Canada NewsWire

VANCOUVER, March 3

TSX: SLW

NYSE: SLW

VANCOUVER, March 3 /CNW/ - Silver Wheaton Corp. ("Silver Wheaton" or the "Company") (TSX: SLW) (NYSE: SLW) is pleased to announce its unaudited results for the fourth quarter and the year ended December 31, 2010.

FOURTH QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS (3 Months)

The Company had record quarterly net earnings, operating cash flows, attributable production and sales, as follows:   

• Net earnings more than doubled to US$123.0 million (US$0.35 per share) compared with US$50.8 million (US$0.15 per share) in 2009.
• Operating cash flows increased 76% to US$124.7 million (US$0.36 per share)1 compared with US$71.0 million (US$0.21 per share)1 in 2009.
• Attributable silver equivalent production of 6.3 million ounces (6.1 million ounces of silver and 4,100 ounces of gold), representing an increase of 10% over the comparable period in 2009.
• Silver equivalent sales of 5.7 million ounces (5.5 million ounces of silver and 2,600 ounces of gold), representing an increase of 11% over the comparable period in 2009.
• Total cash costs were US$4.021 per silver equivalent ounce, compared with US$4.041 per ounce in 2009.
• Cash operating margin1 increased 64% compared to 2009, to a record US$22.42 per silver equivalent ounce, while average silver prices over the same period increased by 50%.
• Acquired 3.0 million common shares of Bear Creek Mining Corporation for total consideration of C$19.1 million.  At December 31, 2010, Silver Wheaton owned 13.3 million common shares of Bear Creek representing approximately 14% of the outstanding shares on an undiluted basis.

2010 HIGHLIGHTS (12 Months)

The Company had record annual net earnings, operating cash flows, attributable production and sales, as follows:   

• Net earnings more than doubled to US$290.1 million (US$0.84 per share) compared to US$117.9 million (US$0.39 per share) in 2009.
• Operating cash flows increased 93% to US$319.8 million (US$0.93 per share)1 compared to US$165.9 million (US$0.54 per share)1 in 2009.
• Attributable silver equivalent production of 23.9 million ounces (22.1 million ounces of silver and 28,800 ounces of gold), representing an increase of 37% compared to 2009.
• Silver equivalent sales of 20.5 million ounces (18.9 million ounces of silver and 25,900 ounces of gold), representing an increase of 29% compared to 2009.
• Total cash costs were US$4.041 per silver equivalent ounce, compared with US$4.031 per ounce in 2009.
• Cash operating margin1 increased 50% compared to 2009, to a record US$16.63 per silver equivalent ounce, while average silver prices over the same period increased by 38%.
• As at December 31, 2010, approximately 2.4 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.
• Acquired an amount equal to 100% of the life of mine silver and gold production from Augusta Resource Corporation's Rosemont Copper project in the United States. Once production commences, Rosemont is forecast to increase Silver Wheaton's long-term annual production by approximately 2.4 million ounces of silver, plus any gold production, estimated by Augusta to average up to 15,000 ounces of gold per annum. 
• Converted the debenture with Pan American Silver Corp. into an agreement 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 located in Argentina.  Navidad is forecast to increase Silver Wheaton's long-term annual silver production by up to 2 million ounces.
• Acquired 1.8 million units of Ventana Gold Corp. for total consideration of C$20.7 million (US$19.8 million).  As part of this transaction, Silver Wheaton has been granted a right of first refusal over any silver streams relating to Ventana's Colombian properties, including the highly prospective La Bodega project, which has the potential to host a world-class gold deposit with significant silver by product credits.
• Goldcorp completed the sale of the San Dimas mine to Primero Mining Corp.  In conjunction with the sale, Silver Wheaton amended its silver purchase agreement relating to the mine.  The term of the agreement, which was set to expire in 2029, was extended to the life of mine.  During the first four years following closing of the transaction, Primero will deliver 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 will receive an additional 1.5 million ounces of silver per annum to be delivered by Goldcorp.  Beginning in the fifth year after closing, Primero will deliver to the Company a per annum amount equal to the first 6 million ounces of payable silver produced at San Dimas and 50% of any excess. Primero has provided Silver Wheaton with a right of first refusal on any metal stream or similar transaction it enters into.
• Goldcorp Inc. announced that its world-class gold-silver-lead-zinc Peñasquito mine achieved commercial production, on schedule, with peak throughput rates as high as 105,000 tonnes per day. The ramp up to full production capacity of 130,000 tonnes per day is anticipated by the end of the first quarter of 2011. Annual production attributable to Silver Wheaton from the mine is expected to average approximately 7 million ounces of silver over the estimated 22 year mine life.
• Barrick Gold Corporation's world-class gold-silver Pascua-Lama project is forecast to commence production in the first half of 2013, with detailed engineering and procurement nearing completion and earthworks well underway. Once in production, Pascua-Lama is forecast to be one of the largest and lowest cost gold mines in the world with an expected mine life in excess of 25 years.  In its first five years of operation, Silver Wheaton's attributable silver production is expected to average 9 million ounces annually. 

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1 Refer to discussion on non-GAAP measures at the end of this press release.

"2010 was a tremendously successful year, with the Company setting new records on all financial and operating metrics. In just six years, Silver Wheaton has grown its market capitalization to in excess of US$15 billion, and has more silver reserves than any silver company in the world," said Peter Barnes, Chief Executive Officer of Silver Wheaton. "We were especially pleased that the production ramp up at the first of our cornerstone assets, Goldcorp's world-class Peñasquito mine in Mexico, exceeded expectations and contributed to Silver Wheaton's peer-leading 37% annual production growth. This was particularly timely as silver prices climbed to 30 year highs which resulted in record quarterly and annual results."

