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6-K 1 tm241503d4_6k.htm FORM 6-K

 

 

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

 

For the month of April, 2024

 

Commission File Number: 001-32482

 

WHEATON PRECIOUS METALS CORP.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Suite 3500, 1021 West Hastings Street

Vancouver, British Columbia

V6E 0C3

(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 ¨ Form 40-F x

 

Exhibit 99.2 to this report on Form 6-K shall be incorporated by reference into the registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-128128), on Form F-10 (File No. 333-271239) and on Form F-3D (File No. 333-194702) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

 

 

 


 

DOCUMENTS FILED AS PART OF THIS FORM 6-K

 

See the Exhibit Index to this Form 6-K.

 

 


 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit Number   Description
99.1   Notice and Access Notification to Shareholders
99.2   Management Information Circular
99.3   Form of Proxy to Registered Shareholders
99.4   Notice of Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders
99.5   Virtual Meeting Guide

 

 


 

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.

 

  WHEATON PRECIOUS METALS CORP.
  (Registrant)
     
     
Date: April 5, 2024 By: /s/ Curt Bernardi
    Name: Curt Bernardi
    Title: Senior Vice President, Legal and Strategic Development

 

 

 

EX-99.1 2 tm241503d4_ex99-1.htm EXHIBIT 99.1

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

 

Notice of 2024 Annual and Special Meeting
of Shareholders & Notice of Availability of
Meeting Materials

 

NOTICE AND ACCESS NOTIFICATION TO SHAREHOLDERS

 

You are receiving this notification as Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. (the “Company”) uses the notice and access model for the delivery of its information circular to its shareholders in respect of its annual and special meeting of shareholders to be held on May 10, 2024 (the “Meeting”). Under notice and access, instead of receiving paper copies of the Company’s management information circular for the year ended December 31, 2023 (the “Information Circular”), shareholders are receiving this notice with information on how they may access the Information Circular electronically. However, together with this notification, shareholders continue to receive a proxy or voting instruction form (“VIF”), as applicable, enabling them to vote at the Meeting. The Company has adopted an online virtual meeting platform in addition to the in person meeting location and shareholders are encouraged to participate in the Meeting using this online platform. See important information below on voting at the Meeting using the online platform.

 

MEETING DATE AND LOCATION

 

Important Meeting Information 
Date è May 10, 2024
Time è 10:30a.m. (PST)
Virtual è https://virtual-meetings.tsxtrust.com/1596
In person è Offices of Cassels, Brock & Blackwell LLP, Suite 2200 HSBC Building, 885 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3E8

 

HOW TO ACCESS THE INFORMATION CIRCULAR

 

The Information Circular can be viewed online as follows:

 

è The Company’s website: www.wheatonpm.com/Investors/annual-general-meeting

 

è The Company’s page on SEDAR+: www.sedarplus.ca

 

è The Company’s filings on United States Securities and Exchange Commission: www.sec.gov

 

Shareholders may request paper copies of the Information Circular be sent to them by postal delivery at no cost to them for up to one year from the date the Information Circular was filed on SEDAR by calling toll-free at 1-888-433-6443 or by emailing tsxt-fulfilment@tmx.com. Requests for paper copies must be received at least five business days in advance of the proxy deposit date and time set out in the accompanying proxy or VIF in order to receive the Information Circular in advance of the proxy deposit date and Meeting. The Information Circular will be sent to such shareholders within three business days of their request if such requests are made before the Meeting. Those shareholders with existing instructions on their account to receive a paper copy of meeting materials will receive a paper copy of the Information Circular with this notification. Please note that if you request a paper copy of the Information Circular, you will not receive a new proxy form or VIF, so please keep the original form sent with this notice in order to vote. SHAREHOLDERS ARE REMINDED TO REVIEW THE INFORMATION CIRCULAR PRIOR TO VOTING.

 

SHAREHOLDERS WILL BE ASKED TO CONSIDER AND VOTE ON THE FOLLOWING MATTERS:

 

è FINANCIAL STATEMENTS: To receive the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023 and the report of the auditors thereon.

 

è ELECTION OF DIRECTORS: To elect the ten director nominees. See the section entitled “Election of Directors” in the Information Circular.

 

è APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS: To appoint Deloitte LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, as auditors for 2024 and to authorize the directors to fix the auditors’ remuneration. See the section entitled “Appointment of Auditors” in the Information Circular.

 

è SAY ON PAY: To approve a non-binding advisory resolution on the Company’s approach to executive compensation. See the sections entitled “Executive Compensation” and “Say On Pay Advisory Vote” in the Information Circular.

 

è OTHER BUSINESS: To transact any other business which may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment of the Meeting.

 

Shareholders with questions about notice and access can call toll free at 1-800-380-8687

 

 

- 2 -

VOTING – ONLINE VIRTUAL MEETING PLATFORM

 

All shareholders participating in our online virtual Meeting platform will be able listen to the Meeting live, ask questions online, and for registered shareholders or proxyholders, submit votes in real time. The online Meeting can be accessed at https://virtual-meetings.tsxtrust.com/1596. Registered shareholders and duly appointed proxyholders (including non-registered shareholders who have duly appointed themselves as proxyholders) may enter the online Meeting platform by clicking “I have a control number” and entering a valid control number and the password “wheaton2024” (case sensitive) before the start of the Meeting. Non-registered shareholders who wish to vote at the Meeting through the online virtual platform must insert their own name in the space provided on the VIF received from the nominee. In so doing, such non-registered shareholder will be instructing its nominee to appoint such non-registered shareholder as proxyholder. Non-registered shareholders must adhere strictly to the signature and return instructions provided by their nominee. It is not necessary to complete the form in any other respect, since such non-registered shareholder will be voting at the Meeting by voting online through the online virtual Meeting platform. Non-registered shareholders who wish to vote at the Meeting must register as proxyholder by contacting TSX Trust Company at 1-866-751-6315 (in North America) or 1 (416) 682-3860 outside North America or by completing the electronic form located at: https://www.tsxtrust.com/control-number-request by 10:30 a.m. PST on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. TSX Trust Company will then provide the non-registered shareholder with a control number by email after the proxy voting deadline has passed. The control number is the non-registered shareholder’s username for the purposes of logging into the Meeting. More information regarding participating in the Meeting online, including browser requirements, is detailed in the Wheaton Virtual Meeting Guide provided with this notice and access notification or on Wheaton’s website at www.wheatonpm.com/Investors/annual-general-meeting/.

 

VOTING – PROXY

 

For shareholders who are unable to attend the online virtual Meeting, they may choose to vote by proxy as follows:

 

Registered shareholders are asked to return their proxies using the following methods by the proxy deposit date noted on your proxy:

 

CANADA AND UNITED STATES
 
FAX: 1-416-595-9593.
   
INTERNET: Go to www.meeting-vote.com and follow the instructions using the 13-digit control number located on the proxy.
   
E-MAIL: Send to proxyvote@tmx.com.
   
MAIL:

Complete the form of proxy or any other proper form of proxy, sign it and mail it to:

 

TSX Trust Company
Proxy Dept., P.O. Box 721
Agincourt, Ontario M1S 0A1 Canada

 

Non-registered (or beneficial) shareholders are asked to return their voting instructions using the methods set out on their VIF or business reply envelope, or as set out below, at least one business day in advance of the proxy deposit date noted on your VIF:

 

CANADA   UNITED STATES
     
MAIL: Data Processing Centre
P.O. Box 3700, STN
INDUSTRIAL PARK
Markham, Ontario L3R 9Z9 Canada
  MAIL: Proxy Services
PO Box 9104
Farmingdale, New York
11735-9533 USA
         
TELEPHONE:

English: 1-800-474-7493

French: 1-800-474-7501

  TELEPHONE: 1-800-454-8683
         
INTERNET: Go to www.proxyvote.com and follow the instructions using the 16-digit control number included in your VIF.   INTERNET: Go to www.proxyvote.com and follow the instructions using the 16-digit control number included in your VIF.
         
QR CODE: Vote by scanning the QR code included in your voting instruction form to access the voting site from your mobile device.   QR CODE: Vote by scanning the QR code included in your voting instruction form to access the voting site from your mobile device.

