operating cash flows of approximately $95.3 million in addition to the termination payment of $25 million, as compared to an original upfront cash payment of $79.3 million.

Keno Hill

In June 2014, the Company amended its silver purchase agreement with Alexco to increase the production payment to be a function of the silver price at the time of delivery. In addition, the area of interest was expanded to include properties currently owned by Alexco and properties acquired by Alexco in the future which fall within a one kilometer radius of existing Alexco holdings in the Keno Hill Silver District.  The amended agreement is conditional on Alexco paying Silver Wheaton $20 million by December 31, 2015.

Constancia

As per Hudbay’s year end 2014 MD&A, physical construction of the Constancia project is essentially complete with initial production being achieved during the fourth quarter of 2014 and commencement of commercial production being on track for the second quarter of 2015. Hudbay also stated that the Constancia mine is expected to achieve full capacity in the second half of 2015.

General

As at December 31, 2014, approximately 1.4 million ounces of cumulative payable silver equivalent ounces (including approximately 5,500 ounces of gold) have been produced at the Other mines but not yet delivered to the Company, representing an increase of 0.2 million payable silver equivalent ounces during the three month period ended December 31, 2014.1

As at December 31, 2014, the Company has received approximately 46.9 million ounces of silver and 118,000 ounces of gold under these agreements, generating cumulative operating cash flows of approximately $1,006 million.

As at December 31, 20142, unless otherwise noted, these other silver and gold interests had proven and probable reserves of 300.0 million ounces of silver and 760,000 ounces of gold, measured and indicated resources of 366.8 million ounces of silver and 670,000 ounces of gold and inferred resources of 163.8 million ounces of silver and 260,000 ounces of gold (as described in the Attributable Reserves and Resources section of this MD&A).

Early Deposit Gold Interest

On November 11, 2013, the Company entered into a life of mine early deposit precious metal purchase agreement (the “Early Deposit Agreement”) to acquire from Sandspring Resources Ltd. ("Sandspring") an amount of gold equal to 10% of the gold production from its Toroparu project located in the Republic of Guyana, South America.  Silver Wheaton will pay Sandspring total cash consideration of $148.5 million, of which $13.5 million has been paid to date, with the additional $135 million to be payable on an installment basis to partially fund construction of the mine.

Under the Early Deposit Agreement, there will be a 60 day period following the delivery of a feasibility study, environmental study and impact assessment, and other related documents (collectively, the “Feasibility Documentation”), or after December 31, 2015 if the Feasibility Documentation has not been delivered to Silver Wheaton by such date, where Silver Wheaton may elect not to proceed with the precious metal purchase agreement, at which time Silver Wheaton will be entitled to a return of $11.5 million of the early deposit (on the basis that $2 million of the advanced $13.5 million is non-refundable) or, at Sandspring’s option, the stream percentage will be reduced from 10% to 0.774% (equivalent to the pro-rata stream based on a full purchase price of $11.5 million).
 
As at March 31, 2013, the Company's 10% share of the Toroparu proven and probable gold reserves was 410,000 ounces, measured and indicated gold resources was 240,000 ounces and inferred gold resources was 310,000 ounces (as described in the Attributable Reserves and Resources section of this MD&A).

Royalty Agreement

On August 7, 2014, the Company purchased a 1.5% net smelter return royalty interest (the “Royalty”) in the Metates properties from Chesapeake Gold Corp. (“Chesapeake”) for $9 million. Under the terms of the agreement, at any time prior to August 7, 2019, Chesapeake may reacquire two-thirds (⅔) of the Royalty, or 1%, for the sum of $9 million. The Company also has a right of first refusal on any silver streaming, royalty or any other transaction on the Metates properties.


  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.
  2
Mineral reserves and mineral resources are reported as of December 31, 2014, other than as disclosed in footnote 6 to the Attributable Reserves and Resources tables on page 47 of this MD&A.

SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [13]

 
 

 



Long-Term Investments

The Company will, from time to time, invest in securities of publicly listed mining companies for strategic purposes.  The Company held the following investments as at December 31, 2014:


 
December 31
December 31
(in thousands)
2014
2013
 
Common shares held
$
32,872
$
40,801
Warrants held
 
-
 
-
 
 
$
32,872
$
40,801


Common Shares Held


 
Dec 31, 2014
Three Months
Ended
Dec 31, 2014
Year
Ended
Dec 31, 2014
(in thousands)
 
Fair Value
 
Fair Value Adjustment Gains
(Losses) Included in OCI
 
Bear Creek
 $           16,236
 $            (5,658)
 $            (1,972)
Revett
3,873
(2,022)
47
Other
12,763
(3,469)
(6,004)
 
 
 $           32,872
 $         (11,149)
 $            (7,929)


SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [14]

 
 

 



 
Dec 31, 2013
Three Months
Ended
Dec 31, 2013
Year
Ended
Dec 31, 2013
(in thousands)
Fair Value
 
Fair Value Adjustment Losses
Included in OCI
 
Bear Creek
 $           18,208
 $         (11,713)
 $         (25,922)
Revett
                 3,827
               (2,186)
             (10,997)
Other
              18,766
               (3,942)
             (40,962)
 
 
 $           40,801
 $         (17,841)
 $         (77,881)



Warrants Held

 
Dec 31, 2013
Three Months
Ended
Dec 31, 2013
Year
Ended
Dec 31, 2013
(in thousands)
Fair Value
 
Fair Value Adjustment Losses
Included in Net Earnings
 
Warrants held
 $                      -
 $                      -
 $            (2,694)


The Company’s long-term investments in common shares (“LTI’s”) are held for long-term strategic purposes and not for trading purposes. As such, the Company has elected to reflect any fair value adjustments as a component of other comprehensive income (“OCI”).

While long-term investments in warrants, which expired unexercised during 2014 as the respective exercise price exceeded the market value of the underlying common shares, were also held for long-term strategic purposes, they met the definition of a derivative and therefore were classified as financial assets with fair value adjustments being recorded as a component of net earnings under the classification Other Expense (Income).  Warrants that did not have a quoted market price were valued using a Black-Scholes option pricing model.

By holding these long-term investments, the Company is inherently exposed to various risk factors including currency risk, market price risk and liquidity risk.

During the year ended December 31, 2013, the value of the Company’s LTI’s decreased by $77.9 million.  As a result of this decrease, the deferred income tax liability attributable to the LTI’s was reduced and during the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company recorded a deferred income tax recovery in OCI of $1.8 million.  The reduction in the deferred income tax liability attributable to the LTI’s resulted in the reversal of previously recognized deferred income tax assets which increased the deferred income tax expense reflected in net earnings.

Bear Creek

At December 31, 2014, Silver Wheaton owned approximately 13.3 million (December 31, 2013 - 13.3 million) common shares of Bear Creek Mining Corporation ("Bear Creek”), representing approximately 14% (December 31, 2013 - 14%) of the outstanding shares of Bear Creek.  At December 31, 2014, the fair value of the Company’s investment in Bear Creek was $16.2 million (December 31, 2013 - $18.2 million).

Revett

At December 31, 2014, Silver Wheaton owned approximately 5.3 million (December 31, 2013 - 5.3 million) common shares of Revett Minerals Inc. ("Revett”), representing approximately 14% (December 31, 2013 - 15%) of the outstanding shares of Revett.  At December 31, 2014, the fair value of the Company’s investment in Revett was $3.9 million (December 31, 2013 - $3.8 million).

SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [15]

 
 

 


Other

At December 31, 2014, Silver Wheaton owned common shares of several other publicly traded mineral exploration, development and mining companies.  As Silver Wheaton’s investment represents less than 10% of the outstanding shares of each of the respective companies and is not considered material to Silver Wheaton’s overall financial position, these investments have been reflected in this MD&A and financial statements as part of Other long-term investments.

At December 31, 2014, the fair value of the Other long-term investments was $12.8 million (December 31, 2013 - $18.8 million).
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [16]

 
 

 


Summarized Financial Results

 
 
2014
2013
2012
 
Silver equivalent production 1
     
Attributable silver ounces produced (000’s)
25,674
26,754
26,669
Attributable gold ounces produced
142,815
151,204
50,482
Attributable silver equivalent ounces produced (000’s) 1
35,285
35,832
29,372
Silver equivalent sales 1
     
Silver ounces sold (000’s)
23,484
22,823
24,850
Gold ounces sold
139,522
117,319
46,094
Silver equivalent ounces sold (000’s) 1
32,891
29,963
27,328
Average realized price ($'s per ounce)
     
Average realized silver price
$           18.92
$           23.86
$           31.03
Average realized gold price
$           1,261
$           1,380
$           1,701
Average realized silver equivalent price 1
$           18.86
$           23.58
$           31.09
Average cash cost ($'s per ounce) 2
     
Average silver cash cost
$             4.14
$             4.12
$             4.06
Average gold cash cost
$              386
$              386
$              362
Average silver equivalent cash cost 1
$             4.59
$             4.65
$             4.30
 
Total revenue ($000's)
$       620,176
$       706,472
$       849,560
 
Net earnings ($000's)
$       199,826
$       375,495
$       586,036
Add back - impairment loss
         68,151
                 -
                 -
 
Adjusted net earnings 3 ($000's)
$       267,977
$       375,495
$       586,036
 
Earnings per share
     
Basic
$             0.56
  $             1.06
$             1.66
Diluted
$             0.56
$             1.05
$             1.65
 
Adjusted earnings per share 3
     
Basic
$             0.75
$             1.06
$             1.66
Diluted
$             0.74
$             1.05
$             1.65
 
Cash flow from operations ($000's)
$        431,873
$       534,133
$        719,404
 
Dividends
     
Dividends paid ($000's)
   $        93,4004
$       160,013
$       123,852
Dividends paid per share
 $            0.26
$            0.45
  $            0.35
 
Total assets ($000's)
$    4,647,763
$    4,389,844
$    3,189,337
 
Total non-current financial liabilities ($000’s)
$    1,001,914
$      999,973
$        23,555
 
Total other liabilities ($000’s)
$        17,113
$        23,325
$        58,708
 
Shareholders' equity ($000's)
$    3,628,736
$    3,366,546
$   3,107,074
 
Shares outstanding
364,777,928
357,396,778
354,375,852

 
1)  
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.
2)  
Refer to discussion on non-IFRS measure (iii) on page 30 of this MD&A.
3) 
Refer to discussion on non-IFRS measure (i) on page 28 of this MD&A.
4)
Dividends paid during 2014 were comprised of $79.8 million in cash  and $13.6 million in common shares issued, with the Company issuing 646,618 common shares (an average of $21.08 per share) under the Company's dividend reinvestment plan.
 
 
SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [17]

 
 

 

Summary of Ounces Produced and Sold


 
2014
2013
 
 
Q4
Q3
Q2
Q1
Q4
Q3
Q2
Q1
 
Silver ounces produced 2
               
San Dimas 3
          1,744
          1,290
            1,118
          1,608
          1,979
          1,660
           1,160
          1,743
Yauliyacu
             687
             875
             658
              718
             687
             639
             668
             624
Peñasquito
          1,582
          1,630
         2,054
         2,052
         2,047
          1,636
          1,440
          1,093
Barrick 4
             690
             397
             299
              301
             423
             465
             556
              741
Other 5
           1,701
          1,903
          2,182
          2,185
           2,119
         2,450
         2,586
         2,038
Total silver ounces produced
 
         6,404
         6,095
           6,311
         6,864
         7,255
         6,850
          6,410
         6,239
 
Gold ounces produced 2
               
777
         9,669
         12,105
           11,611
        12,785
         14,134
        18,259
        16,986
         16,951
Sudbury 6
          9,165
         12,196
         7,473
         6,426
         7,060
          7,341
         8,840
         9,869
Salobo
        12,253
         10,415
         8,486
         8,903
        10,067
          8,061
         6,342
         4,677
Other 7
         3,435
         6,959
          5,185
         5,749
         9,530
         2,894
         4,226
         5,967
 
Total gold ounces produced
       34,522
        41,675
       32,755
       33,863
        40,791
       36,555
       36,394
       37,464
Silver equivalent ounces of gold produced 8
 
         2,560
         2,786
          2,144
           2,121
         2,476
         2,237
         2,269
         2,096
 
Silver equivalent ounces produced 8
         8,964
          8,881
         8,455
         8,985
          9,731
         9,087
         8,679
         8,335
Silver equivalent ounces produced - as originally reported 2, 8
 n.a.
         8,447
         8,365
         8,977
         9,723
         8,948
          8,615
         8,046

Increase (Decrease) 2
 n.a.
             434
               90
                  8
                  8
              139
               64
             289
 
Silver ounces sold
               
San Dimas 3
          1,555
          1,295
           1,194
          1,529
          2,071
          1,560
           1,194
          1,850
Yauliyacu
              761
          1,373
                111
          1,097
             674
                13
             559
              149
Peñasquito
          1,640
          1,662
          1,958
          1,840
           1,412
          1,388
          1,058
          1,459
Barrick 4
              671
             377
              291
              361
             397
             447
             560
             753
Other 5
           1,106
          1,592
          1,673
          1,398
           1,510
         2,257
           1,771
           1,741
 
Total silver ounces sold
         5,733
         6,299
         5,227
         6,225
         6,064
         5,665
          5,142
         5,952
 
Gold ounces sold
               
777
          8,718
        15,287
        13,599
         6,294
        15,889
        16,972
       23,483
          9,414
Sudbury 6
          11,251
         5,566
          6,718
         6,878
          6,551
         6,534
          4,184
                111
Salobo
        14,270
          7,180
         11,902
        10,560
         6,944
         6,490
         2,793
             720
Other 7
         3,665
         8,685
         2,559
         6,390
          1,840
         5,287
         3,409
         6,698
 
Total gold ounces sold
       37,904
        36,718
       34,778
        30,122
        31,224
       35,283
       33,869
        16,943
 
Silver equivalent ounces of gold sold 8
         2,808
          2,441
         2,267
           1,891
          1,909
          2,163
         2,097
              971
 
Silver equivalent ounces sold 8
          8,541
         8,740
         7,494
           8,116
         7,973
         7,828
         7,239
         6,923
 
Gold / silver ratio 8
             74.1
            66.5
            65.2
            62.8
              61.1
             61.3
             61.9
            57.3
 
Cumulative payable silver equivalent ounces produced but not yet delivered 9
         4,839
          5,147
         5,996
         6,042
         5,997
         5,283
         4,736
         4,082

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 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, Keno Hill, Mineral Park, Cozamin, Neves-Corvo, Stratoni, Minto, 777, Aljustrel, Constancia 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.

SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [18]

 
 

 



Quarterly Financial Review


 
 
2014
     
2013
 
 
Q4
Q3
Q2
Q1
Q4
Q3
Q2
Q1
 
Total silver ounces sold (000's)
   
          5,733
   
            6,299
   
            5,227
   
            6,225
   
            6,064
   
            5,665
   
             5,142
   
            5,952
Average realized silver price¹
 
$
16.46
 
$
18.98
 
$
19.81
 
$
20.36
 
$
21.03
 
$
21.22
 
$
23.12
 
$
29.89
 
Silver sales (000's)
 
$
94,395
 
$
119,535
 
$
103,540
 
$
126,744
 
$
127,549
 
$
120,255
 
$
118,885
 
$
177,898
 
Total gold ounces sold
   
       37,904
   
          36,718
   
         34,778
   
          30,122
   
          31,224
   
         35,283
   
         33,869
   
          16,943
Average realized gold price¹
 
$
1,213
 
$
1,261
 
$
1,295
 
$
1,283
 
$
1,277
 
$
1,308
 
$
1,417
 
$
1,645
 
Gold sales (000's)
 
$
45,980
 
$
46,317
 
$
45,030
 
$
38,635
 
$
39,867
 
$
46,150
 
$
48,005
 
$
27,863
 
Total silver equivalent ounces sold (000's) 2
   
           8,541
   
            8,740
   
            7,494
   
              8,116
   
            7,973
   
            7,828
   
            7,239
   
            6,923
Average realized silver equivalent price 1, 2
 
$
16.43
 
$
18.98
 
$
19.83
 
$
20.38
 
$
21.00
 
$
21.26
 
$
23.05
 
$
29.72
 
Total sales (000's)
 
$
140,375
 
$
165,852
 
$
148,570
 
$
165,379
 
$
167,416
 
$
166,405
 
$
166,890
 
$
205,761
 
Average cash cost,
silver 1, 3
 
$
4.13
 
$
4.16
 
$
4.15
 
$
4.12
 
$
4.14
 
$
4.13
 
$
4.14
 
$
4.08
Average cash cost,
gold 1, 3
 
$
391
 
$
378
 
$
393
 
$
381
 
$
394
 
$
386
 
$
391
 
$
362
Average cash cost, silver equivalent 1, 2, 3
 
$
4.51
 
$
4.59
 
$
4.72
 
$
4.57
 
$
4.70
 
$
4.73
 
$
4.77
 
$
4.39
 
Net earnings (000's)
 
$
52,030
 
$
4,496
 
$
63,492
 
$
79,809
 
$
93,900
 
$
77,057
 
$
71,117
 
$
133,421
Add back - impairment loss
   
 -
   
68,151
   
 -
   
 -
   
 -
   
 -
   
 -
   
 -
 
Adjusted net earnings 4 (000's)
 
$
52,030
 
$
72,647
 
$
63,492
 
$
79,809
 
$
93,900
 
$
77,057
 
$
71,117
 
$
133,421
 
Earnings per share
                                               
Basic
 
$
0.14
 
$
0.01
 
$
0.18
 
$
0.22
 
$
0.26
 
$
0.22
 
$
0.20
 
$
0.38
Diluted
 
$
0.14
 
$
0.01
 
$
0.18
 
$
0.22
 
$
0.26
 
$
0.22
 
$
0.20
 
$
0.37
Adjusted earnings per share 4
                                               
Basic
 
$
0.14
 
$
0.20
 
$
0.18
 
$
0.22
 
$
0.26
 
$
0.22
 
$
0.20
 
$
0.38
Diluted
 
$
0.14
 
$
0.20
 
$
0.18
 
$
0.22
 
$
0.26
 
$
0.22
 
$
0.20
 
$
0.37
 
Cash flow from operations (000's)
 
$
94,120
 
$
120,379
 
$
102,543
 
$
114,832
 
$
124,591
 
$
118,672
 
$
125,258
 
$
165,612
 
Cash flow from operations per share 5
                                               
Basic
 
$
0.26
 
$
0.34
 
$
0.29
 
$
0.32
 
$
0.35
 
$
0.33
 
$
0.35
 
$
0.47
Diluted
 
$
0.26
 
$
0.34
 
$
0.29
 
$
0.32
 
$
0.35
 
$
0.33
 
$
0.35
 
$
0.46
 
Dividends
                                               
Dividends declared (000's)
 
$
21,861
 
$
21,484
 
$
25,035
 
$
25,019  6
 
$
32,165
 
$
35,629
 
$
42,573
 
$
49,646 7
Dividends declared per share
 
$
0.06
 
$
0.06
 
$
0.07
 
$
0.07
 
$
0.09
 
$
0.10
 
$
0.12
 
$
0.14
 
Total assets (000's)
 
$
4,647,763
 
$
4,618,131
 
$
4,521,595
 
$
4,476,865
 
$
4,389,844
 
$
4,398,445
 
$
4,396,012
 
$
4,400,253
 
Total liabilities (000's)
 
$
1,019,027
 
$
1,017,815
 
$
1,021,391
 
$
1,045,190
 
$
1,023,298
 
$
1,078,137
 
$
1,178,859
 
$
1,174,470
 
Total shareholders' equity (000's)
 
$
3,628,736
 
$
3,600,316
 
$
3,500,204
 
$
3,431,675
 
$
3,366,546
 
$
3,320,308
 
$
3,217,153
 
$
3,225,783

1)  
Expressed as United States dollars per ounce.
2)  
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.
3)  
Refer to discussion on non-IFRS measure (iii) on page 30 of this MD&A.
4)  
Refer to discussion on non-IFRS measure (i) on page 28 of this MD&A
5)  
Refer to discussion on non-IFRS measure (ii) on page 29 of this MD&A.
6)  
On March 20, 2014, the Company declared dividends of $0.07 per common share for total dividends of $25.0 million, which was paid on April 15, 2014.
7)  
On March 21, 2013, the Company declared dividends of $0.14 per common share for total dividends of $49.6 million, which was paid on April 12, 2013.

Changes in sales, net earnings and cash flow from operations from quarter to quarter are affected primarily by fluctuations in production at the mines, the timing of shipments, changes in the price of silver or gold, the commencement of operations of mines under construction, as well as acquisitions of precious metal purchase agreements and any related capital raising activities.

SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [19]

 
 

 


Results of Operations and Operational Review

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 December 31, 2014
 
Ounces
Produced²
Ounces
Sold
Sales
Average
Realized
Price
($'s Per
Ounce)
Average
Cash
Cost
($'s Per
Ounce)3
Average
Depletion
($'s Per
Ounce)
Net
Earnings
Cash Flow
From
Operations
Total Assets
 
Silver
                               
San Dimas
1,744
1,555
$
25,571
$
16.44
$
4.20
$
0.81
$
17,773
$
19,040
$
152,951
Yauliyacu
687
761
 
11,896
 
15.63
 
4.16
 
5.92
 
4,221
 
8,730
 
187,478
Peñasquito
1,582
1,640
 
27,493
 
16.76
 
4.05
 
2.98
 
15,966
 
20,851
 
451,145
Barrick 4
690
671
 
11,216
 
16.72
 
3.90
 
3.26
 
6,411
 
8,600
 
605,328
Other 5
1,701
1,106
 
18,219
 
16.47
 
4.29
 
3.95
 
9,101
 
12,929
 
559,747
 
 
6,404
5,733
$
94,395
$
16.46
$
4.13
$
3.00
$
53,472
$
70,150
$
1,956,649
 
Gold
                               
777
9,669
8,718
$
10,519
$
1,207
$
400
$
823
$
(141)
$
7,374
$
243,913
Sudbury 6
9,165
11,251
 
14,231
 
1,265
 
400
 
841
 
263
 
10,168
 
583,862
Salobo
12,253
14,270
 
16,924
 
1,186
 
400
 
462
 
4,625
 
11,216
 
1,302,202
Other 7
3,435
3,665
 
4,306
 
1,175
 
310
 
124
 
2,714
 
2,942
 
161,639
 
 
34,522
37,904
$
45,980
$
1,213
$
391
$
625
$
7,461
$
31,700
$
2,291,616
 
Silver equivalent 8
8,964
8,541
$
140,375
$
16.43
$
4.51
$
4.79
$
60,933
$
101,850
$
4,248,265
 
Corporate
                               
General and administrative
                 
$
(8,992)
       
Other
                     
89
       
 
Total corporate
                   
$
(8,903)
$
(7,730)
$
399,498
 
 
8,964
8,541
$
140,375
$
16.43
$
4.51
$
4.79
$
52,030
$
94,120
$
4,647,763

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.  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)  
Refer to discussion on non-IFRS measure (iii) on page 30 of this MD&A.
4)  
Comprised of the operating Lagunas Norte, Pierina and Veladero silver interests in addition to the non-operating Pascua-Lama silver interest.
5)  
Comprised of the operating Los Filos, Zinkgruvan, Cozamin, Neves-Corvo, Stratoni, Campo Morado, Minto, 777, Constancia and Aljustrel silver interests in addition to the non-operating Keno Hill, Rosemont and Loma de La Plata silver interests.  Results related to the Campo Morado silver interest which, as further explained in the Silver and Gold Interests section of the MD&A, was disposed of in December 2014, were as follows: silver ounces produced – 116,000; silver ounces sold – 101,000; sales - $1,656,000; earnings from operations - $1,251,000 and; cash flow from operations - $1,251,000.   Results do not include any silver ounces produced or sold related to the Mineral Park silver interest as silver deliveries have ceased due to the bankruptcy of Mercator as further explained in the Silver and Gold Interests section of this MD&A.
6)  
Comprised of the operating Coleman, Copper Cliff, Garson, Stobie, Creighton and Totten gold interests in addition to the non-operating Victor gold interest.
7)  
Comprised of the operating Minto and Constancia gold interests in addition to the non-operating Rosemont gold interest.
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.


SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [20]

 
 

 



Three Months Ended December 31, 2013
 
Ounces
Produced²
Ounces
Sold
Sales
Average
Realized
Price
($'s Per
Ounce)
Average
Cash
Cost
($'s Per
Ounce)3
Average
Depletion
($'s Per
Ounce)
Net
Earnings
Cash Flow
From
Operations
Total Assets
 
Silver
                               
San Dimas 4
1,979
2,071
$
42,071
$
20.32
$
4.17
$
0.82
$
31,753
$
33,443
$
157,492
Yauliyacu
687
674
 
14,681
 
21.78
 
4.12
 
5.75
 
8,030
 
11,904
 
207,277
Peñasquito
2,047
1,412
 
30,508
 
21.61
 
4.02
 
2.96
 
20,647
 
24,832
 
472,289
Barrick 5
423
397
 
8,629
 
21.72
 
3.90
 
3.31
 
5,765
 
6,891
 
601,107
Other 6
2,119
1,510
 
31,660
 
20.96
 
4.30
 
4.66
 
18,127
 
25,803
 
549,927
 
 
7,255
6,064
$
127,549
$
21.03
$
4.14
$
2.99
$
84,322
$
102,873
$
1,988,092
 
Gold
                               
777
14,134
15,889
$
20,127
$
1,267
$
400
$
802
$
1,036
$
13,771
$
280,026
Sudbury 7
7,060
6,551
 
8,363
 
1,277
 
400
 
829
 
311
 
5,743
 
609,454
Salobo
10,067
6,944
 
9,025
 
1,300
 
400
 
462
 
3,039
 
6,247
 
1,322,483
Other 8
9,530
1,840
 
2,352
 
1,278
 
306
 
115
 
1,577
 
2,192
 
28,429
 
 
40,791
31,224
$
39,867
$
1,277
$
394
$
691
$
5,963
$
27,953
$
2,240,392
 
Silver equivalent 9
9,731
7,973
$
167,416
$
21.00
$
4.70
$
4.98
$
90,285
$
130,826
$
4,228,484
 
Corporate
                               
General and administrative
                 
$
(7,150)
       
Other
                     
10,765
       
 
Total corporate
                   
$
3,615
$
(6,235)
$
161,360
 
 
9,731
7,973
$
167,416
$
21.00
$
4.70
$
4.98
$
93,900
$
124,591
$
4,389,844

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.  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)  
Refer to discussion on non-IFRS measure (iii) on page 30 of this MD&A.
4)  
Results for San Dimas include 375,000 ounces received from Goldcorp in connection with Goldcorp’s four year commitment, commencing 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.
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, Zinkgruvan, Keno Hill, Mineral Park, Cozamin, Neves-Corvo, Stratoni, Campo Morado, Minto, 777 and Aljustrel silver interests in addition to the non-operating Rosemont, Loma de La Plata and Constancia silver interests.  Results related to the Campo Morado silver interest which, as further explained in the Silver and Gold Interests section of this MD&A, was disposed of in December 2014, were as follows: silver ounces produced – 213,000; silver ounces sold – 184,000; sales - $3,865,000; earnings from operations - $2,034,000 and; cash flow from operations - $3,131,000.   Results related to the Mineral Park silver interest for which silver deliveries ceased during the third quarter of 2014 due to the bankruptcy of Mercator, as further explained in the Silver and Gold Interests section of this MD&A, were as follows: silver ounces produced – 109,000; silver ounces sold – 45,000; sales - $966,000; earnings from operations - $648,000 and; cash flow from operations - $854,000.
7)  
Comprised of the operating Coleman, Copper Cliff, Garson, Stobie and Creighton gold interests in addition to the non-operating Totten and Victor gold interests.
8)  
Comprised of the operating Minto gold interest in addition to the non-operating Rosemont and Constancia gold interests.
9)  
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.


For the three months ended December 31, 2014, attributable silver equivalent production was 9.0 million ounces (6.4 million ounces of silver and 34,500 ounces of gold), compared with 9.7 million ounces (7.3 million ounces of silver and 40,800 ounces of gold) for the comparable period in 2013, with the 0.8 million ounce decrease being primarily attributable to the following factors:

  
465,000 ounce (23%) decrease related to the Peñasquito mine, due primarily to the mining of lower grade material;

•  
418,000 ounce (20%) decrease related to the Other mines, due primarily to lower production at the Campo Morado and Cozamin mines in addition to the cessation of silver deliveries from the Mineral Park mine;

•  
307,000 silver equivalent ounce (55%) decrease related to gold production at the Minto mine (6,100 gold ounces), due primarily to lower grades;

•  
235,000 ounce (12%) decrease related to the San Dimas mine, due primarily to the agreement with Goldcorp to deliver 1.5 million ounces per annum to Silver Wheaton having ended effective August 6, 2014; and

SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [21]

 
 

 

•  
136,000 silver equivalent ounce (16%) decrease related to gold production at the 777 mine (4,500 gold ounces), primarily due to lower throughput; partially offset by

•  
286,000 silver equivalent ounce (46%) increase related to gold production at the Salobo mine (2,200 gold ounces), primarily due to higher throughput as a result of the continuing ramp up of the first 12 Mtpa line and the commissioning of the second 12 Mtpa line which commenced late in the second quarter of 2014, partially offset by lower grades and recovery;

•  
266,000 ounce (63%) increase related to the Barrick mines, due primarily to higher grades at Veladero; and

•  
236,000 silver equivalent ounce (55%) increase related to gold production at the Sudbury mines (2,100 gold ounces), primarily due to higher grades.

For the three months ended December 31, 2014, net earnings and cash flow from operations were $52.0 million and $94.1 million, respectively, compared with $93.9 million and $124.6 million for the comparable period in 2013, with the $41.9 million decrease in net earnings being primarily attributable to the following factors:

•  
$10.8 million decrease related to a 13% decrease in payable silver ounces produced; and

•  
$1.2 million decrease related to a 16% decrease in payable gold ounces produced; and

•  
$0.8 million decrease related to the composition of mines from which silver is produced; and

•  
$3.3 million decrease related to the composition of mines from which gold is produced; and

•  
$16.3 million increase as a result of the timing of shipments of stockpiled concentrate and doré, primarily attributable to the following factors:

•  
$10.5 million increase relating to the Peñasquito mine; and

•  
$6.7 million increase relating to gold production at the Minto mine; and

•  
$29.6 million decrease due to a reduction in the operating margin per ounce, due primarily to a 22% decrease in the average realized selling price per silver equivalent ounce sold; and
 
•  
$12.5 million decrease as a result of an increase in corporate costs as explained in the Corporate Costs section of this MD&A ($1.5 million decrease from a cash flow perspective).
 


SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [22]

 
 

 



 
Year Ended December 31, 2014
 
Ounces Produced²
Ounces Sold
Sales
Average
Realized
Price
($'s Per
Ounce)
Average
Cash
Cost
($'s Per
Ounce)3
Average
Depletion
($'s Per
Ounce)
Net
Earnings
Cash Flow
From
Operations
Total Assets
 
Silver
                               
San Dimas 4
5,760
5,573
$
104,095
$
18.68
$
4.19
$
0.81
$
76,228
$
80,769
$
152,951
Yauliyacu
2,938
3,342
 
64,011
 
19.15
 
4.15
 
5.92
 
30,353
 
50,152
 
187,478
Peñasquito
7,318
7,100
 
134,757
 
18.98
 
4.05
 
2.98
 
84,860
 
106,004
 
451,145
Barrick 5
1,687
1,700
 
31,687
 
18.64
 
3.90
 
3.26
 
19,508
 
23,065
 
605,328
Other 6
7,971
5,769
 
109,664
 
19.01
 
4.27
 
4.25
 
60,495
 
86,161
 
559,747
 
 
25,674
23,484
$
444,214
$
18.92
$
4.14
$
3.22
$
271,444
$
346,151
$
1,956,649
 
Gold
                               
777
46,170
43,898
$
55,535
$
1,265
$
400
$
823
$
1,863
$
38,318
$
243,913
Sudbury 7
35,260
30,413
 
38,720
 
1,273
 
400
 
841
 
962
 
26,993
 
583,862
Salobo
40,057
43,912
 
54,762
 
1,247
 
400
 
462
 
16,917
 
37,198
 
1,302,202
Other 8
21,328
21,299
 
26,945
 
1,265
 
309
 
124
 
17,713
 
19,936
 
161,639
 
 
142,815
139,522
$
175,962
$
1,261
$
386
$
607
$
37,455
$
122,445
$
2,291,616
 
Silver equivalent 9
35,285
32,891
$
620,176
$
18.86
$
4.59
$
4.87
$
308,899
$
468,596
$
4,248,265
 
Corporate
                               
General and administrative
                 
$
(37,860)
       
Impairment charges 10
                   
(68,151)
       
Other
                     
(3,062)
       
 
Total corporate
                   
$
(109,073)
$
(36,723)
$
399,498
 
 
35,285
32,891
$
620,176
$
18.86
$
4.59
$
4.87
$
199,826
$
431,873
$
4,647,763

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.  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)  
Refer to discussion on non-IFRS measure (iii) on page 30 of this MD&A.
4)  
Results for San Dimas include 875,000 ounces received from Goldcorp in connection with Goldcorp’s four year commitment, commencing 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.
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, Zinkgruvan, Mineral Park, Cozamin, Neves-Corvo, Stratoni, Campo Morado, Minto, 777, Constancia and Aljustrel silver interests in addition to the non-operating Keno Hill, Rosemont and Loma de La Plata silver interests.  Results related to the Campo Morado silver interest which, as further explained in the Silver and Gold Interests section of this MD&A, was disposed of in December 2014, were as follows: silver ounces produced – 677,000; silver ounces sold – 524,000; sales - $10,070,000; earnings from operations - $5,448,000 and; cash flow from operations - $7,968,000.   Results related to the Mineral Park silver interest for which silver deliveries ceased during the third quarter of 2014 due to the bankruptcy of Mercator, as further explained in the Silver and Gold Interests section of this MD&A, were as follows: silver ounces produced – 237,000; silver ounces sold – 168,000; sales - $3,354,000; earnings from operations - $2,239,000 and; cash flow from operations - $2,629,000.
7)  
Comprised of the operating Coleman, Copper Cliff, Garson, Stobie, Creighton and Totten gold interests in addition to the non-operating Victor gold interest.
8)  
Comprised of the operating Minto and Constancia gold interests in addition to the non-operating Rosemont gold interest.
9)  
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.
10)  
During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company recognized an impairment charge of $68.2 million related to its previously owned Mineral Park and Campo Morado silver interests.  These former silver interests are reflected as a component of Other silver interests in this MD&A and financial statements.


SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [23]

 
 

 



 
Year Ended December 31, 2013
 
Ounces
Produced²
Ounces
Sold
Sales
Average
Realized
Price
($'s Per
Ounce)
Average
Cash
Cost
($'s Per
Ounce)3
Average
Depletion
($'s Per
Ounce)
Net
Earnings
Cash Flow
From
Operations
Total Assets
 
Silver
                               
San Dimas 4
6,542
6,675
$
157,150
$
23.54
$
4.15
$
0.82
$
124,003
$
129,447
$
157,492
Yauliyacu
2,618
1,395
 
33,053
 
23.69
 
4.12
 
5.75
 
19,293
 
27,311
 
207,277
Peñasquito
6,216
5,317
 
126,587
 
23.81
 
4.02
 
2.82
 
90,229
 
105,213
 
472,289
Barrick 5
2,185
2,157
 
56,834
 
26.35
 
3.90
 
3.04
 
41,860
 
49,597
 
601,107
Other 6
9,193
7,279
 
170,963
 
23.49
 
4.23
 
4.37
 
108,303
 
141,020
 
549,927
 
 
26,754
22,823
$
544,587
$
23.86
$
4.12
$
2.93
$
383,688
$
452,588
$
1,988,092
 
Gold
                               
777
66,330
65,758
$
91,412
$
1,390
$
400
$
802
$
12,398
$
61,136
$
280,026
Sudbury 7
33,110
17,380
 
23,001
 
1,324
 
400
 
829
 
1,639
 
16,050
 
609,454
Salobo
29,147
16,947
 
22,552
 
1,331
 
400
 
462
 
7,945
 
15,774
 
1,322,483
Other 8
22,617
17,234
 
24,920
 
1,446
 
305
 
137
 
17,297
 
19,923
 
28,429
 
 
151,204
117,319
$
161,885
$
1,380
$
386
$
659
$
39,279
$
112,883
$
2,240,392
 
Silver equivalent 9
35,832
29,963
$
706,472
$
23.58
$
4.65
$
4.81
$
422,967
$
565,471
$
4,228,484
 
Corporate
                               
General and administrative
                 
$
(35,308)
       
Other
                     
(12,164)
       
 
Total corporate
                   
$
(47,472)
$
(31,338)
$
161,360
 
 
35,832
29,963
$
706,472
$
23.58
$
4.65
$
4.81
$
375,495
$
534,133
$
4,389,844

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.  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)  
Refer to discussion on non-IFRS measure (iii) on page 30 of this MD&A.
4)  
Results for San Dimas include 1.5 million ounces received from Goldcorp in connection with Goldcorp’s four year commitment, commencing 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.
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, Zinkgruvan, Keno Hill, Mineral Park, Cozamin, Neves-Corvo, Stratoni, Campo Morado, Minto, 777 and Aljustrel silver interests in addition to the non-operating Rosemont, Loma de La Plata and Constancia silver interests.  Results related to the Campo Morado silver interest which, as further explained in the Silver and Gold Interests section of this MD&A, was disposed of in December 2014, were as follows: silver ounces produced – 870,000; silver ounces sold – 758,000; sales - $17,942,000; earnings from operations - $10,427,000 and; cash flow from operations - $14,935,000.   Results related to the Mineral Park silver interest for which silver deliveries ceased during the third quarter of 2014 due to the bankruptcy of Mercator, as further explained in the Silver and Gold Interests section of this MD&A, were as follows: silver ounces produced – 544,000; silver ounces sold – 356,000; sales - $8,973,000; earnings from operations - $6,509,000 and; cash flow from operations - $7,644,000.
7)  
Comprised of the operating Coleman, Copper Cliff, Garson, Stobie and Creighton gold interests in addition to the non-operating Totten and Victor gold interests.
8)  
Comprised of the operating Minto gold interest in addition to the non-operating Rosemont and Constancia gold interests.
9)  
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.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, attributable silver equivalent production was 35.3 million ounces (25.7 million ounces of silver and 142,800 ounces of gold), compared with 35.8 million ounces (26.8 million ounces of silver and 151,200 ounces of gold) for the comparable period in 2013, with the 0.5 million ounce decrease being primarily attributable to the following factors:

•  
1,223,000 ounce (13%) decrease related to the Other mines, due primarily to the temporary closure at the Keno Hill mine, lower production at the Campo Morado and 777 mines and the cessation of silver deliveries from the Mineral Park mine;

•  
871,000 silver equivalent ounce (22%) decrease related to gold production at the 777 mine (20,200 gold ounces), due to lower grades, throughput and recoveries;

•  
781,000 ounce (12%) decrease related to the San Dimas mine, due to Primero achieving the 3.5 million ounce delivery threshold 6 weeks earlier than in 2013 coupled with the August 6, 2014 expiration of the agreement with Goldcorp to deliver 1.5 million ounces per annum to Silver Wheaton; and

SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [24]

 
 

 




•  
497,000 ounce (23%) decrease related to the Barrick mines, due primarily to lower grades and recovery at Veladero and the cessation of mining operations at Pierina; partially offset by

•  
1,102,000 ounce (18%) increase related to the Peñasquito mine, due primarily to the mining in higher grade ore benches of Phase 4 of the pit during the first and second quarters of 2014;

•  
945,000 silver equivalent ounce (53%) increase related to gold production at the Salobo mine (10,900 gold ounces), primarily due to higher throughput as a result of the continuing ramp up of the first 12 Mtpa line and the commissioning of the second 12 Mtpa line which commenced late in the second quarter of 2014;

•  
380,000 silver equivalent ounce (19%) increase related to gold production at the Sudbury mines (2,200 gold ounces), primarily due to higher recoveries and throughput, partially offset by lower grades; and

•  
319,000 ounce (12%) increase related to the Yauliyacu mine, due primarily to higher grades.


For the year ended December 31, 2014, net earnings and cash flow from operations were $199.8 million and $431.9 million, respectively, compared with $375.5 million and $534.1 million for the comparable period in 2013, with the $175.7 million decrease in net earnings being primarily attributable to the following factors:

•  
$17.4 million decrease related to a 6% decrease in payable silver ounces produced; and

•  
$2.8 million decrease related to a 6% decrease in payable gold ounces produced; and

•  
$7.0 million decrease related to the composition of mines from which silver is produced; and

•  
$2.9 million increase related to the composition of mines from which gold is produced; and

•  
$43.1 million increase as a result of the timing of shipments of stockpiled concentrate and doré, primarily attributable to the following factors:

•  
$22.8 million increase relating to the Yauliyacu mine which continues to have an inconsistent delivery schedule as a result of the shut-down of the La Oroya smelter in Peru;

•  
$15.1 million increase relating to the Peñasquito mine;

•  
$7.9 million increase relating to the Salobo mine; and

•  
$5.2 million increase relating to the Minto mine; partially offset by

•  
$6.0 million decrease relating to the San Dimas mine;

 •  
$132.8 million decrease due to a reduction in the operating margin per ounce, due primarily to a 20% decrease in the average realized selling price per silver equivalent ounce sold; and

  
$61.6 million decrease as a result of an increase in corporate costs, with the most significant item being the impairment charge of $68.2 million taken during the three months ended September 30, 2014, as explained in the Corporate Costs section of this MD&A ($5.4 million decrease from a cash flow perspective).

SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [25]

 
 

 

Corporate Costs

 
Three Months Ended
December 31
Years Ended
December 31
(in thousands)
 
2014
2013
2014
2013
 
General and administrative
 $          8,992
 $          7,150
 $       37,860
 $       35,308
Impairment charges
-
-
68,151
-
Foreign exchange gain
(193)
(233)
(609)
(348)
Interest expense
(6)
1,226
2,277
6,083
Other expense
916 
920
2,439
11,550
Income tax recovery
   (806)
(12,678)
(1,045)
(5,121)
 
Total corporate costs
 $          8,903
 $        (3,615)
 $     109,073
 $       47,472

 
General and Administrative

 
Three Months Ended
December 31
Years Ended
December 31
(in thousands)
 
2014
2013
2014
2013
 
Salaries and benefits
       
Salaries and benefits, excluding PSUs
 $          1,689
 $          2,926
 $       11,662
 $       11,522
PSUs
972
(803)
3,508
646
Total salaries and benefits
 $          2,661
 $          2,123
 $       15,170
 $       12,168
Depreciation
97
71
326
240
Charitable donations
1,174
81
3,187
2,710
Professional fees
856
694
2,426
3,981
Other
2,212
1,903
8,557
7,820
Cash settled general and administrative
 $          7,000
 $          4,872
 $       29,666
 $       26,919
Equity settled stock based compensation (a non-cash expense)
1,992
2,278
8,194
8,389
 
Total general and administrative
 $          8,992
 $          7,150
 $       37,860
 $       35,308

For the three months and year ended December 31, 2014, general and administrative expense increased by $1.8 million and $2.6 million, respectively, relative to the comparable periods in the previous year.  The increase during the three month period was primarily due to higher charitable donations and a higher estimated cost associated with performance share units (“PSUs”), while the increase during the 12 month period was primarily due to a higher estimated cost associated with PSUs.

Impairment Charges

As further disclosed in the Silver and Gold Interests section of this MD&A, during the third quarter of 2014, the Company recognized an impairment charge of $68.2 million related to its previously owned Mineral Park and Campo Morado silver interests.


SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [26]

 
 

 


Other Expense (Income)

 
Three Months Ended
December 31
Years Ended
December 31
(in thousands)
 
2014
2013
2014
2013
 
Dividend income
 $              (57)
 $              (57)
 $           (228)
 $           (227)
Interest income
(46)
(15)
(123)
(204)
Stand-by fees
731
721
2,900
2,758
Loss on fair value adjustment of share purchase warrants held
-
-
-
2,694
Amortization of credit facility origination fees - undrawn facilities
256
253
1,020
1,910
Write off of credit facility origination fees upon the cancellation of the Bridge Facility
-
-
-
4,490
Other
32 
18
(1,130)
129
 
Total other expense
 $             916
 $             920
 $          2,439
 $       11,550

For the three months ended December 31, 2014, other expense was virtually unchanged relative to the comparable period of the previous year.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, other expense decreased by $9.1 million relative to the comparable period in the previous year, with the change being primarily the result of:

•  
An unrealized loss related to the fair value adjustment in warrants held during the year ended December 31, 2013 of $2.7 million as compared to no loss during the current period;
 
•  
As further explained in Note 14 to the financial statements, on February 28, 2013, the Company entered into two new unsecured credit facilities, comprised of (i) a $1 billion revolving credit facility having a 5 year term (the “Revolving Facility”); and (ii) a $1.5 billion bridge financing facility having a 1 year term (the “Bridge Facility”).  The Company paid upfront costs of $11.7 million in connection with these new facilities which have been recorded under Other assets and are being amortized over the life of the respective credit facilities.  On May 28, 2013, the Bridge Facility was terminated, with the remaining unamortized upfront costs of $4.5 million associated with this credit facility being fully expensed on that date; partially offset by
 
•  
A $1.3 million gain during the year ended December 31, 2014 related to the Company’s agreement to waive its right to silver contained in copper concentrate at the Aljustrel mine.
 

Interest Costs

During the three months ended December 31, 2014, the Company incurred interest costs of $4.4 million at an effective interest rate of 1.71%, all of which has been capitalized in relation to the Barrick silver interest and the Constancia silver and gold interest.  During the three months ended December 31, 2013, the Company incurred interest costs of $4.4 million at an effective interest rate of 1.70%, of which $3.2 million was capitalized in relation to the Barrick and Constancia silver interests, with the remainder being expensed.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company incurred interest costs of $17.3 million at an effective interest rate of 1.70%, of which $15.0 million has been capitalized in relation to the Barrick silver interest and the Constancia silver and gold interest, with the remainder being expensed.  During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company incurred interest costs of $18.0 million at an effective interest rate of 2.04%, of which $11.9 million was capitalized in relation to the Barrick and Constancia silver interests, with the remainder being expensed.

SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [27]

 
 

 


Income Tax (Recovery) Expense

 
Three Months Ended
December 31
Years Ended
December 31
(in thousands)
 
2014
2013
2014
2013
 
Current income tax expense related to foreign jurisdictions
 $               44
 $               40
 $             204
 $             154
 
Deferred income tax expense (recovery) related to:
       
Origination and reversal of temporary differences
 $           (850)
 $      (12,718)
 $        (1,249)
 $        (7,381)
Write down of previously recognized temporary differences
-
-
-
2,106
 
 
 $           (850)
 $      (12,718)
 $        (1,249)
 $        (5,275)
 
Total income tax recovery
 $           (806)
 $      (12,678)
 $        (1,045)
 $        (5,121)


For the three months and year ended December 31, 2014, income tax recovery decreased by $11.9 million and $4.1 million, respectively, relative to the comparable periods in the previous year.  Income tax expense (recovery) is, for the most part, comprised of the change in deferred income tax assets recognized, which is primarily affected by the change in unrealized gains in long-term investments in common shares held and deferred income tax expense (recovery) associated with income from Canadian operations. In addition, during the three months ended December 31, 2013, the Company changed its estimated tax rate associated with the temporary difference related to capitalized interest on certain of the Company’s precious metal purchase agreements, resulting in the reversal of a deferred tax liability in the amount of $9.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2013.


Non-IFRS Measures

Silver Wheaton has included, throughout this document, certain non-IFRS performance measures, including (i) adjusted net earnings and adjusted net earnings per share; (ii) operating cash flow per share (basic and diluted); (iii) average cash costs of silver and gold on a per ounce basis and; (iv) cash operating margin.

i.  
Adjusted net earnings and adjusted net earnings per share are calculated by removing the effects of the non-cash impairment charges.  The Company believes that, in addition to conventional measures prepared in accordance with IFRS, management and certain investors use this information to evaluate the Company’s performance.

The following table provides a reconciliation of adjusted net earnings and adjusted net earnings per share (basic and diluted).


 
Three Months Ended
December 31
Years Ended
December 31
(in thousands, except for per share amounts)
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
Net earnings
 
$
52,030
 
$
93,900
 
$
199,826
 
$
375,495
Add back - impairment loss
   
-
   
-
   
68,151
   
-
 
Adjusted net earnings
 
$
52,030
 
$
93,900
 
$
267,977
 
$
375,495
 
Divided by:
                       
 
Basic weighted average number of shares outstanding
   
364,436
   
357,389
   
359,401
   
355,588
 
Diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding
   
364,718
   
357,869
   
359,804
   
356,595
 
Equals:
                       
Adjusted earnings per share - basic
 
$
0.14
 
$
0.26
 
$
0.75
 
$
1.06
Adjusted earnings per share - diluted
 
$
0.14
 
$
0.26
 
$
0.74
 
$
1.05


SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [28]

 
 

 


ii.  
Operating cash flow per share (basic and diluted) is calculated by dividing cash generated by operating activities by the weighted average number of shares outstanding (basic and diluted).  The Company presents operating cash flow per share as management and certain investors use this information to evaluate the Company’s performance in comparison to other companies in the precious metals mining industry who present results on a similar basis.

The following table provides a reconciliation of operating cash flow per share (basic and diluted).


 
Three Months Ended
December 31
Years Ended
December 31
(in thousands, except for per share amounts)
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
Cash generated by operating activities
 
$
94,120
 
$
124,591
 
$
431,873
 
$
534,133
 
Divided by:
                       
 
Basic weighted average number of shares outstanding
   
364,436
   
357,389
   
359,401
   
355,588
 
Diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding
   
364,718
   
357,869
   
359,804
   
356,595
 
Equals:
                       
Operating cash flow per share - basic
 
$
0.26
 
$
0.35
 
$
1.20
 
$
1.50
 
Operating cash flow per share - diluted
 
$
0.26
 
$
0.35
 
$
1.20
 
$
1.50

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [29]

 
 

 


iii.  
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 evaluate the Company’s performance and ability to generate cash flow.

The following table provides a reconciliation of average cash cost of silver and gold on a per ounce basis.


 
Three Months Ended
December 31
Years Ended
December 31
(in thousands, except for gold ounces sold and per ounce amounts)
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
Cost of sales
 
$
79,442
 
$
77,131
 
$
311,277
 
$
283,505
Less:  depletion
   
(40,910)
   
(39,694)
   
(160,180)
   
(144,153)
 
Cash cost of sales
 
$
38,532
 
$
37,437
 
$
151,097
 
$
139,352
 
Cash cost of sales is comprised of:
                       
Total cash cost of silver sold
 
$
23,698
 
$
25,121
 
$
97,221
 
$
94,054
Total cash cost of gold sold
   
14,834
   
12,316
   
53,876
   
45,298
 
Total cash cost of sales
 
$
38,532
 
$
37,437
 
$
151,097
 
$
139,352
 
Divided by:
                       
Total silver ounces sold
   
5,733
   
6,064
   
23,484
   
22,823
Total gold ounces sold
   
37,904
   
31,224
   
139,522
   
117,319
Total silver equivalent ounces sold 1
   
8,541
   
7,973
   
32,891
   
29,963
 
Equals:
                       
Average cash cost of silver (per ounce)
 
$
4.13
 
$
4.14
 
$
4.14
 
$
4.12
Average cash cost of gold (per ounce)
 
$
391
 
$
394
 
$
386
 
$
386
Average cash cost (per silver equivalent ounce 1)
 
$
4.51
 
$
4.70
 
$
4.59
 
$
4.65

1)  
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.

 
 
 
 
 
 

 
SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [30]

 
 

 


iv.  
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 mining industry who present results on a similar basis.

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash operating margin.


 
Three Months Ended
December 31
Years Ended
December 31
(in thousands, except for per ounce amounts)
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
Average realized selling price of silver and gold
                       
Sales
 
$
140,375
 
$
167,416
 
$
620,176
 
$
706,472
 
Divided by - total silver equivalent ounces sold 1
   
8,541
   
7,973
   
32,891
   
29,963
 
Equals - average realized price ($'s per silver equivalent ounce 1)
 
$
16.43
 
$
21.00
 
$
18.86
 
$
23.58
 
Less - average cash cost ($'s per silver equivalent ounce 1, 2)
   
(4.51)
   
(4.70)
   
(4.59)
   
(4.65)
 
Cash operating margin per silver equivalent ounce 1
 
$
11.92
 
$
16.30
 
$
14.27
 
$
18.93

1)   
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.
2)   
Refer to discussion on non-IFRS measure (iii) on page 30 of this MD&A.


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.

 
 
 
 

 

SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [31]

 
 

 


Liquidity and Capital Resources1

As at December 31, 2014, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $308.1 million (December 31, 2013 - $95.8 million) and working capital of $322.3 million (December 31, 2013 – $80.2 million).

Three Months Ended December 31, 2014

During the three months ended December 31, 2014, the Company generated operating cash flows of $94.1 million compared with $124.6 million during the comparable period of 2013, with the decrease being primarily related to a decrease in the price realized on the sale of silver equivalent ounces sold, partially offset by an increase in the number of silver equivalent ounces sold.

During the three months ended December 31, 2014, the Company had net cash outflows from financing activities of $14.6 million, which was primarily the result of dividend payments totaling $17.1 million, partially offset by proceeds in the amount of $2.6 million from share purchase options exercised during the period.  During the three months ended December 31, 2013, the Company had net cash outflows from financing activities of $74.1 million, which was primarily the result of repayments under the Revolving Facility of $42.0 million and dividend payments in the amount of $32.2 million.

During the three months ended December 31, 2014, the Company had net cash outflows from investing activities of $4.4 million, which was primarily related to interest payments on the Company’s NRT Loan in the amount of $4.1 million that have been capitalized to qualifying silver and gold interests.  During the three months ended December 31, 2013, the Company had net cash outflows from investing activities of $16.6 million, primarily comprised of interest payments in the amount of $3.0 million which were capitalized to qualifying silver and gold interests in addition to a $13.5 million upfront cash payment to Sandspring associated with the Toroparu early deposit gold interest.
 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2014

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company generated operating cash flows of $431.9 million compared with $534.1 million during the comparable period of 2013, with the decrease being primarily related to a decrease in the price realized on the sale of silver equivalent ounces sold, partially offset by an increase in the number of silver equivalent ounces sold.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company had net cash outflows from financing activities of $73.5 million, which was primarily the result of dividend payments totaling $79.8 million, partially offset by proceeds in the amount of $7.0 million from share purchase options exercised during the period.  During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company had net cash inflows from financing activities of $834.1 million, which was primarily the result of a net drawdown under the Company’s credit facilities of $949.9 million and $58.1 million in proceeds from share purchase options and share purchase warrants exercised during the period, partially offset by $14.0 million of upfront costs related to the new credit facilities and dividend payments totaling $160.0 million.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company had net cash outflows from investing activities of $146.0 million, primarily related to (i) a $125 million upfront cash payment to Hudbay for the third installment on the Constancia silver interest, which was due once capital expenditures of $1 billion had been incurred at Constancia; (ii) a $9.0 million payment made in relation to the acquisition of the Metates Royalty; and (iii) interest payments on the Company’s NRT Loan in the amount of $14.1 million that have been capitalized to qualifying silver and gold interests.  During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company had net cash outflows from investing activities of $2.1 billion, primarily related to (i) the upfront cash payment to Vale totaling $1.9 billion related to the Company’s Salobo and Sudbury gold interests; (ii) a $125 million upfront cash payment to Hudbay related to the second installment on the Constancia silver interest, which was due once capital expenditures of $500 million had been incurred at Constancia; and (iii) a $13.5 million upfront cash payment to Sandspring associated with the Toroparu early deposit gold interest.

In the opinion of management, the $308.1 million of cash and cash equivalents as at December 31, 2014, combined with the liquidity provided by the credit available under the undrawn $1 billion Revolving Facility and ongoing operating cashflows positions the Company well to fund all outstanding commitments as well as providing flexibility to acquire additional accretive precious metal stream interests.


 1
Statements made in this section contain forward-looking information with respect to funding outstanding commitments and continuing to acquire accretive precious metal stream interests and readers are cautioned that actual outcomes may vary. Please see “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” for material risks, assumptions and important disclosure associated with this information.

SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [32]

 
 

 


Contractual Obligations and Contingencies1

Silver and Gold Interests

The following table summarizes the Company’s commitments to pay for silver and gold to which it has the contractual right pursuant to the precious metal purchase agreements:

Silver and Gold Interests
Attributable Payable
Production to be
Purchased
Per Ounce Cash
Payment 1, 2
Term of
Agreement
Date of
Original
Contract
 
Silver
Gold
Silver
Gold
San Dimas
 100% ³
 0%
$
4.20
 
n/a
Life of Mine
15-Oct-04
Yauliyacu
 100% 4
 0%
$
4.16
 
n/a
20 years
23-Mar-06
Peñasquito
 25%
 0%
$
4.07
 
n/a
Life of Mine
24-Jul-07
777
 100%
 100%/50% 5
$
5.90 6
$
400
Life of Mine
8-Aug-12
Salobo
 0%
 50%
 
n/a
$
400
Life of Mine
28-Feb-13
Sudbury
 0%
 70%
 
n/a
$
400
20 years
28-Feb-13
Barrick
               
Pascua-Lama
 25%
 0%
$
3.90
 
n/a
Life of Mine
8-Sep-09
Lagunas Norte
 100%
 0%
$
3.90
 
n/a
8.5 years
8-Sep-09
Pierina
 100%
 0%
$
3.90
 
n/a
8.5 years 7
8-Sep-09
Veladero
 100% 8
 0%
$
3.90
 
n/a
8.5 years
8-Sep-09
Other
               
Los Filos
 100%
 0%
$
4.24
 
n/a
25 years
15-Oct-04
Zinkgruvan
 100%
 0%
$
4.25
 
n/a
Life of Mine
8-Dec-04
Stratoni
 100%
 0%
$
4.10
 
n/a
Life of Mine
23-Apr-07
Minto
 100%
 100% 9
$
4.06
$
312
Life of Mine
20-Nov-08
Cozamin
 100%
 0%
$
4.20
 
n/a
10 years
4-Apr-07
Neves-Corvo
 100%
 0%
$
4.10
 
n/a
50 years
5-Jun-07
Aljustrel
 100% 10
 0%
$
4.06
 
n/a
50 years
5-Jun-07
Keno Hill
 25%
 0%
$
3.90 11
 
n/a
Life of Mine
2-Oct-08
Rosemont
100%
 100%
$
3.90
$
450
Life of Mine
10-Feb-10
Loma de La Plata
12.5%
 0%
$
4.00
 
n/a
Life of Mine
n/a ¹²
Constancia
100%
 50% ¹³
$
5.90 6
$
400
Life of Mine
8-Aug-12
Early Deposit
               
Toroparu
0%
 10% 14
 
n/a
$
400
Life of Mine
11-Nov-13

1)  
Subject to an annual inflationary adjustment with the exception of Loma de La Plata and Sudbury.
2)  
Should the prevailing market price for silver or gold be lower than this amount, the per ounce cash payment will be reduced to the prevailing market price, with the exception of Yauliyacu.
3)  
Silver Wheaton is committed to purchase from Primero a per annum amount equal to the first 6 million ounces of payable silver produced at San Dimas and 50% of any excess.
4)  
To a maximum of 4.75 million ounces per annum.  In the event that silver sold and delivered to Silver Wheaton in any year totals less than 4.75 million ounces, the amount sold and delivered to Silver Wheaton in subsequent years will be increased to make up for any cumulative shortfall, to the extent production permits.  The cumulative shortfall as at March 23, 2014, representing the eight year anniversary, was 17.6 million ounces.
5)  
The Company’s share of gold production at 777 will remain at 100% until the later of the end of 2016 or the satisfaction of a completion test relating to Hudbay’s Constancia project, after which it will be reduced to 50% for the remainder of the mine life.
6)  
Subject to an increase to $9.90 per ounce of silver and $550 per ounce of gold after the initial 40 year term.
7)  
As per Barrick’s disclosure, closure activities were initiated at Pierina as of August 2013.
8)  
Silver Wheaton's attributable silver production is subject to a maximum of 8% of the silver contained in the ore processed at Veladero during the period.
9)  
The Company is committed to acquire 100% of the first 30,000 ounces of gold produced per annum and 50% thereafter.
10)  
Silver Wheaton has agreed to waive its rights to silver contained in copper concentrate at the Aljustrel mine while retaining the right to silver contained in zinc concentrate.
11)  
In June 2014, the Company amended its silver purchase agreement with Alexco to increase the production payment to be a function of the silver price at the time of delivery. In addition, the area of interest was expanded to include properties currently owned by Alexco and properties acquired by Alexco in the future which fall within a one kilometer radius of existing Alexco holdings in the Keno Hill Silver District.  The amended agreement is conditional on Alexco paying Silver Wheaton $20 million by December 31, 2015.
12)  
Terms of the agreement not yet finalized.
13)  
Gold recoveries will be set at 55% for the Constancia deposit and 70% for the Pampacancha deposit until 265,000 ounces of gold have been delivered to the Company.
14)  
During the 60 day period following the delivery of a feasibility study, environmental study and impact assessment, and other related documents (collectively, the “Feasibility Documentation”), or after December 31, 2015 if the Feasibility Documentation has not been delivered to Silver Wheaton by such date, Silver Wheaton may elect not to proceed with the precious metal purchase agreement, at which time Silver Wheaton will be entitled to a return of $11.5 million of the early deposit (on the basis that $2 million of the advanced $13.5 million is non-refundable) or, at Sandspring’s option, the stream percentage will be reduced from 10% to 0.774% (equivalent to the pro-rata stream based on a full purchase price of $11.5 million). 


 1
Statements made in this section contain forward-looking information and readers are cautioned that actual outcomes may vary. Please see “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” for material risks, assumptions and important disclosure associated with this information.

SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [33]

 
 

 


Other Contractual Obligations and Contingencies

   
 
Obligations With Scheduled Payment Dates
Other
Commitments
   
(in thousands)
 
2015
2016 - 2018
2019 - 2020
After 2020
Sub-Total
Total
 
Bank debt 1
$
            -
$
 1,000,000
$
            -
$
            -
$
 1,000,000
$
            -
 $
 1,000,000
Interest 2
 
    15,103
 
      26,690
 
            -
 
            -
 
      41,793
 
            -
 
      41,793
Silver and gold interest payments 3
                           
Rosemont 4
 
            -
 
              -
 
            -
 
            -
 
              -
 
  231,150
 
    231,150
Loma de La Plata
 
            -
 
              -
 
            -
 
            -
 
              -
 
    32,400
 
      32,400
Toroparu
 
            -
 
              -
 
            -
 
            -
 
              -
 
  135,000
 
    135,000
Operating leases
 
      1,185
 
        4,303
 
      2,503
 
      4,220
 
      12,211
 
            -
 
      12,211
Other
 
      2,888
 
              -
 
            -
 
            -
 
        2,888
 
            -
 
        2,888
 
Total contractual obligations
$
    19,176
$
 1,030,993
$
      2,503
$
      4,220
$
 1,056,892
$
  398,550
 $
 1,455,442

1)  
At December 31, 2014, the Company had $1.0 billion outstanding on the NRT Loan and $Nil outstanding on the Revolving Facility  As more fully disclosed in the Subsequent Events section of this MD&A, on February 27, 2015 the Company expanded its Revolving Facility by $1 billion and then used proceeds drawn from this amended Revolving Facility together with cash on hand to repay the NRT Loan.
2)  
As the applicable interest rates are floating in nature, the interest charges are estimated based on market-based forward interest rate curves at the end of the reporting period.
3)  
Does not reflect the contingent payment due related to the Salobo gold purchase agreement (see the Salobo section, below).
4)  
Includes contingent transaction costs of $1.1 million.

Rosemont

In connection with the Rosemont precious metal purchase agreement, the Company is committed to pay Hudbay total upfront cash payments of $230 million on an installment basis to partially fund construction of the Rosemont mine once certain milestones are achieved, including the receipt of key permits and securing the necessary financing to complete construction of the mine.

Loma de La Plata

In connection with the Company’s election to convert the debenture with Pan American into a silver purchase agreement, the Company is committed to pay Pan American total upfront cash payments of $32.4 million following the satisfaction of certain conditions, including Pan American receiving all necessary permits to proceed with the mine construction.

Salobo

Vale has recently completed the expansion of the mill throughput capacity at the Salobo mine to 24 million tonnes per annum (“Mtpa”) from its previous 12 Mtpa.  If actual throughput is expanded above 28 Mtpa within a predetermined period, Silver Wheaton will be required to make an additional payment to Vale based on a set fee schedule ranging from $88 million if throughput is expanded beyond 28 Mtpa by January 1, 2036, up to $720 million if throughput is expanded beyond 40 Mtpa by January 1, 2018.

