Wheaton Precious Metals Announces Closing of Silver Stream with BHP on Antamina
Rhea-AI Summary
Wheaton Precious Metals (NYSE:WPM) closed a silver stream with BHP on the Antamina mine effective April 1, 2026. WPMI paid a US$4.3 billion upfront fee to acquire the equivalent of BHP's 33.75% of payable silver until 100 million ounces are delivered, then 22.5% for life of mine.
Payable silver uses a 90.0% payable factor; ongoing payments equal 20% of spot silver per ounce delivered.
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Positive
- US$4.3B upfront secures large silver volume
- Acquires 33.75% of payable silver until 100M oz, then 22.5% life of mine
Negative
- Immediate US$4.3B cash outflow affecting liquidity or financing needs
- Ongoing obligation to pay 20% of spot exposes cash costs to silver price volatility
News Market Reaction – WPM
On the day this news was published, WPM declined 0.91%, reflecting a mild negative market reaction. Argus tracked a trough of -2.7% from its starting point during tracking. Our momentum scanner triggered 12 alerts that day, indicating notable trading interest and price volatility. This price movement removed approximately $570M from the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $62.11B at that time.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
Gold peers (e.g., FNV, AEM, KGC) show gains of about 0.65–1.56%, while WPM is up 4.42%, suggesting a stronger, company‑specific response relative to a modestly positive group backdrop.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 12 | Dividend increase | Positive | -4.0% | Raised first 2026 quarterly dividend by 18% versus prior quarter. |
| Mar 12 | Record financials | Positive | -4.0% | Announced record 2025 revenue, earnings and operating cash flow performance. |
| Mar 02 | ESG innovation award | Positive | -8.7% | Named Cetos Water winner of Future of Mining Challenge with $1M award. |
| Feb 16 | Guidance and outlook | Positive | -2.5% | Exceeded 2025 production guidance and outlined growth to 1.2M GEOs by 2030. |
| Feb 16 | Antamina deal announced | Positive | -2.5% | Agreed to acquire additional Antamina silver stream with $4.3B upfront payment. |
Recent positive corporate and growth announcements have been followed by short‑term share price declines, indicating a pattern of negative reactions to favorable news.
Over the last few months, Wheaton reported record 2025 revenue, earnings and cash flow, exceeded production guidance, expanded its Antamina silver stream, and raised its quarterly dividend by 18%. It also highlighted long‑term growth to about 1.2M GEOs by 2030 and announced a major Antamina silver stream acquisition with a $4.3B upfront payment. Despite these constructive updates, the stock showed negative one‑day reactions after each release, making today’s positive move on closing the Antamina stream a departure from that pattern.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement confirms closing of the Antamina silver stream with BHP, locking in BHP’s 33.75% share of payable silver initially, stepping down to 22.5% after 100 million ounces, with a fixed 90.0% payable factor. Wheaton pays an upfront US$4.3 billion and 20% of spot silver for deliveries. In context of recent record 2025 results and prior Antamina guidance, investors may watch realized silver volumes, cash flow contribution, and balance sheet evolution against previously outlined funding plans.
Key Terms
silver stream financial
precious metals purchase agreement financial
payable silver technical
life of mine technical
payable factor technical
spot price financial
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Under the BHP Antamina PMPA, from the effective date of April 1, 2026, WPMI will purchase the equivalent of BHP's
Full details of the transaction can be found in Wheaton's news release titled "Wheaton Precious Metals Announces Acquisition of Additional Silver Stream on Antamina Through New Partnership with BHP" dated February 16, 2026.
About Wheaton Precious Metals Corp.
Wheaton Precious Metals is the world's premier precious metals streaming company with the highest-quality portfolio of long-life, low-cost assets. Its business model offers investors leverage to commodity prices and exploration upside but with a much lower risk profile than a traditional mining company. Wheaton delivers amongst the highest cash operating margins in the mining industry, allowing it to pay a competitive dividend and continue to grow through accretive acquisitions. Wheaton is committed to strong ESG practices and giving back to the communities where Wheaton and its mining partners operate. Wheaton creates sustainable value through streaming.