 

 

 

EX-99.2 3 tm241503d4_ex99-2.htm EXHIBIT 99.2

 

Exhibit 99.2 

 

 

 


 

Table of Contents

 

BUSINESS OF THE MEETING IIABOUT WHEATON PRECIOUS METALS IIIOUR YEAR IN REVIEW – 2023 IVNOTICE OF 2023 ANNUAL AND SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS 1VOTING AND PROXY INFORMATION 2GENERAL PROXY INFORMATION 10ELECTION OF DIRECTORS 14CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PRACTICES 30DIRECTOR COMPENSATION 48EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION (SEE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION INDEX FOR FURTHER DETAILS) 54SECURITIES AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS 93OTHER INFORMATION 98APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS 99SPECIAL MATTERS 100SHAREHOLDER ENGAGEMENT & CONTACTING BOARD OF DIRECTORS 101ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 102SCHEDULE “A” - CHARTER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS 103SCHEDULE “B” – NON-IFRS MEASURES 106
Solicitation of Proxies 10
Appointment and Revocation of Proxies 10
Exercise of Discretion by Proxies 11
Voting Securities and Principal Holders Thereof 13
Advance Notice By-law 14
Majority Voting Policy 14
Board Nominees At A Glance 15
Director Biographies 16
Director Experiences, Expertise and Skills 26
Our Year in Review 30
Board of Directors 30
Diversity and Representation of Women at Wheaton 33
Environment, Social and Governance 35
Climate Change and Environment 36
Community Investment Program 37
Information Systems and Cyber Security 37
Position Descriptions 39
Compensation 41
Committees of the Board 42
Board Assessments 44
Director Share Ownership Requirements 45
Director Compensation Summary 49
Incentive Plan Awards 51
Retirement Policy for Directors 53
Directors’ and Officers’ Liability Insurance 53
Equity Compensation Plans 93
Share Option Plan 93
Performance Share Unit Plan 95
Restricted Share Plan 96
Indebtedness of Directors and Executive Officers 98
Interest of Certain Persons in Matters to be Acted Upon 98
Interest of Informed Persons in Material Transactions 98
Say on Pay Advisory Vote 100
Shareholder Engagement & Contacting the Board of Directors 101
Additional Information 102
Directors’ Approval 102

WHEATON 2024 MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR [I]

Business of the Meeting

 

Below is a summary of the matters to be acted upon at the 2024 Annual and Special Meeting of shareholders of Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. (“we”, “us”, “our”, the “Company” or “Wheaton”). This summary does not contain all of the information that you should consider, and you should carefully read the entire management information circular (the “Circular”) before voting. For this year’s Meeting, Wheaton has adopted an online virtual meeting platform in addition to the in-person meeting location and we are encouraging our shareholders to participate in the Meeting using this online platform. See “How Do I Join the Wheaton Online Virtual Meeting?” on page 4 for details.

 

Ordinary Matters

 

1 Wheaton’s Financial Statements

 

Wheaton will place before the Meeting its consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023. These financial statements have been mailed to shareholders who requested a copy and are available on Wheaton’s website at www.wheatonpm.com, on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov.

 

2 Election of Directors Board Recommendation: VOTE FOR EACH NOMINEE

 

Shareholders will be asked to elect 10 members to the Board of Directors. Please refer to the section entitled “Election of Directors” on page 14 for director biographies and details on the election process.

 

3 Appointment of Auditors Board Recommendation: VOTE FOR

 

Shareholders will be asked to approve the appointment of Deloitte LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, as auditors of Wheaton and to fix their remuneration. Please refer to the section entitled “Appointment of Auditors” on page 99 for details on fees billed by the auditors.

 

Special Matters

 

4 Say on Pay Advisory Vote Board Recommendation: VOTE FOR

 

Shareholders will be asked to approve a non-binding advisory resolution on the Company’s approach to executive compensation. Please refer to the section entitled “Executive Compensation” on page 54 and “Special Matters – Say on Pay Advisory Vote” on page 100 for details on Wheaton’s executive compensation and the say on pay advisory vote.

WHEATON 2024 MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR [II]

About Wheaton Precious Metals

 

Wheaton is the world’s premier precious metals streaming company with the highest-quality portfolio of long-life, low-cost assets. We enter into streaming agreements with third-party independent mining companies (“Mining Partners”) to purchase all or a portion of their precious metals or cobalt production and royalty agreements. As consideration, our Mining Partners receive an upfront payment, plus additional payments upon delivery of the metals.

 

We believe our business model and the quality of our asset portfolio represents a long-term, sustainable option for precious metals investment that offers consistently higher margins with lower risk. We focus on low-cost, long-life mines located in politically stable jurisdictions.

 

Our current streaming agreements and royalty agreements cover 18 operating mines and 26 development stage projects. We believe that our diversified portfolio of high-quality assets is unparalleled in the industry, providing our investors with:

 

à organic and accretive growth opportunities;

à capital and operating cost predictability;

à commodity price leverage; and

à a competitive and innovative dividend.

 

We believe in investing in our local communities and the communities around our Mining Partners’ operations. In collaboration with our Mining Partners, we share the benefits of mining through a multi-faceted Community Investment Program that supports health, education, employment and other community and environmental benefits for the people and communities in which our Mining Partners operate.

 

Our leadership in sustainability has been recognized by several ESG rating agencies and organizations. Wheaton is rated “AA” by MSCI and is also top rated in the Precious Metals category for Sustainalytics and is included in the ESG Global 50 Top Rated by Sustainalytics. We are also rated Prime by ISS ESG.

 

 

OUR VISION
To be the world’s premier precious metals investment vehicle

 

 

 

OUR MANDATE

To deliver value through streaming to all of our stakeholders:

 

To our Shareholders, by delivering low risk, high quality, diversified exposure and growth optionality to precious metals

 

To our Partners, by crystallizing value for precious metals yet to be produced

 

To our Neighbours, by promoting responsible mining practices and supporting the communities in which we live and operate

 

WHEATON 2024 MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR [III]

Our Year in Review – 2023

 

To assist you in reviewing the proposals to be voted upon at the 2024 Annual and Special Meeting of shareholders of Wheaton, this section provides highlights on Wheaton’s performance, compensation and governance matters. However, this summary does not contain all of the information that you should consider, and you should carefully read the entire Circular before voting.

 

Achievements During 2023 – Making Accretive Investments for Future Growth (1)

 

Wheaton continues to be the one of the largest precious metal streaming companies in the world. During 2023, Wheaton had some significant achievements, including: 

     
     

CONSISTENT FINANCIAL RESULTS

 

RECORD GROWTH IN HIGH-QUALITY ASSETS

Wheaton’s revenue and operating cash flow for 2023 were over US$1 billion and US$751 million respectively

 

Wheaton completed eight streaming and royalty transactions in 2023, the largest number of transactions added in one year for Wheaton, representing over one-half of the value of all streaming/royalty transactions in 2023

     

     
     

DELIVERING TO STAKEHOLDERS

 

STRONG SUSTAINABILITY FOCUS

During 2023 Wheaton paid a record US$272 million in dividends to shareholders, a leader in the mining industry in dividend to revenue ratio and deployed record support to communities around the world through Wheaton’s Community Investment Program

 

Wheaton’s ongoing commitment to sustainability included the publication of Wheaton’s fourth Sustainability Report & Inaugural Climate Change Report

     

 

Key Executive Compensation Results (2)

 

Overall total executive compensation increased for 2023 when compared to 2022. Key executive compensation results were:

 

  Base salaries increased by approximately 4% for 2023
  Value of long-term compensation awards paid to CEO increased by approximately 4% in 2023 compared to 2022
  Annual performance-based cash incentive for CEO increased by approximately 44% compared to 2022, reflecting strong corporate performance for 2023
  Approximately 79% of CEO compensation was at risk during 2023, consistent with 2022
  Total compensation paid to CEO in 2023 increased by approximately 13% compared to 2022, primarily due to the annual performance-based cash incentive awards for 2023

 

(1) Shareholders are directed to the full disclosure on financial results contained in the consolidated financial statements and management’s discussion and analysis for the year ended December 31, 2023.

(2) Shareholders are directed to the full disclosure under Executive Compensation contained in this information circular.

WHEATON 2024 MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR [IV]

2023 Compensation At A Glance

 

Wheaton’s compensation practices have been adopted with the goals of attracting, retaining and motivating key talent, as well as aligning the interests of management with the interests of Wheaton’s shareholders. Wheaton believes that these compensation practices continue to produce strong performance for Wheaton.