Toroparu

In connection with the Toroparu early deposit precious metal purchase agreement, the Company is committed to pay Sandspring an additional $135 million on an installment basis to partially fund construction of the mine.  During the 60 day period following the delivery of the feasibility documentation, or after December 31, 2015 if the feasibility documentation has not been delivered to Silver Wheaton by such date, Silver Wheaton may elect not to proceed with the precious metal purchase agreement, at which time Silver Wheaton will be entitled to a return of $11.5 million of  the early deposit (on the basis that $2 million of the advanced $13.5 million is non-refundable) or, at Sandspring’s option, the stream percentage will be reduced from 10% to 0.774% (equivalent to the pro-rata stream based on a full purchase price of $11.5 million). 


SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [34]

 
 

 


Other1

Due to the size, complexity and nature of the Company’s operations, various legal and tax matters are outstanding from time to time, including an audit (the “CRA Audit”) by the Canada Revenue Agency (the “CRA”) of the Company’s international transactions covering the 2005 to 2010 taxation years, which is currently ongoing.  The Company has not received any notice of reassessment for the 2005 to 2010 taxation years in connection with the CRA Audit.  In the event that CRA issues one or more notices of reassessment for material amounts of tax, interest and penalties, the Company is prepared to vigorously defend its position.

By their nature, contingencies will only be resolved when one or more future events occur or fail to occur.  The assessment of contingencies inherently involves the exercise of significant judgment and estimates of the outcome of future events.  Based on information available to management at March 18, 2015, the outstanding legal and tax matters are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company.  However, if the Company is unable to resolve any of these matters favorably, or if CRA issues one or more notices of reassessment for material amounts of tax, interest and penalties, there may be a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial performance, cash flows or results of operations.  In the event that management’s estimate of the future resolution of these matters changes, the Company will recognize the effects of the changes in its consolidated financial statements in the appropriate period relative to when such changes occur.

Share Capital

On September 26, 2014 the Company paid $135 million to Hudbay in satisfaction of the upfront payment relative to the gold stream on the Constancia project through the issuance of 6,112,282 common shares, at an average issuance price of $22.09 per share.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company received cash proceeds of $7.0 million from the exercise of 600,162 share purchase options at a weighted average exercise price of Cdn$13.02 per option.  For the comparable period in 2013, the Company received cash proceeds of $6.4 million from the exercise of 415,133 share purchase options at a weighted average exercise price of Cdn$15.65 per option.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no share purchase warrants exercised.  For the comparable period in 2013, the Company received cash proceeds of $51.7 million from the exercise of 2,586,794 share purchase warrants at a weighted average exercise price of $20.00 per warrant.

As of March 18, 2015, there were 403,707,928 outstanding common shares, 3,501,600 share purchase options, 164,604 restricted share units and 10,000,000 share purchase warrants.


Risks and Uncertainties

The primary risk factors affecting the Company are set forth below.  For discussion of additional risk factors, please refer to the Company’s Annual Information Form, which is available on the Company’s website, www.silverwheaton.com, and on SEDAR, www.sedar.com, or is available upon request from the Company.

Commodity Prices

The price of the common shares and the Company’s financial results may be significantly and adversely affected by a decline in the price of silver or gold.  The price of silver and gold fluctuates widely, especially in recent years, and is affected by numerous factors beyond the Company’s control, including, but not limited to, the sale or purchase of silver and gold by various central banks and financial institutions, interest rates, exchange rates, inflation or deflation, fluctuation in the value of the United States dollar and foreign currencies, global and regional supply and demand, and the political and economic conditions of major silver and gold producing countries throughout the world. The silver and gold markets tend to be cyclical, and a general downturn could result in a significant decrease in the Company’s revenue. Any such price decline may have a material adverse effect on the Company.
 
 


1
The assessment by management of the expected impact of the CRA Audit on the Company is “forward-looking information”. Statements in respect of the impact of the CRA Audit are based on the expectation that the Company will be successful in challenging any assessment by CRA. Statements in respect of the CRA Audit are subject to known and unknown risks including that the Company’s interpretation of, or compliance with, tax laws, is found to be incorrect and readers are cautioned that actual outcomes may vary.  Please see “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” for material risks, assumptions and important disclosure associated with this information.

SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [35]

 
 

 


In the event that the prevailing market price of silver or gold is at or below the price at which the Company can purchase such commodities pursuant to the terms of the agreements associated with its silver and gold interests, the Company will not generate positive cash flow or earnings.

The “Mining Operations” consist of the San Dimas mine, the Zinkgruvan mine, the Yauliyacu mine, the Stratoni mine, the Los Filos mine, the Peñasquito mine, the Keno Hill mine, the Neves-Corvo mine, the Cozamin mine, the Minto mine, the Barrick mines (including the Pascua-Lama project), the Aljustrel mine, the 777 mine, the Salobo mine, the Sudbury mines, the Rosemont project, the Loma de La Plata project, the Constancia project and the Toroparu project.  Silver and gold are by-product metals at all of the Mining Operations, other than at the Keno Hill district, including the Bellekeno mine in the Yukon Territory, Canada (the “Keno Hill mines”), the Loma de La Plata (the “Loma de La Plata project”) zone of the Navidad project in Argentina and the Toroparu project (the “Toroparu project”) located in Guyana, and therefore, the economic cut-off applied to the reporting of silver and gold reserves and resources will be influenced by changes in the commodity prices of other metals at the mines.

Risks Relating to the Mining Operations

To the extent that they relate to the production of silver or gold from, or the continued operation of, the Mining Operations, the Company will be subject to the risk factors applicable to the operators of such mines or projects, some of which are set forth under “Risks Relating to the Mining Operations” in the Company’s prospectus dated March 9, 2015 and the Company’s Annual Information Form to be filed on or about March 31, 2015.

No Control Over Mining Operations

The Company has agreed to purchase a certain percentage of the silver and/or gold produced by the Mining Operations.  The Company is not directly involved in the ownership or operation of mines and has no contractual rights relating to the operation of the Mining Operations.  The owners and operators will generally have the power to determine the manner in which the relevant properties subject to the asset portfolio are exploited, including decisions to expand, advance, continue, reduce, suspend or discontinue production from a property and decisions about the marketing of products extracted from the property. The interests of the Company and the operators of the relevant properties may not always be aligned. As a result, the cash flows of the Company is dependent upon the activities of third parties which creates the risk that at any time those third parties may: (i) have business interests or targets that are inconsistent with those of the Company, (ii) take action contrary to the Company’s policies or objectives, (iii) be unable or unwilling to fulfill their obligations under their agreements with the Company, or (iv) experience financial, operational or other difficulties, including insolvency, which could limit a third party’s ability to perform its obligations under the precious metal purchase agreements.  At any time, any of the operators of the Mining Operations may decide to suspend or discontinue operations, including if the costs to operate the mine exceed the revenues from operations.  Except in limited circumstances, the Company will not be entitled to any material compensation if such operations do not meet their forecasted silver or gold production targets in any specified period or if the operations shut down, suspend or discontinue on a temporary or permanent basis.  There can be no assurance that the silver or gold production from such properties will ultimately meet forecasts or targets.   In addition, payments from production generally flow through the operator and there is a risk of delay and additional expense in receiving such revenues. The precious metal purchase agreement payments are calculated by the operators based on reported production and calculations of the Company’s payments are subject to, and dependent upon, the adequacy and accuracy of the operators’ production and accounting functions. Failure to receive payments under the precious metal purchase agreement to which the Company is entitled may have a material adverse effect on the Company. In addition, the Company must rely on the accuracy and timeliness of the public disclosure and other information it receives from the owners and operators of the Mining Operations, and uses such information, including production estimates, in its analyses, forecasts and assessments relating to its own business. If the information provided by such third parties to the Company contains material inaccuracies or omissions, the Company’s ability to accurately forecast or achieve its stated objectives may be materially impaired.

Taxes

A significant portion of the Company’s operating profit is derived from its subsidiaries, Silver Wheaton Caymans which is incorporated and operated in the Cayman Islands and historically, Silverstone Resources (Barbados) Corp., which was incorporated and operated in Barbados, such that the Company’s profits are subject to low income tax.

The introduction of new tax laws, regulations or rules, or changes to, or differing interpretation of, or application of, existing tax laws, regulations or rules in Canada, the Cayman Islands, Barbados, Luxembourg, the Netherlands or any of the countries in which the Mining Operations are located, or to which shipments of silver or gold are made, could result in an increase in the Company’s taxes, or other governmental charges, duties or impositions.  No  assurance can be given that new tax laws, regulations or rules will not be enacted or that existing tax laws, regulations or rules will not be changed, interpreted or applied in a manner which could result in the Company’s profits being subject to additional taxation or which could otherwise have a material adverse effect on the  Company.

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Due to the size, complexity and nature of the Company’s operations, various legal and tax matters are outstanding from time to time, including an audit by the CRA of the Company’s international transactions covering the 2005 to 2010 taxation years, which is currently ongoing. The Company has not received any notice of reassessment for the 2005 to 2010 taxation years in connection with the audit. In the event that CRA issues one or more notices of reassessment for material amounts of tax, interest and penalties, the Company is prepared to vigorously defend its position. If the Company is unable to resolve any of these matters favourably, or if CRA issues one or more notices of reassessment for material amounts of tax, interest and penalties, there may be a material adverse effect on the Company.

Credit and Liquidity Risk

The Company is exposed to various counterparty risks and liquidity risks including, but not limited to: (i) through the companies with which the Company has precious metal purchase agreements; (ii) through financial institutions that hold the Company’s cash and cash equivalents; (iii) through companies that have payables to the Company, including concentrate customers; (iv) through the Company’s insurance providers; and (v) through the Company’s lenders.  The Company is also exposed to liquidity risks in meeting its operating expenditure requirements in instances where cash positions are unable to be maintained or appropriate financing is unavailable.  These factors may impact the ability of the Company to obtain loans and other credit facilities in the future and, if obtained, on terms favourable to the Company.  If these risks materialize, the Company’s operations could be adversely impacted and the trading price of the common shares could be adversely affected.

Hedging Risk

The Company has a policy that permits hedging its foreign exchange and interest rate exposures to reduce the risks associated with currency and interest rate fluctuations. The Company also has adopted a policy to allow the forward sale of forecast silver and gold deliveries provided that such sales shall not extend beyond the end of a financial quarter of the Company.

Hedging involves certain inherent risks including: (a) credit risk - the risk that the creditworthiness of a counterparty may adversely affect its ability to perform its payment and other obligations under its agreement with the Company or adversely affect the financial and other terms the counterparty is able to offer the Company; (b) market liquidity risk – the risk that the Company has entered into a hedging position that cannot be closed out quickly, by either liquidating such hedging instrument or by establishing an offsetting position; (c) unrealized fair value adjustment risk – the risk that, in respect of certain hedging products, an adverse change in market prices for commodities, currencies or interest rates will result in the Company incurring losses in respect of such hedging products as a result of such hedging products being out of the money on their settlement dates.

There is no assurance that a hedging program designed to reduce the risks associated with foreign exchange/currency and interest rate or commodity fluctuations will be successful.  Although hedging may protect the Company from adverse changes in foreign exchange/currency, interest rate or commodity fluctuations, it may also prevent the Company from fully benefitting from positive changes.

Competition

The Company competes with other companies for precious metal purchase agreements and similar transactions.  Some of these companies may possess greater financial and technical resources than the Company.  Such competition may result in the Company being unable to enter into desirable precious metal purchase agreements or similar transactions, to recruit or retain qualified employees or to acquire the capital necessary to fund its precious metal purchase agreements.  Existing or future competition in the mining industry could materially adversely affect the Company’s prospects for entering into additional precious metal purchase agreements in the future.

Acquisition Strategy

As part of the Company’s business strategy, it has sought and will continue to seek new exploration, development and mining opportunities in the resource industry.  In pursuit of such opportunities, the Company may fail to select appropriate acquisition candidates or negotiate acceptable arrangements, including arrangements to finance acquisitions or integrate the acquired businesses and their personnel into the Company.  The Company cannot assure that it can complete any acquisition or business arrangement that it pursues, or is pursuing, on favourable terms, or that any acquisitions or business arrangements completed will ultimately benefit the Company.

SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [37]

 
 

 


In the event that the Company chooses to raise debt capital to finance any acquisition, the Company’s leverage will be increased. In addition, if the Company chooses to complete an equity financing to finance any acquisition, shareholders may suffer dilution.

In addition, the introduction of new tax laws or regulations or accounting rules or policies or rating agency policies, or changes to, or differing interpretations of, or application of, existing tax laws or regulations or accounting rules or policies or rating agency policies, could make precious metal purchase agreements less attractive to counterparties.  Such changes could adversely affect the Company's ability to enter into new precious metal purchase agreements.

Market Price of the Common Shares

The common shares are listed and posted for trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange and on the New York Stock Exchange.  An investment in the Company’s securities is highly speculative and the price of the common shares has fluctuated significantly in the past.  Securities of companies involved in the resource industry have experienced substantial volatility in the past, often based on factors unrelated to the financial performance or prospects of the companies involved, including macroeconomic developments globally and market perceptions of the attractiveness of particular industries.  The price of the common shares are also likely to be significantly affected by short-term changes in silver and gold prices, the Company’s financial condition or results of operations as reflected in its quarterly earnings reports, currency exchange fluctuations and the other risk factors identified herein.

Equity Price Risk

The Company is exposed to equity price risk as a result of holding long-term investments in other exploration and mining companies.  Just as investing in the Company is inherent with risks such as those set out in this MD&A, by investing in these other companies, the Company is exposed to the risks associated with owning equity securities and those risks inherent in the investee companies.  The Company does not actively trade these investments.

Dividend Policy

The declaration, timing, amount and payment of dividends are at the discretion of the Board of Directors and will depend upon the Company’s future earnings, cash flows, acquisition capital requirements and financial condition, and other relevant factors.  There can be no assurance that the Company will continue to declare a dividend on a quarterly, annual or other basis.

Dependence Upon Key Management Personnel

The Company is dependent on the services of a small number of key executives who are highly skilled and experienced.  The loss of these employees or the Company’s inability to attract and retain additional highly skilled employees may adversely affect its business and future operations.

Litigation

The Company is from time to time involved in various claims, legal proceedings and disputes arising in the ordinary course of business.  If the Company is unable to resolve these disputes favorably, it may have a material adverse effect on the Company.

Unknown Defects and Impairments

A defect in a streaming transaction and/or a precious metal purchase agreement may arise to defeat or impair the claim of the Company to such streaming transaction, which may have a material adverse effect on the Company. It is possible that material changes could occur that may adversely affect management’s estimate of the carrying value of the precious metal purchase agreements. Any impairment estimates, which are based on applicable key assumptions and sensitivity analysis, are based on management’s best knowledge of the amounts, events or actions at such time, and the actual future outcomes may differ from any estimates that are provided by the Company. Any impairment charges on the Company’s carrying value in the precious metal purchase agreements could have a material adverse effect on the Company.

Other Risks

Critical Accounting Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenditures during the reporting period.  Note 2 of the Company’s consolidated financial statements describes all of the significant accounting policies.

SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [38]

 
 

 


Silver and Gold Interests

Attributable Reserve and Resource Estimates

Silver and gold interests are significant assets of the Company, with a carrying value of $4.3 billion at December 31, 2014.  This amount represents the capitalized expenditures related to the acquisition of the silver and gold interests, net of accumulated depletion.  The Company estimates the reserves and resources relating to each agreement.  Reserves are estimates of the amount of silver or gold that can be economically and legally extracted from the mining properties in respect of which the Company has precious metal purchase agreements, adjusted where applicable to reflect the Company’s percentage entitlement to silver and gold produced from such mines.  Resources are estimates of the amount of silver or gold contained in mineralized material for which there is a reasonable prospect for economic extraction from the mining properties in respect of which the Company has precious metal purchase agreements.  The Company estimates its reserves and resources based on information compiled by appropriately qualified persons relating to the geological data on the size, depth and shape of the ore body, and require complex geological judgments to interpret the data. The estimation of recoverable reserves and resources is based upon factors such as estimates of foreign exchange rates, commodity prices, future capital requirements, and production costs along with geological assumptions and judgments made in estimating the size and grade of the ore body. Changes in the reserve or resource estimates may impact upon the carrying value of the Company’s silver and gold interests and depletion charges.

Depletion

As described above, the cost of these silver and gold interests is separately allocated to reserves, resources and exploration potential.  The value allocated to reserves is classified as depletable and is depleted on a unit-of-sale basis over the estimated recoverable proven and probable reserves at the mine corresponding to the specific agreement.   The value associated with resources and exploration potential is the value beyond proven and probable reserves at acquisition and is classified as non-depletable until such time as it is transferred to the depletable category as a result of the conversion of resources and/or exploration potential into reserves.  These calculations require the use of estimates and assumptions, including the amount of recoverable reserves, resources and exploration potential. Changes in the estimated recoverable reserves, resources or exploration potential will directly impact the depletion rate used.  Changes to depletion rates are accounted for prospectively.

Impairment of Assets

Management considers each precious metal purchase agreement to be a separate cash generating unit (“CGU”), which is the lowest level for which cash inflows are largely independent of those of other assets.  At the end of each reporting period, the Company assesses each precious metal purchase agreement to determine whether any indication of impairment exists.   If such an indication exists, the recoverable amount of the precious metal purchase agreement is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment (if any). The recoverable amount of each precious metal purchase agreement is the higher of fair value less costs to sell (“FVLCS”) and value in use (“VIU”).  In determining the recoverable amounts of each of the Company’s CGU’s, the Company uses the FVLCS as this will generally be greater than or equal to the VIU.

To determine the FVLCS that could be received from each precious metal purchase agreement in an arm’s length transaction at the measurement date, the Company uses a combination of the net asset value (“NAV”) methodology and the net present value (“NPV”) methodology.

NAV is estimated by using an appropriate discount rate to calculate the present value of expected future cash flows associated with each mineral category.  The discount rates used across the portfolio of precious metal purchase agreements range from 5% to 12%, and silver and gold prices used, which are based on the consensus derived from a number of sources including analysts and other market observers, range from $18 to $20 and $1,250 to $1,275, respectively.  The values are adjusted for each mineral category dependent on the likelihood of conversion from resources to reserves.  A market multiple is applied to the NAV computed in order to assess the estimated fair value.  Silver and precious metals companies typically trade at a market capitalization that is based on a multiple of their underlying NAV.  Consequently, a market participant would generally apply a NAV multiple when estimating the fair value of a silver and gold interest.

NPV is estimated by using a nominal discount rate to calculate the present value of expected future cash flows.  The nominal discount rate is based on the Company’s weighted average cost of capital, adjusted for any differences assessed in the risk profile associated with the relevant precious metal purchase agreement relative to the risk profile associated with the overall portfolio of precious metal purchase agreements.   The nominal discount rates used across the portfolio of precious metal purchase agreements range from 4% to 20%, and the nominal silver and gold prices of $16 and $1,200 are used for the current year, with a 2% inflationary factor thereafter.

SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [39]

 
 

 


The expected future cash flows are management’s best estimates of expected future revenues and costs.  Under each method, expected future revenues reflect an estimate of future production for each mine at which the Company has a precious metal purchase agreement based on detailed life of mine plans received from each of the partners. Expected future revenues also reflect management’s estimated long-term metal prices.  Estimated future cash costs are fixed based on the terms of each precious metal purchase agreement, as disclosed in the Contractual Obligations and Contingencies section of the MD&A.

If the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its recoverable amount, the asset is considered impaired and an impairment charge is reflected as a component of net earnings so as to reduce the carrying amount to its recoverable value.  A previously recognized impairment charge is reversed only if there has been a change in the estimates used to determine the asset’s recoverable amount since the last impairment charge was recognized. If this is the case, the carrying amount of the asset is increased to its recoverable amount. The increased amount cannot exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined, net of depletion, had no impairment charge been recognized for the asset in prior years. Such reversal is reflected as a component of net earnings.

As part of the annual review of the recoverable amounts, the Company performs a sensitivity analysis on silver and gold prices, which are key assumptions that impact the impairment calculations.  Assuming a negative 5% change relative to current silver and gold price assumptions, while holding all other assumptions constant, no impairment charge was required at December 31, 2014.


Valuation of Stock Based Compensation

The Company has various forms of stock based compensation, including share purchase options, restricted share units (“RSUs”) and performance share units (“PSUs”).  The calculation of the fair value of share purchase options, RSUs and PSUs issued requires the use of estimates as more fully described below.

The Company recognizes a stock based compensation expense for all share purchase options and RSUs awarded to employees, officers and directors based on the fair values of the share purchase options and RSUs at the date of grant. The fair values of share purchase options and RSUs at the date of grant are expensed over the vesting periods of the share purchase options and RSUs, respectively, with a corresponding increase to equity.  The fair value of share purchase options is determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with market related inputs as of the date of grant. Share purchase options with graded vesting schedules are accounted for as separate grants with different vesting periods and fair values.  The fair value of RSUs is the market value of the underlying shares at the date of grant.  At the end of each reporting period, the Company re-assesses its estimates of the number of awards that are expected to vest and recognizes the impact of any revisions to this estimate in the consolidated statement of earnings.

The Company recognizes a stock based compensation expense for PSUs which are awarded to eligible employees and are settled in cash.  The related expense is based on the value of the anticipated settlement and multiplier for current performance at the end of the associated performance periods.  This estimated expense is reflected as a component of net earnings over the vesting period of the PSUs with the related obligation recorded as a liability on the balance sheet. The amount of compensation expense is adjusted at the end of each reporting period to reflect the fair market value of common shares and the number of PSUs anticipated to vest based on the anticipated performance factor.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue from the sale of silver and gold is recognized in the accounts when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, title and risk passes to the buyer, collection is reasonably assured and the price is reasonably determinable.  Selling prices are determined at the point revenue is recognized by reference to active and freely traded commodity markets, for example the London Bullion Market for commodities, in an identical form to the product sold.

Where the Company acquires silver or gold in concentrate form, final silver or gold prices are set on a specified future quotational period (the “Quotational Period”) pursuant to the concentrate sales contracts with third-party smelters, typically one to three months after the shipment date, based on market prices for silver or gold.  Revenues and the associated cost of sales are recorded on a gross basis under these contracts at the time title passes to the buyer based on the forward price for the expected settlement period. The contracts, in general, provide for a provisional payment of 90% of the estimated value of the silver and/or gold sold under the concentrate sales contract based upon provisional assays and quoted silver and gold prices, with the 10% holdback being payable upon final settlement, which is based upon the average applicable price for the Quotational Period applied to the actual number of silver or gold ounces recovered calculated using confirmed smelter weights and settlement assays.  This 10% holdback is reflected as a component of Accounts Receivable in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.  Final settlement generally occurs from three to six months after shipment. The Company’s provisionally priced sales contain an embedded derivative that is required to be separated from the host contract for accounting purposes. The host contract is the receivable from the sale of concentrates measured at the forward price at the time of sale. The embedded derivative does not qualify for hedge accounting. The embedded derivative is recorded on the balance sheet as a derivative asset in Accounts Receivable or as a derivative liability in Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities and is adjusted to fair value through revenue each period until the date of final settlement.

SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [40]

 
 

 


At December 31, 2014, the Company had outstanding provisionally priced sales of $3.5 million (December 31, 2013 - $6.6 million) where the quotational period pricing was estimated based on the forward price for silver.  These sales consisted of 0.2 million ounces of silver (December 31, 2013 - 0.3 million ounces of silver) which had a fair value loss adjustment of approximately $0.1 million (December 31, 2013 - fair value gain adjustment of approximately $0.2 million) associated with the embedded derivative. For each one cent per ounce increase or decrease in the realized silver price, revenue would increase or decrease by approximately $2,100 (December 31, 2013 - $3,400).

Financial Instruments

In order to mitigate the effect of short-term volatility in silver and gold prices, the Company will occasionally enter into forward contracts in relation to silver and gold deliveries that it is highly confident will occur within a given quarter.  The Company does not hedge its long-term exposure to commodity prices.  Other than these very short-term forward contracts, the Company has not used derivative financial instruments to manage the risks associated with its operations and therefore, in the normal course of business, it is inherently exposed to currency, interest rate and commodity price fluctuations.  No forward contracts were outstanding at December 31, 2014 or December 31, 2013.

The Company owns equity interests in several publicly traded mineral exploration, development and mining companies as long-term investments and therefore is inherently exposed to various risk factors including currency risk, market price risk and liquidity risk.

Future Changes in Accounting Policies

The IASB has issued the following new or amended standards:

Standards required to be applied for periods beginning on or after January 1, 2017:

·  
IFRS 15 – Revenue from Contracts with Customers: In May 2014 the IASB and the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) completed its joint project to clarify the principles for recognizing revenue and to develop a common revenue standard for IFRS and US GAAP.  IFRS 15 establishes principles to address the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from an entity’s contracts with customers.  The Company is currently evaluating the impact this standard is expected to have on its consolidated financial statements.

Standards required to be applied for periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018:

·  
IFRS 9 (2014) – Financial Instruments (amended 2014):  In July 2014, the IASB issued the final version of IFRS 9 – Financial Instruments (“IFRS 9”).  The Company adopted IFRS 9 (2009) – Financial Instruments effective January 1, 2010.  The Company is currently evaluating the impact this amended standard is expected to have on its consolidated financial statements.

Early adoption of the above standards is permitted.

Subsequent Events

Declaration of Dividend

On March 18, 2015, the Board of Directors declared a dividend in the amount of $0.05 per common share as per the Company’s stated dividend policy whereby the quarterly dividend will be equal to 20% of the average of the operating cash flow of the previous four quarters.  This dividend is payable to shareholders of record on March 31, 2015 and is expected to be distributed on or about April 14, 2015.  The Company has implemented a dividend reinvestment plan (“DRIP”) whereby shareholders can elect to have dividends reinvested directly into additional Silver Wheaton common shares at a discount of 3% of the Average Market Price, as defined in the DRIP.


SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [41]

 
 

 


Amended Credit Facilities

On February 27, 2015, the Company announced that it had amended its Revolving Facility by increasing the available credit from $1 billion to $2 billion and extending the term by 2 years, with the facility now maturing on February 27, 2020. As part of the amendment, the financial covenants were amended to require the Company to maintain: (i) a net debt to tangible net worth ratio of less than or equal to 0.75:1; and (ii) an interest coverage ratio of greater than or equal to 3.00:1.  These covenants replaced the previously applicable leverage ratio and tangible net worth covenants.  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.

Amendment to Salobo Precious Metal Purchase Agreement

On March 2, 2015, the Company announced that it had agreed to amend its 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 processing facilities 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 its agreement in 2013 and brings the Company’s total entitlement to an amount equal to 50% of the life-of-mine gold production from the Salobo mine.  Under the terms of the amended agreement, Silver Wheaton will make a total upfront cash payment of $900 million, payable on or before March 25, 2015, for the additional 25% gold interest and, in addition, will make ongoing payments of the lesser of $400 per ounce of gold (subject to an inflationary adjustment of 1% commencing in 2017) or the prevailing market price per ounce of gold delivered.  In addition, the terms of the existing gold stream on Salobo were modified so that the annual inflationary adjustment that was scheduled to start in 2016 will now start coincident with this stream in 2017.

Equity Offering

On March 2, 2015, the Company announced that, in connection with the amended Salobo precious metal purchase agreement, it had entered into an agreement with a syndicate of underwriters led by Scotiabank, pursuant to which they have 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. Silver Wheaton also agreed to grant to the underwriters an option to purchase up to an additional 5,839,500 common shares at a price of $20.55 per share, on the same terms and conditions as the Offering, exercisable at any time, in whole or in part, until the date that is 30 days following the closing of the Offering (the “Over Allotment Option”).

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 underwriters have until April 16, 2015 to exercise the Over Allotment Option.  In the event that the option is exercised in its entirety, the aggregate gross proceeds of the Offering to Silver Wheaton will be approximately $920 million.

Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Silver Wheaton’s management, with the participation of its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the design and effectiveness of Silver Wheaton’s disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in the rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and Canadian Securities Administrators, as of December 31, 2014.  Based on that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that Silver Wheaton’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level as of December 31, 2014.

Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

The Company’s management, with the participation of its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, are responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Under the supervision of the Chief Financial Officer, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with IFRS. The Company’s controls include policies and procedures that:

·  
pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company;

SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [42]

 
 

 


·  
provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with IFRS, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of the Company’s management and directors; and,

·  
provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the annual financial statements or interim financial statements.

There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the year ended December 31, 2014 that would materially affect, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

The Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting using the framework and criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013), issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.  Based on this evaluation, management has concluded that the internal control over financial reporting was effective at the reasonable assurance level as of December 31, 2014.


Limitation of Controls and Procedures

The Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, believe that any disclosure controls and procedures or internal control over financial reporting, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met.  Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, they cannot provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been prevented or detected.  These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake.  Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by unauthorized override of the controls.  The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions.  Accordingly, because of the inherent limitations in a cost effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [43]

 
 

 


Attributable Reserves and Resources (1)

The following tables set forth the estimated Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources (silver and/or gold only) for the mines relating to which the Company has precious metal purchase agreements, adjusted where applicable to reflect the Company’s percentage entitlement to silver and/or gold produced from such mines, as of December 31, 2014, unless otherwise noted.  The tables are based on information available to the Company as of March 17, 2015, and therefore will not reflect updates, if any, after such date.  The most current Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources will be available on the Company’s website.