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation concerning the business, operations and financial performance of Wheaton and, in some instances, the business, mining operations and performance of Wheaton's Precious Metals Purchase Agreement ("PMPA") counterparties. Forward-looking statements, which are all statements other than statements of historical fact, include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to:
- the satisfaction of each party's obligations in accordance with the BHP Antamina PMPA;
- the receipt by the Company of silver production in respect of the Antamina mine under the BHP Antamina PMPA;
- the future price of commodities;
- the estimation of future production from the mineral stream interests and mineral royalty interests currently owned by the Company (the "Mining Operations") (including in the estimation of production, mill throughput, grades, recoveries and exploration potential);
- the estimation of mineral reserves and mineral resources (including the estimation of reserve conversion rates and the realization of such estimations);
- the commencement, timing and achievement of construction, expansion or improvement projects by Wheaton's precious metal purchase agreement ("PMPA") counterparties at Mining Operations or other payments under royalty arrangements;
- the payment of upfront cash consideration to counterparties under PMPAs, the satisfaction of each party's obligations in accordance with PMPAs and the receipt by the Company of precious metals and cobalt production or other payments in respect of the applicable Mining Operations under PMPAs;
- the ability of Wheaton's PMPA counterparties to comply with the terms of a PMPA (including as a result of the business, mining operations and performance of Wheaton's PMPA counterparties) and the potential impacts of such on Wheaton;
- future payments by the Company in accordance with PMPAs, including any acceleration of payments;
- the costs of future production;
- the estimation of produced but not yet delivered ounces;
- continued listing of the Common Shares on the LSE, NYSE and TSX;
- any statements as to future dividends;
- the ability to fund outstanding commitments and the ability to continue to acquire accretive PMPAs;
- projected increases to Wheaton's production and cash flow profile;
- projected changes to Wheaton's production mix;
- the ability of Wheaton's PMPA counterparties to comply with the terms of any other obligations under agreements with the Company;
- the ability to sell precious metals and cobalt production;
- confidence in the Company's business structure;
- the Company's assessment of taxes payable, and the Company's ability to pay its taxes;
- possible CRA domestic and international audits;
- the Company's assessment of the impact of any tax reassessments;
- the Company's climate change and environmental commitments; and
- assessments of the impact and resolution of various legal and tax matters, including but not limited to audits.
Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "projects", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", "potential", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Wheaton to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to:
- risks relating to the satisfaction of each party's obligations in accordance with the terms of the BHP Antamina PMPA;
- risks relating to the Company's ability to meet the conditions of, and the satisfaction of each party's obligations under, the existing RCF and the new Term Loan;
- risks relating to the generation of sufficient cash flow to repay the existing RCF and the new Term Loan;
- risks associated with fluctuations in the price of commodities (including Wheaton's ability to sell its precious metals or cobalt production at acceptable prices or at all);
- risks related to the Mining Operations (including fluctuations in the price of the primary or other commodities mined at such operations, regulatory, political and other risks of the jurisdictions in which the Mining Operations are located, actual results of mining, risks associated with exploration, development, operating, expansions and improvement at the Mining Operations, environmental and economic risks of the Mining Operations, and changes in project parameters as Mining Operations plans continue to be refined);
- absence of control over the Mining Operations and having to rely on the accuracy of the public disclosure and other information 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;
- risks related to the uncertainty in the accuracy of mineral reserve and mineral resource estimation;
- risks related to the satisfaction of each party's obligations in accordance with the terms of the Company's PMPAs, including the ability of the companies with which the Company has PMPAs to perform their obligations under those PMPAs in the event of a material adverse effect on the results of operations, financial condition, cash flows or business of such companies, any acceleration of payments, estimated throughput and exploration potential;
- risks relating to production estimates from Mining Operations, including anticipated timing of the commencement of production by certain Mining Operations;
- Wheaton's interpretation of, or compliance with, or application of, tax laws and regulations or accounting policies and rules, being found to be incorrect or the tax impact to the Company's business operations being materially different than currently contemplated, or the ability to pay such taxes as and when due;
- any challenge or reassessment by the CRA of the Company's tax filings being successful and the potential negative impact to the Company's previous and future tax filings;
- risks in assessing the impact of the CRA Settlement;
- risks related to any changes to the Income Tax Act (
Canada ) that may result in a material change to the amount of future taxes payable; - counterparty credit and liquidity risks;
- mine operator and counterparty concentration risks;
- indebtedness and guarantees risks;
- hedging risk;
- competition in the streaming industry risk;
- risks relating to security over underlying assets;
- risks relating to third-party PMPAs;
- risks relating to revenue from royalty interests;
- risks related to Wheaton's acquisition strategy;
- risks relating to third-party rights under PMPAs;
- risks relating to future financings and security issuances;