 

Benchmarking to Well-Selected Comparator Group – the Human Resources Committee selects a comparator group based on objective criteria to benchmark Wheaton’s compensation è Page 63
Balanced Approach to Compensation – Wheaton believes in a balanced compensation approach, with base salary, retirement plan, bonus and long-term compensation representing 16%, 5%, 31% and 48% respectively of total CEO compensation in 2023 è Page 59
Annual Bonus Tied to Performance – Wheaton has significant performance objectives and a payout depending on the achievement of those objectives, including sustainability è Page 65
Pay for Performance Alignment – Wheaton has strong alignment between shareholder return and total pay è Page 81
Significant Proportion of Long-Term Compensation – compensation paid to executive officers is designed to reward success in achieving sustained, long-term profitability through the grant of equity awards vesting over multi-year periods è Page 72
Executive Share Ownership – senior officers of Wheaton are required to hold common shares equal in value to five times base salary for the CEO and two times base salary for all other senior officers. Effective March 2024, performance share units may no longer be used to satisfy executive share ownership requirements. è Page 77
Caps on Compensation – Wheaton has adopted caps on non-equity performance awards and the number of performance share units vesting, each equal to 200% è Page 65/74
Claw Back Policy & Risk Management – the Board adopted an executive compensation claw back policy and the Audit Committee and Human Resources Committee identify, review and assess risks specifically associated with compensation policies and practices è Page 80
Independent Advice – Wheaton’s third-party compensation consultant provides advice on the competitiveness and appropriateness of executive compensation programs è Page 58
Human Resources Committee Discretion – determining whether to award an annual performance bonus is at the Human Resources Committee’s sole discretion è Page 65
Anti-Hedging Policy – Wheaton prohibits all officers, directors and Vice-Presidents from entering into hedging transactions with Wheaton common shares è Page 81
Employment Agreements – Wheaton has entered into employment agreements with all senior officers è Page 90
Double Trigger on Severance Payments – severance payments to senior officers are not triggered unless there is both a change of control of Wheaton and the termination or effective termination of the officer è Page 90
Modest Benefits – executive officers generally received perquisites that in the aggregate were no greater than C$50,000 è Page 77
WHEATON 2024 MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR [V]

2023 Corporate Governance At A Glance

 

Wheaton recognizes the importance of corporate governance practices for the effective management of the Company. Details on Wheaton corporate governance practices can be found throughout this Circular.

 

Independence of the Board – currently 89% of Wheaton directors and 100% of committee members are independent è Page 16
Independent Chair – the Chair of the Board of Wheaton is currently Mr. Brack, an independent director, and the role of Chair and CEO are separate è Page 31
In Camera/Independent Meetings of the Board – at all Board meetings, independent directors meet without management to allow for more open discussions è Page 31
Overboarding – Board members are not allowed to sit on four or more public company boards without the approval of the Board è Page 31
Limits on Interlocking – no two Wheaton directors may sit together on two or more public company boards without the approval of the Board è Page 32
Majority Voting Policy – the Board has adopted a policy that any director who receives a greater number of votes “withheld” than votes “for” must promptly tender a resignation to the Board è Page 14
Terms of Reference – Wheaton has adopted detailed and comprehensive terms of reference for the Board è Page 32
Diversity on the Board and at Wheaton – Wheaton currently has 44% female directors; 38% of our Executive and Vice Presidents are women; Wheaton has adopted a target to increase the percentage of gender diverse and visible minorities working at Wheaton, inclusive of leadership, and advance diversity and inclusion initiatives across the Company by 2028 è Page 33
Risk Management – the Board has oversight over, and ensures management identifies the principal risks of the business è Page 38
Continuing Education – new directors are provided with orientation and education when they join the Board and the Company facilitates ongoing education for all directors è Page 39
Code of Business Conducts and Ethics – the Board has adopted and the Governance and Sustainability Committee monitors compliance with the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics è Page 39
Whistleblower Policy – Wheaton has adopted a Whistleblower Policy which allows for confidential and anonymous reporting of concerns by employees in respect of financial disclosure or controls è Page 40
Regular Assessments – the Board is committed to regular assessments of its effectiveness è Page 44
Strong Share Ownership Requirements – all non-executive directors are required to hold common shares with a value equal to three times the amount of the annual retainer paid è Page 45
Independent Auditors – Wheaton’s independent auditors are subject to comprehensive independence reviews and mandatory lead audit partner rotations è Page 99

WHEATON 2024 MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR [VI]

Notice of 2024 Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders

 

Important Meeting Information
Date è May 10, 2024
Time è 10:30a.m. (PST)
Virtual è https://virtual-meetings.tsxtrust.com/1596
In person è Offices of Cassels, Brock & Blackwell LLP, Suite 2200 HSBC Building, 885 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3E8

 

Dear Wheaton Shareholders,

 

You are invited to attend the Annual and Special Meeting of shareholders (the “Meeting”) of Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. (“Wheaton” or the “Company”) for the following purposes:

 

To receive the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023;

To elect the ten director nominees;

To appoint Deloitte LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, as auditors for 2024; and

To approve a non-binding advisory resolution on the Company’s approach to executive compensation.

 

Shareholders may also transact any other business which may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment of the Meeting. Wheaton’s board of directors has by resolution fixed the close of business on March 15, 2024 as the record date. Your vote as a shareholder is important.

 

Wheaton has adopted an online virtual Meeting platform and we encourage all of our shareholders to participate in the Meeting using this online platform. All eligible shareholders participating in our online virtual Meeting platform will be able listen to the Meeting live and ask questions online. For registered shareholders or proxyholders (including non-registered shareholders who have appointed themselves as proxyholder) participating in our online virtual Meeting, such holders will also be able to submit votes at the Meeting in real time. Further information is provided in the section headed “How Do I Join the Wheaton Online Virtual Meeting?” and “How do I ask a Question at the Meeting?”. Shareholders may also attend the Meeting in person. Any shareholder attending in person will be required to comply with the then-current protocols in place at the offices of Cassels, Brock & Blackwell LLP.

 

If you are unable to attend the online virtual Meeting or in person, Wheaton encourages all shareholders to vote by proxy in advance of the Meeting date. See “General Proxy Information” in the Company’s management information circular (the “Circular”) for details on how you can vote by proxy. If you are a registered shareholder, please complete and return the enclosed form of proxy by no later than 10:30 a.m. (PST) on May 8, 2024. Non-registered shareholders should follow the voting instructions provided to them in the accompanying materials.

 

Carefully read the Circular accompanying this notice before voting. Wheaton has delivered the Circular by posting it to the Company’s website (www.wheatonpm.com/Investors/annual-general-meeting/) to help reduce paper use and printing costs. The Circular will also be available at www.sedarplus.ca and www.sec.gov and shareholders may request a paper copy of the Circular (at no cost) by calling toll-free at 1-888-433-6443 or by emailing tsxt-fulfilment@tmx.com. Shareholders can request to receive the Company’s annual and/or interim financial statements and management’s discussion and analysis on the form of proxy or voting instruction form accompanying the Circular. Otherwise they are available upon request to the Company or at www.sedarplus.ca, www.sec.gov, or www.wheatonpm.com.

 

  By Order of the Board of Directors
  “Randy V. J. Smallwood”
  Randy V. J. Smallwood, President and Chief Executive Officer
  March 21, 2024

WHEATON 2024 MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR [1]

Voting and Proxy Information

 

Shareholders of record as of March 15, 2024 may cast their votes in any of the following ways:

 

Voting during virtual Meeting by Registered Shareholders and Non-Registered Shareholders or proxyholders:  

Online

 

Vote at https://virtual-meetings.tsxtrust.com/1596

 

See “How Do I Join the Wheaton Online Virtual Meeting?” on page 4 and the Virtual Meeting Guide provided by TSX Trust for details.

 

Proxy Voting in advance by Registered Shareholders:

 

Online

 

Vote at www.meeting-vote.com. You will need the 13-digit control number located on the proxy.

 

Email

 

Send to proxyvote@tmx.com

 

Mail

 

Return your completed and signed proxy card using the return envelope that was provided to you.

 

Proxy Voting in advance by Non-Registered Shareholders:

 

Online

 

Vote at www.proxyvote.com. You will need the 16 digit number included in your voting instruction form.

 

Phone

 

Call the telephone number provided on your voting instruction form. You will need the 16 digit number included in your voting instruction form.

 

Mail

 

Return your completed and signed voting instruction form using the return envelope that was provided.

 

QR Code

 

Vote by scanning the QR code included in your voting instruction form to access the voting site from your mobile device.

 

Voting in Person during Meeting by Registered Shareholders and Non-Registered Shareholders or proxyholders:   See “How do I vote if my shares are registered in my name (registered shareholder)?” on page 3 for Registered Shareholders and “Voting by Non-Registered Shareholders” on page 11 for Non-Registered Shareholders.
WHEATON 2024 MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR [2]

Commonly Asked Questions and Answers – Voting and Proxies

 

Q. How do I vote if my shares are registered in my name (registered shareholder)?

 

A. For the Annual and Special Meeting of shareholders (the “Meeting”), Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. (“Wheaton” or the “Company”) is providing registered shareholders with the ability to vote online or in person during the Meeting, or in advance of the Meeting by proxy. If you are eligible to vote and your shares are registered in your name, you are a “registered shareholder” and therefore you can vote your shares as follows:

 

à Online: see “How Do I Join the Wheaton Online Virtual Meeting?” for details, or

 

à In Person: at the Meeting you will be able to present yourself to a representative of the scrutineer of the Meeting, TSX Trust Company (“TSX Trust Company”). Your vote will be taken and counted at the Meeting. If you wish to vote in person at the Meeting, do not complete or return the form of proxy, or

 

à Proxy: by signing and returning your form of proxy by email to proxyvote@tmx.com; by mail in the prepaid envelope provided; by fax to the number indicated on the form; or online as directed below under the question “Where do I send my completed proxy if I am a registered shareholder?”.