"This momentum is expected to continue into 2011, with forecast production growth of another 15%, which will result in operating cash flows of over US$700 million at current metal prices. Production growth over the next five years is forecast at approximately 80%, which represents one of the strongest growth profiles in the precious metals industry and is driven by the continued ramp up at Peñasquito and the forecast 2013 production start at Barrick's world-class Pascua-Lama project."

"To supplement our growth in 2014 and beyond, important transactions were completed in 2010. These include a life-of-mine precious metals purchase agreement relating to the Rosemont project in Arizona and converting a debenture allowing us to acquire a portion of the life-of-mine silver production from the Loma de La Plata zone of the Navidad project in Argentina. Combined, these projects are forecast to increase our long-term silver equivalent production by up to 5 million ounces per annum, once in production. We also acquired a right of first refusal on all future silver streams from one of the most exciting gold discoveries in the last decade, the La Bodega project in Colombia, and amended the silver purchase agreement relating to the San Dimas mine in Mexico, which should result in lasting benefits to our shareholders, including the potential for increased silver production."

"With cash on hand of over US$428 million, a fully undrawn US$400 million revolving credit facility and strong cash flows from operations, we remain exceptionally well-positioned to continue growing our silver stream portfolio. Merger and acquisition activity in the mining industry is anticipated to remain robust in 2011, and Silver Wheaton continues to offer an attractive mainstream financing solution to assist companies in achieving their growth goals."

2011 and Five Year Silver Equivalent Production Forecast

The Company estimates, based upon its current agreements, to have 2011 attributable production of 27 to 28 million silver equivalent ounces, including 15,000 ounces of gold. This represents a 15% increase compared to 2010. Total cash costs in 2011 are anticipated to be approximately US$4 per silver equivalent ounce, unchanged from 2010. By 2015, based upon its current agreements, annual attributable production is anticipated to increase by 80% to approximately 43 million silver equivalent ounces, including 35,000 ounces of gold. Attributable mine-by-mine actual 2010 production and forecast 2011 production are as follows:

1) Ounces produced represent the quantity of silver and gold contained in concentrate or doré prior to smelting or refining deductions.

2) Certain production figures are based on management estimates.

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.

4) Comprised of the Lagunas Norte, Pierina and Veladero silver interests.

5) 2010 attributable production includes the Los Filos, San Martin, La Negra, Mineral Park, Neves-Corvo, Stratoni, Keno Hill, Minto and Campo Morado silver interests. 2011 forecast attributable production includes the Los Filos, Mineral Park, Neves-Corvo, Stratoni, Keno Hill, Minto, Campo Morado and Aljustrel silver interests.

6) The Minto mine produced 28,795 oz of gold in 2010 and is forecast to produce approximately 15,000 oz of gold in 2011.

Webcast and Conference Call Details

A conference call will be held Friday, March 4, 2011, starting at 11:00 am (Eastern Time) to discuss these results. To participate in the live call use one of the following methods:

Participants should dial in five to ten minutes before the call.

The conference call will be recorded and you can listen to an archive of the call by one of the following methods:

About Silver Wheaton

Silver Wheaton is the largest silver streaming company in the world. Based upon its current agreements, forecast 2011 attributable production is 27 to 28 million silver equivalent ounces, including 15,000 ounces of gold. By 2015, annual attributable production is anticipated to increase significantly to approximately 43 million silver equivalent ounces, including 35,000 ounces of gold. This growth is driven by the Company's portfolio of world-class assets, including silver streams on Goldcorp's Peñasquito mine and Barrick's Pascua-Lama project. 

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING-STATEMENTS

The information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation.  Forward-looking statements, which are all statements other than statements of historical fact, include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the future price of silver and gold, the estimation of mineral reserves and resources, the realization of mineral reserve estimates, the timing and amount of estimated future production, costs of production, reserve determination and reserve conversion rates.  Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved".  Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Silver Wheaton to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: fluctuations in the price of silver and gold; the absence of control over mining operations from which Silver Wheaton purchases silver or gold and risks related to these mining operations including risks related to fluctuations in the price of the primary commodities mined at such operations, actual results of mining and exploration activities, economic and political risks of the jurisdictions in which the mining operations are located and changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; and differences in the interpretation or application of tax laws and regulations; as well as those factors discussed in the section entitled "Description of the Business - Risk Factors" in Silver Wheaton's Annual Information Form available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and in Silver Wheaton's Form 40-F on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable, including but not limited to: the continued operation of the mining operations from which Silver Wheaton purchases silver or gold, no material adverse change in the market price of commodities, that the mining operations will operate and the mining projects will be completed in accordance with their public statements and achieve their stated production outcomes, and such other assumptions and factors as set out herein. Although Silver Wheaton has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended.  There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Silver Wheaton does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that are included or incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

Summarized Financial Results (unaudited)

Consolidated Statement of Operations (unaudited)

Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited)

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (unaudited)

Summary of Ounces Produced and Sold (unaudited)

Results of Operations (unaudited)

Non-GAAP Measures

Silver Wheaton has included, throughout this press release, certain non-GAAP performance measures, including total cash costs of silver and gold on a sales basis, as well as operating cash flows per share and cash operating margin.  These non-GAAP measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP, nor are they necessarily comparable with similar measures presented by other companies.  Cash costs are presented as they represent an industry standard method of comparing certain costs on a per unit basis.  Cash operating margin is defined as the realized selling price less total cash cost per silver equivalent ounce.  The Company believes that certain investors use this information to evaluate the Company's performance.  The data 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 GAAP.  During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company's total cash costs, which were equivalent to the Company's cost of sales in accordance with GAAP, were $3.97 per ounce of silver and $300 per ounce of gold (2009 - $3.97 per ounce of silver and $300 per ounce of gold).