- risks relating to unknown defects and impairments;
- risks related to governmental regulations;
- risks related to international operations of Wheaton and the Mining Operations;
- risks relating to exploration, development, operating, expansions and improvements at the Mining Operations;
- risks related to environmental regulations;
- the ability of Wheaton and the Mining Operations to obtain and maintain necessary licenses, permits, approvals and rulings;
- the ability of Wheaton and the Mining Operations to comply with applicable laws, regulations and permitting requirements;
- lack of suitable supplies, infrastructure and employees to support the Mining Operations;
- risks related to underinsured Mining Operations;
- inability to replace and expand mineral reserves, including anticipated timing of the commencement of production by certain Mining Operations (including increases in production, estimated grades and recoveries);
- uncertainties related to title and indigenous rights with respect to the mineral properties of the Mining Operations;
- the ability of Wheaton and the Mining Operations to obtain adequate financing;
- the ability of the Mining Operations to complete permitting, construction, development and expansion;
- challenges related to global financial conditions;
- risks associated with sustainability-related matters;
- risks related to fluctuations in commodity prices of metals produced from the Mining Operations other than precious metals or cobalt;
- risks related to claims and legal proceedings against Wheaton or the Mining Operations;
- risks related to the market price of the Common Shares of Wheaton;
- the ability of Wheaton and the Mining Operations to retain key management employees or procure the services of skilled and experienced personnel;
- risks related to interest rates;
- risks related to the declaration, timing and payment of dividends;
- risks related to access to confidential information regarding Mining Operations;
- risks associated with multiple listings of the Common Shares on the LSE, NYSE and TSX;
- risks associated with a possible suspension of trading of Common Shares;
- equity price risks related to Wheaton's holding of long-term investments in other companies;
- risks relating to activist shareholders;
- risks relating to reputational damage;
- risks relating to expression of views by industry analysts;
- risks related to the impacts of climate change and the transition to a low-carbon economy;
- risks associated with the ability to achieve climate change and environmental commitments at Wheaton and at the Mining Operations;
- risks related to ensuring the security and safety of information systems, including cyber security risks;
- risks relating to artificial intelligence;
- risks relating to compliance with anti-corruption and anti-bribery laws;
- risks relating to corporate governance and public disclosure compliance;
- risks of significant impacts on Wheaton or the Mining Operations as a result of an epidemic or pandemic;
- risks related to the adequacy of internal control over financial reporting; and
- other risks discussed in the section entitled "Description of the Business – Risk Factors" in Wheaton's Annual Information Form available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and Wheaton's Form 40-F for the year ended December 31, 2025 on file with the
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on EDGAR (the "Disclosure").
Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions management currently believes to be reasonable, including but not limited to:
- that each party's obligations in accordance with the terms of the BHP Antamina PMPA will be satisfied;
- that the Company will be able to repay the existing RCF and new Term Loan;
- that there will be no material adverse change in the market price of commodities;
- that the Mining Operations will continue to operate and the mining projects will be completed in accordance with public statements and achieve their stated production estimates;
- that the mineral reserves and mineral resource estimates from Mining Operations (including reserve conversion rates) are accurate;
- that public disclosure and other information Wheaton receives from the owners and operators of the Mining Operations is accurate and complete;
- that the production estimates from Mining Operations are accurate;
- that each party will satisfy their obligations in accordance with the PMPAs;
- that Wheaton will continue to be able to fund or obtain funding for outstanding commitments;
- that Wheaton will be able to source and obtain accretive PMPAs;
- that the terms and conditions of a PMPA are sufficient to recover liabilities owed to the Company;
- that Wheaton has fully considered the value and impact of any third-party interests in PMPAs;
- that expectations regarding the resolution of legal and tax matters will be achieved (including CRA audits involving the Company);
- that Wheaton has properly considered the application of Canadian tax laws to its structure and operations and that Wheaton will be able to pay taxes when due;
- that Wheaton has filed its tax returns and paid applicable taxes in compliance with applicable tax laws;
- that the trading of the Common Shares will not be adversely affected by the differences in liquidity, settlement and clearing systems as a result of multiple listings of the Common Shares on the LSE, the TSX and the NYSE;
- that the trading of the Company's Common Shares will not be suspended;
- the estimate of the recoverable amount for any PMPA with an indicator of impairment;
- that neither Wheaton nor the Mining Operations will suffer significant impacts as a result of an epidemic or pandemic; and
- such other assumptions and factors as set out in the Disclosure.
Although 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, 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 readers with information to assist them in understanding Wheaton's expected financial and operational performance and may not be appropriate for other purposes. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, reflects Wheaton's management's current beliefs based on current information and will not be updated except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
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SOURCE Wheaton Precious Metals Corp.