Attributable Proven and Probable Reserves (1,2,3,8,18)
As of December 31, 2014 unless otherwise noted (6)

 
Proven
Probable
Proven & Probable
 
 
Tonnage
Grade
Contained
Tonnage
Grade
Contained
Tonnage
Grade
Contained
Process Recovery % (7)
 
Mt
g/t
Moz
Mt
g/t
Moz
Mt
g/t
Moz
Silver
                   
Peñasquito (25%) (14)
                   
Mill
84.1
33.3
90.0
52.7
25.0
42.4
136.7
30.1
132.4
53-65%
Heap Leach
10.9
31.7
11.1
11.5
25.0
9.2
22.4
28.3
20.4
22-28%
San Dimas (10, 14)
0.9
345.2
10.3
4.0
307.3
39.2
4.9
314.5
49.5
94%
Pascua-Lama (25%) (14)
8.0
69.8
17.9
73.2
64.1
150.8
81.2
64.7
168.7
82%
Lagunas Norte (11)
12.4
4.5
1.8
52.9
4.5
7.7
65.3
4.5
9.5
19%
Veladero (11)
5.5
14.8
2.6
90.5
14.8
43.2
96.0
14.8
45.8
6%
Yauliyacu (11, 12)
0.8
123.5
3.1
3.4
109.8
11.9
4.1
112.4
15.0
85%
777 (13)
4.9
24.7
3.9
5.7
24.7
4.5
10.6
24.7
8.4
64%
Neves-Corvo
                   
Copper
4.9
38.8
6.1
20.5
36.1
23.8
25.4
36.6
29.9
35%
Zinc
10.4
73.1
24.4
10.2
66.9
22.0
20.6
70.0
46.4
20%
Rosemont (15)
279.5
4.1
37.0
325.8
4.1
43.1
605.3
4.1
80.1
76%
Constancia
506.0
3.1
50.3
114.0
2.9
10.8
620.0
3.1
61.1
71%
Zinkgruvan
                   
Zinc
7.4
87.0
20.6
4.2
51.0
6.9
11.6
73.9
27.5
87%
Copper
3.3
35.0
3.7
0.1
35.0
0.1
3.4
35.0
3.8
78%
Stratoni
0.5
174.0
2.9
0.3
182.0
1.5
0.8
176.7
4.5
84%
Minto
3.8
5.9
0.7
5.7
5.7
1.0
9.5
5.7
1.8
78%
Cozamin (11)
                   
Copper
-
-
-
2.8
43.8
4.0
2.8
43.8
4.0
72%
Los Filos
48.8
5.7
8.9
198.4
5.0
32.2
247.2
5.2
41.1
5%
Metates Royalty (20)
4.1
18.0
2.3
13.2
13.1
5.5
17.2
14.2
7.9
76%
Total Silver
   
297.8
   
459.9
   
757.7
 
Gold
                   
Salobo (50%) (16)
331.7
0.39
4.13
257.9
0.31
2.57
589.6
0.35
6.70
66%
Sudbury (70%) (11)
-
-
-
54.3
0.39
0.68
54.3
0.39
0.68
81%
777 (13)
3.5
1.81
0.21
4.1
1.81
0.24
7.7
1.81
0.45
73%
Constancia (50%)
253.0
0.05
0.42
57.0
0.07
0.14
310.0
0.06
0.56
61%
Minto
3.8
0.80
0.10
5.7
0.60
0.11
9.5
0.68
0.21
74%
Toroparu (10%) (17)
3.0
1.10
0.10
9.7
0.98
0.31
12.7
1.01
0.41
89%
Metates Royalty (20)
4.1
0.68
0.09
13.2
0.44
0.19
17.2
0.50
0.28
89%
Total Gold
   
5.04
   
4.23
   
9.27
 
 
 



SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [44]

 
 

 


Attributable Measured & Indicated Resources (1,2,3,4,5,9,18)
As of December 31, 2014 unless otherwise noted (6)
 
 
 
Measured
Indicated
Measured & Indicated
 
Tonnage
Grade
Contained
Tonnage
Grade
Contained
Tonnage
Grade
Contained
 
Mt
g/t
Moz
Mt
g/t
Moz
Mt
g/t
Moz
Silver
                 
Peñasquito (25%) (14)
                 
Mill
34.4
26.1
28.9
91.7
21.5
63.5
126.2
22.8
92.4
Heap Leach
5.1
19.3
3.1
24.1
16.7
13.0
29.2
17.2
16.1
Pascua-Lama (25%) (14)
3.7
26.4
3.1
35.7
22.3
25.5
39.4
22.7
28.7
Yauliyacu (11, 12)
1.0
127.3
4.0
6.0
216.6
41.5
6.9
204.2
45.5
Neves-Corvo
                 
Copper
5.8
48.5
9.0
25.7
50.8
42.0
31.5
50.3
51.0
Zinc
14.1
59.6
27.0
60.2
55.7
107.8
74.3
56.4
134.8
Rosemont (15)
38.5
3.0
3.7
197.7
2.7
17.1
236.2
2.7
20.8
Constancia
73.0
2.4
5.6
299.0
2.0
19.4
372.0
2.1
25.0
Zinkgruvan
                 
Zinc
2.2
66.8
4.6
4.7
107.1
16.3
6.9
94.5
20.9
Copper
1.6
20.0
1.0
0.4
39.1
0.5
2.0
23.9
1.5
Aljustrel (19)
                 
Zinc
1.3
65.6
2.7
20.5
60.3
39.7
21.8
60.7
42.4
Stratoni
0.2
200.4
1.5
0.2
213.3
1.4
0.4
206.4
2.9
Minto
7.5
3.6
0.9
32.3
3.4
3.5
39.8
3.4
4.3
Keno Hill (25%)
                 
Underground
-
-
-
0.7
473.1
10.2
0.7
473.1
10.2
Elsa Tailings
-
-
-
0.6
119.0
2.4
0.6
119.0
2.4
Los Filos
11.4
11.0
4.0
112.3
7.4
26.9
123.7
7.8
30.9
Loma de La Plata (12.5%)
-
-
-
3.6
169.0
19.8
3.6
169.0
19.8
Total Silver
   
99.2
   
450.2
   
549.5
Gold
                 
Salobo (50%) (16)
24.6
0.47
0.37
97.7
0.37
1.16
122.2
0.39
1.53
Sudbury (70%) (11)
-
-
-
28.9
0.34
0.32
28.9
0.34
0.32
Constancia (50%)
36.5
0.05
0.06
149.5
0.04
0.18
186.0
0.04
0.23
Minto
7.5
0.42
0.10
32.3
0.32
0.33
39.8
0.34
0.43
Toroparu (10%) (17)
0.9
0.87
0.03
7.9
0.83
0.21
8.8
0.84
0.24
Total Gold
   
0.56
   
2.20
   
2.76


 
 

 



SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [45]

 
 

 


Attributable Inferred Resources (1,2,3,4,5,9,18)
As of December 31, 2014 unless otherwise noted (6)

 
Inferred
 
Tonnage
Grade
Contained
 
Mt
g/t
Moz
Silver
     
Peñasquito (25%) (14)
     
Mill
4.4
19.5
2.7
Heap Leach
6.1
13.7
2.7
San Dimas (10, 14)
7.3
309.5
73.0
Pascua-Lama (25%) (14)
4.9
20.1
3.2
Yauliyacu (11, 12)
5.0
178.7
28.7
777 (13)
0.8
30.6
0.8
Neves-Corvo
     
Copper
25.1
43.5
35.1
Zinc
21.4
48.9
33.6
Rosemont (15)
104.5
3.3
11.1
Constancia
200.0
1.9
12.0
Zinkgruvan
     
Zinc
6.1
75.0
14.7
Copper
0.5
34.0
0.6
Aljustrel (19)
     
Zinc
8.7
50.4
14.0
Stratoni
0.5
169.0
2.7
Minto
16.2
3.2
1.7
Keno Hill (25%)
     
Underground
0.2
349.8
2.4
Los Filos
175.9
6.3
35.7
Loma de La Plata (12.5%)
0.2
76.0
0.4
Metates Royalty (20)
1.0
9.7
0.3
Total Silver
   
275.2
Gold
     
Salobo (50%) (16)
74.0
0.31
0.74
Sudbury (70%) (11)
5.5
0.67
0.12
777 (13)
0.4
1.77
0.02
Constancia (50%)
100.0
0.03
0.10
Minto
16.2
0.30
0.16
Toroparu (10%) (17)
13.0
0.74
0.31
Metates Royalty (20)
1.0
0.38
0.01
Total Gold
   
1.46






SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [46]

 
 

 


Notes:
 
1.  
All Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources have been calculated in accordance with the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum - CIM Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves and National Instrument 43-101 – Standards for Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101), or the Australian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves.
 
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.  
Individual 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) for the following operations are as follows:
 
a.  
Salobo mine – Christopher Jacobs, CEng MIMMM (Vice President and Mining Economist), James Turner, CEng MIMMM (Senior Mineral Process Engineer), Barnard Foo, P. Eng., M. Eng, MBA (Senior Mining Engineer) and Jason Ché Osmond, FGS, C.Geol, EurGeol (Senior Geologist) all of whom are employees of Micon International Ltd.
 
b.  
All other operations and development projects: the Company’s QPs Neil Burns, M.Sc., P.Geo. (Vice President, Technical Services); Samuel Mah, M.A.Sc., P.Eng. (Senior Director, Project Evaluations), both employees of the Company (the “Company’s QPs”).
 
4.  
The Mineral Resources reported in the above tables are exclusive of Mineral Reserves.  The Minto mine, Neves-Corvo mine, Zinkgruvan mine, Stratoni mine and Toroparu project report Mineral Resources inclusive of Mineral Reserves.  The Company’s QPs have made the exclusive Mineral Resource estimates for these mines based on average mine recoveries and dilution.
 
5.  
Mineral Resources which are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.
 
6.  
Other than as detailed below, Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources are reported as of December 31, 2014 based on information available to the Company as of the date of this document, and therefore will not reflect updates, if any, after such date.
 
a.  
Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves for the San Dimas, Pascua-Lama, 777, Constancia and Minto mines are reported as of December 31, 2013.
 
b.  
Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves for the Toroparu project are reported as of March 31, 2013.
 
c.  
Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves for the Neves-Corvo and Zinkgruvan mines are reported as of June 30, 2014.
 
d.  
Mineral Reserves for the Cozamin mine are reported as of June 30, 2014.
 
e.  
Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves for the Rosemont project are reported as of August 28, 2012.
 
f.  
Mineral Resources for the Constancia project (including the Pampacancha deposit) are reported as of September 30, 2013.
 
g.  
Mineral Resources for Aljustrel’s Feitais and Moinho mines are reported as of November 30, 2010. Mineral Resources for the Estaçao project are reported as of December 31, 2007.
 
h.  
Mineral Resources for Keno Hill’s Elsa Tailings project are reported as of April 22, 2010, Lucky Queen project as of July 27, 2011, Onek and Bermingham projects as of October 15, 2014, Flame and Moth project as of January 30, 2013, Bellekeno mine Inferred Mineral Resources as of September 30, 2012 and Bellekeno mine Indicated Mineral Resources as of September 30, 2013.
 
i.  
Mineral Resources for the Loma de La Plata project are reported as of May 20, 2009.
 
j.  
Mineral Resources for Metates are reported as of February 16, 2012 and Mineral Reserves as of March 18, 2013.
 
7.  
Process recoveries are the average percentage of silver or gold in a saleable product (doré or concentrate) recovered from mined ore at the applicable site process plants as reported by the operators.
 
8.  
Mineral Reserves are estimated using appropriate process recovery rates and the following commodity prices:
 
a.  
Peñasquito mine - $1,300 per ounce gold, $22.00 per ounce silver, $0.90 per pound lead and $0.90 per pound zinc.
 
b.  
San Dimas mine – 2.7 grams per tonne gold equivalent cut-off assuming $1,250 per gold ounce and $20.00 per ounce silver.
 
c.  
Pascua-Lama project - $1,100 per ounce gold, $21.00 per ounce silver and $3.00 per pound copper.
 
d.  
Lagunas Norte and Veladero mines - $1,100 per ounce gold and $17.00 per ounce silver.
 
e.  
Yauliyacu mine - $20.00 per ounce silver, $3.29 per pound copper, $1.02 per pound lead and zinc.
 
f.  
777 mine – $1,250 per ounce gold, $25.00 per ounce silver, $3.00 per pound copper and $1.06 per pound zinc.
 
g.  
Neves-Corvo mine – 1.6% copper cut-off for the copper Reserve and 4.8% zinc equivalent cut-off for all the zinc Reserves, both assuming $2.50 per pound copper, $1.00 per pound lead and zinc
 
h.  
Rosemont project - $4.90 per ton NSR cut-off assuming $20.00 per ounce silver, $2.50 per pound copper and $15.00 per pound molybdenum.
 
i.  
Constancia project - $1,250 per gold ounce, $25.00 per ounce silver, $3.00 per pound copper and $14.00 per pound molybdenum.
 
j.  
Zinkgruvan mine – 3.98% zinc equivalent cut-off for the zinc Reserve and 1.5% copper cut-off for the copper Reserve, both assuming $2.50 per pound copper and $1.00 per pound lead and zinc.
 
k.  
Stratoni mine – 18.02% zinc equivalent assuming $16.50 per ounce silver, $3.00 per pound copper, $0.95 per pound lead and zinc.
 
l.  
Minto mine – 0.5% copper cut-off for Open Pit and $64.40 per tonne NSR cut-off for Underground assuming $300 per ounce gold, $3.90 per ounce silver and $2.50 per pound copper.
 
m.  
Cozamin mine - $42.50 per tonne NSR cut-off assuming $20.00 per ounce silver, $2.50 per pound copper, $0.85 per pound lead and $0.80 per pound zinc.
 
n.  
Los Filos mine - $1,300 per ounce gold and $22.00 per ounce silver.
 
o.  
Salobo mine – 0.253% copper equivalent cut-off assuming $1,250 per ounce gold and $3.45 per pound copper.
 
p.  
Sudbury mines - $1,250 per ounce gold, $22.00 per ounce silver, $10.43 per pound nickel, $3.45 per pound copper, $1,800 per ounce platinum, $1,000 per ounce palladium and $13.00 per pound cobalt.
 
q.  
Toroparu project – 0.38 grams per tonne gold cut-off assuming $1,070 per ounce gold for fresh rock and 0.35 grams per tonne gold cut-off assuming $970 per ounce gold for saprolite.
 
r.  
Metates royalty – 0.35 grams per tonne gold equivalent cut-off assuming $1,200 per ounce gold and $24.00 per ounce silver.
 
9.  
Mineral Resources are estimated using appropriate recovery rates and the following commodity prices:
 
a.  
Peñasquito mine - $1,500 per ounce gold, $24.00 per ounce silver, $1.00 per pound lead and $1.00 per pound zinc.
 
b.  
San Dimas mine – 0.20 grams per tonne gold equivalent assuming $1,300 per ounce gold and $20.00 per ounce silver.
 

SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [47]

 
 

 

 
c.  
Pascua-Lama project – $1,500 per ounce gold, $24.00 per ounce silver and $3.50 per pound copper.
 
d.  
Yauliyacu mine – $20.00 per ounce silver, $3.29 per pound copper and $1.02 per pound lead and zinc.
 
e.  
777 mine – $1,250 per ounce gold, $25.00 per ounce silver, $3.00 per pound copper and $1.06 per pound zinc.
 
f.  
Neves-Corvo mine – 1.0% copper cut-off for the copper Resource and 3.0% zinc cut-off for the zinc Resource, both assuming $2.50 per pound copper and $1.00 per pound lead and zinc.
 
g.  
Rosemont project – 0.30% copper equivalent cut-off for mixed and 0.15% copper equivalent for sulfide assuming $20.00 per ounce silver, $2.50 per pound copper and $15.00 per pound molybdenum.
 
h.  
Constancia project – 0.12% copper cut-off for Constancia and 0.10% copper cut-off for Pampacancha.
 
i.  
Zinkgruvan mine – 3.8% zinc equivalent cut-off for the zinc Resource and 1.0% copper cut-off for the copper Resource, both assuming $2.50 per pound copper and $1.00 per pound lead and zinc
 
j.  
Aljustrel mine – 4.5% zinc cut-off for Feitais and Moinho mines zinc Resources and 4.0% zinc cut-off for Estação zinc Resources.
 
k.  
Stratoni mine – Cut-off is geological due to the sharpness of the mineralized contacts and the high grade nature of the mineralization
 
l.  
Minto mine – 0.5% copper cut-off.
 
m.  
Keno Hill mines:
 
i.  
Bellekeno mine - $185 per tonne NSR cut-off assuming $22.50 per ounce silver, $0.85 per pound lead and $0.95 per pound zinc.
 
ii.  
Flame and Moth project - $185 per tonne NSR cut-off assuming $1,400 per ounce gold, $24.00 per ounce silver, $0.85 per pound lead and $0.95 per pound zinc.
 
iii.  
Bermingham project - $185 per tonne NSR cut-off assuming $1,250 per ounce gold, $20.00 per ounce silver, $0.90 per pound lead and $0.95 per pound zinc.
 
iv.  
Lucky Queen project - $185 per tonne NSR cut-off assuming $1,100 per ounce gold, $18.50 per ounce silver, $0.90 per pound lead and $0.95 per pound zinc.
 
v.  
Onek project - $185 per tonne NSR cut-off assuming $1,250 per ounce gold, $20.00 per ounce silver, $0.90 per pound lead and $0.95 per pound zinc.
 
vi.  
Elsa Tailings project – 50 grams per tonne silver cut-off.
 
n.  
Los Filos mine - $1,500 per ounce gold and $24.00 per ounce silver.
 
o.  
Loma de La Plata project – 50 gram per tonne silver equivalent cut-off assuming $12.50 per ounce silver and $0.50 per pound lead.
 
p.  
Salobo mine – 0.296% copper equivalent assuming $1,500 per ounce gold $3.70 per pound copper.
 
q.  
Sudbury mines - $1,250 per ounce gold, $22.00 per ounce silver, $10.43 per pound nickel, $3.45 per pound copper, $1,800 per ounce platinum, $1,000 per ounce palladium and $13.00 per pound cobalt.
 
r.  
Toroparu project – 0.30 grams per tonne gold cut-off assuming $1,350 per ounce gold.
 
s.  
Metates royalty – 0.35 grams per tonne gold equivalent cut-off assuming $1,200 per ounce gold and $24.00 per ounce silver.
 
10.  
The San Dimas silver purchase agreement provides that Primero will deliver to the Company a per annum amount equal to the first 6.0 million ounces of payable silver produced at the San Dimas mine and 50% of any excess, for the life of the mine.
 
11.  
The Company’s attributable Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves for the Lagunas Norte, Veladero, Cozamin and Yauliyacu silver interests, in addition to the Sudbury and 777 gold interests, have been constrained to the production expected for the various contracts.
 
12.  
The Company’s Yauliyacu silver purchase agreement (March 2006) with Glencore provides for the delivery of up to 4.75 million ounces of silver per year for 20 years.  In the event that silver sold and delivered to Silver Wheaton in any year totals less than 4.75 million ounces, the amount sold and delivered to Silver Wheaton in subsequent years will be increased to make up for any cumulative shortfall, to the extent production permits.  Depending upon production levels it is possible that the Company’s current attributable tonnage may not be mined before the agreement expires.
 
13.  
The 777 precious metal purchase agreement provides that Hudbay will deliver 100% of the payable silver for the life of the mine and 100% of the payable gold until completion of the Constancia project, after which the gold stream will reduce to 50%.  The gold figures in this table represent the attributable 777 mine Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves constrained to the production expected for the 777 precious metal purchase agreement.
 
14.  
The scientific and technical information in this document regarding the Peñasquito and  San Dimas mines and the Pascua-Lama project was sourced by the Company from the following SEDAR (www.sedar.com) filed documents:
 
a.  
Peñasquito - Goldcorp Management’s MD&A dated February 19, 2015;
 
b.  
San Dimas - Primero annual information form filed on March 31, 2014; and
 
c.  
Pascua-Lama - Barrick Gold Corp.’s MD&A dated February 19, 2015.
 
The Company QP’s have approved the disclosure of scientific and technical information in respect of the Peñasquito and San Dimas mines and the Pascua-Lama project in this document.
 
15.  
The Rosemont mine Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves do not include the SX/EW leach material since this process does not recover silver.
 
 16.
The Company has filed a technical report for the Salobo mine, which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
 
17.  
The Company’s agreement with Sandspring is an early deposit structure whereby the Company will have the option not to proceed with the 10% gold stream on the Toroparu project following the delivery of a bankable definitive feasibility study.
 
18.  
Silver and gold are produced as by-product metal at all operations with the exception of silver at the Keno Hill mines and Loma de La Plata project and gold at the Toroparu project; therefore, the economic cut-off applied to the reporting of silver and gold Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves will be influenced by changes in the commodity prices of other metals at the time.
 
19.  
Silver Wheaton has agreed to waive its rights to silver contained in copper concentrate at the Aljustrel mine.
 
20.  
Effective August 7, 2014, the Company entered into an agreement for a 1.5% net smelter returns royalty on Chesapeake Gold Corp’s (Chesapeake) Metates property, located in Mexico.  As part of the agreement, Chesapeake will have the right at any time for a period of five years to repurchase two-thirds of the royalty, with the Company retaining a 0.5% royalty interest.
 
 
 
Statements made in this section contain forward-looking information. Please see “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” for material risks, assumptions and important disclosure associated with this information.
 

SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [48]

 
 

 

 
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 commodities, terms, potential exercise and anticipated proceeds of the Over Allotment Option, the expansion and exploration potential at the Salobo mine,  anticipated increases in total throughput at the Salobo mine, the estimated future production, the estimation of mineral reserves and resources, the realization of mineral reserve estimates, the timing and amount of estimated future production (including 2015 and 2019 attributable annual production), 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”, “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, operations, 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: uncertainty as to the potential exercise and receipt of proceeds of the Over Allotment Option, the expansion and exploration potential at the Salobo mine,  anticipated increases in total throughput at the Salobo mine, fluctuations in the price of commodities; the absence of control over the 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, 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 the Company 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 the Company’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 the Company’s acquisition strategy, risks related to the market price of the Company’s shares, risks related to the Company’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 the Company to retain key management employees or procure the services of skilled and experienced personnel, risks related to claims and legal proceedings against the Company, risks relating to unknown defects and impairments, as well as those factors discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the Silver Wheaton prospectus dated March 9, 2015 available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and in the prospectus dated March 9, 2015 included in the Registration Statement on Form F-10 filed with the SEC and in the section entitled “Description of the Business - Risk Factors” in Silver Wheaton's Annual Information Form to be filed on or about March 31, 2015 available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and in Silver Wheaton's Form 40-F to be on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. on or about March 31, 2015.  Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable, including but not limited to: the exercise of the Over Allotment Option, the continued operation of the mining operations from which Silver Wheaton purchases silver and 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, 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 the Company will be successful in challenging any reassessment by the CRA 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 are for the purpose of providing information to assist 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.
 
 
 
 

 

SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [49]

 
 

 


Cautionary Language Regarding Reserves And Resources

For further information on Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources and on Silver Wheaton more generally, readers should refer to Silver Wheaton’s prospectus dated March 9, 2015 and Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2014 to be filed on or about March 31, 2015 and other continuous disclosure documents filed by Silver Wheaton since January 1, 2015, available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Silver 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"). 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 Silver 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 the Company’s prospectus dated March 9, 2015 and Silver Wheaton’s Form 40-F to be filed on or about March 31, 2015, copies of which are, or will be, available at www.sec.gov.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [50]

 
 

 

Management’s Responsibility for Financial Reporting

 
The accompanying consolidated financial statements of Silver Wheaton Corp. (“Silver Wheaton”) were prepared by management, which is responsible for the integrity and fairness of the information presented, including the many amounts that must of necessity be based on estimates and judgments. These consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. Financial information appearing throughout our Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) is consistent with these consolidated financial statements.

In discharging our responsibility for the integrity and fairness of the consolidated financial statements and for the accounting systems from which they are derived, we maintain and rely on a comprehensive system of internal controls designed to ensure that transactions are authorized, assets are safeguarded and proper records are maintained.  These controls include business planning; delegation of authority; careful selection and hiring of staff; accountability for performance within appropriate and well-defined areas of responsibility; and the communication of policies and guidelines of business conduct throughout the company.

The Board of Directors oversees management’s responsibilities for financial reporting through the Audit Committee, which is composed entirely of directors who are neither officers nor employees of Silver Wheaton.  The Audit Committee reviews Silver Wheaton’s interim and annual consolidated financial statements and MD&A and recommends them for approval by the Board of Directors.  Other key responsibilities of the Audit Committee include monitoring Silver Wheaton’s system of internal controls, monitoring its compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, selecting the external auditors and reviewing the qualifications, independence and performance of the external auditors.

Deloitte LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, appointed by the shareholders of Silver Wheaton upon the recommendation of the Audit Committee and Board, have performed an independent audit of the consolidated financial statements and their report follows. The auditors have full and unrestricted access to the Audit Committee to discuss their audit and related findings.

 
/s/ Randy Smallwood                                                                                            /s/ Gary Brown
 
Randy Smallwood                                                                                                 Gary Brown
 
President & Chief Executive Officer                                                                     Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
 

 
March 18, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [51]

 
 

 


 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Silver Wheaton Corp.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated financial statements of Silver Wheaton Corp. and subsidiaries (the “Company”), which comprise the consolidated balance sheets as at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, and the consolidated statements of earnings, consolidated statements of comprehensive income, consolidated statements of cash flows, and consolidated statements of shareholders’ equity for the years then ended, and a summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory information.

Management's Responsibility for the Consolidated Financial Statements

Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these consolidated financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, and for such internal control as management determines is necessary to enable the preparation of consolidated financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

Auditor's Responsibility

Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards and the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we comply with ethical requirements and plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free from material misstatement.

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditor's judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the entity's preparation and fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained in our audits is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.

Opinion

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Silver Wheaton Corp. and subsidiaries as at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, and their financial performance and their cash flows for the years then ended in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.

Other Matter

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on the criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated March 18, 2015 expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.


/s/ Deloitte LLP

Chartered Accountants
Vancouver, Canada
March 18, 2015

SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [52]

 
 

 


Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 
Management of Silver Wheaton Corp. (“Silver Wheaton”) is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer and effected by the Board of Directors, management and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. It includes those policies and procedures that:

 
i.  
pertain to the maintenance of records that accurately and fairly reflect, in reasonable detail, the transactions related to Silver Wheaton’s assets
 
ii.  
provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with IFRS, and Silver Wheaton receipts and expenditures are made only in accordance with authorizations of management and Silver Wheaton’s directors
 
iii.  
provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of Silver Wheaton’s assets that could have a material effect on Silver Wheaton’s financial statements.
 

Due to its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Management assessed the effectiveness of Silver Wheaton’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on the criteria set forth in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on this assessment, management has concluded that, as of December 31, 2014, Silver Wheaton’s internal control over financial reporting was effective.

The effectiveness of Silver Wheaton’s internal control over financial reporting, as of December 31, 2014, has been audited by Deloitte LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, as stated in their report which appears on the following page.

 
/s/ Randy Smallwood                                                                                                /s/ Gary Brown
 

 
Randy Smallwood                                                                                                      Gary Brown
 
President & Chief Executive Officer                                                                          Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
 

 
March 18, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [53]

 
 

 


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Silver Wheaton Corp.

We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Silver Wheaton Corp. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2014, based on the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.  The Company's management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.  Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances.  We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company's principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company's board of directors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.  A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.  Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on the criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

We have also audited, in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards and the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2014 of the Company and our report dated March 18, 2015 expressed an unmodified opinion on those financial statements.

/s/ Deloitte LLP

Chartered Accountants

Vancouver, Canada
March 18, 2015
 
 
 

 
SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [54]

 
 

 


Consolidated Statements of Earnings

   
Years Ended December 31
 
(US dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)
Note
2014
2013
 
Sales
5
$
620,176
$
706,472
 
Cost of sales
         
Cost of sales, excluding depletion
 
$
151,097
$
139,352
Depletion
   
160,180
 
144,153
 
Total cost of sales
 
$
311,277
$
283,505
 
Earnings from operations
 
$
308,899
$
422,967
 
Expenses and other income
         
General and administrative 1
6
$
37,860
$
35,308
Impairment charges
11
 
68,151
 
-
Foreign exchange gain
   
(609)
 
(348)
Interest expense
14
 
2,277
 
6,083
Other expense
7
 
2,439
 
11,550
 
 
 
$
110,118
$
52,593
 
Earnings before income taxes
 
$
198,781
$
370,374
 
Income tax recovery
22
 
1,045
 
5,121
 
Net earnings
 
$
199,826
$
375,495
           
Basic earnings per share
 
$
0.56
$
1.06
Diluted earnings per share
 
$
0.56
$
1.05
Weighted average number of shares outstanding
         
Basic
18
 
359,401
 
355,588
Diluted
18
 
359,804
 
356,595
 
1) Equity settled stock based compensation (a non-cash item) included in general and administrative expenses
 
$
8,194
$
8,389

















The accompanying notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [55]

 
 

 


Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

   
Years Ended December 31
 
(US dollars in thousands)
Note
2014
2013
 
Net earnings
 
$
199,826
$
375,495
 
Other comprehensive income (loss)
         
Items that will not be reclassified to net earnings
         
Loss on long-term investments - common shares held
9
$
(7,929)
$
(77,881)
Deferred income tax recovery
22
 
-
 
1,784
 
Total other comprehensive loss
 
$
(7,929)
$
(76,097)
 
Total comprehensive income
 
$
191,897
$
299,398
















 







 












The accompanying notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [56]

 
 

 


Consolidated Balance Sheets


 
Note
December 31
December 31
(US dollars in thousands)
2014
2013
 
Assets
         
Current assets
         
Cash and cash equivalents
19
$
308,098
$
95,823
Accounts receivable
8
 
4,132
 
4,619
Other
11
 
26,263
 
845
 
Total current assets
 
$
338,493
$
101,287
 
Non-current assets
         
Silver and gold interests
10, 11
$
4,248,265
$
4,228,484
Early deposit - gold interest
12
 
13,599
 
13,602
Royalty interest
13
 
9,107
 
-
Long-term investments
9
 
32,872
 
40,801
Other
   
5,427
 
5,670
 
Total non-current assets
 
$
4,309,270
$
4,288,557
 
Total assets
 
$
4,647,763
$
4,389,844
 
Liabilities
         
Current liabilities
         
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
 
$
14,798
$
20,416
Current portion of performance share units
17.1
 
1,373
 
718
 
Total current liabilities
 
$
16,171
$
21,134
Non-current liabilities
         
Long-term portion of bank debt
14
$
998,518
$
998,136
Deferred income taxes
22
 
942
 
2,191
Performance share units
17.1
 
3,396
 
1,837
 
Total non-current liabilities
 
$
1,002,856
$
1,002,164
 
Total liabilities
 
$
1,019,027
$
1,023,298
 
Shareholders' equity
         
Issued capital
15
$
2,037,923
$
1,879,475
Reserves
16
 
(28,841)
 
(25,618)
Retained earnings
   
1,619,654
 
1,512,689
 
Total shareholders' equity
 
$
3,628,736
$
3,366,546
 
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
 
$
4,647,763
$
4,389,844
Commitments and contingencies
14, 23
       


/s/ Randy Smallwood
 
/s/ John Brough
Randy Smallwood
 
John Brough
Director
 
Director




The accompanying notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [57]

 
 

 


Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
 

   
Years Ended December 31
(US dollars in thousands)
Note
2014
2013
 
Operating activities
         
Net earnings
 
$
199,826
$
375,495
Adjustments for
         
Depreciation and depletion
   
160,506
 
144,393
Amortization of credit facility origination fees:
       
Interest expense
   
125
 
558
Amortization of credit facility origination fees - undrawn facilities
7
 
1,020
 
1,910
Write off of credit facility origination fees upon the cancellation of the Bridge Facility
7
 
-
 
4,490
Gain on disposal of silver interest
10
 
(1,260)
 
-
Impairment charges
11
 
68,151
 
-
Interest expense
   
2,151
 
5,525
Equity settled stock based compensation
   
8,194
 
8,389
Performance share units
17.1
 
2,516
 
646
Deferred income tax recovery
22
 
(1,249)
 
(5,275)
Loss on fair value adjustment of share purchase warrants held
9
 
-
 
2,694
Investment income recognized in net earnings
   
(351)
 
(431)
Other
   
(155)
 
(69)
Change in non-cash working capital
19
 
(5,561)
 
1,088
Cash generated from operations
 
$
433,913
$
539,413
Interest paid - expensed
   
(2,163)
 
(5,513)
Interest received
   
123
 
233
 
Cash generated from operating activities
$
431,873
$
534,133
Financing activities
         
Bank debt repaid
14
$
-
$
(1,725,060)
Bank debt drawn
14
 
-
 
2,675,000
Credit facility origination fees
   
(621)
 
(14,003)
Share issue costs
   
(152)
 
-
Share purchase warrants exercised
   
-
 
51,736
Share purchase options exercised
   
7,026
 
6,390
Dividends paid
15.2
 
(79,775)
 
(160,013)
 
Cash generated from (applied to) financing activities
$
(73,522)
$
834,050
Investing activities
         
Silver and gold interests
10
$
(125,321)
$
(2,025,973)
Interest paid - capitalized to silver interests
   
(14,063)
 
(10,954)
Silver and gold interests - early deposit
12
 
(150)
 
(13,450)
Royalty interest
13
 
(9,107)
 
-
Proceeds on disposal of silver interest
10
 
3,408
 
-
Dividend income received
   
228
 
227
Other
   
(1,016)
 
(304)
 
Cash applied to investing activities
$
(146,021)
$
(2,050,454)
 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
$
(55)
$
(122)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
$
212,275
$
(682,393)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year
 
95,823
 
778,216
 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year
19
$
308,098
$
95,823
 
The accompanying notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [58]

 
 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity

     
 
Reserves
       
(US dollars in thousands)
Number
of Shares
(000's)
Issued
Capital
Share
Purchase
Warrants
Reserve
Share
Purchase
Options
Reserve
Restricted
Share
Units
Reserve
Long-Term
Investment
Revaluation
Reserve
(Net of Tax)
Total
Reserves
Retained
Earnings
Total
 
At January 1, 2013
354,376
$
1,811,577
$
7,201
$
14,050
$
2,553
$
(25,514)
$
(1,710)
$
1,297,207
$
3,107,074
Total comprehensive income
                                 
Net earnings
 
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
375,495
$
375,495
OCI 1
   
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
(76,097)
 
(76,097)
 
-
 
(76,097)
 
Total comprehensive income (loss)
 
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
(76,097)
$
(76,097)
$
375,495
$
299,398
Fair value of SBC 1
 
$
-
$
-
$
7,454
$
935
$
-
$
8,389
$
-
$
8,389
Options 1 exercised
415
 
8,451
 
-
 
(2,061)
 
-
 
-
 
(2,061)
 
-
 
6,390
RSUs 1 released
19
 
655
 
-
 
-
 
(655)
 
-
 
(655)
 
-
 
-
Warrants 1 exercised
2,587
 
58,792
 
(7,056)
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
(7,056)
 
-
 
51,736
Warrants 1 issued
   
-
 
53,572
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
53,572
 
-
 
53,572
Dividends (Note 15.2)
   
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
(160,013)
 
(160,013)
 
At December 31, 2013
357,397
$
1,879,475
$
53,717
$
19,443
$
2,833
$
(101,611)
$
(25,618)
$
1,512,689
$
3,366,546
Total comprehensive income
                                 
Net earnings
 
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
199,826
$
199,826
OCI 1
   
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
(7,929)
 
(7,929)
 
-
 
(7,929)
 
Total comprehensive income
 
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
(7,929)
$
(7,929)
$
199,826
$
191,897
Fair value of SBC 1
 
$
-
$
-
$
7,199
$
995
$
-
$
8,194
$
-
$
8,194
Options 1 exercised
600
 
9,454
 
-
 
(2,428)
 
-
 
-
 
(2,428)
 
-
 
7,026
RSUs 1 released
22
 
521
 
-
 
-
 
(521)
 
-
 
(521)
 
-
 
-
Shares issued
6,112
 
135,000
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
135,000
Share issue costs
   
(152)
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
(152)
DRIP 1
647
 
13,625
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
13,625
Dividends (Note 15.2)
   
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
(93,400)
 
(93,400)
Reallocation
   
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
(539)
 
(539)
 
539
 
-
 
At December 31, 2014
364,778
$
2,037,923
$
53,717
$
24,214
$
3,307
$
(110,079)
$
(28,841)
$
1,619,654
$
3,628,736

1)  
Definitions as follows: “OCI” = Other Comprehensive Income (Loss); “SBC” = Equity Settled Stock Based Compensation; “Options” = Share Purchase Options; “RSUs” = Restricted Share Units; “Warrants” = Share Purchase Warrants; “DRIP” = Dividend Reinvestment Plan.

