 

Q. How do I vote if my shares are not registered in my name, but are held in the name of a nominee (a bank, trust company, securities broker or other financial institution)?

 

A. If your shares are not registered in your name, but are held in the name of a nominee that holds your securities on your behalf (usually a broker, a financial institution, a participant, a trustee or administrator of a self-administered retirement savings plan, retirement income fund, education savings plan or other similar self-administered savings or investment plan registered under the Income Tax Act (Canada), or a nominee of any of the foregoing that holds your securities on your behalf), you are a “non-registered” shareholder and your nominee is required to seek instructions from you as to how to vote your shares. Your nominee will have provided you with a package of information including either a form of proxy or a voting instruction form. The Company does not have the names of its non-registered shareholders so you must carefully follow the instructions accompanying the proxy or voting instruction form. If you are a non-registered shareholder, you can vote your shares as follows:

 

à Online: see “How Do I Join the Wheaton Online Virtual Meeting?” and “How Do I Vote at the Wheaton Online Virtual Meeting?” for details, or

 

à In Person: by inserting your own name in the space provided (appointee section) on the form of proxy or voting instruction form sent to you by your nominee. Complete the form by following the return instructions provided by your nominee. Do not otherwise complete the form as you will be voting in person at the Meeting. In doing so, you are instructing your nominee to appoint you as a proxyholder. You should present yourself to a representative of TSX Trust Company or the Company upon arrival at the Meeting and bring a picture ID and follow instructions on your proxy card/voting instruction form. Any shareholder attending in person will be required to comply with the then-current protocols in place at the offices of Cassels, Brock & Blackwell LLP. Your email should also confirm that you are a non-registered shareholder and that you have been appointed as a proxyholder. If you attend the Meeting, the Company will have no record of your shareholdings or of your entitlement to vote unless your nominee has appointed you as a proxyholder, or

 

à Proxy: by submitting the proxy or voting instruction form as directed by your nominee.

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Q. How Do I Join the Wheaton Online Virtual Meeting?

 

A. Joining the Wheaton online virtual Meeting requires that you have access to the internet either through a computer or through a mobile device. Please also refer to the Virtual Meeting Guide provided by TSX Trust with the Meeting Materials for details on how to join the Wheaton online virtual Meeting.

 

Attending the Meeting using Wheaton’s online virtual Meeting platform enables all Wheaton shareholders to watch the Meeting live. Wheaton’s registered shareholders and appointed proxyholders (including non-registered shareholders who have duly appointed themselves as proxyholders) can also ask questions and direct votes at the appropriate times during the Meeting. Guests (including non-registered shareholders who have not duly appointed themselves as a proxy holder) may attend the Meeting, but they are not able to ask questions or vote at the Meeting.

 

Registered shareholders and duly appointed proxyholders who wish to participate in the online virtual Meeting may do so:

 

à from their computer, by entering the following URL in their browser: https://virtual-meetings.tsxtrust.com/1596;

 

à from their mobile device by entering the following URL in their browser: https://virtual-meetings.tsxtrust.com/1596;

 

If you choose to participate in the online virtual Meeting as a registered shareholder, you can log into the Meeting by:

 

à Clicking “I have a control number” and entering your valid control number

 

à Entering the password for the Meeting, which is: wheaton2024 (case sensitive)

 

à Follow the instructions to access the Meeting and vote when prompted. See “How Do I Vote at the Wheaton Online Virtual Meeting?”

 

Guests, including non-registered shareholders who have not duly appointed themselves as a proxyholder, can log into the Meeting by clicking “I am a guest” and completing the online form. Guests will be able to listen to the Meeting, but will not be able to ask questions or vote.

 

IMPORTANT TECHNICAL REMINDERS FOR JOINING THE MEETING:

 

à You will need the latest versions of Chrome, Safari, Edge or Firefox. Please ensure your browser is compatible by attempting to login in early and do not use Internet Explorer.

 

à It is important that you are connected to the internet at all times during the meeting in order to vote when balloting commences. You should ensure you have a strong, preferably high-speed, internet connection wherever you intend to participate in the Meeting.

 

à Internal network security protocols including firewalls and VPN connections may block access to the TSX Trust Virtual Meeting Platform for the Meeting. If you are experiencing any difficulty connecting or watching the meeting, ensure your VPN setting is disabled or use a computer on a network not restricted to security settings of your organization.

 

à More information regarding participating in the Meeting online, including browser requirements, is detailed in the Wheaton Virtual Meeting Guide available on the Wheaton’s website at www.wheatonpm.com/Investors/annual-general-meeting/.

 

à The Meeting will begin promptly at 10:30a.m. PST on May 10, 2024, unless otherwise adjourned or postponed. Online check-in will begin one hour prior to the Meeting, at 9:30 a.m. PST. It is recommended that you log in online at least 15 minutes before the Meeting starts to allow ample time for online check-in procedures.

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à Note that if you lose connectivity once the Meeting has commenced, there may be insufficient time to resolve your issue before ballot voting is completed. Even if you plan to attend the Meeting, you should consider voting your shares in advance so that your vote will be counted in case you later decide not to attend the Meeting or in the event that you experience any technical difficulties and are unable to access the Meeting and vote for any reason.

 

à In the event of technical malfunction or other significant problem that disrupts the Meeting, the Chair may adjourn, recess, or expedite the Meeting, or take such other action as the Chair determines is appropriate, considering the circumstances.

 

Q. How Do I Vote at the Wheaton Online Virtual Meeting?

 

A. How to vote depends on whether you are a registered shareholder or non-registered shareholder.

 

Registered shareholders who want to attend the Meeting and vote online during the Meeting should not complete the form of proxy and should instead follow the instructions below:

 

Step 1: Log in online at https://virtual-meetings.tsxtrust.com/1596 at least 15 minutes before the Meeting starts. See “How Do I Join the Wheaton Online Virtual Meeting?” for further details.

 

Step 2: Click “I have a control number” and then enter your control number and password wheaton2024 (case sensitive) and complete an online ballot during the Meeting. The control number is located on the form of proxy or in the email notification you received from TSX Trust Company.

 

If you use your control number to log into the Meeting and you have previously completed and submitted a proxy, there is no need to vote again as your vote has already been recorded. Any vote you cast at the Meeting will revoke any proxy you previously submitted.

 

Non-registered shareholders who wish to vote at the Meeting through the online virtual Meeting must insert their own name in the space provided on the voting instruction form received from the nominee. In so doing, such non-registered shareholder will be instructing its nominee to appoint such non-registered shareholder as proxyholder. Non-registered shareholders must adhere strictly to the signature and return instructions provided by their nominee. It is not necessary to complete the form in any other respect, since such non-registered shareholder will be voting at the Meeting by voting online through the online virtual Meeting platform. Non-registered shareholders who wish to vote at the Meeting must also register as proxyholder by contacting TSX Trust Company at 1-866-751-6315 (in North America) or 1 (416) 682-3869 outside North America or by completing the electronic form located at: https://www.tsxtrust.com/control-number-request by 10:30a.m. PST on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. TSX Trust Company will then provide the non-registered shareholder with a control number by email after the proxy voting deadline has passed. The control number is the non-registered shareholder’s username for the purposes of logging into the Meeting.

 

If you are a non-registered shareholder who does not appoint themselves as proxyholder then you may attend the Meeting as a guest, but you will not be able to ask questions or vote at the Meeting.

 

Once the voting is announced, click the voting icon. To vote, simply select the voting direction from the options and click submit to cast your vote.

 

Please also refer to the Virtual Meeting Guide provided by TSX Trust with the Meeting Materials for further details on voting at the Wheaton online virtual Meeting.

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Q. How do I ask a question at the at the Meeting?

 

A. Wheaton believes that the ability to participate in the Meeting in a meaningful way remains important regardless of whether a shareholder attends in person or virtually.

 

For the in person and the virtual online Meeting, registered shareholders and proxyholders (including non-registered shareholders who have duly appointed themselves as proxyholders) will be able to make motions or raise points of order, and will have the ability to raise questions and provide direct feedback to management as follows:

 

At the Meeting (Online): Eligible shareholders attending the Meeting may ask questions during the Meeting. If you would like to ask a question, select the “ASK A QUESTION” icon to the left of your screen. Type a message in the chat box in the messaging screen. Once you are happy with your message click the Ask Now button. Questions sent via this TSX Trust Virtual Meeting Platform will be moderated before being sent to the Chair. Once sent to the Chair, the question will read by the Chair of the Meeting or a designee of the Chair and responded to by a representative of Wheaton as they would be at a shareholders meeting that was being held in person.

 

At the Meeting (In Person): Eligible shareholders attending the Meeting in person may ask questions during the Meeting by raising their hand. The Chair or a designee of the Chair will repeat the question to ensure all online participants are able to hear the question. The question will be responded to by a representative of Wheaton at the appropriate time.