The accompanying notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [59]

 
 

 

 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (US Dollars)
 



1.  
Description of Business and Nature of Operations

Silver Wheaton Corp. (“Silver Wheaton” or the “Company”) is a mining company which generates its revenue primarily from the sale of silver and gold.  Silver Wheaton Corp., which is the ultimate parent company of its consolidated group, is incorporated and domiciled in Canada, and its principal place of business is at Suite 3150 – 666 Burrard Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6C 2X8.  The Company trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) and the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol SLW.

The Company has entered into 18 long-term purchase agreements and one early deposit long-term purchase agreement associated with silver and/or gold (“precious metal purchase agreements”), relating to 27 different mining assets (21 of which are currently operating and 6 of which are at various stages of development), whereby Silver Wheaton acquires silver and gold production from the counterparties for a per ounce cash payment which is fixed by contract, generally at or below the prevailing market price.   During the year ended December 31, 2014, the per ounce price paid by the Company for silver and gold under the agreements averaged $4.14 and $386, respectively.  The primary drivers of the Company’s financial results are the volume of silver and gold production at the various mines and the price of silver and gold realized by Silver Wheaton upon sale.

The consolidated financial statements of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2014 were authorized for issue as of March 18, 2015 in accordance with a resolution of the Board of Directors.


2.  
Significant Accounting Policies

2.1.  
Basis of Presentation

These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”) on a historical cost basis, except for financial assets which are not held for the purpose of collecting contractual cash flows on specified dates, derivative assets and derivative liabilities which have been measured at fair value as at the relevant balance sheet date.  The consolidated financial statements are presented in United States (“US”) dollars, which is the Company’s functional currency, and all values are rounded to the nearest thousand US dollars (US$ 000’s) unless otherwise noted.  References to “Cdn$” refer to Canadian dollars.

2.2.  
Statement of Compliance

These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB.

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with IFRS requires the use of certain accounting estimates.  It also requires management to exercise judgment in applying the Company’s accounting policies.  The areas involving a higher degree of judgment or complexity, or areas where assumptions and estimates are significant to the financial statements are disclosed in Note 3.

2.3.  
Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its 100% owned subsidiaries Silver Wheaton (Caymans) Ltd. (“SW Caymans”), Silver Wheaton Luxembourg S.a.r.l. (“Silver Wheaton Luxembourg”) and Wheaton Precious Metals (Cayman) Co. (“WPM”).

Subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the date on which the Company obtains a controlling interest.  Control is defined as an investor’s power over an investee with exposure, or rights, to variable returns from the investee and the ability to affect the investor’s returns through its power over the investee.  Subsidiaries are included in the consolidated financial results of the Company from the effective date of acquisition up to the effective date of disposition or loss of control.

The financial statements of the subsidiaries are prepared for the same reporting period as the parent company, using consistent accounting policies.  Balances, transactions, income and expenses between the Company and its subsidiaries are eliminated on consolidation.

SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [60]

 
 

 

 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (US Dollars)
 




2.4.  
Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash and highly liquid money market investments including short-term deposits, treasury bills, commercial paper, bankers’ depository notes and bankers’ acceptances with terms to maturity of less than three months.

2.5.  
Revenue Recognition

Revenue from the sale of silver and gold is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, title and risk passes to the buyer, collection is reasonably assured and the price is reasonably determinable.  Selling prices are determined at the point revenue is recognized by reference to active and freely traded commodity markets, for example the London Bullion Market for commodities, in an identical form to the product sold.

Where the Company acquires silver or gold in concentrate form, final silver or gold prices are set on a specified future quotational period (the “Quotational Period”) pursuant to the concentrate sales contracts with third-party smelters, typically one to three months after the shipment date, based on market prices for silver or gold.  Revenues and the associated cost of sales are recorded on a gross basis under these contracts at the time title passes to the buyer based on the forward price for the expected settlement period. The contracts, in general, provide for a provisional payment based upon provisional assays and quoted silver and gold prices. Final settlement is based upon the average applicable price for the Quotational Period applied to the actual number of silver or gold ounces recovered calculated using confirmed smelter weights and settlement assays.  Final settlement generally occurs from three to six months after shipment. The Company’s provisionally priced sales contain an embedded derivative that is required to be separated from the host contract for accounting purposes. The host contract is the receivable from the sale of concentrates measured at the forward price at the time of sale.  The embedded derivative is recorded on the balance sheet as a derivative asset in Accounts Receivable or as a derivative liability in Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities and is adjusted to fair value through revenue each period until the date of final settlement.

2.6.  
Financial Instruments

In November 2009, the IASB introduced IFRS 9, Financial Instruments (“IFRS 9”), which is part of a project to replace IAS 39, Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement.  Adoption of IFRS 9 is required by January 1, 2018, with early adoption permitted.  The Company has elected to adopt IFRS 9 (2009) and the related consequential amendments effective January 1, 2010.

Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognized when the Company becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Financial assets and financial liabilities are initially measured at fair value. Transaction costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition or issue of financial assets and financial liabilities (other than financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value through net earnings) are added to or deducted from the fair value of the financial assets or financial liabilities, as appropriate, on initial recognition. Transaction costs directly attributable to the acquisition of financial assets or financial liabilities at fair value through net earnings are recognized immediately in net earnings.

2.7.  
Financial Assets

Financial assets are subsequently measured at either amortized cost or fair value, depending on the classification of the financial assets.

Financial Assets at Fair Value Through Other Comprehensive Income (“FVTOCI”)

The Company’s long-term investments in common shares held are for long-term strategic purposes and not for trading.  Upon the adoption of IFRS 9, the Company made an irrevocable election to designate these long-term investments in common shares held as FVTOCI as it believes that this provides a more meaningful presentation for long-term strategic investments, rather than reflecting changes in fair value immediately in net earnings.

Long-term investments in common shares held are initially measured at fair value plus transaction costs. Subsequently, they are measured at fair value with gains and losses arising from changes in fair value recognized as a component of other comprehensive income (“OCI”) and accumulated in the long-term investment revaluation reserve. The cumulative gain or loss will not be reclassified to net earnings on disposal of these long-term investments.

SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [61]

 
 

 

 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (US Dollars)
 




Dividends on these long-term investments in common shares held are recognized as a component of net earnings in the period they are received under the classification Other (Income) Expense.

Financial Assets at Fair Value Through Net Earnings (“FVTNE”)

Warrants held by the Company for long-term investment purposes are classified as FVTNE.  These warrants are measured at fair value at the end of each reporting period, with any gains or losses arising on remeasurement being recognized as a component of net earnings under the classification Other (Income) Expense.

As discussed in Note 2.5, the Company’s provisionally priced sales contain an embedded derivative that is remeasured at fair value at the end of each reporting period.  Fair value gains and losses related to the embedded derivative are included in revenue in the period they occur.

Financial Assets at Amortized Cost

Cash and cash equivalents are stated at amortized cost.  Other receivables are non-interest bearing and are stated at amortized cost, which approximate fair values due to the short terms to maturity.  Where necessary, other receivables are reported net of allowances for uncollectable amounts.

Foreign Exchange Gains and Losses

The fair value of financial assets denominated in a foreign currency is determined in that foreign currency and translated at the spot rate at the end of each reporting period. The foreign exchange component forms part of its fair value gain or loss. Therefore,

·  
For financial assets that are classified as FVTNE, the foreign exchange component is recognized as a component of net earnings, and

·  
For financial assets that are classified as FVTOCI, the foreign exchange component is recognized as a component of OCI.

Derecognition of Financial Assets

The Company derecognizes a financial asset only when the contractual rights to cash flows from the asset expire, or when it transfers the financial asset and substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of the asset to another entity. If the Company neither transfers nor retains substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership and continues to control the transferred asset, the Company recognizes its retained interest in the asset and an associated liability for amounts it may have to pay. If the Company retains substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of a transferred financial asset, the Company continues to recognize the financial asset and also recognizes a collateralized borrowing for the proceeds received.

On derecognition of a financial asset that is classified as FVTOCI, the cumulative gain or loss (net of tax) previously accumulated in the long-term investment revaluation reserve is not reclassified to net earnings, but is reclassified to retained earnings.

2.8.  
Financial Liabilities and Equity Instruments

Debt and equity instruments issued by the Company are classified as either financial liabilities or as equity in accordance with the substance of the contractual arrangements and the definition of a financial liability and equity instrument. All financial liabilities are subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method or at FVTNE, depending on the classification of the instrument.

Equity Instruments

An equity instrument is a contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of an entity after deducting all of its liabilities. Equity instruments issued by the Company are recognized at the proceeds received less direct issue costs (net of any current or deferred income tax recovery attributable to such costs).


SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [62]

 
 

 

 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (US Dollars)
 




Share Purchase Warrants Issued

Share purchase warrants issued with an exercise price denominated in the Company’s functional currency (US dollars) are considered equity instruments with the consideration received reflected within shareholders’ equity under the classification of share purchase warrants reserve.  Upon exercise, the original consideration is reallocated from share purchase warrants reserve to issued share capital along with the associated exercise price.

Other Financial Liabilities

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities and bank debt are initially measured at fair value, net of transaction costs, and are subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method. The effective interest method is a method of calculating the amortized cost of a financial liability and of allocating interest expense over the relevant period. The effective interest rate is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash payments through the expected life of the financial liability, or (where appropriate) a shorter period, to the net carrying amount on initial recognition.

Foreign Exchange Gains and Losses

The fair value of financial liabilities denominated in a foreign currency is determined in that foreign currency and translated at the spot rate at the end of each reporting period.  Therefore,

·  
For financial liabilities that are denominated in a foreign currency and are measured at amortized cost at the end of each reporting period, the foreign exchange gains and losses are determined based on the amortized cost of the instruments and are recognized as a component of net earnings, and

·  
For financial liabilities that are classified as FVTNE, the foreign exchange component forms part of the fair value gains or losses and is recognized as a component of net earnings.

Derecognition of Financial Liabilities

The Company derecognizes financial liabilities when the Company’s obligations are discharged, cancelled or they expire. The difference between the carrying amount of the financial liability derecognized and the consideration paid and payable, including any non-cash assets transferred or liabilities assumed, is recognized as a component of net earnings.

2.9.  
Silver and Gold Interests

Agreements for which settlement is called for in silver and/or gold, the amount of which is based on production at the mines, are stated at cost less accumulated depletion and accumulated impairment charges, if any.

The cost of the asset is comprised of its purchase price, any closing costs directly attributable to acquiring the asset, and, for qualifying assets, borrowing costs.  The purchase price is the aggregate cash amount paid and the fair value of any other non-cash consideration given to acquire the asset.

Depletion

The cost of these silver and gold interests is separately allocated to reserves, resources and exploration potential.  The value allocated to reserves is classified as depletable and is depleted on a unit-of-sale basis over the estimated recoverable proven and probable reserves at the mine corresponding to the specific agreement.   The value associated with resources and exploration potential is the value beyond proven and probable reserves at acquisition and is classified as non-depletable until such time as it is transferred to the depletable category as a result of the conversion of resources and/or exploration potential into reserves.

Asset Impairment

Management considers each precious metal purchase agreement to be a separate cash generating unit (“CGU”), which is the lowest level for which cash inflows are largely independent of those of other assets.  At the end of each reporting period, the Company assesses each precious metal purchase agreement to determine whether any indication of impairment exists.   If such an indication exists, the recoverable amount of the precious metal purchase agreement is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment (if any). The recoverable amount of each precious metal purchase agreement is the higher of fair value less costs to sell (“FVLCS”) and value in use (“VIU”).  In determining the recoverable amounts of each of the Company’s CGU’s, the Company uses the FVLCS as this will generally be greater than or equal to the VIU.

SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [63]

 
 

 

 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (US Dollars)
 




To determine the FVLCS that could be received from each precious metal purchase agreement in an arm’s length transaction at the measurement date, the Company uses a combination of the net asset value (“NAV”) methodology and the net present value (“NPV”) methodology.

NAV is estimated by using an appropriate discount rate to calculate the present value of expected future cash flows associated with each mineral category.  The discount rates used across the portfolio of precious metal purchase agreements range from 5% to 12%, and silver and gold prices used, which are based on the consensus derived from a number of sources including analysts and other market observers, range from $18 to $20 and $1,250 to $1,275, respectively.  The values are adjusted for each mineral category dependent on the likelihood of conversion from resources to reserves.  A market multiple is applied to the NAV computed in order to assess the estimated fair value.  Silver and precious metals companies typically trade at a market capitalization that is based on a multiple of their underlying NAV.  Consequently, a market participant would generally apply a NAV multiple when estimating the fair value of a silver and gold interest.

NPV is estimated by using a nominal discount rate to calculate the present value of expected future cash flows.  The nominal discount rate is based on the Company’s weighted average cost of capital, adjusted for any differences assessed in the risk profile associated with the relevant precious metal purchase agreement relative to the risk profile associated with the overall portfolio of precious metal purchase agreements.   The nominal discount rates used across the portfolio of precious metal purchase agreements range from 4% to 20%, and the nominal silver and gold prices of $16 and $1,200 are used for the current year, with a 2% inflationary factor thereafter.

The expected future cash flows are management’s best estimates of expected future revenues and costs.  Under each method, expected future revenues reflect an estimate of future production for each mine at which the Company has a precious metal purchase agreement based on detailed life of mine plans received from each of the partners. Expected future revenues also reflect management’s estimated long-term metal prices.  Estimated future cash costs are fixed based on the terms of each precious metal purchase agreement, as disclosed in Note 23.

If the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its recoverable amount, the asset is considered impaired and an impairment charge is reflected as a component of net earnings so as to reduce the carrying amount to its recoverable value. A previously recognized impairment charge is reversed only if there has been a change in the estimates used to determine the asset’s recoverable amount since the last impairment charge was recognized. If this is the case, the carrying amount of the asset is increased to its recoverable amount. The increased amount cannot exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined, net of depletion, had no impairment charge been recognized for the asset in prior years. Such reversal is reflected as a component of net earnings.

As part of the annual review of the recoverable amounts, the Company performs a sensitivity analysis on silver and gold prices, which are key assumptions that impact the impairment calculations.  Assuming a negative 5% change relative to current silver and gold price assumptions, while holding all other assumptions constant, no impairment charge was required at December 31, 2014.

2.10.  
Borrowing and Debt Issue Costs

Borrowing costs allocable to qualifying assets, which are assets that necessarily take a substantial period of preparation for their intended use, are capitalized and included in the carrying amounts of the related assets until such time as the assets are substantially ready for their intended use.  Borrowing costs that do not relate to the acquisition or construction of qualifying assets are reflected as a component of net earnings under the classification Interest Expense, as incurred.  For the purposes of determining whether borrowing costs are allocable to qualifying assets, general borrowings are first considered to relate to qualifying assets to the extent of the cumulative investment made by the Company.

Debt issue costs on non-revolving facilities are treated as an adjustment to the carrying amount of the original liability and are amortized over the life of the new or modified liability.  Debt issue costs on revolving facilities are recorded as an asset under the classification Other long-term assets and are amortized over the life of the new or modified credit facility.
 
 

 
SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [64]

 
 

 

 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (US Dollars)
 




2.11.  
Stock Based Payment Transactions

The Company recognizes a stock based compensation expense for all share purchase options and restricted share units (“RSUs”) awarded to employees, officers and directors based on the fair values of the share purchase options and RSUs at the date of grant. The fair values of share purchase options and RSUs at the date of grant are expensed over the vesting periods of the share purchase options and RSUs, respectively, with a corresponding increase to equity.  The fair value of share purchase options is determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with market related inputs as of the date of grant. Share purchase options with graded vesting schedules are accounted for as separate grants with different vesting periods and fair values.  The fair value of RSUs is the market value of the underlying shares at the date of grant.  At the end of each reporting period, the Company re-assesses its estimates of the number of awards that are expected to vest and recognizes the impact of any revisions to this estimate in the consolidated statement of earnings.

The Company recognizes a stock based compensation expense for performance share units (“PSUs”) which are awarded to eligible employees and are settled in cash.  Compensation expense for the PSUs is recorded on a straight-line basis over the three year vesting period.  This estimated expense is reflected as a component of net earnings over the vesting period of the PSUs with the related obligation recorded as a liability on the balance sheet.  The amount of compensation expense is adjusted at the end of each reporting period to reflect (i) the fair market value of common shares; (ii) the number of PSUs anticipated to vest; and (iii) the anticipated performance factor.

2.12.  
Income Taxes

Income tax expense comprises current and deferred income tax.  Current and deferred income taxes are recognized as a component of net earnings except to the extent that it relates to items recognized directly in equity or as a component of OCI.

Current income tax is the expected tax payable on the taxable income for the year, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the end of the reporting period, and any adjustment to tax payable in respect of previous years.

Deferred income tax is recognized using the liability method on temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts in the consolidated financial statements.  Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured using tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted at the end of the reporting period and which are expected to apply when the related deferred income tax assets are realized or the deferred income tax liabilities are settled.

Deferred income tax liabilities are generally recognized for all taxable temporary differences.  Deferred income tax assets are generally recognized for all deductible temporary differences and the carry forward of unused tax losses and tax credits to the extent that it is probable that reversing taxable temporary differences or sufficient taxable income will be available against which those deductible temporary differences and the carry forward of unused tax losses and tax credits can be utilized.

Deferred income tax liabilities are recognized for taxable temporary differences arising on investments in subsidiaries except where the reversal of the temporary difference can be controlled and it is probable that the difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future.  Deferred income tax assets arising from deductible temporary differences associated with such investments are only recognized to the extent that it is probable that there will be sufficient taxable income against which to utilize the benefits of the temporary differences and they are expected to reverse in the foreseeable future.

The carrying amount of deferred income tax assets are reviewed at the end of each reporting period and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that reversing taxable temporary differences or sufficient taxable income will be available to allow all or part of the deferred income tax assets to be recovered.

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are not recognized for temporary differences arising from the initial recognition (other than in a business combination) of assets and liabilities in a transaction which does not affect either the accounting income or the taxable income.  In addition, deferred income tax liabilities are not recognized if the temporary difference arises from the initial recognition of goodwill.

SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [65]

 
 

 

 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (US Dollars)
 




2.13.  
Earnings Per Share

Earnings per share calculations are based on the weighted average number of common shares and common share equivalents issued and outstanding during the year. Diluted earnings per share is calculated using the treasury method which requires the calculation of diluted earnings per share by assuming that outstanding share purchase options and warrants, with an average market price that exceeds the average exercise prices of the options and warrants for the year, are exercised and the proceeds are used to repurchase shares of the Company at the average market price of the common shares for the year.

2.14.  
Foreign Currency Translation

The functional currency is the currency of the primary economic environment in which the Company operates.  The consolidated financial statements are presented in US dollars, which is the Company’s functional currency.  Foreign currency monetary assets and liabilities are translated into US dollars at the exchange rates prevailing at the balance sheet date.  Non-monetary assets denominated in foreign currencies are translated using the rate of exchange at the transaction date.  Foreign currency transactions are translated at the US dollar rate prevailing on the transaction dates. Foreign exchange gains and losses are included in the determination of net earnings except for the foreign exchange gains and losses on the Company’s long-term investments in common shares held which are reflected as a component of OCI and accumulated in a separate component of the investments revaluation reserve which is a component of shareholders’ equity until they are realized as a result of a sale, at which time the accumulated foreign exchange gain or loss is reallocated from the investments reserve to retained earnings.

2.15.  
Leasing

Leases are classified as finance leases whenever the terms of the lease transfer substantially all of the risks and rewards of ownership to the lessee.  All other leases are classified as operating leases.  At December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company was not a party to any finance leases.

The Company as the Lessee

Operating lease payments are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease, except where another systematic basis is more representative of the time pattern in which economic benefits from the leased assets are consumed.

In the event that lease incentives are received to enter into operating leases, such incentives are recognized as a liability.  The aggregate benefit of incentives is recognized as a reduction to rental expense on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease, except where another systematic basis is more representative of the time pattern in which economic benefits from the leased assets are consumed.

2.16.  
Provisions

Provisions are recognized when the Company has a present obligation (legal or constructive) as a result of a past event, it is probable that the Company will be required to settle the obligation, and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount required to settle the obligation.

The amount recognized as a provision is the best estimate of the consideration required to settle the present obligation at the end of the reporting period, taking into account the risks and uncertainties surrounding the obligation. Where a provision is measured using the cash flows estimated to settle the present obligation, its carrying amount is the present value of those cash flows.

When some or all of the economic benefits required to settle a provision are expected to be recovered from a third party, a receivable is recognized as an asset if it is virtually certain that reimbursement will be received and the amount of the receivable can be measured reliably.

2.17.  
Future Changes in Accounting Policies

The IASB has issued the following new or amended standards:


SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [66]

 
 

 

 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (US Dollars)
 




Standards required to be applied for periods beginning on or after January 1, 2017:

·  
IFRS 15 – Revenue from Contracts with Customers: In May 2014 the IASB and the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) completed its joint project to clarify the principles for recognizing revenue and to develop a common revenue standard for IFRS and US GAAP.  IFRS 15 establishes principles to address the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from an entity’s contracts with customers.  The Company is currently evaluating the impact this standard is expected to have on its consolidated financial statements.

Standards required to be applied for periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018:

·  
IFRS 9 (2014) – Financial Instruments (amended 2014):  In July 2014, the IASB issued the final version of IFRS 9 – Financial Instruments (“IFRS 9”).  The Company adopted IFRS 9 (2009) – Financial Instruments effective January 1, 2010.  The Company is currently evaluating the impact this amended standard is expected to have on its consolidated financial statements.

Early adoption of the above standards is permitted.


3.  
Key Sources of Estimation Uncertainty and Critical Accounting Judgments

The preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Estimates and assumptions are continuously evaluated and are based on management’s experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. However, actual outcomes can differ from these estimates.

Information about significant areas of estimation uncertainty and judgments made by management in preparing the consolidated financial statements are described below.

Key Sources of Estimation Uncertainty1

3.1.  
Attributable Reserve and Resource Estimates

Silver and gold interests are significant assets of the Company, with a carrying value of $4.3 billion at December 31, 2014.  This amount represents the capitalized expenditures related to the acquisition of the silver and gold interests, net of accumulated depletion.  The Company estimates the reserves and resources relating to each agreement.  Reserves are estimates of the amount of silver or gold contained in ore that can be economically and legally extracted from the mining properties in respect of which the Company has precious metal purchase agreements.  Resources are estimates of the amount of silver or gold contained in mineralized material for which there is a reasonable prospect for economic extraction from the mining properties in respect of which the Company has precious metal purchase agreements.  The Company adjusts its estimates of reserves and resources, where applicable, to reflect the Company’s percentage entitlement to silver and gold produced from such mines.  The Company estimates its reserves and resources based on information compiled by appropriately qualified persons relating to the geological data on the size, depth and shape of the ore body, and require complex geological judgments to interpret the data. The estimation of recoverable reserves and resources is based upon factors such as estimates of foreign exchange rates, commodity prices, future capital requirements, and production costs along with geological assumptions and judgments made in estimating the size and grade of the ore body. Changes in the reserve or resource estimates may impact upon the carrying value of the Company’s silver and gold interests and depletion charges.

3.2.  
Depletion

As described in Note 2.9, the Company’s silver and gold interests are separately allocated to reserves, resources and exploration potential.  The value allocated to reserves is classified as depletable and is depleted on a unit-of-sale basis over the estimated recoverable proven and probable reserves at the mine corresponding to the specific agreement.


1
Statements made in this section contain forward-looking information.  Please see “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) for material risks, assumptions and important disclosure associated with this information.

SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [67]

 
 

 

 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (US Dollars)
 




To make this allocation, the Company estimates the recoverable reserves, resources and exploration potential at each mining operation.  These calculations require the use of estimates and assumptions, including the amount of contained silver and gold, recovery rates and payable rates. Changes to these assumptions may impact the estimated recoverable reserves, resources or exploration potential which could directly impact the depletion rates used.  Changes to depletion rates are accounted for prospectively.

3.3.  
Impairment of Assets

As more fully described in Note 2.9, the Company assesses each precious metal purchase agreement at the end of every reporting period to determine whether any indication of impairment exists.  If such an indication exists, the recoverable amount of the precious metal purchase agreement is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment (if any). The calculation of the recoverable amount requires the use of estimates and assumptions such as long-term commodity prices, discount rates, recoverable ounces of silver and gold, and operating performance.

3.4.  
Valuation of Stock Based Compensation

As more fully described in Note 2.11, the Company has various forms of stock based compensation, including share purchase options, restricted share units (“RSUs”) and performance share units (“PSUs”).  The calculation of the fair value of share purchase options, RSUs and PSUs issued requires the use of estimates as more fully described in Notes 16.2, 16.3, and 17.1, respectively.

3.5.  
Provisionally Priced Concentrate Sales

As discussed in Note 5, the Company’s provisionally priced sales contain an embedded derivative that is required to be separated from the host contract for accounting purposes and adjusted to fair value through revenue each reporting period, until the date of final settlement.  The calculation of the fair value of the embedded derivative requires the use of estimates and assumptions related to the future price of silver and/or gold.

3.6.  
Contingencies

Due to the size, complexity and nature of the Company’s operations, various legal and tax matters are outstanding from time to time, including an audit (the “CRA Audit”) by the Canada Revenue Agency (“CRA”) of the Company’s international transactions covering the 2005 to 2010 taxation years.  By their nature, contingencies will only be resolved when one or more future events occur or fail to occur.  The assessment of contingencies inherently involves the exercise of significant judgment and estimates of the outcome of future events.  If the Company is unable to resolve any of these matters favorably, there may be a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial performance, cash flows or results of operations.  In the event that management’s estimate of the future resolution of these matters changes, the Company will recognize the effects of the changes in its consolidated financial statements in the appropriate period relative to when such changes occur.

Critical Accounting Judgments1

3.7.  
Functional Currency

The functional currency for each of the Company’s subsidiaries is the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates. As a result of the following factors, the Company has determined that the functional currency of each entity is the US dollar:

·  
The Company’s revenue is denominated in US dollars;
 
·  
The Company’s cash cost of sales is denominated in US dollars;
 
·  
The majority of the Company’s cash is held in US dollars; and
 
·  
The Company generally seeks to raise capital in US dollars.
 


 1
Statements made in this section contain forward-looking information.  Please see “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) for material risks, assumptions and important disclosure associated with this information.

SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [68]

 
 

 

 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (US Dollars)
 




Determination of the functional currency may involve certain judgments to determine the primary economic environment and the Company reconsiders the functional currency of its entities if there is a change in events and conditions which determined the primary economic environment.

3.8.  
Income Taxes

The interpretation and application of existing tax laws, regulations or rules in Canada, the Cayman Islands, Barbados, Luxembourg, the Netherlands or any of the countries in which the mining operations are located or to which shipments of silver or gold are made requires the use of judgment.  The likelihood that tax positions taken will be sustained upon examination by applicable tax authorities is assessed based on facts and circumstances of the relevant tax position considering all available evidence.  Differing interpretation of these laws, regulations or rules could result in an increase in the Company’s taxes, or other governmental charges, duties or impositions.

In assessing the probability of realizing deferred income tax assets, the Company makes estimates related to expectations of future taxable income and expected timing of reversals of existing temporary differences.  Such estimates are based on forecasted cash flows from operations which require the use of estimates and assumptions such as long-term commodity prices and recoverable ounces of silver and gold.  Therefore, the amount of deferred income tax assets recognized on the balance sheet could be reduced if the actual results differ significantly from forecast.  The Company reassesses its deferred income tax assets at the end of each reporting period.

4.  
Financial Instruments

4.1.  
Capital Risk Management

The Company manages its capital to ensure that it will be able to continue as a going concern while maximizing the return to stakeholders through the optimization of the debt and equity balance.

The capital structure of the Company consists of debt (Note 14) and equity attributable to common shareholders, comprising of issued capital (Note 15), accumulated reserves (Note 16) and retained earnings.

The Company is not subject to any externally imposed capital requirements with the exception of complying with the minimum tangible net worth covenant under the credit agreement governing bank debt (Note 14).

The Company is in compliance with the debt covenants at December 31, 2014, as described in Note 14.

4.2.  
Categories of Financial Assets and Liabilities

Cash and cash equivalents are reported at amortized cost.  Other receivables are non-interest bearing and are stated at amortized cost, which approximate fair values due to the short terms to maturity.  Where necessary, other receivables are reported net of allowances for uncollectable amounts.  All other financial assets are reported at fair value.  Fair value adjustments on financial assets are reflected as a component of net earnings with the exception of fair value adjustments associated with the Company’s long-term investments in common shares held.  As these long-term investments are held for strategic purposes and not for trading, the Company has made a one time, irrevocable election to reflect the fair value adjustments associated with these investments as a component of OCI.  Financial liabilities are reported at amortized cost using the effective interest method, except for derivative liabilities which are measured at fair value through net earnings.  The following table summarizes the classification of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities:

SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [69]

 
 

 

 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (US Dollars)
 






 
Note
December 31
December 31
(in thousands)
2014
2013
 
Financial assets
         
Fair value through net earnings
         
Trade receivables from provisional concentrate sales, net of fair value adjustment
5
 
2,343
 
2,457
Fair value through other comprehensive income
         
Long-term investments - common shares held
9
 
32,872
 
40,801
Amortized cost
         
Cash and cash equivalents
   
308,098
 
95,823
Other accounts receivable
8
 
1,789
 
2,162
Termination payment re: Campo Morado silver interest
11
 
25,000
 
-
 
 
 
$
370,102
$
141,243
 
Financial liabilities
         
Amortized cost
         
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
   
14,698
 
16,198
Bank debt
14
 
998,518
 
998,136
 
 
 
$
1,013,216
$
1,014,334


4.3.  
Credit Risk

Credit risk is the risk that the counterparty to a financial instrument will cause a financial loss for the Company by failing to discharge its obligations. To mitigate exposure to credit risk on financial assets, the Company has established policies to limit the concentration of credit risk, to ensure counterparties demonstrate minimum acceptable credit worthiness and to ensure liquidity of available funds.

The Company closely monitors its financial assets and does not have any significant concentration of credit risk.  The Company invests surplus cash in short-term, high credit quality, money market instruments.   In addition, counterparties used to sell silver and gold are all large, international organizations with strong credit ratings and the balance of trade receivables owed to the Company in the ordinary course of business is not significant.  Therefore, the Company is not exposed to significant credit risk and, overall, the Company’s credit risk has not changed significantly from the prior year.

At December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, there were no significant trade receivables owed to the Company which were past due.  The Company’s maximum exposure to credit risk related to its financial assets is as follows:

   
December 31
December 31
(in thousands)
Note
2014
2013
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
308,098
$
95,823
Trade receivables from provisional concentrate sales, net of fair value adjustment
8
 
2,343
 
2,457
Termination payment re: Campo Morado silver interest
11
 
25,000
 
-
Other receivables
8
 
1,789
 
2,162
 
 
 
$
337,230
$
100,442



SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [70]

 
 

 

 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (US Dollars)
 




4.4.  
Liquidity Risk

The Company has in place a rigorous planning and budgeting process to help determine the funds required to support the Company’s normal operating requirements on an ongoing basis and its expansionary plans.  The Company ensures that there are sufficient committed loan facilities to meet its short-term business requirements, taking into account its anticipated cash flows from operations and its holdings of cash and cash equivalents.  As at December 31, 2014, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $308.1 million (December 31, 2013 - $95.8 million) and working capital of $322.3 million (December 31, 2013 - $80.2 million).

Silver Wheaton holds common shares of several publicly traded mineral exploration, development and mining companies (Note 9) with a combined market value at December 31, 2014 of $32.9 million (December 31, 2013 - $40.8 million).  The daily exchange traded volume of these shares, including the shares underlying the warrants, is not sufficient for the Company to liquidate its position in a short period of time without potentially affecting the market value of the shares.  These shares and warrants are held for strategic purposes and are considered long-term investments and therefore, as part of the Company’s planning, budgeting and liquidity analysis process, these investments are not relied upon to provide operational liquidity.

The following tables summarize the timing associated with the Company’s remaining contractual payments relating to its financial liabilities and commitments. The tables reflect the undiscounted cash flows of financial liabilities based on the earliest date on which the Company can be required to pay (assuming that the Company is in compliance with all of its obligations). The tables include both interest and principal cash flows. To the extent that applicable interest rates are floating in nature, the interest charges are estimated based on market-based forward interest rate curves at the end of the reporting period. The contractual maturity date of these financial liabilities and commitments is based on the earliest date on which the Company may be required to pay.


 
As at December 31, 2014
 
(in thousands)
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
Thereafter
Commitments
Total
 
Non-derivative financial liabilities and commitments
                               
Bank debt 1
$
-
$
-
$
1,000,000
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
1,000,000
Interest on bank debt 2
 
15,103
 
18,332
 
8,358
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
41,793
Silver and gold interest payments 3
                               
Rosemont 4
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
231,150
 
231,150
Loma de La Plata 5
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
32,400
 
32,400
Toroparu 6
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
135,000
 
135,000
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
 
14,698
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
14,698
Performance share units
 
1,373
 
1,975
 
1,421
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
4,769
 
Total
$
31,174
$
20,307
$
1,009,779
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
398,550
$
1,459,810

1)  
As more fully disclosed in Note 25, on February 27, 2015 the Company expanded its Revolving Facility by $1 billion and then used proceeds drawn from this amended Revolving Facility together with cash on hand to repay the NRT Loan.
2)  
As the applicable interest rates are floating in nature, the interest charges are estimated based on market-based forward interest rate curves at the end of the reporting period.
3)  
Vale has recently expanded the mill throughput capacity at the Salobo mine (Note 10) to 24 million tonnes per annum (“Mtpa”) from 12 Mtpa. If actual throughput is expanded above 28 Mtpa within a predetermined period, Silver Wheaton will be required to make an additional payment to Vale based on a set fee schedule ranging from $88 million if throughput is expanded beyond 28 Mtpa by January 1, 2036, up to $720 million if throughput is expanded beyond 40 Mtpa by January 1, 2018.  This contingent liability is not reflected in the above table.
4)  
In connection with the Rosemont precious metal purchase agreement, the Company is committed to pay contingent transaction costs of $1.1 million in addition to a commitment to pay Augusta total upfront cash payments of $230 million, payable on an installment basis, to partially fund construction of the Rosemont mine once certain milestones are achieved, including the receipt of key permits and securing the necessary financing to complete construction of the mine.
5)  
In connection with the Company’s election to convert the debenture with Pan American into a silver purchase agreement, the Company is committed to pay Pan American total upfront cash payments of $32.4 million following the satisfaction of certain conditions, including Pan American receiving all necessary permits to proceed with the mine construction.
6)  
During the 60 day period following the delivery of a bankable definitive feasibility study, environmental study and impact assessment, and other related documents (collectively, the “Feasibility Documentation”), or after December 31, 2015 if the Feasibility Documentation has not been delivered to Silver Wheaton by such date, Silver Wheaton may elect not to proceed with the precious metal purchase agreement, at which time Silver Wheaton will be entitled to a return of the early deposit of $11.5 million (on the basis that $2 million of the advanced $13.5 million is non-refundable) or, at Sandspring’s option, the stream percentage will be reduced from 10% to 0.774% (equivalent to the pro-rata stream based on a full purchase price of $11.5 million). 



SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [71]

 
 

 

 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (US Dollars)
 





 
As at December 31, 2013
 
(in thousands)
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
Thereafter
Commitments
Total
Non-derivative financial liabilities and commitments
                               
Bank debt
$
-
$
-
$
1,000,000
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
1,000,000
Interest on bank debt 1
 
14,620
 
16,119
 
7,501
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
38,240
Silver and gold interest payments 2
                               
Constancia 3
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
260,000
 
260,000
Rosemont 4
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
231,150
 
231,150
Loma de La Plata 5
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
32,400
 
32,400
Toroparu 6
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
135,000
 
135,000
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
 
16,198
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
16,198
Performance share units
 
718
 
1,121
 
716
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
2,555
 
Total
$
31,536
$
17,240
$
1,008,217
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
658,550
$
1,715,543

 
1)  
As the applicable interest rates are floating in nature, the interest charges are estimated based on market-based forward interest rate curves at the end of the reporting period.
2)  
Vale has recently expanded the mill throughput capacity at the Salobo mine (Note 10) to 24 Mtpa from 12 Mtpa. If actual throughput is expanded above 28 Mtpa within a predetermined period, Silver Wheaton will be required to make an additional payment to Vale based on a set fee schedule ranging from $88 million if throughput is expanded beyond 28 Mtpa by January 1, 2036, up to $720 million if throughput is expanded beyond 40 Mtpa by January 1, 2018.  This contingent liability is not reflected in the above table.
3)  
In connection with the Constancia precious metal purchase agreement, the Company was committed to pay Hudbay two further payments of $125 million and $135 million to be made once capital expenditures of $1 billion and $1.35 billion, respectively, have been incurred at Constancia.  Silver Wheaton made the $125 million payment on March 26, 2014 and, at Silver Wheaton’s option, made the $135 million payment on September 26, 2014 through the issuance of 6,112,282 common shares, at an average issuance price of $22.09 per share.
4)  
In connection with the Rosemont precious metal purchase agreement, the Company is committed to pay contingent transaction costs of $1.1 million in addition to a commitment to pay Augusta total upfront cash payments of $230 million, payable on an installment basis, to partially fund construction of the Rosemont mine once certain milestones are achieved, including the receipt of key permits and securing the necessary financing to complete construction of the mine.
5)  
In connection with the Company’s election to convert the debenture with Pan American into a silver purchase agreement, the Company is committed to pay Pan American total upfront cash payments of $32.4 million following the satisfaction of certain conditions, including Pan American receiving all necessary permits to proceed with the mine construction.
6)  
During the 60 day period following the delivery of a bankable definitive feasibility study, environmental study and impact assessment, and other related documents (collectively, the “Feasibility Documentation”), or after December 31, 2015 if the Feasibility Documentation has not been delivered to Silver Wheaton by such date, Silver Wheaton may elect not to proceed with the precious metal purchase agreement, at which time Silver Wheaton will be entitled to a return of the early deposit of $11.5 million (on the basis that $2 million of the advanced $13.5 million is non-refundable) or, at Sandspring’s option, the stream percentage will be reduced from 10% to 0.774% (equivalent to the pro-rata stream based on a full purchase price of $11.5 million). 


4.5.  
Currency Risk

The Company undertakes certain transactions denominated in Canadian dollars, including certain operating expenses and the acquisition of strategic long-term investments.  As a result, the Company is exposed to fluctuations in the value of the Canadian dollar relative to the US dollar.   The carrying amounts of the Company’s Canadian dollar denominated monetary assets and monetary liabilities at the end of the reporting period are as follows:


 
December 31
December 31
(in thousands)
2014
2013
 
Monetary assets
       
Cash and cash equivalents
$
707
$
1,029
Accounts receivable
 
1,477
 
41
Long-term investments - common shares held
 
31,697
 
39,301
 
 
$
33,881
$
40,371
 
Monetary liabilities
       
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
$
4,676
$
5,724
Performance share units
 
4,347
 
2,367
 
 
$
9,023
$
8,091
 

 
SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [72]

 
 

 

 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (US Dollars)
 





The following tables detail the Company’s sensitivity to a 10% increase or decrease in the Canadian dollar relative to the United States dollar, representing the sensitivity used when reporting foreign currency risk internally to key management personnel and represents management’s assessment of the reasonably possible change in exchange rates.


 
 
As at December 31, 2014
 
 
Change in Canadian Dollar
(in thousands)
10%
Increase
10%
Decrease
 
Increase (decrease) in net earnings
$
(684)
$
684
Increase (decrease) in other comprehensive income
 
3,170
 
(3,170)
 
Increase (decrease) in total comprehensive income
$
2,486
$
(2,486)



 
 
As at December 31, 2013
 
 
Change in Canadian Dollar
(in thousands)
10%
Increase
10%
Decrease
 
Increase (decrease) in net earnings
$
(702)
$
702
Increase (decrease) in other comprehensive income
 
3,930
 
(3,930)
 
Increase (decrease) in total comprehensive income
$
3,228
$
(3,228)


4.6.  
Interest Rate Risk

The Company is exposed to interest rate risk on its outstanding borrowings and short-term investments. Presently, all of the Company’s outstanding borrowings are at floating interest rates and all of its interest-bearing investments have terms of less than three months.  The Company monitors its exposure to interest rates and has not entered into any derivative contracts to manage this risk.  During the year ended December 31, 2014, the weighted average effective interest rate paid by the Company on its outstanding borrowings was 1.70% (2013 – 2.04%).

For the year ended December 31, 2014, a portion of the interest incurred by the Company has been capitalized as it relates to the acquisition of the Barrick silver interest and the Constancia silver and gold interest, both of which were under development during the period, with the remainder being reflected as a component of net earnings. For the year ended December 31, 2013, a portion of the interest incurred by the Company has been capitalized as it relates to the acquisition of the Barrick and Constancia silver interests, both of which were under development during the period, with the remainder being reflected as a component of net earnings.  A fluctuation in interest rates of 100 basis points (1 percent) would have impacted the amount of interest capitalized during the year ended December 31, 2014 by approximately $8.8 million (2013 - $3.9 million) and the amount of interest expensed by approximately $1.3 million (2013 - $2.0 million).

4.7.  
Commodity Price Risk

The price of the Company’s common shares and its financial results may be significantly adversely affected by a decline in the price of silver or gold.  The price of silver and gold can fluctuate widely, and is affected by numerous factors beyond the Company’s control, including but not limited to, the sale or purchase of silver and gold by various central banks and financial institutions, interest rates, exchange rates, inflation or deflation, fluctuation in the value of the US dollar and foreign currencies, global and regional supply and demand, and the political and economic conditions of major silver and gold producing countries throughout the world.

SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [73]

 
 

 

 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (US Dollars)
 




In the event that the prevailing market price of silver or gold is at or below the price at which the Company can purchase such, pursuant to the terms of the agreements associated with its silver and gold interests, the Company may not generate positive cash flow or earnings.

4.8.  
Other Price Risk

The Company is exposed to equity price risk as a result of holding long-term investments in other exploration and mining companies.  The Company does not actively trade these investments.

The sensitivity analysis below has been determined based on the exposure to equity price risks at December 31, 2014.

If equity prices had been 10% higher or lower:

·  
Net earnings for the years ended December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 would not have been affected by changes in the fair value of share purchase warrants held; and

·  
Other comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 would have increased/decreased by approximately $3.3 million and $4.1 million, respectively, as a result of changes in the fair value of common shares held.

4.9.  
Fair Value Estimation

The Company classifies its fair value measurements within a fair value hierarchy, which reflects the significance of the inputs used in making the measurements as defined in IFRS 13 – Fair Value Measurements (“IFRS 13”).

Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted prices at the measurement date for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

Level 2 - Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

Level 3 - Unobservable inputs which are supported by little or no market activity.

The following table sets forth the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value by level within the fair value hierarchy. As required by IFRS 7, assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.


 
 
December 31, 2014
(in thousands)
 
Total
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
 
Trade receivables from provisional concentrate sales, net of fair value adjustment
$
2,343
$
-
$
2,343
$
-
 
Long-term investments - common shares held
 
32,872
 
32,872
 
-
 
-
 
 
$
35,215
$
32,872
$
2,343
$
-


SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [74]

 
 

 

 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (US Dollars)
 






 
 
December 31, 2013
(in thousands)
 
Total
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
 
Trade receivables from provisional concentrate sales, net of fair value adjustment
$
2,457
$
-
$
2,457
$
-
Long-term investments - common shares held
 
40,801
 
40,801
 
-
 
-
Long-term investments - warrants held
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
 
$
43,258
$
40,801
$
2,457
$
-


The Company’s trade receivables and accrued liabilities from provisional concentrate sales are valued based on forward prices of silver and gold to the expected date of final settlement (Note 5).  As such, these receivables and/or liabilities are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

The Company’s long-term investments in common shares held are valued using quoted market prices in active markets and, as such, are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of the long-term investments in common shares held is calculated as the quoted market price of the common share multiplied by the quantity of shares held by the Company.

The fair value of the Company’s long-term investments in warrants held that do not have a quoted market price is determined by using a Black-Scholes model based on assumptions including risk free interest rate, expected dividend yield, expected volatility and expected warrant life which are supported by observable current market conditions and as such are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.  The use of reasonably possible alternative assumptions would not significantly affect the Company’s results.

Cash and cash equivalents are reported at amortized cost.  Other accounts receivables and accounts payables and accrued liabilities are non-interest bearing and are stated at carrying values, which approximate fair values due to the short terms to maturity.  Where necessary, other receivables are reported net of allowances for uncollectable amounts.

The Company’s bank debt (Note 14) is reported at amortized cost using the effective interest method.  The carrying value of the bank debt approximates its fair value.
 
 
 
 
 
 


SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [75]

 
 

 

 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (US Dollars)
 




5.  
Revenue1

 
 
Years Ended December 31
 
(in thousands)
2014
2013
 
Sales
           
Silver
           
Silver credit sales
$
358,011
58%
$
428,587
61%
Concentrate sales
 
86,203
14%
 
116,000
16%
 
 
$
444,214
72%
$
544,587
77%
Gold
           
Gold credit sales
$
149,017
24%
$
136,965
19%
Concentrate sales
 
26,945
4%
 
24,920
4%
 
 
$
175,962
28%
$
161,885
23%
 
Total sales revenue
$
620,176
100%
$
706,472
100%


Silver and Gold Credit Sales

Under certain precious metal purchase agreements, silver and/or gold is acquired from the mine operator in the form of silver or gold credits, which is then sold through a network of third party brokers or dealers.  Revenue from silver and gold credit sales is recognized at the time of the sale of such credits, which is also the date that title to the silver or gold passes to the third party dealer or broker.  The Company will occasionally enter into forward contracts in relation to silver or gold deliveries that it is highly confident will occur within a given quarter.  No forward contracts were outstanding at December 31, 2014 or December 31, 2013.  The sales price is fixed at the delivery date based on either the terms of these short-term forward sales contracts or the spot price of silver or gold.

Concentrate Sales

Under certain precious metal purchase agreements, silver and/or gold is acquired from the mine operator in concentrate form, which is then sold under the terms of the concentrate sales contracts to third-party smelters or traders.  Where the Company acquires silver or gold in concentrate form, final silver or gold prices are set on a specified future quotational period (the “Quotational Period”) pursuant to the concentrate sales contracts with third-party smelters, typically one to three months after the shipment date, based on market prices for silver or gold.  Revenues and the associated cost of sales are recorded on a gross basis under these contracts at the time title passes to the buyer based on the forward price for the expected settlement period. The contracts, in general, provide for a provisional payment based upon provisional assays and quoted silver and gold prices. Final settlement is based upon the average applicable price for the Quotational Period applied to the actual number of silver or gold ounces recovered calculated using confirmed smelter weights and settlement assays.  Final settlement generally occurs from three to six months after shipment. The Company’s provisionally priced sales contain an embedded derivative that is required to be separated from the host contract for accounting purposes. The host contract is the receivable from the sale of concentrates measured at the forward price at the time of sale. The embedded derivative does not qualify for hedge accounting. The embedded derivative is recorded on the balance sheet as a derivative asset in Accounts Receivable or as a derivative liability in Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities and is adjusted to fair value through revenue each period until the date of final settlement.

At December 31, 2014, the Company had outstanding provisionally priced sales of $3.5 million (December 31, 2013 - $6.6 million) where the quotational period pricing was estimated based on the forward price for silver.  These sales consisted of 0.2 million ounces of silver (December 31, 2013 - 0.3 million ounces of silver) which had a fair value loss adjustment of approximately $0.1 million (December 31, 2013 - fair value gain adjustment of approximately $0.2 million) associated with the embedded derivative. For each one cent per ounce increase or decrease in the realized silver price, revenue would increase or decrease by approximately $2,100 (December 31, 2013 - $3,400).


 1
Statements made in this section contain forward-looking information.  Please see “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in the MD&A for material risks, assumptions and important disclosure associated with this information.

SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [76]

 
 

 

 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (US Dollars)
 




6.  
General and Administrative

   
Years Ended December 31
 
(in thousands)
Note
2014
2013
 
Salaries and benefits
         
Salaries and benefits, excluding PSUs
 
$
11,662
$
11,522
PSUs
17.1
 
3,508
 
646
Total salaries and benefits
 
$
15,170
$
12,168
Depreciation
   
326
 
240
Charitable donations
   
3,187
 
2,710
Professional fees
   
2,426
 
3,981
Other
   
8,557
 
7,820
Cash settled general and administrative
 
$
29,666
$
26,919
Equity settled stock based compensation (a non-cash expense)
   
8,194
 
8,389
 
Total general and administrative
 
$
37,860
$
35,308


7.  
Other Expense (Income)

   
Years Ended December 31
 
(in thousands)
Note
2014
2013
 
Dividend income
 
$
(228)
$
(227)
Interest income
   
(123)
 
(204)
Stand-by fees
14
 
2,900
 
2,758
Loss on fair value adjustment of share purchase warrants held
9
 
-
 
2,694
Amortization of credit facility origination fees - undrawn facilities
14
 
1,020
 
1,910
Write off of credit facility origination fees upon the cancellation of the Bridge Facility
14
 
-
 
4,490
Other 1
   
(1,130)
 
129
 
Total other expense (income)
 
$
2,439
$
11,550
 
1)  
Includes a $1.3 million gain associated with the Company’s agreement to waive its rights to silver contained in copper concentrate at the Aljustrel mine (see Note 10).

Write off of credit facility origination fees upon the cancellation of the Bridge Facility

As further explained in Note 14, on February 28, 2013, the Company entered into two new unsecured credit facilities, comprised of (i) a $1 billion revolving credit facility having a 5 year term (the “Revolving Facility”); and (ii) a $1.5 billion bridge financing facility having a 1 year term (the “Bridge Facility”).  The Company paid upfront costs of $11.7 million in connection with these new facilities which have been recorded under Other assets and are being amortized over the life of the respective credit facilities.  On May 28, 2013, the Bridge Facility was terminated, with the remaining unamortized upfront costs of $4.5 million associated with this credit facility being fully expensed on that date.
 


SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [77]

 
 

 

 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (US Dollars)
 




8.  
Accounts Receivable


 
   
December 31
December 31
(in thousands)
Note
2014
2013
 
Trade receivables from provisional concentrate sales, net of fair value adjustment
5
$
2,343
$
2,457
Other receivables
   
1,789
 
2,162
 
Total accounts receivable
 
$
4,132
$
4,619

 

9.  
Long-Term Investments


 
December 31
December 31
(in thousands)
2014
2013
 
Common shares held
$
32,872
$
40,801
Warrants held
 
-
 
-
 
 
$
32,872
$
40,801


Common Shares Held


 
 
December 31, 2014
(in thousands)
Fair Value
Fair Value
Adjustment
Gains
(Losses)
Included in
OCI
 
Bear Creek
$
16,236
$
(1,972)
Revett
 
3,873
 
47
Other
 
12,763
 
(6,004)
 
 
$
32,872
$
(7,929)



SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [78]

 
 

 

 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (US Dollars)
 






 
 
December 31, 2013
(in thousands)
Fair Value
Fair Value
Adjustment
Losses
Included in
OCI
 
Bear Creek
$
18,208
$
(25,922)
Revett
 
3,827
 
(10,997)
Other
 
18,766
 
(40,962)
 
 
$
40,801
$
(77,881)


Warrants Held


 
 
December 31, 2013
(in thousands)
Fair Value
Fair Value
Adjustment
Losses
Included in
Net Earnings
 
Other
$
-
$
(2,694)


The Company’s long-term investments in common shares (“LTI’s”) are held for long-term strategic purposes and not for trading purposes. As such, the Company has elected to reflect any fair value adjustments as a component of other comprehensive income (“OCI”).

While long-term investments in warrants, which expired unexercised during 2014 as the respective exercise price exceeded the market value of the underlying common shares, were also held for long-term strategic purposes, they met the definition of a derivative and therefore were classified as financial assets with fair value adjustments being recorded as a component of net earnings under the classification Other Expense (Income).  Warrants that did not have a quoted market price were valued using a Black-Scholes option pricing model.

By holding these long-term investments, the Company is inherently exposed to various risk factors including currency risk, market price risk and liquidity risk.

During the year ended December 31, 2013, the value of the Company’s LTI’s decreased by $77.9 million.  As a result of this decrease, the deferred income tax liability attributable to the LTI’s was reduced and during the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company recorded a deferred income tax recovery in OCI of $1.8 million.  The reduction in the deferred income tax liability attributable to the LTI’s resulted in the reversal of previously recognized deferred income tax assets which increased the deferred income tax expense reflected in net earnings.

Bear Creek

At December 31, 2014, Silver Wheaton owned approximately 13.3 million (December 31, 2013 - 13.3 million) common shares of Bear Creek Mining Corporation ("Bear Creek”), representing approximately 14% (December 31, 2013 - 14%) of the outstanding shares of Bear Creek.  At December 31, 2014, the fair value of the Company’s investment in Bear Creek was $16.2 million (December 31, 2013 - $18.2 million).


SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [79]

 
 

 

 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (US Dollars)
 




Revett

At December 31, 2014, Silver Wheaton owned approximately 5.3 million (December 31, 2013 - 5.3 million) common shares of Revett Minerals Inc. ("Revett”), representing approximately 14% (December 31, 2013 - 15%) of the outstanding shares of Revett.  At December 31, 2014, the fair value of the Company’s investment in Revett was $3.9 million (December 31, 2013 - $3.8 million).

Other

At December 31, 2014, Silver Wheaton owned common shares of several other publicly traded mineral exploration, development and mining companies.  As Silver Wheaton’s investment represents less than 10% of the outstanding shares of each of the respective companies and is not considered material to Silver Wheaton’s overall financial position, these investments have been reflected in these financial statements as part of Other long-term investments.

At December 31, 2014, the fair value of the Other long-term investments was $12.8 million (December 31, 2013 - $18.8 million).


10.  
Silver and Gold Interests


 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2014
 
 
Cost
Accumulated Depletion & Impairment
Carrying
Amount
Dec 31, 2014
(in thousands)
Balance
Jan 1, 2014
Additions
Disposals
Balance
Dec 31, 2014
Balance
Jan 1, 2014
Depletion
Disposal
Impairment
Balance
Dec 31, 2014
 
Silver interests
                                     
San Dimas
$
190,331
$
-
$
-
$
190,331
$
(32,839)
$
(4,541)
$
-
$
-
$
(37,380)
$
152,951
Yauliyacu
 
285,292
 
-
 
-
 
285,292
 
(78,015)
 
(19,799)
 
-
 
-
 
(97,814)
 
187,478
Peñasquito
 
524,626
 
-
 
-
 
524,626
 
(52,337)
 
(21,144)
 
-
 
-
 
(73,481)
 
451,145
Barrick 1
 
641,155
 
9,769
 
-
 
650,924
 
(40,048)
 
(5,548)
 
-
 
-
 
(45,596)
 
605,328
Other 2, 3, 4
 
690,182
 
129,636
 
(27,451)
 
792,367
 
(140,255)
 
(24,517)
 
303
 
(68,151)
 
(232,620)
 
559,747
 
 
$
2,331,586
$
139,405
$
(27,451)
$
2,443,540
$
(343,494)
$
(75,549)
$
303
$
(68,151)
$
(486,891)
$
1,956,649
 
Gold interests
                                       
777
$
354,459
$
-
$
-
$
354,459
$
(74,433)
$
(36,113)
 
-
 
-
 
(110,546)
$
243,913
Sudbury 5
 
623,864
 
-
 
-
 
623,864
 
(14,410)
 
(25,592)
 
-
 
-
 
(40,002)
 
583,862
Salobo
 
1,330,311
 
-
 
-
 
1,330,311
 
(7,828)
 
(20,281)
 
-
 
-
 
(28,109)
 
1,302,202
Other 6
 
47,976
 
135,855
 
-
 
183,831
 
(19,547)
 
(2,645)
 
-
 
-
 
(22,192)
 
161,639
 
 
$
2,356,610
$
135,855
$
-
$
2,492,465
$
(116,218)
$
(84,631)
$
-
$
-
$
(200,849)
$
2,291,616
 
 
$
4,688,196
$
275,260
$
(27,451)
$
4,936,005
$
(459,712)
$
(160,180)
$
303
$
(68,151)
$
(687,740)
$
4,248,265

1)  
Comprised of the Pascua-Lama, Lagunas Norte, Pierina and Veladero silver interests.
2)  
Comprised of the Los Filos, Zinkgruvan, Keno Hill, Mineral Park, Cozamin, Neves-Corvo, Stratoni, Campo Morado, Minto, 777, Aljustrel, Loma de La Plata, Constancia and Rosemont silver interests.
3)  
As part of an agreement with I’M SGPS dated July 16, 2014, Silver Wheaton agreed to waive its rights to silver contained in copper concentrate at the Aljustrel mine.  The Company has reported this agreement as a disposal of the portion of the silver interest related to silver contained in copper concentrate, resulting in a gain of $1.3 million.  The Aljustrel mine has been reflected as a component of Other silver interests in these financial statements.  The Company has not waived its rights to the silver contained in zinc concentrate at the Aljustrel mine.
4)  
Silver Wheaton has reached an agreement with Nyrstar Mining Ltd. and certain of its affiliates resulting in the cancellation of the silver purchase agreement relating to the Campo Morado mine in Mexico in exchange for cash consideration of $25 million payable on or before January 31, 2015.  See Note 11 for further details.
5)  
Comprised of the Coleman, Copper Cliff, Garson, Stobie, Creighton, Totten and Victor gold interests.
6)  
Comprised of the Minto, Constancia and Rosemont gold interests.


SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [80]

 
 

 

 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (US Dollars)
 





 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2013
 
 
Cost
Accumulated Depletion
Carrying
Amount
Dec 31, 2013
(in thousands)
Balance
Jan 1, 2013
Additions
Balance
 Dec 31, 2013
Balance
Jan 1, 2013
Depletion
Balance
 Dec 31, 2013
 
Silver interests
                         
San Dimas
$
190,331
$
-
$
190,331
$
(27,395)
$
(5,444)
$
(32,839)
$
157,492
Yauliyacu
 
285,292
 
-
 
285,292
 
(69,997)
 
(8,018)
 
(78,015)
 
207,277
Peñasquito
 
524,626
 
-
 
524,626
 
(37,354)
 
(14,983)
 
(52,337)
 
472,289
Barrick ¹
 
631,223
 
9,932
 
641,155
 
(33,487)
 
(6,561)
 
(40,048)
 
601,107
Other ²
 
563,114
 
127,068
 
690,182
 
(108,437)
 
(31,818)
 
(140,255)
 
549,927
 
 
$
2,194,586
$
137,000
$
2,331,586
$
(276,670)
$
(66,824)
$
(343,494)
$
1,988,092
 
Gold interests
                           
777
$
354,454
$
5
$
354,459
$
(21,722)
$
(52,711)
$
(74,433)
$
280,026
Sudbury 3
 
-
 
623,864
 
623,864
 
-
 
(14,410)
 
(14,410)
 
609,454
Salobo
 
-
 
1,330,311
 
1,330,311
 
-
 
(7,828)
 
(7,828)
 
1,322,483
Other 4
 
47,774
 
202
 
47,976
 
(17,188)
 
(2,359)
 
(19,547)
 
28,429
 
 
$
402,228
$
1,954,382
$
2,356,610
$
(38,910)
$
(77,308)
$
(116,218)
$
2,240,392
 
 
$
2,596,814
$
2,091,382
$
4,688,196
$
(315,580)
$
(144,132)
$
(459,712)
$
4,228,484

1)  
Comprised of the Pascua-Lama, Lagunas Norte, Pierina and Veladero silver interests.
2)  
Comprised of the Los Filos, Zinkgruvan, Keno Hill, Mineral Park, Cozamin, Neves-Corvo, Stratoni, Campo Morado, Minto, 777, Aljustrel, Constancia, Loma de La Plata and Rosemont silver interests.
3)  
Comprised of the Coleman, Copper Cliff, Garson, Stobie, Creighton, Totten and Victor gold interests.
4)  
Comprised of the Minto, Constancia and Rosemont gold interests.


SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [81]

 
 

 

 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (US Dollars)
 




The value allocated to reserves is classified as depletable upon a mining operation achieving commercial production and is depleted on a unit-of-sale basis over the estimated recoverable proven and probable reserves at the mine.  The value associated with resources and exploration potential is allocated at acquisition and is classified as non-depletable until such time as it is transferred to the depletable category, generally as a result of the conversion of resources or exploration potential into reserves.


 
 
December 31, 2014
December 31, 2013
 
(in thousands)
Depletable
Non-
Depletable
Total
Depletable
Non-
Depletable
Total
 
Silver interests
                       
San Dimas
$
35,099
$
117,852
$
152,951
$
26,842
$
130,650
$
157,492
Yauliyacu
 
51,052
 
136,426
 
187,478
 
45,229
 
162,048
 
207,277
Peñasquito
 
260,082
 
191,063
 
451,145
 
408,420
 
63,869
 
472,289
Barrick 1, 2
 
11,681
 
593,647
 
605,328
 
10,356
 
590,751
 
601,107
Other 3
 
151,410
 
408,337
 
559,747
 
209,395
 
340,532
 
549,927
 
 
$
509,324
$
1,447,325
$
1,956,649
$
700,242
$
1,287,850
$
1,988,092
 
Gold interests
                       
777
$
200,935
$
42,978
$
243,913
$
231,925
$
48,101
$
280,026
Sudbury 4
 
474,330
 
109,532
 
583,862
 
421,512
 
187,942
 
609,454
Salobo
 
961,852
 
340,350
 
1,302,202
 
971,504
 
350,979
 
1,322,483
Other 5
 
18,131
 
143,508
 
161,639
 
20,570
 
7,859
 
28,429
 
 
$
1,655,248
$
636,368
$
2,291,616
$
1,645,511
$
594,881
$
2,240,392
 
 
$
2,164,572
$
2,083,693
$
4,248,265
$
2,345,753
$
1,882,731
$
4,228,484

1)  
Comprised of the Pascua-Lama, Lagunas Norte, Pierina and Veladero silver interests.
2)  
The amount reflected as depletable is based on the value of the reserves relating to the Lagunas Norte, Pierina and Veladero silver interests.
3)  
Comprised of the Los Filos, Zinkgruvan, Keno Hill, Mineral Park, Cozamin, Neves-Corvo, Stratoni, Campo Morado, Minto, 777, Aljustrel, Loma de La Plata, Constancia and Rosemont silver interests.
4)  
Comprised of the Coleman, Copper Cliff, Garson, Stobie, Creighton, Totten and Victor gold interests.
5)  
Comprised of the Minto, Constancia and Rosemont gold interests.


Salobo

On February 28, 2013, the Company entered into an agreement to acquire from Vale S.A. ("Vale") an amount of gold equal to 25% of the life of mine gold production from its currently producing Salobo mine, located in Brazil.  Silver Wheaton made a total upfront cash payment of $1.33 billion on March 12, 2013 and, in addition, will make ongoing payments of the lesser of $400 per ounce of gold (subject to an inflationary adjustment of 1% beginning in 2016) or the prevailing market price per ounce of gold delivered.

On March 2, 2015, the Company announced that it had agreed to amend its 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 processing facilities 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 its agreement in 2013 and brings the Company’s total entitlement to an amount equal to 50% of the life-of-mine gold production from the Salobo mine.  Under the terms of the amended agreement, Silver Wheaton will make a total upfront cash payment of $900 million, due on or before March 25, 2015, for the additional 25% gold interest and, in addition, will make ongoing payments of the lesser of $400 per ounce of gold (subject to an inflationary adjustment of 1% commencing in 2017) or the prevailing market price per ounce of gold delivered.  In addition, the terms of the existing gold stream on Salobo were modified so that the annual inflationary adjustment that was scheduled to start in 2016 will now start coincident with this stream in 2017.

SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [82]

 
 

 

 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (US Dollars)
 




Vale has recently completed the expansion of the mill throughput capacity at the Salobo mine to 24 million tonnes per annum (“Mtpa”) from its previous 12 Mtpa.  If actual throughput is expanded above 28 Mtpa within a predetermined period, Silver Wheaton will be required to make an additional payment to Vale based on a set fee schedule ranging from $88 million if throughput is expanded beyond 28 Mtpa by January 1, 2036, up to $720 million if throughput is expanded beyond 40 Mtpa by January 1, 2018.