 

To ensure fairness for all attendees, the Chair of the Meeting will decide on the amount of time allocated to each question and will have the right to limit or consolidate questions and to reject questions that do not relate to the business of the Meeting or to the affairs of Wheaton or which are determined to be inappropriate or otherwise out of order.

 

Please also refer to the Virtual Meeting Guide provided by TSX Trust with the Meeting Materials for further details on asking a question at the Wheaton online virtual Meeting.

 

Q. What if I am experiencing difficulties attending the Online Virtual Meeting?

 

A. If you have questions regarding the online virtual Meeting platform or require assistance accessing the Meeting website, you may contact tsxtvgminfo@tmx.com. If you attend the Meeting, you must remain connected to the Internet at all times during the Meeting in order to vote when balloting commences. It is your responsibility to ensure Internet connectivity for the duration of the Meeting. Note that if you lose connectivity once the Meeting has commenced, there may be insufficient time to resolve your issue before voting is completed. Therefore, even if you currently plan to attend the Meeting and vote during the live webcast, you should consider voting your shares in advance or by proxy so that your vote will be counted in the event you experience any technical difficulties or are otherwise unable to access the Meeting. In the event of technical malfunction or other significant problem that disrupts the Meeting, the chair of the Meeting may adjourn, recess, or expedite the Meeting, or take such other action as the chair of the Meeting determines is appropriate, considering the circumstances.

 

Please also refer to the Virtual Meeting Guide provided by TSX Trust with the Meeting Materials if you have questions or difficulties accessing the online virtual Meeting platform.

 

Q. What if I am a non-registered shareholder and do not give voting instructions to my nominee?

 

A. If you are not attending the online virtual Meeting or in person, as a non-registered shareholder, in order to ensure your shares are voted in the way you would like, you must provide voting instructions to your nominee by the deadline provided in the materials you receive from your nominee. If you do not provide voting instructions to your nominee, your shares may not be voted in accordance with your wishes.

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Q. What happens if the Meeting format, location, time or date needs to be changed?

 

A. We are committed to keeping you informed. We will notify shareholders of a change without sending additional soliciting materials or updating proxy-related materials by: (i) issuing a news release announcing the change in the date, time, location or format; (ii) filing the news release on SEDAR+; and (iii) informing all the parties involved in the proxy voting infrastructure (such as intermediaries, transfer agents, and proxy service providers) of the change.

 

Q. Who is soliciting my vote/proxy?

 

A. The management of Wheaton is soliciting your vote/proxy in connection with its Meeting. It is expected that the solicitation will be primarily by mail, however, proxies may also be solicited personally by regular employees of the Company and the Company may use the services of an outside proxy solicitation agency to solicit proxies. The costs of solicitation will be borne by the Company.

 

Q. Who is entitled to vote?

 

A. You are entitled to vote if you were a holder of common shares of Wheaton as of the close of business on March 15, 2024. Each common share is entitled to one vote.

 

Q. When are proxies due?

 

Duly completed and executed proxies must be received by the Company’s transfer agent at the address indicated on the enclosed envelope no later than 10:30 a.m. (PST) on May 8, 2024, or no later than 48 hours before the time of any adjourned Meeting (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays).

 

Q. How many votes are required to pass a matter on the agenda?

 

A. A simple majority of the votes cast, during the online virtual Meeting, in person or represented by proxy, is required for each of the matters specified in this Circular.

 

Q. Should I sign the form of proxy enclosed with the Notice of Meeting?

 

A. If you are a registered shareholder and are not attending the online virtual Meeting or in person, you must sign the enclosed form of proxy for it to be valid. If you are a non-registered shareholder, and not attending the online virtual Meeting or in person, please read the instructions provided by your nominee.

 

Q. What if my shares are registered in more than one name or in the name of a company and I wish to vote by proxy?

 

A. If the shares are registered in more than one name, all those persons in whose name the shares are registered must sign the form of proxy. If the shares are registered in the name of a company or any name other than your own, you should provide documentation that proves you are authorized to sign the form of proxy. If you have any questions as to what documentation is required, contact TSX Trust Company prior to submitting your form of proxy.

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Q. Can I appoint someone other than the individuals named in the enclosed form of proxy to vote my shares?

 

A. Yes, you have the right to appoint some other person of your choice who need not be a shareholder of the Company to attend and act on your behalf at the online virtual Meeting or in person. If you wish to appoint a person other than those named in the enclosed form of proxy, then strike out those printed names appearing on the form of proxy and insert the name of your chosen proxyholder in the space provided. It is important to ensure that any other person you appoint is attending the Meeting and is aware that his or her appointment has been made to vote your shares. Appointed proxyholders should, if attending the virtual online Meeting, be registered as proxyholder with TSX Trust Company in order to receive a control number, as described under How Do I Vote at the Wheaton Online Virtual Meeting? and follow the instructions under How Do I Join the Wheaton Online Virtual Meeting?”. For appointed proxyholders who are attending the Meeting in person, on arrival at the Meeting, they should present themselves to a representative of TSX Trust Company or the Company.

 

Q. Where do I send my completed proxy if I am a registered shareholder?

 

A. You should send your completed proxy to:

 

by mail to: 

TSX Trust Company 

Proxy Dept., P.O. Box 721 

Agincourt, Ontario M1S 0A1 

by fax to: 1-416-595-9593 

by internet to: www.meeting-vote.com by email to:  proxyvote@tmx.com

 

Q. Where do I send my completed proxy if I am a non-registered shareholder?

 

A. You should send your completed proxy using the methods set out on your voting instruction form or business reply envelope.

 

Q. Can I change my mind once I send my proxy?

 

A. If you are a registered shareholder and have returned a form of proxy, you may revoke it by:

 

1. completing and signing another form of proxy bearing a later date, and delivering it to TSX Trust Company; or

2. delivering a written statement, signed by you or your authorized attorney to:

(a) the registered office of Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. c/o Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP, 40 Temperance Street, Suite 3200, Bay Adelaide-Centre – North Tower, Toronto, Ontario M5H 0B4; Attention: Mark T. Bennett, at any time up to and including May 8, 2024 or, if the Meeting is adjourned, the business day preceding the day to which the Meeting is adjourned; or

(b) the Chair of the Meeting prior to the commencement of the Meeting on the day of the Meeting or, if the Meeting is adjourned, the day to which the Meeting is adjourned.

 

If you are a non-registered shareholder, contact your nominee.

 

Q. What if amendments are made to these matters or if other matters are brought before the Meeting?

 

A. If you attend the virtual online Meeting or in person and are eligible to vote, you may vote on such matters as you choose. If you have completed and returned the form or proxy, the person named in the form of proxy will have discretionary authority with respect to amendments or variations to matters identified in the Notice of Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders of Wheaton, and to other matters which may properly come before the Meeting. As of the date of this Circular, the management of the Company knows of no such amendment, variation or other matter expected to come before the Meeting. If any other matters properly come before the Meeting, the persons named in the form of proxy will vote on them in accordance with their best judgment.

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Q. What if I am a registered shareholder and do not submit a proxy?

 

A. As a registered shareholder, if you do not submit a proxy prior to 48 hours before the Meeting (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) or you do not attend and vote at the online virtual Meeting or in person, your shares will not be voted on any matter that comes before the Meeting.

 

Q. Who counts the votes?

 

A. A scrutineer, employed by the Company’s registrar and transfer agent, TSX Trust Company, will act as scrutineer and will count the votes and report the results to the Company.

 

Q. What is an advisory vote on Say on Pay?

 

A. “Say on Pay” is a non-binding advisory resolution to accept the Company’s approach to executive compensation. The purpose of the Say on Pay advisory vote is to give shareholders a formal opportunity to provide their views on the executive compensation plans of the Company. The advisory vote is non-binding on the Company and it remains the duty of the Board of Directors to develop and implement appropriate executive compensation policies for the Company. In the event that a significant number of shareholders oppose the resolution, the Board of Directors will endeavour to consult with its shareholders as appropriate (particularly those who are known to have voted against it) to understand their concerns and will review the Company’s approach to compensation in the context of those concerns. The Board of Directors will consider disclosing to shareholders as soon as is practicable, and no later than in the management information circular for its next annual meeting, a summary of any comments received from shareholders in the engagement process and any changes to the compensation plans made or to be made by the Board of Directors (or why no changes will be made). See “Special Matters – Say On Pay Advisory Vote” on page 100.

 

Q. If I need to contact TSX Trust Company, the Company’s registrar and transfer agent, how do I reach them?

 

A. You can contact the Company’s registrar and transfer agent:

 

by mail at: 

TSX Trust Company 

301 - 100 Adelaide Street West 

Toronto, Ontario M5H 4H1

 

by telephone at: 

toll free within North America:       1-800-387-0825 

outside North America:                   416-682-3860 

by internet at: www.tsxtrust.com 

by email at: shareholderinquiries@tmx.com

 

Q. How do I give feedback on the Company’s executive compensation program, its governance practices or other aspects of this Circular?