The cost of the original 25% gold interest acquired is comprised of the following:

 
(in thousands)
   
 
Cost:
   
     
Cash
$
1,330,000
 
Acquisition costs
 
311
 
 
$
1,330,311


Sudbury

On February 28, 2013, the Company entered into an agreement to acquire from Vale an amount of gold equal to 70% of the gold production from certain of its currently producing Sudbury mines located in Canada, including the Coleman mine, Copper Cliff mine, Garson mine, Stobie mine, Creighton mine, Totten mine and the Victor project for a period of 20 years.  Silver Wheaton made a total upfront cash payment on March 12, 2013 of $570 million plus warrants to purchase 10 million shares of Silver Wheaton common stock at a strike price of $65 per warrant, with a term of 10 years (Note 16.1).  In addition, Silver Wheaton will make ongoing payments of the lesser of $400 per ounce of gold or the prevailing market price per ounce of gold delivered.

The cost of the gold interest acquired is comprised of the following:

 
(in thousands)
   
 
Cost:
   
     
Cash
$
570,000
 
Warrants issued ¹
 
53,572
 
Acquisition costs
 
292
 
 
$
623,864

1)  
The warrants issued have been valued using a Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions: (i) expected life – 10 years; (ii) expected annual volatility – 30%; (iii) risk free interest rate -1.91%; and (iv) expected dividend yield – 1.2%.

Constancia

On August 8, 2012, the Company entered into an agreement with Hudbay Minerals Inc. ("Hudbay") to acquire an amount equal to 100% of the life of mine silver production from the Constancia project (“Constancia”) in Peru.  Silver Wheaton paid Hudbay total cash consideration of $294.9 million and, in addition, Silver Wheaton will make ongoing payments of the lesser of $5.90 per ounce of silver (subject to an inflationary adjustment of 1% beginning in the fourth year) or the prevailing market price per ounce of silver delivered.

On November 4, 2013, the Company amended the agreement with Hudbay to include the acquisition of an amount equal to 50%1 of the gold production from Constancia for the life of mine.  Silver Wheaton paid Hudbay a total upfront payment of $135 million for the gold interest which, at Silver Wheaton’s option, was paid through the issuance of 6,112,282 common shares at an average issuance price of $22.09 per share.  In addition, Silver Wheaton will make ongoing payments of the lesser of $400 per ounce of gold (subject to an inflationary adjustment of 1% beginning in the fourth year) or the prevailing market price per ounce of gold delivered.


1
Gold recoveries will be set at 55% for the Constancia deposit and 70% for the Pampacancha deposit until 265,000 ounces of gold have been delivered to the Company.

SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [83]

 
 

 

 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (US Dollars)
 




If the Constancia processing plant fails to achieve at least 90% of expected throughput and recovery by December 31, 2020, Silver Wheaton would be entitled to a proportionate return of the upfront cash consideration relating to Constancia.  Silver Wheaton will also be entitled to additional compensation in respect of the gold stream should there be a delay in achieving completion or mining the Pampacancha deposit beyond the end of 2018.

Hudbay has granted Silver Wheaton a right of first refusal on any future streaming agreement, royalty agreement, or similar transaction related to the production of silver from Constancia.

The cost of the silver and gold interest acquired is comprised of the following:


 
(in thousands)
   
 
Cost:
   
     
Silver Interest 1
   
Cash
$
294,900
Acquisition costs
 
1,459
Capitalized interest
 
6,589
 
Total cost
$
302,948
     
Gold Interest 2
   
Shares issued
$
135,000
Acquisition costs
 
465
Capitalized interest
 
592
 
Total cost
$
136,057
     
Total
$
439,005

1)  
The cost of the Constancia silver interest is included under Other silver interests.
2)  
The cost of the Constancia gold interest is included under Other gold interests.


11.  
Impairment of Silver Interests


   
Years Ended December 31
 
(in thousands)
 
2014
2013
 
Impairment charges
         
Mineral Park
 
$
37,060
$
-
Campo Morado
   
31,091
 
-
 
Total impairment charges
 
$
68,151
$
-


Mineral Park

On March 17, 2008, the Company entered into an agreement with Mercator Minerals Ltd. (“Mercator”) to acquire an amount equal to 100% of the life of mine silver production from its Mineral Park mine in the United States.  Silver Wheaton made an upfront cash payment of $42.0 million and, in addition, is to make ongoing payments of $3.90 per ounce of silver delivered, subject to an annual inflationary adjustment.   As at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2014, the Company had received approximately 2.1 million ounces of silver related to the Mineral Park mine under the agreement, generating cumulative operating cash flows of approximately $51.1 million. The Mineral Park silver interest is reflected as a component of Other silver interests in these financial statements.

SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [84]

 
 

 

 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (US Dollars)
 




On September 30, 2013 Mercator announced that, in light of the commodity price environment, capital market conditions and the challenges these pose for Mercator, Mercator’s board of directors had advanced and accelerated its ongoing process to review strategic alternatives.  On December 12, 2013, Mercator announced that they had entered a plan of arrangement with Intergeo MMC Ltd. (“Intergeo”) to combine and create a new copper-focused metals company, however this plan of arrangement was subsequently cancelled.  On August 26, 2014, Mercator disclosed that they had filed a Notice of Intention (“NOI”) under the Canadian Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (“BIA”), with the NOI being the first stage of a restructuring process under the BIA.  On September 5, 2014, Mercator was deemed to have filed an assignment in bankruptcy.  In addition, on August 26, 2014, four of Mercator’s subsidiaries (including Mineral Park Inc. the owner of the Mineral Park mine) filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy petitions in the United States. The bankruptcy of Mercator and its subsidiaries is an indicator of impairment related to the Mineral Park silver interest.

On November 4, 2014, the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware approved a settlement agreement among Silver Wheaton, the four Mercator United States subsidiaries in bankruptcy and their secured lenders. Under the settlement agreement, a portion of the sale proceeds from the sale of the Mineral Park mine and assets is to be paid to Silver Wheaton and Silver Wheaton retains the right to proceed against Mercator, the Canadian parent company, as guarantor under the stream. In return for these agreements, the settlement provides for the termination of any claim Silver Wheaton may have against the Mineral Park mine. If Silver Wheaton recovers proceeds under the settlement agreement, Silver Wheaton will recognize such proceeds in the period in which they are received. The amount of any recoveries by Silver Wheaton under the settlement agreement and the ultimate outcome and recoveries from the Canadian bankruptcy proceedings are uncertain.

As a result, management has estimated that the value of the Mineral Park silver interest under both the Fair Value Approach and the Value-In-Use Approach is nominal.  Based on this conclusion, the Company has reported an impairment charge of $37.1 million during the third quarter of 2014, representing the carrying value of the Mineral Park silver interest at September 30, 2014.

Campo Morado

On May 13, 2008, the Company entered into an agreement with Farallon Mining Ltd., which was acquired by Nyrstar NV (“Nyrstar”) on January 5, 2011, to acquire an amount equal to 75% of the life of mine silver production from its Campo Morado mine in Mexico.  Silver Wheaton made an upfront cash payment of $79.3 million and, in addition, is to make ongoing payments of $3.90 per ounce of silver delivered, subject to an annual inflationary adjustment.

As per Nyrstar's July 24, 2014 news release, there has been a continuing reduction of ore grades at Campo Morado as the G9 orebody nears exhaustion and the mine begins treating the remaining ore bodies, which have lower overall grades than G9.  As a result, during the third quarter of 2014, the estimate of future production from Campo Morado was reduced, with this reduction representing an indicator of impairment related to the Campo Morado silver interest.  At September 30, 2014, management estimated that the recoverable amount under the Campo Morado silver interest was $25 million, representing its fair value less cost to sell and resulting in an impairment charge of $31.1 million which was recorded in the third quarter of 2014.  The recoverable amount of the Campo Morado silver interest was estimated based on a discounted cash flow model which calculated the net present value of expected future cash flows.  The nominal discount rate used in this model was 12%, and the nominal silver price used was $17 for the current year, with a 2% annual inflationary factor thereafter.  As this valuation technique requires the use of estimates and assumptions such as long-term commodity prices, discount rates, recoverable ounces of silver and operating performance, it is classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

On December 31, 2014 the Company reached an agreement with Nyrstar resulting in the cancellation of the silver purchase agreement relating to Campo Morado in exchange for cash consideration of $25 million payable on or before January 31, 2015.  This amount due under the agreement, which was classified on the balance sheet at December 31, 2014 as a component of Other current assets, was received on January 30, 2015.  As part of this agreement, Silver Wheaton will be entitled to 75% of the silver contained in concentrate produced at the Campo Morado mine on or prior to December 31, 2014, and will be granted a five year right of first refusal on any silver streaming or royalty transaction in relation to any Nyrstar group property, globally.

 
SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [85]

 
 

 

 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (US Dollars)
 


 
 
As at December 31, 2014, the Company had received approximately 4.5 million ounces of silver related to the Campo Morado mine under the agreement, generating cumulative operating cash flows of approximately $95.3 million in addition to the termination payment of $25 million, as compared to an original upfront cash payment of $79.3 million. The Campo Morado silver interest is reflected as a component of Other silver interests in these financial statements.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [86]

 
 

 

 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (US Dollars)
 




12.  
Early Deposit – Gold Interest

On November 11, 2013, the Company entered into a life of mine early deposit precious metal purchase agreement (the “Early Deposit Agreement”) to acquire from Sandspring Resources Ltd. (“Sandspring”) an amount of gold equal to 10% of the gold production from its Toroparu project located in the Republic of Guyana, South America.  Silver Wheaton will pay Sandspring total cash consideration of $148.5 million, of which $13.5 million has been paid to date, with the additional $135 million to be payable on an installment basis to partially fund construction of the mine.  Under the Early Deposit Agreement, there will be a 60 day period following the delivery of a feasibility study, environmental study and impact assessment, and other related documents (collectively, the “Feasibility Documentation”), or after December 31, 2015 if the Feasibility Documentation has not been delivered to Silver Wheaton by such date, where Silver Wheaton may elect not to proceed with the precious metal purchase agreement, at which time Silver Wheaton will be entitled to a return of $11.5 million of the early deposit (on the basis that $2 million of the advanced $13.5 million is non-refundable) or, at Sandspring’s option, the stream percentage will be reduced from 10% to 0.774% (equivalent to the pro-rata stream based on a full purchase price of $11.5 million).

13.  
Royalty Agreement

On August 7, 2014, the Company purchased a 1.5% net smelter return royalty interest (the “Royalty”) in the Metates properties from Chesapeake Gold Corp. (“Chesapeake”) for $9 million.  Under the terms of the agreement, at any time prior to August 7, 2019, Chesapeake may reacquire two-thirds (2/3) of the Royalty, or 1%, for the sum of $9 million.  The Company also has a right of first refusal on any silver streaming, royalty or any other transaction on the Metates properties.

14.  
Bank Debt



 
 
December 31, 2014
(in thousands)
 
NRT
Loan
Revolving
Facility 1
Total
             
Current portion
$
 -
$
 -
$
 -
Long-term portion
 
1,000,000
 
 -
 
1,000,000
Gross bank debt outstanding
$
1,000,000
$
 -
$
1,000,000
 
Less:  unamortized debt issue costs²
 
(1,482)
 
 -
 
(1,482)
 
Net bank debt outstanding
$
998,518
$
 -
$
998,518
 
Interest capitalized during the period
$
14,997
$
 -
$
14,997
Interest expensed during the period
 
2,277
 
 -
 
2,277
Total interest incurred during the period
$
17,274³
$
 -
$
17,274
 
Effective interest rate
 
1.70%
 
n/a
 
1.70%

1)  
The Company incurred stand-by fees of $2.9 million related to the undrawn portion of the Revolving Facility during the year ended December 31, 2014.
2)  
In addition to the $1.5 million unamortized debt issue costs associated with the NRT Loan, there is $3.2 million unamortized debt issue costs associated with the Revolving Facility which have been recorded as an asset under the classification Other.
3)  
Interest costs incurred under the NRT Loan during the year ended December 31, 2014 includes the amortization of debt issue costs in the amount of $1.0 million.


SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [87]

 
 

 

 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (US Dollars)
 





 
 
December 31, 2013
(in thousands)
 
Term
Loan
NRT
Loan
Revolving
Facility
Bridge
Facility
Total
                     
Current portion
$
 -
$
 -
$
 -
$
 -
$
 -
Long-term portion
 
 -
 
1,000,000
 
 -
 
 -
 
1,000,000
 
Gross bank debt outstanding
$
 -
$
1,000,000
$
 -
$
 -
$
1,000,000
Less:  unamortized debt issue costs¹
 
 -
 
(1,864)
 
 -
 
 -
 
(1,864)
 
Net bank debt outstanding
$
 -
$
998,136
$
 -
$
 -
$
998,136
 
Interest capitalized during the period
$
75
$
7,331
$
41
$
4,425
$
11,872
Interest expensed during the period
 
 -
 
2,958
 
1,407
 
1,718
 
6,083
Total interest incurred during the period
$
75
$
10,289²
$
1,448³
$
6,143
$
17,955
 
Effective interest rate
 
1.11%
 
1.71%
 
1.87%
 
3.16%
 
2.04%

1)  
In addition to the $1.9 million unamortized debt issue costs associated with the NRT Loan, there was $4.2 million unamortized debt issue costs at December 31, 2013 associated with the Revolving Facility which have been recorded as an asset under the classification Other.
2)  
Interest costs incurred under the NRT Loan during year ended December 31, 2013 includes the amortization of debt issue costs in the amount of $456,000.
3)  
Interest costs incurred under the Revolving Facility during the year ended December 31, 2013 includes the amortization of debt issue costs in the amount of $77,000.
4)  
Interest costs incurred under the Bridge Facility during year ended December 31, 2013 includes the amortization of debt issue costs in the amount of $973,000, in addition to a funding fee of $1.5 million, with the latter representing 0.25% of the outstanding amount under the Bridge Facility at April 30, 2013.

On February 28, 2013, the Company entered into two new unsecured credit facilities, comprised of (i) a $1 billion revolving credit facility having a 5-year term (the “Revolving Facility”); and (ii) a $1.5 billion bridge financing facility having a 1-year term (the “Bridge Facility”).  The Revolving Facility and Bridge Facility replaced the $400 million revolving term loan and the $200 million non-revolving term loan (the “Term Loan”), with the Company repaying the $50.1 million outstanding balance on the Term Loan during the three months ended March 31, 2013.  The Company paid upfront costs of $11.7 million in connection with these new facilities which have been recorded as an asset under the classification Other and are being amortized over the life of the respective credit facility.

On March 11, 2013, the Company made a drawdown on the Bridge Facility of $1.09 billion to partially fund the upfront cash payment on the acquisition of the Sudbury and Salobo gold interests.  On April 8, 2013, the Company elected to reduce the amount available under the Bridge Facility to the then outstanding balance of $1.09 billion.  On April 29, 2013, the Company made a drawdown of $500 million under the Revolving Facility, using the proceeds to partially repay the amounts outstanding under the Bridge Facility, with a further repayment of $30 million being made under the Bridge Facility on May 10, 2013.

On May 28, 2013, the Company entered into a $1 billion non-revolving term loan ("NRT Loan") with a 3-year term.  On March 31, 2014, with the unanimous consent of lenders the term of the NRT loan was extended by one year. 

The NRT Loan has been presented net of unamortized debt issue costs in the amount of $1.5 million,  which are being amortized as a component of interest over the life of the facility.

The Revolving Facility can be drawn down at any time to finance acquisitions, investments or for general corporate purposes.

At the Company’s option, amounts drawn under the Revolving Facility and the NRT Loan incur interest based on the Company’s leverage ratio at either (i) LIBOR plus 1.20% to 2.20% or; (ii) the Bank of Nova Scotia’s Base Rate plus 0.20% to 1.20%.   Undrawn amounts under the Revolving Facility are subject to a stand-by fee of 0.24% to 0.44% per annum, dependent on the Company’s leverage ratio.

Under the credit facilities, the Company is required to maintain a leverage ratio less than or equal to 3.5:1 (4.5:1 during the six month period following any acquisition greater than $400 million) and a tangible net worth greater than 80% of the tangible net worth at September 30, 2012 plus 50% of the positive net earnings for each fiscal quarter thereafter.

The Company is in compliance with the debt covenants described above.

SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [88]

 
 

 

 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (US Dollars)
 




The Company’s bank debt is classified as a financial liability and reported at amortized cost using the effective interest method.

The required principal payments under the NRT Loan and the Revolving Facility over the remaining terms are as follows:

Fiscal Year
NRT
Loan
Revolving
Facility
Total
             
2015
$
 -
$
 -
$
 -
2016
 
 -
 
 -
 
 -
2017
 
1,000,000
 
 -
 
1,000,000
2018
 
 -
 
 -
 
 -
2019
 
 -
 
 -
 
 -
 
 
$
1,000,000
$
 -
$
1,000,000

On February 27, 2015 the Company amended its Revolving Facility by increasing the available credit from $1 billion to $2 billion and extending the term by 2 years, with the facility now maturing on February 27, 2020. As part of the amendment, the financial covenants were amended to require the Company to maintain: (i) a net debt to tangible net worth ratio of less than or equal to 0.75:1; and (ii) an interest coverage ratio of greater than or equal to 3.00:1.  These covenants replaced the previously applicable leverage ratio and tangible net worth covenants.  The interest rate applicable to any drawings under the amended Revolving Facility remains unchanged.  On February 27, 2015, 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.
 
 

15.  
Issued Capital
 
 
 
Note
December 31
 
December 31
(US dollars in thousands)
2014
 
2013
 
Issued capital
         
 
Share capital issued and outstanding: 364,777,928 common shares (December 31, 2013:  357,396,778 common shares)
15.1
$
2,037,923
1,879,475
 

 
15.1.  
Shares Issued

The Company is authorized to issue an unlimited number of common shares having no par value and an unlimited number of preference shares issuable in series.  As at December 31, 2014, the Company had no preference shares outstanding.


SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [89]

 
 

 

 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (US Dollars)
 




 
A continuity schedule of the Company’s issued and outstanding common shares from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2014 is presented below:
 
Number
of
Shares
Weighted
Average
Price
 
At January 1, 2013
354,375,852
 
Share purchase options exercised ¹
415,133
Cdn$15.65
Share purchase warrants exercised ¹
2,586,794
US$20.00
Restricted share units released ¹
18,999
$0.00
At December 31, 2013
357,396,778
 
Shares issued ²
6,112,282
US$22.09
Share purchase options exercised ¹
600,162
Cdn$13.02
Restricted share units released ¹
22,088
Cdn$0.00
Dividend reinvestment plan ³
646,618
US$21.08
 
At December 31, 2014
364,777,928
 
 
1)  
The weighted average price of share purchase options exercised, share purchase warrants exercised and restricted share units released represents the respective exercise price.
2)  
The Company issued 6,112,282 common shares at an average price of $22.09 per share in satisfaction of the $135 million upfront cash payment to Hudbay Minerals Inc. for the Constancia gold interest, which was due once capital expenditures of $1.35 billion had been incurred at Constancia.
3)  
The Company has implemented a dividend reinvestment plan (“DRIP”) whereby shareholders can elect to have dividends reinvested directly into additional Silver Wheaton common shares.  The weighted average price for common shares issued under the DRIP represents the volume weighted average price of the common shares on the five trading days preceding the dividend payment date, less a discount of 3%.


 
15.2.  
Dividends Declared

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company declared and paid dividends to its shareholders in the amount of $0.26 per common share for total dividends of $93.4 million, with the payment being comprised of $79.8 million in cash and $13.6 million in common shares issued, with the Company issuing 646,618 common shares (an average of $21.08 per share) under the Company’s dividend reinvestment plan.  For the comparable period in 2013, the Company declared and paid dividends to its shareholders in the amount of $0.45 per common share for total dividends of $160.0 million.

As at December 31, 2014, cumulative dividends of $440.9 million have been declared and paid by the Company.


16.  
Reserves

 
 
Note
 
December 31
 
December 31
 
(in thousands)
2014
2013
 
Reserves
         
Share purchase warrants
16.1
$
53,717
$
53,717
Share purchase options
16.2
 
24,214
 
19,443
Restricted share units
16.3
 
3,307
 
2,833
Long-term investment revaluation reserve, net of tax
16.4
 
(110,079)
 
(101,611)
 
Total reserves
 
$
(28,841)
$
(25,618)

 
16.1.  
Share Purchase Warrants

A continuity schedule of the Company’s share purchase warrants (“warrants”) from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2014 is presented below:

SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [90]

 
 

 

 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (US Dollars)
 




 
Warrants
Outstanding
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
Exchange
Ratio
Share
Purchase
Warrants
Reserve
 
At January 1, 2013
2,619,340
$20.00
1.00
$
7,201
Issued
10,000,000
65.00
1.00
 
53,572
Exercised
(2,586,794)
20.00
1.00
 
(7,056)
Expired
(32,546)
20.00
1.00
 
-
 
At December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2014
10,000,000
$65.00
1.00
$
53,717

The warrants with an exercise price of $20.00, which traded on the TSX under the symbol SLW.WT.U, expired on September 5, 2013.

In connection with the Company’s acquisition of the Sudbury gold purchase agreement (Note 10), on February 28, 2013, the Company issued to Vale warrants to purchase 10 million shares of Silver Wheaton common stock at an exercise price of $65 per warrant.  The warrants, which expire on February 28, 2023, were valued using a Black-Scholes option pricing model.

Each warrant entitles the holder the right to purchase one of the Company’s common shares.


16.2.  
Share Purchase Options

The Company has established an equity settled share purchase option plan whereby the Company’s Board of Directors may, from time to time, grant options to employees or consultants. The maximum term of any share purchase option may be ten years, but generally options are granted for five years.  The exercise price of an option is not less than the closing price on the TSX on the last trading day preceding the grant date. The vesting period of the options is determined at the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors at the time the options are granted, but generally vest over a period of two years.

Each share purchase option converts into one common share of Silver Wheaton on exercise.  No amounts are paid or payable by the recipient on receipt of the option.  The options do not carry rights to dividends or voting rights.  Options may be exercised at any time from the date of vesting to the date of their expiry, subject to certain black-out periods.

The Company expenses the fair value of share purchase options that are expected to vest on a straight-line basis over the vesting period using the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the fair value for each option at the date of grant.  The Black-Scholes model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options that have no vesting restrictions. The model requires the use of subjective assumptions, including expected stock price volatility; historical data has been considered in setting the assumptions.  Expected volatility is determined by considering the trailing 30-month historic average share price volatility.  The weighted average fair value of share purchase options granted and principal assumptions used in applying the Black-Scholes option pricing model are as follows:

 
 
Year Ended December 31
 
 
2014
2013
 
Black-Scholes weighted average assumptions
   
Grant date share price and exercise price
Cdn$26.09
Cdn$31.29
Expected dividend yield
1.18%
1.12%
Expected volatility
40%
40%
Risk-free interest rate
1.15%
1.07%
Expected option life, in years
2.5
2.5
 
Weighted average fair value per option granted
Cdn$6.25
Cdn$7.50
 

 
SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [91]

 
 

 

 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (US Dollars)
 




A continuity schedule of the Company’s share purchase options reserve from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2014 is presented below:
(in thousands)
Share
Purchase
Options
Reserve
 
At January 1, 2013
 $          14,050
Recognition of fair value of share purchase options issued
7,454
Share purchase options exercised
(2,061)
At December 31, 2013
 $          19,443
Recognition of fair value of share purchase options issued
7,199
Share purchase options exercised
(2,428)
 
At December 31, 2014
 $          24,214

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company issued 1,115,000 share purchase options with a weighted average exercise price of Cdn$26.09 and a fair value of $6.2 million or Cdn$6.25 per option.  For the comparable period in 2013, the Company issued 1,213,000 share purchase options with a weighted average exercise price of Cdn$31.29 and a fair value of $8.9 million or Cdn$7.50 per option.

Equity settled stock based compensation expense during the year ended December 31, 2014 included the recognition of $7.2 million of the fair value of the share purchase options issued, compared to $7.5 million during the comparable period in 2013.

At December 31, 2014, there were 3,501,600 share purchase options outstanding with a weighted average exercise price of Cdn$28.93 per option.  For the comparable period in 2013, there were 3,029,762 share purchase options outstanding with a weighted average exercise price of Cdn$27.28 per option.
 
 
 
 

 

SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [92]

 
 

 

 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (US Dollars)
 




The following table summarizes information about the options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2014:


Exercise Price
(Cdn$)
Exercisable
Options
Non-Exercisable
Options
Total Options
Outstanding
Weighted Average
Remaining
Contractual Life
$15.89
229,000
-
229,000
0.2 years
$23.80
1,500
1,500
3,000
3.4 years
$25.55
-
4,000
4,000
4.7 years
$25.72
10,000
10,000
20,000
3.7 years
$26.07
-
953,500
953,500
4.2 years
$27.00
-
144,500
144,500
4.2 years
$27.20
35,000
35,000
70,000
3.4 years
$28.14
80,000
-
80,000
2.5 years
$28.59
80,000
-
80,000
2.4 years
$29.50
100,000
-
100,000
2.0 years
$29.64
-
13,000
13,000
4.6 years
$30.51
15,000
-
15,000
2.6 years
$31.88
505,500
505,500
1,011,000
3.2 years
$33.03
10,000
-
10,000
1.4 years
$33.71
314,500
-
314,500
2.2 years
$34.17
93,800
-
93,800
1.4 years
$34.55
10,000
-
10,000
3.0 years
$36.20
43,000
43,000
86,000
3.2 years
$39.25
10,000
-
10,000
2.9 years
$39.42
33,500
-
33,500
2.2 years
$40.72
19,000
-
19,000
1.4 years
$41.58
169,800
-
169,800
1.2 years
$49.39
32,000
-
32,000
1.2 years
 
 
1,791,600
1,710,000
3,501,600
3.0 years
 
 
 

 
SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [93]

 
 

 

 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (US Dollars)
 




A continuity schedule of the Company’s outstanding share purchase options from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2014 is presented below:


 
Number of
Options
Outstanding
Weighted Average
Exercise Price
 
At January 1, 2013
2,331,695
Cdn$23.91
Granted (fair value - $8.9 million or Cdn$7.50 per option)
1,213,000
31.29
Exercised
(415,133)
15.65
Expired
(92,000)
41.58
Forfeited
(7,800)
35.85
At December 31, 2013
3,029,762
Cdn$27.28
Granted (fair value - $6.2 million or Cdn$6.25 per option)
1,115,000
26.09
Exercised
(600,162)
13.02
Forfeited
(43,000)
33.85
 
At December 31, 2014
3,501,600
Cdn$28.93

As it relates to share purchase options, during the year ended December 31, 2014, the weighted average share price at the time of exercise was Cdn$24.21 per share, as compared to Cdn$28.37 per share during the comparable period in 2013.

16.3.  
Restricted Share Units (“RSUs”)

RSUs give the holder the right to receive a specified number of common shares at the specified vesting date. RSUs generally vest over a period of two years. Compensation expense related to RSUs is recognized over the vesting period based upon the fair value of the Company’s common shares on the grant date and the awards that are expected to vest. The fair value is calculated with reference to the closing price of the Company’s common shares on the TSX on the business day prior to the date of grant.

RSU holders receive a cash payment based on the dividends paid on the Company’s common shares in the event that the holder of a vested RSU has elected to defer the release of the RSU to a future date.  This cash payment is reflected as a component of net earnings under the classification General and Administrative.
 
 

 

SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [94]

 
 

 

 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (US Dollars)
 




A continuity schedule of the Company’s restricted share units reserve from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2014 is presented below:

(in thousands)
Restricted
Share Units
Reserve
 
At January 1, 2013
 $          2,553
Recognition of fair value of RSUs issued
        935
Restricted share units released
(655)
At December 31, 2013
 $          2,833
Recognition of fair value of RSUs issued
        995
Restricted share units released
(521)
 
At December 31, 2014
 $          3,307

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company issued 38,000 RSUs with a fair value of $0.9 million or Cdn$26.07 per RSU.  For the same period in 2013, the Company issued 37,500 RSUs with a fair value of $1.1 million or Cdn$30.85 per RSU.

Equity settled stock based compensation expense during the year ended December 31, 2014 included the recognition of $1.0 million of the fair value of RSUs issued, compared to $0.9 million during the comparable period in 2013.

At December 31, 2014, there were 164,604 RSUs outstanding. For the comparable period in 2013, there were 148,692 RSUs outstanding.

16.4.  
Long-Term Investment Revaluation Reserve

The Company’s long-term investments in common shares (Note 9) are held for long-term strategic purposes and not for trading purposes.  Upon the application of IFRS 9, Financial Instruments, the Company has chosen to designate these long-term investments in common shares as financial assets with fair value adjustments being recorded as a component of OCI as it believes that this provides a more meaningful presentation for long-term strategic investments, rather than reflecting changes in fair value as a component of net earnings.  As some of these long-term investments are denominated in Canadian dollars, changes in their fair value is affected by both the change in share price in addition to changes in the Cdn$/US$ exchange rate.

Where the fair value of a long-term investment in common shares held exceeds its tax cost, the Company recognizes a deferred income tax liability.  To the extent that the value of the long-term investment subsequently declines, the deferred income tax liability is reduced.  However, where the fair value of the long-term investment decreases below the tax cost, the Company does not recognize a deferred income tax asset on the unrealized capital loss unless it is probable that the Company will generate future capital gains to offset the loss.


SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [95]

 
 

 

 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (US Dollars)
 




A continuity schedule of the Company’s long-term investment revaluation reserve from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2014 is presented below:

 
Change in Fair
Value due to:
   
(in thousands)
Share Price
Foreign
Exchange
Tax Effect
Total
 
At January 1, 2013
 $     (49,668)
 $    25,399
 $     (1,245)
 $       (25,514)
Unrealized loss on LTIs 1
(74,076)
(3,805)
-
(77,881)
Deferred income tax recovery
-
-
1,784
1,784
At December 31, 2013
 $   (123,744)
 $    21,594
 $        539
 $     (101,611)
Unrealized loss on LTIs 1
(4,984)
(2,945)
-
(7,929)
Reallocate reserve to retained earnings
-
-
(539)
(539)
 
At December 31, 2014
 $ (128,728)
 $    18,649
 $            -
 $   (110,079)

1)  
LTI’s refers to long-term investments in common shares held.


17.  
Stock Based Compensation

The Company’s stock based compensation consists of share purchase options (Note 16.2), restricted share units (Note 16.3) and performance share units (Note 17.1).  The accrued value of share purchase options and restricted share units are reflected as reserves in the shareholder’s equity section of the Company’s balance sheet while the accrued value associated with performance share units is reflected as an accrued liability.

17.1.  
Performance Share Units (“PSUs”)

The Company has established a Performance Share Unit Plan (“the PSU plan”) whereby PSUs will be issued to eligible employees as determined by the Company’s Board of Directors or the Company’s Compensation Committee. PSUs issued under the PSU plan entitle the holder to a cash payment at the end of a three year performance period equal to the number of PSUs granted, multiplied by a performance factor and multiplied by the fair market value of a Silver Wheaton common share on the expiry of the performance period.  The performance factor can range from 0% to 200% and is determined by comparing the Company’s total shareholder return to those achieved by various peer companies, the price of silver and the Philadelphia Gold and Silver Index.

The PSUs accumulate dividend equivalents in the form of additional units based on the dividends paid on the Company’s common shares.  Compensation expense for the PSUs is recorded on a straight-line basis over the three year vesting period.  The amount of compensation expense is adjusted at the end of each reporting period to reflect (i) the fair value of common shares; (ii) the number of PSUs anticipated to vest; and (iii) the anticipated performance factor.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company issued 270,750 PSUs as compared to 163,000 PSUs during the comparable period of the previous year.

General and administrative expense during the year ended December 31, 2014 included a $3.5 million accrual related to the anticipated fair value of the PSUs issued using a performance factor ranging from 100% to 135%, compared to a $0.6 million accrual during the comparable period in 2013 using a performance factor ranging from 85% to 144%.


SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [96]

 
 

 

 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (US Dollars)
 




A continuity schedule of the Company’s outstanding PSUs (assuming a performance factor of 100% is achieved over the performance period) from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2014 is presented below:

 
 
Number of
PSUs
outstanding
 
At January 1, 2013
109,011
Granted
163,000
Dividend equivalent participation
4,901
At December 31, 2013
276,912
Granted
270,750
Dividend equivalent participation
5,875
Paid
(38,497)
Forfeited
(3,089)
 
At December 31, 2014
511,951

 
 
18.  
Earnings Per Share (“EPS”) and Diluted Earnings Per Share (“Diluted EPS”)

Diluted earnings per share is calculated using the treasury method which assumes that outstanding share purchase options and warrants, with exercise prices that are lower than the average market price for the relevant period, are exercised and the proceeds are used to purchase shares of the Company at the average market price of the common shares for the relevant period.