 

A. We value shareholder, employee and other interested party opinions, concerns and other feedback and invite you to communicate directly with the Board of Directors, the Human Resources Committee or the Governance and Sustainability Committee, as appropriate. Contact information is provided under the heading “Shareholder Engagement & Contacting the Board of Directors” on page 101.

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General Proxy Information

 

Solicitation of Proxies

 

This Circular is furnished to the holders (the “shareholders”) of common shares (the “Common Shares”) in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the management of Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. (“we”, “our”, “us”, “Wheaton” or the “Company”) for use at the annual and special meeting of shareholders (the “Meeting”) of the Company to be held at the time and place and for the purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of Meeting. References in this Circular to the Meeting include any adjournment or adjournments thereof. It is expected that the solicitation will be primarily by mail, however, proxies may also be solicited personally by regular employees of the Company and the Company may use the services of an outside proxy solicitation agency to solicit proxies. The costs of solicitation will be borne by the Company.

 

The board of directors of the Company (the “Board”) has fixed the close of business on March 15, 2024 as the record date, being the date for the determination of the registered holders of Common Shares entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the Meeting. Duly completed and executed proxies must be received by the Company’s transfer agent at the address indicated on the enclosed envelope no later than 10:30 a.m. (PST) on May 8, 2024, or no later than 48 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) before the time of any adjourned Meeting (the “Proxy Deposit Date”). Late proxies may be accepted or rejected by the Chair of the Meeting in his sole discretion, and the Chair is under no obligation to accept or reject any late proxy.

 

Unless otherwise stated, the information contained in this Circular is as of March 20, 2024. All dollar amounts referenced herein, unless otherwise indicated, are generally expressed in Canadian dollars and referred to as “C$”. Amounts expressed in United States dollars are referred to as “US$”. Unless otherwise stated, any United States dollar amounts in this Circular which have been converted from Canadian dollars have been converted at an exchange rate of C$1.00 = US$0.7561, the closing exchange rate for Canadian dollars in terms of the United States dollar, as quoted by the Bank of Canada on December 31, 2023.

 

Appointment and Revocation of Proxies

 

The persons named in the enclosed form of proxy are officers or directors of the Company. A shareholder desiring to appoint some other person, who need not be a shareholder, to represent such shareholder at the Meeting, may do so by inserting such person’s name in the blank space provided in the enclosed form of proxy or by completing another proper form of proxy and, in either case, depositing the completed and executed proxy at the office of the Company’s transfer agent indicated on the enclosed envelope no later than the Proxy Deposit Date.

 

A shareholder forwarding the enclosed proxy may indicate the manner in which the appointee is to vote with respect to any specific item by checking the appropriate space. If the shareholder giving the proxy wishes to confer a discretionary authority with respect to any item of business, then the space opposite the item is to be left blank. The Common Shares represented by the proxy submitted by a shareholder will be voted in accordance with the directions, if any, given in the proxy.

 

A proxy given pursuant to this solicitation may be revoked by an instrument in writing executed by a shareholder or by a shareholder’s attorney authorized in writing (or, if the shareholder is a corporation, by a duly authorized officer or attorney) and deposited either at the registered office of the Company (Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. c/o Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP, 40 Temperance Street, Suite 3200, Bay Adelaide-Centre – North Tower, Toronto, Ontario M5H 0B4; Attention: Mark T. Bennett) at any time up to and including the last business day preceding the day of the Meeting or with the Chair of the Meeting on the day of the Meeting prior to the commencement of the Meeting or in any other manner permitted by law.

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Exercise of Discretion by Proxies

 

The persons named in the enclosed form of proxy will vote the Common Shares in respect of which they are appointed in accordance with the direction of the shareholders appointing them. In the absence of such direction, such Common Shares will be voted in the discretion of the person named in the proxy. However, under New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) rules, a broker who has not received specific voting instructions from the beneficial owner may not vote the Common Shares in its discretion on behalf of such beneficial owner on “non-routine” proposals, including the election of directors and items set out under “Special Matters” on page 100. Thus, such Common Shares will be included in determining the presence of a quorum at the Meeting and will be votes “cast” for purposes of other proposals but will not be considered votes “cast” for purposes of voting on the election of directors or other non-routine matters.

 

The enclosed form of proxy confers discretionary authority upon the persons named therein with respect to amendments or variations to matters identified in the Notice of Meeting and with respect to other matters which may properly come before the Meeting. At the time of printing of this Circular, management knows of no such amendments, variations or other matters to come before the Meeting. However, if any other matters which are not now known to management should properly come before the Meeting, the proxy will be voted on such matters in accordance with the best judgment of the named proxies.

 

Voting by Non-Registered Shareholders

 

Only registered shareholders of the Company or the persons they appoint as their proxies are permitted to vote at the Meeting. Most shareholders of the Company are “non-registered” shareholders (“Non-Registered Shareholders”) because the Common Shares they own are not registered in their names but are instead registered in the name of the brokerage firm, bank or trust company through which they purchased the Common Shares. Common Shares beneficially owned by a Non-Registered Shareholder are registered either: (i) in the name of an intermediary (an “Intermediary”) that the Non-Registered Shareholder deals with in respect of the Common Shares (Intermediaries include, among others, banks, trust companies, securities dealers or brokers and trustees or administrators of self-administered RRSPs, RRIFs, RESPs and similar plans); or (ii) in the name of a clearing agency (such as CDS Clearing and Depository Services Inc. or The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation) of which the Intermediary is a participant. In accordance with applicable securities law requirements, the Company is required to distribute copies of this Circular and the form of proxy (which includes a place to request copies of the Company’s annual and/or interim financial statements and MD&A or to waive the receipt of the annual and/or interim financial statements and MD&A). In accordance with National Instrument 54-101 Communication with Beneficial Owners of Securities of a Reporting Issuer, the Company has elected to deliver this Circular to shareholders by (i) distributing a notification of meeting along with the form of proxy to the clearing agencies and Intermediaries (the “Mailed Materials”) for distribution to Non-Registered Shareholders; and (ii) posting this Circular on the Company’s website (www.wheatonpm.com/Investors/annual-general-meeting/). See “Notice and Access” on page 12 for further information.

 

Intermediaries are required to forward the Mailed Materials to Non-Registered Shareholders unless a Non-Registered Shareholder has waived the right to receive them. Intermediaries often use service companies to forward the Mailed Materials distributed by the Company to Non-Registered Shareholders. Wheaton intends to pay for distribution to objecting Non-Registered Shareholders. Generally, Non-Registered Shareholders who have not waived the right to receive the Mailed Materials will either:

 

(a) be given a voting instruction form which is not signed by the Intermediary and which, when properly completed and signed by the Non-Registered Shareholder and returned to the Intermediary or its service company, will constitute voting instructions (often called a “voting instruction form”) which the Intermediary must follow. Typically, the voting instruction form will consist of a one page pre-printed form. Sometimes, instead of the one page pre-printed form, the voting instruction form will consist of a regular printed proxy form accompanied by a page of instructions which contains a removable label with a bar-code and other information. In order for the form of proxy to validly constitute a voting instruction form, the Non-Registered Shareholder must remove the label from the instructions and affix it to the form of proxy, properly complete and sign the form of proxy and submit it to the Intermediary or its service company in accordance with the instructions of the Intermediary or its service company. See above “Exercise of Discretion by Proxies” for broker discretion in the absence of non-registered shareholder direction; or
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(b) be given a form of proxy which has already been signed by the Intermediary (typically by a facsimile, stamped signature), which is restricted as to the number of Common Shares beneficially owned by the Non-Registered Shareholder but which is otherwise not completed by the Intermediary. Because the Intermediary has already signed the form of proxy, this form of proxy is not required to be signed by the Non-Registered Shareholder when submitting the proxy. In this case, the Non-Registered Shareholder who wishes to submit a proxy should properly complete the form of proxy and deposit it with the Company, c/o TSX Trust Company, Attention: Proxy Department, P.O. Box 721, Agincourt, Ontario, M1S 0A1 or by facsimile at (416) 595-9593.

 

In either case, the purpose of these procedures is to permit Non-Registered Shareholders to direct the voting of the Common Shares of the Company they beneficially own. Should a Non-Registered Shareholder who receives one of the above forms wish to vote at the Meeting in person (or have another person attend and vote on behalf of the Non-Registered Shareholder), the Non-Registered Shareholder should strike out the persons named in the form of proxy and insert the Non-Registered Shareholder or such other person’s name in the blank space provided. Appointed proxyholders should, if attending the virtual online Meeting, be registered as proxyholder with TSX Trust Company in order to receive a control number, as described under How Do I Vote at the Wheaton Online Virtual Meeting? and follow the instructions under How Do I Join the Wheaton Online Virtual Meeting?”. For appointed proxyholders who are attending the Meeting in person, on arrival at the Meeting, they should present themselves to a representative of TSX Trust Company or the Company.