Diluted EPS is calculated based on the following weighted average number of shares outstanding:

 
Years Ended December 31
 
(in thousands)
2014
2013
 
Basic weighted average number of shares outstanding
359,401
355,588
Effect of dilutive securities
   
Share purchase options
242
463
Share purchase warrants
-
402
Restricted share units
161
142
 
Diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding
359,804
356,595



SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [97]

 
 

 

 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (US Dollars)
 




The following table lists the number of share purchase options and share purchase warrants excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because the exercise prices exceeded the average market value of the common shares of Cdn$25.04, compared to Cdn$26.41 for the comparable period in 2013.

 
 
Years Ended December 31
(in thousands)
 
2014
2013
 
Share purchase options
3,270
2,108
Share purchase warrants
10,000
10,000
 
Total
13,270
12,108


19.  
Supplemental Cash Flow Information


 
 
Years Ended December 31
 
(in thousands)
2014
2013
 
Change in non-cash working capital
       
Accounts receivable
$
488
$
1,549
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
 
(5,630)
 
(582)
Other
 
(419)
 
121
 
Total change in non-cash working capital
$
(5,561)
$
1,088



   
December 31
December 31
 
(in thousands)
2014
2013
 
Cash and cash equivalents comprised of:
         
Cash
 
$
118,832
$
95,823
Cash equivalents
   
189,266
 
-
 
Total cash and cash equivalents
 
$
308,098
$
95,823

Cash equivalents include short-term deposits, treasury bills, commercial paper, bankers’ depository notes and bankers’ acceptances with terms to maturity of less than three months.
 
 

 

SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [98]

 
 

 

 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (US Dollars)
 




 
20.  
Related Party Transactions

Compensation of Key Management Personnel

Key management personnel compensation, including directors, is as follows:

 
 
Years Ended December 31
(in thousands)
 
2014
2013
 
Short-term benefits 1
$
6,754
$
6,480
Post-employment benefits
 
54
 
47
PSUs
 
2,321
 
423
Equity settled stock based compensation (a non-cash expense)
 
5,620
 
5,273
 
Total executive compensation
$
14,749
$
12,223
 
1)  Short-term employee benefits include salaries, bonuses payable within twelve months of the balance sheet date and other annual employee benefits.
   

 
21.  
Post-Employment Benefit Costs

The Company sponsors a Group Registered Retirement Savings Plan (“RRSP”) for all qualified employees.  Participants in the plan can elect to contribute up to the lesser of (i) 50% of the RRSP contribution limit as established under the Canadian Income Tax Act or (ii) 9% of their annual base salary, and the Company will match this contribution.  The assets of the Group RRSP are held separately from those of the Company in independently administered funds.

General and administrative expense during 2014 included $205,000 of contributions to the Group RRSP plan made by the Company, as compared to $208,000 during 2013.


22.  
Income Taxes

Income tax recognized in net earnings is comprised of the following:

 
 
Years Ended December 31
 
(in thousands)
2014
2013
 
Current income tax expense related to foreign jurisdictions
 $
204
 $
154
 
Deferred income tax (recovery) expense
       
Origination and reversal of temporary differences
$
(1,249)
$
(7,381)
Write down of previously recognized temporary differences
 
 -
 
2,106
 
 
 $
(1,249)
 $
(5,275)
 
Income tax recovery recognized in net earnings
 $
(1,045)
 $
(5,121)

During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company changed its estimated tax rate associated with the temporary difference related to capitalized interest on certain of the Company’s precious metal purchase agreements, resulting in the reversal of a deferred tax liability in the amount of $9.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2013.


SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [99]

 
 

 

 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (US Dollars)
 




Income tax recognized in OCI is comprised of the following:

 
 
Years Ended December 31
(in thousands)
 
2014
2013
 
 
Deferred income tax recovery related to the losses on long-term investments - common shares held
 $
 -
 $
(1,784)


The provision for income taxes differs from the amount that would be obtained by applying the statutory income tax rate to consolidated earnings before income taxes due to the following:


 
 
Years Ended December 31
 
(in thousands)
2014
2013
 
Earnings before income taxes
$
198,781
$
370,374
 
Canadian federal and provincial income tax rates¹
 
26.00%
 
25.75%
Income tax expense based on above rates
$
51,683
$
95,371
Non-deductible portion of capital losses (non-taxable portion of capital gains)
 
 -
 
347
Non-deductible stock based compensation and other
 
2,645
 
2,533
Differences in tax rates in foreign jurisdictions
 
(55,373)
 
(105,498)
Impact of tax rate changes
 
 -
 
(66)
Change in unrecognized temporary differences
 
 -
 
2,192
 
Income tax recovery
$
(1,045)
$
(5,121)
 
1)  
The BC corporate tax rate increased from 10% to 11% on April 1, 2013, resulting in a statutory tax rate of 25.75% for 2013 and 26% for 2014.

The majority of the Company’s income generating activities, including the sale of silver and gold, is conducted by its 100% owned subsidiary SW Caymans, which operates in the Cayman Islands and is not subject to income tax.
 
 
 
 

 

SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [100]

 
 

 

 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (US Dollars)
 




The recognized deferred income tax assets and liabilities are offset on the balance sheet.  The movement in deferred income tax assets and liabilities for the years ended December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 is shown below:



 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2014
 
Opening Balance
Recovery
(Expense)
Recognized
In Net
Earnings
Recovery
Recognized
In OCI
Recognized
In
Shareholders'
Equity
Closing
Balance
Recognized deferred income tax assets and liabilities
 
Deferred tax assets
                   
Non-capital losses
$
12,437
$
1,632
$
-
$
-
$
14,069
Financing fees
 
1,725
 
(303)
 
-
 
-
 
1,422
Other
 
1,333
 
778
 
-
 
-
 
2,111
Deferred tax liabilities
                   
Interest capitalized for accounting
 
(84)
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
(84)
Silver and gold interests
 
(17,547)
 
(801)
 
-
 
-
 
(18,348)
Other
 
(55)
 
(57)
 
-
 
-
 
(112)
 
Total
$
(2,191)
$
1,249
$
-
$
-
$
(942)


 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2013
Recognized deferred income tax assets and liabilities
Opening Balance
Recovery
(Expense)
Recognized
In Net
Earnings
Recovery
Recognized
In OCI
Recognized
In
Shareholders'
Equity
Closing
Balance
 
Deferred tax assets
                   
Non-capital losses
$
9,419
$
3,018
$
-
$
-
$
12,437
Financing fees
 
1,279
 
446
 
-
 
-
 
1,725
Capital losses
 
2,304
 
(2,304)
 
-
 
-
 
-
Other
 
669
 
664
 
-
 
-
 
1,333
Deferred tax liabilities
                   
Interest capitalized for accounting
 
(9,949)
 
9,865
 
-
 
-
 
(84)
Foreign exchange on debt
 
(268)
 
268
 
-
 
-
 
-
Long-term investments
 
(2,036)
 
252
 
1,784
 
-
 
-
Silver and gold interests
 
(10,668)
 
(6,879)
 
-
 
-
 
(17,547)
Other
 
-
 
(55)
 
-
 
-
 
(55)
 
Total
$
(9,250)
$
5,275
$
1,784
$
-
$
      (2,191)
 
 


SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [101]

 
 

 

 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (US Dollars)
 




Deferred income tax assets in Canada not recognized are shown below:


 
 
December 31
December 31
 
 
2014
2013
 
Capital losses
$
8,947
$
8,747
 
Unrealized losses on long-term investments
 
15,129
 
14,298
 
Total
$
24,076
$
23,045

The temporary difference relating to investments in foreign subsidiaries that would be taxable on repatriation is approximately $30 million.  As the Company can control the timing of and manner in which funds are repatriated and it does not plan to repatriate funds to Canada in the foreseeable future that would be subject to tax, no deferred income tax liability has been recognized.

At December 31, 2014, the Company has available non-capital losses for Canadian income tax purposes which may be carried forward to reduce taxable income in future years.  If not utilized, the non-capital losses in the amount of $54.1 million will expire as follows: 2028 – $27.8 million, 2029 - $9.4 million, 2033 - $11.0 million, 2034 - $5.9 million.  In addition, the Company has available net capital losses of $34.4 million for Canadian income tax purposes which may be carried forward indefinitely to reduce taxable capital gains in future years.


SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [102]

 
 

 

 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (US Dollars)
 




23.  
Commitments and Contingencies1

The following table summarizes the Company’s commitments to pay for silver and gold to which it has the contractual right pursuant to the precious metal purchase agreements:

Silver and Gold Interests
Attributable Payable
Production to be
Purchased
Per Ounce Cash
Payment 1, 2
Term of
Agreement
Date of
Original
Contract
 
Silver
Gold
Silver
Gold
 
San Dimas
 100% 3
 0%
$
4.20
 
n/a
Life of Mine
15-Oct-04
Yauliyacu
 100% 4
 0%
$
4.16
 
n/a
20 years
23-Mar-06
Peñasquito
 25%
 0%
$
4.07
 
n/a
Life of Mine
24-Jul-07
777
 100%
 100%/50% 5
$
5.90 6
$
400 6
Life of Mine
8-Aug-12
Salobo
 0%
 50%
 
n/a
$
400
Life of Mine
28-Feb-13
Sudbury
 0%
 70%
 
n/a
$
400
20 years
28-Feb-13
Barrick
               
Pascua-Lama
 25%
 0%
$
3.90
 
n/a
Life of Mine
8-Sep-09
Lagunas Norte
 100%
 0%
$
3.90
 
n/a
8.5 years
8-Sep-09
Pierina
 100%
 0%
$
3.90
 
n/a
8.5 years 7
8-Sep-09
Veladero
 100% 8
 0%
$
3.90
 
n/a
8.5 years
8-Sep-09
Other
               
Los Filos
 100%
 0%
$
4.24
 
n/a
25 years
15-Oct-04
Zinkgruvan
 100%
 0%
$
4.25
 
n/a
Life of Mine
8-Dec-04
Stratoni
 100%
 0%
$
4.10
 
n/a
Life of Mine
23-Apr-07
Minto
 100%
 100%  9
$
4.06
$
312
Life of Mine
20-Nov-08
Cozamin
 100%
 0%
$
4.20
 
n/a
10 years
4-Apr-07
Neves-Corvo
 100%
 0%
$
4.10
 
n/a
50 years
5-Jun-07
Aljustrel
 100% 10
 0%
$
4.06
 
n/a
50 years
5-Jun-07
Keno Hill
 25%
 0%
$
3.90 11
 
n/a
Life of Mine
2-Oct-08
Rosemont
100%
 100%
$
3.90
$
450
Life of Mine
10-Feb-10
Loma de La Plata
12.5%
 0%
$
4.00
 
n/a
Life of Mine
n/a ¹²
Constancia
100%
 50%  13
$
5.90
$
400
Life of Mine
8-Aug-12
Early Deposit
               
Toroparu
0%
 10% 14
 
n/a
$
400
Life of Mine
11-Nov-13

1)  
Subject to an annual inflationary adjustment with the exception of Loma de La Plata and Sudbury.
2)  
Should the prevailing market price for silver or gold be lower than this amount, the per ounce cash payment will be reduced to the prevailing market price, with the exception of Yauliyacu.
3)  
Silver Wheaton is committed to purchase from Primero a per annum amount equal to the first 6 million ounces of payable silver produced at San Dimas and 50% of any excess.
4)  
To a maximum of 4.75 million ounces per annum.  In the event that silver sold and delivered to Silver Wheaton in any year totals less than 4.75 million ounces, the amount sold and delivered to Silver Wheaton in subsequent years will be increased to make up for any cumulative shortfall, to the extent production permits.  The cumulative shortfall as at March 23, 2014, representing the eight year anniversary, was 17.6 million ounces.
5)  
The Company’s share of gold production at 777 will remain at 100% until the later of the end of 2016 or the satisfaction of a completion test relating to Hudbay’s Constancia project, after which it will be reduced to 50% for the remainder of the mine life.
6)  
Subject to an increase to $9.90 per ounce of silver and $550 per ounce of gold after the initial 40 year term.
7)  
As per Barrick’s disclosure, closure activities were initiated at Pierina as of August 2013.
8)  
Silver Wheaton's attributable silver production is subject to a maximum of 8% of the silver contained in the ore processed at Veladero during the period.
9)  
The Company is committed to acquire 100% of the first 30,000 ounces of gold produced per annum and 50% thereafter.
10)  
Silver Wheaton has agreed to waive its rights to silver contained in copper concentrate at the Aljustrel mine while retaining the right to silver contained in zinc concentrate.
11)  
In June 2014, the Company amended its silver purchase agreement with Alexco to increase the production payment to be a function of the silver price at the time of delivery. In addition, the area of interest was expanded to include properties currently owned by Alexco and properties acquired by Alexco in the future which fall within a one kilometer radius of existing Alexco holdings in the Keno Hill Silver District.  The amended agreement is conditional on Alexco paying Silver Wheaton $20 million by December 31, 2015.
12)  
Terms of the agreement not yet finalized.
13)  
Gold recoveries will be set at 55% for the Constancia deposit and 70% for the Pampacancha deposit until 265,000 ounces of gold have been delivered to the Company.
14)  
During the 60 day period following the delivery of a feasibility study, environmental study and impact assessment, and other related documents (collectively, the “Feasibility Documentation”), or after December 31, 2015 if the Feasibility Documentation has not been delivered to Silver Wheaton by such date, Silver Wheaton may elect not to proceed with the precious metal purchase agreement, at which time Silver Wheaton will be entitled to a return of $11.5 million of the early deposit (on the basis that $2 million of the advanced $13.5 million is non-refundable) or, at Sandspring’s option, the stream percentage will be reduced from 10% to 0.774% (equivalent to the pro-rata stream based on a full purchase price of $11.5 million). 


 1
Statements made in this section contain forward-looking information.  Please see “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in the MD&A for material risks, assumptions and important disclosure associated with this information.

SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [103]

 
 

 

 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (US Dollars)
 





Other Contractual Obligations and Contingencies
 

   
 
Obligations With Scheduled Payment Dates
Other
Commitments
 
 
(in thousands)
2015
2016 - 2018
2019 - 2020
After 2020
Sub-Total
Total
Bank debt 1
$
            -
$
 1,000,000
$
            -
$
            -
$
 1,000,000
$
            -
 $
 1,000,000
Interest 2
 
    15,103
 
      26,690
 
            -
 
            -
 
      41,793
 
            -
 
      41,793
Silver and gold interest payments 3
                           
Rosemont 4
 
            -
 
              -
 
            -
 
            -
 
              -
 
  231,150
 
    231,150
Loma de La Plata
 
            -
 
              -
 
            -
 
            -
 
              -
 
    32,400
 
      32,400
Toroparu
 
            -
 
              -
 
            -
 
            -
 
              -
 
  135,000
 
    135,000
Operating leases
 
      1,185
 
        4,303
 
      2,503
 
      4,220
 
      12,211
 
            -
 
      12,211
Other
 
      2,888
 
              -
 
            -
 
            -
 
        2,888
 
            -
 
        2,888
 
Total contractual obligations
$
    19,176
$
 1,030,993
$
      2,503
$
      4,220
$
 1,056,892
$
  398,550
 $
 1,455,442

1)  
At December 31, 2014, the Company had $1.0 billion outstanding on the NRT Loan and $Nil outstanding on the Revolving Facility.  As more fully disclosed in Note 25, on February 27, 2015 the Company expanded its Revolving Facility by $1 billion and then used proceeds drawn from this amended Revolving Facility together with cash on hand to repay the NRT Loan.
2)  
As the applicable interest rates are floating in nature, the interest charges are estimated based on market-based forward interest rate curves at the end of the reporting period.
3)  
Does not reflect the contingent payment due related to the Salobo gold purchase agreement (see the Salobo section, below).
4)  
Includes contingent transaction costs of $1.1 million.


Rosemont

In connection with the Rosemont precious metal purchase agreement, the Company is committed to pay Hudbay total upfront cash payments of $230 million on an installment basis to partially fund construction of the Rosemont mine once certain milestones are achieved, including the receipt of key permits and securing the necessary financing to complete construction of the mine.

Loma de La Plata

In connection with the Company’s election to convert the debenture with Pan American Silver Corp. (“Pan American”) into a silver purchase agreement, the Company is committed to pay Pan American total upfront cash payments of $32.4 million following the satisfaction of certain conditions, including Pan American receiving all necessary permits to proceed with the mine construction.

Salobo

Vale has recently completed the expansion of the mill throughput capacity at the Salobo mine to 24 million tonnes per annum (“Mtpa”) from its previous 12 Mtpa.  If actual throughput is expanded above 28 Mtpa within a predetermined period, Silver Wheaton will be required to make an additional payment to Vale based on a set fee schedule ranging from $88 million if throughput is expanded beyond 28 Mtpa by January 1, 2036, up to $720 million if throughput is expanded beyond 40 Mtpa by January 1, 2018.

Toroparu

In connection with the Toroparu early deposit precious metal purchase agreement, the Company is committed to pay Sandspring an additional $135 million on an installment basis to partially fund construction of the mine.  During the 60 day period following the delivery of the Feasibility Documentation, or after December 31, 2015 if the Feasibility Documentation has not been delivered to Silver Wheaton by such date, Silver Wheaton may elect not to proceed with the precious metal purchase agreement, at which time Silver Wheaton will be entitled to a return of $11.5 million of the early deposit (on the basis that $2 million of the advanced $13.5 million is non-refundable) or, at Sandspring’s option, the stream percentage will be reduced from 10% to 0.774% (equivalent to the pro-rata stream based on a full purchase price of $11.5 million). 
 
 

 
SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [104]

 
 

 

 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (US Dollars)
 




Other1

Due to the size, complexity and nature of the Company’s operations, various legal and tax matters are outstanding from time to time, including an audit (the “CRA Audit”) by the Canada Revenue Agency (the “CRA”) of the Company’s international transactions covering the 2005 to 2010 taxation years, which is currently ongoing.  The Company has not received any notice of reassessment for the 2005 to 2010 taxation years in connection with the CRA Audit.  In the event that CRA issues one or more notices of reassessment for material amounts of tax, interest and penalties, the Company is prepared to vigorously defend its position.

By their nature, contingencies will only be resolved when one or more future events occur or fail to occur.  The assessment of contingencies inherently involves the exercise of significant judgment and estimates of the outcome of future events.  Based on information available to management at March 18, 2015, the outstanding legal and tax matters are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company.  However, if the Company is unable to resolve any of these matters favorably, or if CRA issues one or more notices of reassessment for material amounts of tax, interest and penalties, there may be a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial performance, cash flows or results of operations.  In the event that management’s estimate of the future resolution of these matters changes, the Company will recognize the effects of the changes in its consolidated financial statements in the appropriate period relative to when such changes occur.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 


1
The assessment by management of the expected impact of the CRA Audit on the Company is “forward-looking information”. Statements in respect of the impact of the CRA Audit are based on the expectation that the Company will be successful in challenging any assessment by CRA. Statements in respect of the CRA Audit are subject to known and unknown risks including that the Company’s interpretation of, or compliance with, tax laws, is found to be incorrect.  Please see “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in the MD&A for material risks, assumptions and important disclosure associated with this information.
 
 

 
SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [105]

 
 

 

 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (US Dollars)
 




24.  
Segmented Information

Operating Segments

The Company’s reportable operating segments, which are the components of the Company’s business where separate financial information is available and which are evaluated on a regular basis by the Company’s CEO, who is the Company’s chief operating decision maker, for the purpose of assessing performance, are summarized in the tables below:


 
Year Ended December 31, 2014
 
Sales
Cost
of Sales
Depletion
Net
Earnings
Cash Flow
From
Operations
Total
Assets
 
(in thousands)
 
Silver
                       
San Dimas 1
$
104,095
$
23,326
$
4,541
$
76,228
$
80,769
$
152,951
Yauliyacu
 
64,011
 
13,859
 
19,799
 
30,353
 
50,152
 
187,478
Peñasquito
 
134,757
 
28,753
 
21,144
 
84,860
 
106,004
 
451,145
Barrick 2
 
31,687
 
6,631
 
5,548
 
19,508
 
23,065
 
605,328
Other 3
 
109,664
 
24,652
 
24,517
 
60,495
 
86,161
 
559,747
 
 
$
444,214
$
97,221
$
75,549
$
271,444
$
346,151
$
1,956,649
 
Gold
                       
777
$
55,535
$
17,559
$
36,113
$
1,863
$
38,318
$
243,913
Sudbury 4
 
38,720
 
12,166
 
25,592
 
962
 
26,993
 
583,862
Salobo
 
54,762
 
17,564
 
20,281
 
16,917
 
37,198
 
1,302,202
Other 5
 
26,945
 
6,587
 
2,645
 
17,713
 
19,936
 
161,639
 
 
$
175,962
$
53,876
$
84,631
$
37,455
$
122,445
$
2,291,616
 
Total silver and gold interests
$
620,176
$
151,097
$
160,180
$
308,899
$
468,596
$
4,248,265
 
Corporate
                       
General and administrative
         
$
(37,860)
       
Impairment charge 6
             
(68,151)
       
Other
             
(3,062)
       
 
Total corporate
           
$
(109,073)
$
(36,723)
$
399,498
 
Consolidated
$
620,176
$
151,097
$
160,180
$
199,826
$
431,873
$
4,647,763

1)  
Results for San Dimas include 875,000 ounces received from Goldcorp in connection with Goldcorp’s four year commitment, commencing 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.
2)  
Comprised of the operating Lagunas Norte, Pierina and Veladero silver interests in addition to the non-operating Pascua-Lama silver interest.
3)  
Comprised of the operating Los Filos, Zinkgruvan, Mineral Park, Cozamin, Neves-Corvo, Stratoni, Campo Morado, Minto, 777, Constancia and Aljustrel silver interests in addition to the non-operating Keno Hill, Rosemont and Loma de La Plata silver interests.  Results related to the Campo Morado silver interest which, as further explained in Note 11, was disposed of in December 2014, were as follows: silver ounces produced - 677,000; silver ounces sold - 524,000; sales - $10,070,000; earnings from operations - $5,448,000 and; cash flow from operations - $7,968,000.   Results related to the Mineral Park silver interest for which silver deliveries ceased during the third quarter of 2014 due to the bankruptcy of Mercator, as further explained in Note 11, were as follows: silver ounces produced - 237,000; silver ounces sold - 168,000; sales - $3,354,000; earnings from operations - $2,239,000 and; cash flow from operations - $2,629,000.
4)  
Comprised of the operating Coleman, Copper Cliff, Garson, Stobie, Creighton and Totten gold interests in addition to the non-operating Victor gold interest.
5)  
Comprised of the operating Minto and Constancia gold interests and the non-operating Rosemont interest.
6)  
During the third quarter of 2014, the Company recognized an impairment charge of $68.2 million related to its Mineral Park and Campo Morado silver interests.  These silver interests are reflected as a component of Other silver interests in these financial statements.

SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [106]

 
 

 

 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (US Dollars)
 





 
Year Ended December 31, 2013
 
Sales
Cost
of Sales
Depletion
Net
Earnings
Cash Flow
From
Operations
Total
Assets
(in thousands)
 
Silver
                       
San Dimas 1
$
157,150
$
27,703
$
5,444
$
124,003
$
129,447
$
157,492
Yauliyacu
 
33,053
 
5,742
 
8,018
 
19,293
 
27,311
 
207,277
Peñasquito
 
126,587
 
21,375
 
14,983
 
90,229
 
105,213
 
472,289
Barrick 2
 
56,834
 
8,413
 
6,561
 
41,860
 
49,597
 
601,107
Other 3
 
170,963
 
30,821
 
31,839
 
108,303
 
141,020
 
549,927
 
 
$
544,587
$
94,054
$
66,845
$
383,688
$
452,588
$
1,988,092
 
Gold
                       
777
$
91,412
$
26,303
$
52,711
$
12,398
$
61,136
$
280,026
Sudbury 4
 
23,001
 
6,952
 
14,410
 
1,639
 
16,050
 
609,454
Salobo
 
22,552
 
6,779
 
7,828
 
7,945
 
15,774
 
1,322,483
Other 5
 
24,920
 
5,264
 
2,359
 
17,297
 
19,923
 
28,429
 
 
$
161,885
$
45,298
$
77,308
$
39,279
$
112,883
$
2,240,392
 
Total silver and gold interests
$
706,472
$
139,352
$
144,153
$
422,967
$
565,471
$
4,228,484
 
Corporate
                       
General and administrative
         
$
(35,308)
       
Other
             
(12,164)
       
 
Total corporate
           
$
(47,472)
$
(31,338)
$
161,360
 
Consolidated
$
706,472
$
139,352
$
144,153
$
375,495
$
534,133
$
4,389,844

1)  
Results for San Dimas include 1.5 million ounces received from Goldcorp in connection with Goldcorp’s four year commitment, commencing 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.
2)  
Comprised of the operating Lagunas Norte, Pierina and Veladero silver interests in addition to the non-operating Pascua-Lama silver interest.
3)  
Comprised of the operating Los Filos, Zinkgruvan, Keno Hill, Mineral Park, Cozamin, Neves-Corvo, Stratoni, Campo Morado, Minto, 777 and Aljustrel silver interests in addition to the non-operating Rosemont, Loma de La Plata and Constancia silver interests.  Results related to the Campo Morado silver interest which, as further explained in Note 11, was disposed of in December 2014, were as follows: silver ounces produced – 870,000; silver ounces sold – 758,000; sales - $17,942,000; earnings from operations - $10,427,000 and; cash flow from operations - $14,935,000.   Results related to the Mineral Park silver interest for which silver deliveries ceased during the third quarter of 2014 due to the bankruptcy of Mercator, as further explained in Note 11, were as follows: silver ounces produced – 544,000; silver ounces sold – 356,000; sales - $8,973,000; earnings from operations - $6,509,000 and; cash flow from operations - $7,644,000.
4)  
Comprised of the operating Coleman, Copper Cliff, Garson, Stobie and Creighton gold interests in addition to the non-operating Totten and Victor gold interests.
5)  
Comprised of the operating Minto gold interest and the non-operating Rosemont gold interest.

SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [107]

 
 

 

 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (US Dollars)
 





Geographical Areas
 
The Company’s geographical information, which is based on the location of the mining operations to which the silver or gold interests relate, are summarized in the tables below:


   
 
Year Ended December 31, 2014
 
Sales
 
Carrying Amount
(in thousands)
 
Silver
Interests
Gold
Interests
 
North America
           
Canada
$
132,704
$
131,790
$
853,358
United States
 
3,354
 
433
 
-
Mexico
 
277,176
 
615,629
 
-
Europe
           
Greece
 
12,874
 
27,437
 
-
Portugal
 
13,560
 
26,329
 
-
Sweden
 
30,048
 
48,388
 
-
South America
           
Argentina / Chile 1
 
13,639
 
613,091
 
-
Brazil
 
54,762
 
-
 
1,302,201
Peru
 
82,059
 
493,552
 
136,057
 
Consolidated
$
620,176
$
1,956,649
$
2,291,616
 
1) Includes the Pascua-Lama project, which straddles the border of Argentina and Chile.
           


   
Year Ended December 31, 2013
 
Sales
 
Carrying Amount
(in thousands)
 
Silver
Interests
Gold
Interests
 
North America
           
Canada
$
165,816
$
139,141
$
917,707
United States
 
8,973
 
37,948
 
-
Mexico
 
342,177
 
705,062
 
-
Europe
           
Greece
 
17,763
 
31,854
 
-
Portugal
 
17,686
 
30,487
 
-
Sweden
 
41,618
 
51,015
 
-
South America
           
Argentina / Chile 1
 
28,864
 
604,384
 
-
Brazil
 
22,552
 
-
 
1,322,483
Peru
 
61,023
 
388,201
 
202
 
Consolidated
$
706,472
$
1,988,092
$
2,240,392
 
1) Includes the Pascua-Lama project, which straddles the border of Argentina and Chile.
           


SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [108]

 
 

 

 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (US Dollars)
 





25.  
Subsequent Events

Declaration of Dividend

On March 18, 2015, the Board of Directors declared a dividend in the amount of $0.05 per common share as per the Company’s stated dividend policy whereby the quarterly dividend will be equal to 20% of the average of the operating cash flow of the previous four quarters.  This dividend is payable to shareholders of record on March 31, 2015 and is expected to be distributed on or about April 14, 2015.  The Company has implemented a dividend reinvestment plan (“DRIP”) whereby shareholders can elect to have dividends reinvested directly into additional Silver Wheaton common shares at a discount of 3% of the Average Market Price, as defined in the DRIP.

Amended Credit Facilities

On February 27, 2015, the Company announced that it had amended its Revolving Facility by increasing the available credit from $1 billion to $2 billion and extending the term by 2 years, with the facility now maturing on February 27, 2020. As part of the amendment, the financial covenants were amended to require the Company to maintain: (i) a net debt to tangible net worth ratio of less than or equal to 0.75:1; and (ii) an interest coverage ratio of greater than or equal to 3.00:1.  These covenants replaced the previously applicable leverage ratio and tangible net worth covenants.  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.

Amendment to Salobo Precious Metal Purchase Agreement

On March 2, 2015, the Company announced that it had agreed to amend its 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 processing facilities 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 its agreement in 2013 and brings the Company’s total entitlement to an amount equal to 50% of the life-of-mine gold production from the Salobo mine.  Under the terms of the amended agreement, Silver Wheaton will make a total upfront cash payment of $900 million, payable on or before March 25, 2015, for the additional 25% gold interest and, in addition, will make ongoing payments of the lesser of $400 per ounce of gold (subject to an inflationary adjustment of 1% commencing in 2017) or the prevailing market price per ounce of gold delivered.  In addition, the terms of the existing gold stream on Salobo were modified so that the annual inflationary adjustment that was scheduled to start in 2016 will now start coincident with this stream in 2017.

Equity Offering

On March 2, 2015, the Company announced that, in connection with the amended Salobo precious metal purchase agreement, it had entered into an agreement with a syndicate of underwriters led by Scotiabank, pursuant to which they have 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. Silver Wheaton also agreed to grant to the underwriters an option to purchase up to an additional 5,839,500 common shares at a price of $20.55 per share, on the same terms and conditions as the Offering, exercisable at any time, in whole or in part, until the date that is 30 days following the closing of the Offering (the “Over Allotment Option”).

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 underwriters have until April 16, 2015 to exercise the Over Allotment Option.  In the event that the option is exercised in its entirety, the aggregate gross proceeds of the Offering to Silver Wheaton will be approximately $920 million.





SILVER WHEATON 2014 ANNUAL REPORT [109]

 
 

 

     
CORPORATE
INFORMATION
 
 
CANADA – HEAD OFFICE
SILVER WHEATON CORP.
Park Place, Suite 3150
666 Burrard Street
Vancouver, BC V6C 2X8
Canada
T: 1 604 684 9648
F: 1 604 684 3123
 
CAYMAN ISLANDS OFFICE
SILVER WHEATON (CAYMANS) LTD.
Unit #5 - 201 Governors Square
23 Lime Tree Bay Avenue
P.O. Box 1791 George Town, Grand Cayman
Cayman Islands KY1-1109
 
STOCK EXCHANGE LISTING
Toronto Stock Exchange: SLW
New York Stock Exchange: SLW
 
DIRECTORS
LAWRENCE BELL
GEORGE BRACK
JOHN BROUGH
PETER GILLIN
CHANTAL GOSSELIN
DOUGLAS HOLTBY, CHAIRMAN
EDUARDO LUNA
WADE NESMITH
RANDY SMALLWOOD
 
OFFICERS
RANDY SMALLWOOD
President & Chief Executive Officer
 
CURT BERNARDI
Senior Vice President,
Legal & Corporate Secretary
 
GARY BROWN
Senior Vice President &
Chief Financial Officer
 
PATRICK DROUIN
Senior Vice President,
Investor Relations
 
HAYTHAM HODALY
Senior Vice President,
Corporate Development
 
 
 
 
Silver Wheaton®  is a registered trademark of Silver Wheaton Corp. in Canada, the United States and certain other jurisdictions.
 
 
 
 
TRANSFER AGENT
CST TRUST COMPANY
1600 - 1066 West Hastings Street
Vancouver, BC V6E 3X1
 
Toll-free in Canada and the United States:
1 800 387 0825
 
Outside of Canada and the United States:
1 416 682 3860
 
E: inquiries@canstockta.com
 
AUDITORS
DELOITTE LLP
Vancouver, BC
 
INVESTOR RELATIONS
PATRICK DROUIN
Senior Vice President, Investor Relations
T:      1 604 684 9648
TF:    1 800 380 8687
E:       info@silverwheaton.com                                                 
       
       


 
 

 


























 





SILVER WHEATON  CORP.
 
    666 BURRARD STREET, SUITE 3150
    VANCOUVER, BC V6C 2X8
    CANADA
 
    T: 1 604 684 9648
    F: 1 604 684 3123
 
W W W.SILVERWHEATON.COM