 

In either case, Non-Registered Shareholders should carefully follow the instructions of their Intermediary, including those regarding when and where the proxy or voting instruction form is to be delivered.

 

A Non-Registered Shareholder may revoke a voting instruction form or a waiver of the right to receive Mailed Materials and to vote which has been given to an Intermediary at any time by written notice to the Intermediary provided that an Intermediary is not required to act on a revocation of a voting instruction form or of a waiver of the right to receive Mailed Materials and to vote which is not received by the Intermediary at least seven days prior to the Meeting.

 

Notice and Access

 

Under Canadian securities laws, reporting issuers are permitted to advise their shareholders of the availability of proxy-related materials, including this Circular on an easily accessible website, rather than mailing physical copies pursuant to the “Notice and Access” rules.

 

The use of this alternative means of delivery is more environmentally friendly as it helps reduce paper use, the Company’s carbon footprint and the Company’s printing costs. The Company has therefore decided to deliver this Circular to shareholders by posting it on its website (www.wheatonpm.com/Investors/annual-general-meeting/). This Circular will also be available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on the United States Securities and Exchange Commission website at www.sec.gov. All shareholders will also receive a notice document which will contain information on how to obtain electronic and paper copies of this Circular in advance of the Meeting.

 

Shareholders who wish to receive paper copies of the Circular may request copies by calling toll-free at 1-888-433-6443 or by emailing tsxt-fulfilment@tsx.com.

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Requests for paper copies must be received at least five business days in advance of the proxy deposit date and time set out in the accompanying proxy or voting instruction form in order to receive this Circular in advance of the proxy deposit date and Meeting. This Circular will be sent to such shareholders within three business days of their request if such requests are made before the Meeting. Those shareholders with existing instructions on their account to receive a paper copy of meeting materials will receive a paper copy of this Circular.

 

Voting Securities and Principal Holders Thereof

 

As of March 15, 2024, 453,069,254 Common Shares were issued and outstanding. Each Common Share entitles the holder thereof to one vote on all matters to be acted upon at the Meeting. The record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the Meeting has been fixed at March 15, 2024. In accordance with the provisions of the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) (the “Act”), the Company will prepare a list of holders of Common Shares as of such record date. Each holder of Common Shares named in the list will be entitled to vote the shares shown opposite his or her name on the list at the Meeting. All such holders of record of Common Shares are entitled either to attend and vote thereat in person the Common Shares held by them or, provided a completed and executed proxy shall have been delivered to the Company’s transfer agent within the time specified in the attached Notice of Meeting, to attend and vote thereat by proxy the Common Shares held by them.

 

To the knowledge of the directors and executive officers of the Company, based upon publicly available information as of March 20, 2024, no person or company beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, or exercises control or direction over, voting securities of the Company carrying more than 10% of the voting rights attached to any class of voting securities of the Company.

WHEATON 2024 MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR [13]

Election of Directors

 

The Company’s Articles of Continuance and rules and laws applicable to the Company provide that the Board consist of a minimum of three and a maximum of ten directors. The Board currently consists of nine directors. The Company’s shareholders have previously passed a special resolution authorizing the directors of the Company to set the number of directors to be elected at a shareholders meeting.

 

At the Meeting, shareholders will be asked to approve an ordinary resolution for the election of the ten persons named hereunder as directors of the Company (the “Nominees”). Unless authority to do so is withheld, the persons named in the accompanying proxy intend to vote for the election of the Nominees. Management does not contemplate that any of the Nominees will be unable to serve as a director, but if that should occur for any reason prior to the Meeting, it is intended that discretionary authority shall be exercised by the persons named in the accompanying proxy to vote the proxy for the election of any other person or persons in place of any Nominee or Nominees unable to serve. Each director elected will hold office until the close of the first annual meeting of shareholders of the Company following his election or until his successor is duly elected or appointed unless his office is earlier vacated in accordance with the by-laws of the Company. Each of the Nominees, was elected at the last annual and special meeting of the Company’s shareholders held on May 12, 2023, other than Mr. Venkatakrishnan who is standing for election for the first time at the Meeting.

 

Advance Notice By-law

 

Under the Company’s By-law No. 3 Advance Notice of Nominations of Directors (the “Advance Notice Policy”) a director nomination must be made, in the case of an annual meeting of shareholders, not less than 30 nor more than 65 days prior to the date of the annual meeting of shareholders, and in the case of a special meeting of shareholders (which is not also an annual meeting of shareholders) called for the purpose of electing directors (whether or not called for other purposes), not later than the close of business on the fifteenth (15th) day following the day on which the first public announcement of the date of the special meeting of shareholders was made. An adjournment or postponement of a meeting of shareholders does not commence a new time period for the giving of a shareholder’s nomination under the Advance Notice Policy. The Advance Notice Policy also sets forth the information that a shareholder must include in the notice to the Company. Please see the Advance Notice Policy which is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company’s website under the Corporate Governance heading for full details. As of the date of this Circular, no director nominations have been made by shareholders in connection with the Meeting under the terms of the Advance Notice Policy, and as such the only nominations for directors at the Meeting are the Nominees.

 

Majority Voting Policy

 

The Board has adopted a policy which requires that any director nominee who receives a greater number of votes “withheld” from his or her election than votes “for” such election, promptly tender his or her resignation to the Board, to be effective upon acceptance by the Board. The Governance and Sustainability Committee will review the circumstances of the election and make a recommendation to the Board as to whether or not to accept the tendered resignation. The Board must determine whether or not to accept the tendered resignation as soon as reasonably possible and in any event within 90 days of the election. The Board will accept the tendered resignation absent exceptional circumstances and the resignation will be effective when accepted by the Board, and the Company will promptly issue a news release with the Board’s decision. If the Board determines not to accept a resignation, the news release will state the reasons for that decision. Subject to any corporate law restrictions, the Board may fill any resulting vacancy through the appointment of a new director. The director nominee in question may not participate in any committee or Board votes concerning his or her resignation. This policy does not apply in circumstances involving contested director elections.

WHEATON 2024 MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR [14]

Board Nominees At A Glance

 

Wheaton recognizes the importance of diversity, representation and commitment at the Board level. The information below provides an overview of the Nominees, with further details throughout this Circular.

 

 

 

2023 Board Meetings   2023 Required Committee Meetings
     
9 Meetings   13 Meetings
97% attendance (1)   98% attendance (1)

 

(1) See Directors’ Biographies below for details on attendance.

WHEATON 2024 MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR [15]

Director Nominee Biographies

 

Biographies for each Nominee are set out below. These biographies include an assessment of the areas of expertise of each of the Nominees. Full descriptions of these areas of expertise are included under “Director Experiences, Expertise and Skills” on page 26. Where indicated, additional information is available in the endnotes to these biographies.

 

George L. Brack, Chair

Age: 62

Director Since: November 24, 2009

(14 years)

Independent

 

Residence: British Columbia, Canada

Principal Occupation: Corporate Director

 

Wheaton Committees

• None

 

Areas of Expertise (1)

• Managing or leading growth

• International

• CEO/President

• Industry expertise

 

• Compensation

• Investment banking/M&A

• Financial literacy

• Governance/Board

• Risk management

       
 
Mr. Brack is the Chair of the Wheaton Board. He retired as Lead Independent Director of Capstone Mining Corp. in May 2023 and served as the non-Executive Chair from 2011-2022. In addition to his current board role, during the past 20 years, Mr. Brack served as a director on the boards of directors of Alio Gold Inc., ValOro Resources Inc. (now Defiance Silver Corp. and formerly Geologix Explorations Inc.), Aurizon Mines Ltd., Newstrike Capital Inc., NovaGold Resources Inc., Red Back Mining Inc. and chaired the board of Alexco Resources Corp.  He has served on audit committees and has been both a member and the chair of compensation/human resource committees, corporate governance committees and special committees responding to takeover offers (Aurizon, Red Back and NovaGold).  Mr. Brack’s 35-year career in the mining industry focused on exploration, corporate development and investment banking, specifically identifying, evaluating and executing strategic mergers and acquisitions, and raising equity capital.  Until 2009, he was Managing Director and Industry Head, Mining at Scotia Capital.  Prior to joining Scotia in 2006, Mr. Brack spent seven years as President of Macquarie North America Ltd. and lead its northern hemisphere mining industry mergers and acquisitions advisory business.  Previously, Mr. Brack was Vice President, Corporate Development at Placer Dome Inc., Vice President in the mining investment banking group at CIBC Wood Gundy and worked on the corporate development team at Rio Algom.  Mr. Brack earned an MBA at York University, a B.A.Sc. in Geological Engineering at the University of Toronto and the CFA designation.
 
 
Public Directorships Public Committee Appointments
   
• None • None
   
   
2023 Voting Results 2023 Board and Committee Meetings Attended (2)(3)(4)
   

• Votes For: 322,284,673 (97.61%)

• Votes Withheld: 7,878,957 (2.39%)

• Board: 9 out of 9 (100%)
   
   
2023 Continuing Education  
   

•      National Association of Corporate Directors (“NACD”), Directors Daily (daily news briefings and updates for corporate directors, 2023) (Daily)

•      World Gold Council Presentation – Gold 247, February 8, 2023, Cayman Islands

•      Wheaton Precious Metals – Kevin Mitnick Security Training, June 7, 2023, Webinar

•      Wheaton Precious Metals, Cyber Security Awareness Training: 2024 Common Threats, December 1, 2023

 

WHEATON 2024 MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR [16]

Jaimie Donovan

Age: 46

Director Since: May 13, 2022

(2 years)

Independent

 

Residence: Ontario, Canada

Principal Occupation: Corporate Director

 

Wheaton Committees

• Audit Committee

Areas of Expertise (1)

• Managing or leading growth

• International

• Operations

• Industry expertise

• Investment banking/M&A

• Financial literacy

 

• Health/Safety/

Environmental/Climate Competency/Sustainability

• Governance/Board

• Risk management

           
           
Ms. Donovan has over 20 years of mining industry experience, spanning roles in operations, technical services, capital allocation and corporate development.  She was the Head of Growth and Evaluations for Barrick Gold Corporation in North America until March 2019.  Prior to that, Ms. Donovan held senior positions at Barrick Gold Corporation as Vice President of Evaluations and Waterton Global Resource Management as a Principal and Head of Evaluations, where she led teams responsible for the due diligence of investment and growth opportunities.  Ms. Donovan has significant technical and operations experience working at mines in Australia and Canada for Barrick Gold Corporation, Goldfields Limited and Western Mining Corp.  Ms. Donovan joined the board of directors of Dundee Precious Metals Inc. in November 2020.  She formerly served on the board of Perpetua Resources from January 2019 to December 2020.  Ms. Donovan holds Bachelor’s degrees in Mining Engineering (B.Eng. Honours) and Commerce (B.Com. Finance) from the University of Western Australia. She has also completed the ICD Director Education Program at the Rotman School of Management.
 
 
Public Directorships Public Committee Appointments
   
• Dundee Precious Metals Inc. (since 2020)

• Sustainability Committee (Chair)

• Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee

   
   
2023 Voting Results 2023 Board and Committee Meetings Attended (2)(3)(4)
   

• Votes For: 322,651,839 (97.72%)

• Votes Withheld: 7,511,791 (2.28%)

• Board: 9 out of 9 (100%)

• Audit: 4 out of 4 (100%)

• Governance and Sustainability: 4 out of 4 (100%)

   
   
2023 Continuing Education  
   

•      NACD Directors Daily (daily news briefings and updates for corporate directors, 2023) (Daily)

•      ICD Bennett Jones Presentation- Securities Laws Update and Trends Heading into Proxy Season, February 1 2023, Webinar

•      World Gold Council Presentation – Gold 247, February 8, 2023, Cayman Islands

•      PDAC Mining Conference, March 5-8, 2023, Toronto

•      ICD – Board Oversight of Social Issues, March 30, 2023, Webinar

•      Deloitte Podium Club – Supply, Demand & Inflation: A deep dive for Boards, April 18, 2023, Webinar

•      Wheaton Precious Metals – Kevin Mitnick Security Training, June 7, 2023, Webinar

•      Dundee Precious Metals Director Education – Non- Financial Reporting Frameworks, hosted by Dupont Sustainable Solutions, June 12, 2023, Toronto

 

•      Deloitte Podium Club – Remuneration Committees Information Session, June 22, 2023, Webinar

•      ICD – Hugessen Consulting, Beyond 2023 Proxy Season Insights, June 27, 2023, Webinar

•      Deloitte Podium Club – Audit Committee Series, June 27, 2023, Webinar

•      ICD – Torys - M&A and Activism Preparedness for Directors, September 21, 2023, Webinar

•      Deloitte Podium Club – The Digital Tsunami: Generative AI, October 10, 2023, Webinar

•      Deloitte Podium Club – Audit Committee Series, October 25, 2023, Webinar

•      Dundee Precious Metals Director Education – PwC, Carbon Markets, November 7, 2023, Toronto

•      Wheaton Precious Metals, Cyber Security Awareness Training: 2024 Common Threats, December 1, 2023

•      Mine Site Visit – Coka Rakita Project, December 4, 2023, Serbia

•      Mine Sote Visit – Chelopech Mine, December 6, 2023, Bulgaria

 

WHEATON 2024 MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR [17]

R. Peter Gillin

Age: 75

Director Since: October 15, 2004

(19 years)

Independent

Residence: Ontario, Canada

Principal Occupation: Corporate Director

 

     

Wheaton Committees

• Governance and Sustainability Committee

Areas of Expertise (1)

• Managing or leading growth

• International

• CEO/President

• Industry expertise

 

• Compensation

• Investment banking/M&A

• Financial literacy

• Governance/Board

• Risk management

 
 
Mr. Gillin is a corporate director serving on the Boards of several public companies. Mr. Gillin was a director of Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd. since May 2012, was appointed Chair in January 2017 and resigned in December 2022. He also has served as a director of Dundee Precious Metals Inc. since December 2009 (Chair since May 2022, Deputy Chair from February 2021 and lead director from May 2013 to February 2021) and was appointed as a member of the Advisory Committee for Non-Investment Funds of TD Asset Management Alternative Inc.in August 2020. He is a member of the Advisory Board and Independent Review Committee of Mulvihill Group of funds.  Previously, Mr. Gillin served as a director of TD Mutual Funds Corporate Class Ltd. from 2010 to August 2020, and was a member of the Independent Review Committee of TD Asset Management Inc. from 2003 to June 2020. Mr. Gillin formerly served as a director of Sherritt International Corporation from January 2010 to June 2019 (lead director from June 2017). Until 2009 Mr. Gillin was Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Tahera Diamond Corporation, a diamond exploration, development and production company. Until 2002 he was a career investment banker serving as Vice Chair and a director of N.M. Rothschild & Sons Canada Limited, and prior to that a Managing Director at Scotia Capital. He holds an HBA degree from the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario and is a Chartered Financial Analyst. He is also a graduate of the Institute of Corporate Directors – Director Education Program at the University of Toronto, Rotman School of Management and has earned the designation of ICD.D from the Institute of Corporate Directors.
 
 
Public Directorships Public Committee Appointments
   
• Dundee Precious Metals Inc. (since 2009) (Chair)  
• Mulvihill Group of funds (since 2021) • Independent Review Committee & Advisory Boards
   
Mr. Gillin is a member of the Independent Review Committee and Advisory Board of the Mulvihill Group of funds, which includes four publicly listed investment funds.  As part of this role, Mr. Gillin sits on the board of directors of three of the TSX-listed Mulvihill Group of funds that are corporations, being Premium Income Corporation, S Split Corp. and World Financial Split Corp.  Mr. Gillin’s commitment with the Mulvihill Group of funds is substantially less and not comparable to commitments at typical public companies because the Mulvihill Group of funds (A) have virtually no employees, (B) have an external manager that manages all of the operations of the investment funds, (C) only function as investment funds (rather than operating companies), and (D) have a much-reduced time commitment to the Independent Review Committee and Advisory Board. It is noted that Mr. Gillin has had a perfect attendance record for the companies on which he serves as a director for the last five years, including for Wheaton.
 
 
2023 Voting Results 2023 Board and Committee Meetings Attended (2)(3)(4)
   

• Votes For: 314,292,950 (95.19%)

• Votes Withheld: 15,870,680 (4.81%)

• Board: 9 out of 9 (100%)

• Human Resources: 5 out of 5 (100%)

• Governance and Sustainability: 4 out of 4 (100%)

   
       
2023 Continuing Education  
   

•      NACD, Directors Daily (daily news briefings and updates for corporate directors, 2023) (Daily)

•      World Gold Council Presentation – Gold 247, February 8, 2023, Cayman Islands

•      Wheaton Precious Metals – Kevin Mitnick Security Training, June 7, 2023, Webinar

•      Dundee Precious Metals Director Education – Non-Financial Reporting Frameworks, hosted by Dupont Sustainable Solutions, June 12, 2023, Toronto

•      Dundee Precious Metals Director Education – PwC, Carbon Markets, November 7, 2023, Toronto

•      KPMG, Annual Mining Executive and Director Forum, November 11, 2023, Webinar

•      ICD, Navigating AI from the Boardroom, November 30, 2023, Webinar

•      Wheaton Precious Metals, Cyber Security Awareness Training: 2024 Common Threats, December 1, 2023

•      Dundee Precious Metals Director Education – Serbia’s Political and Social Landscape, December 5, 2023, Webinar

WHEATON 2024 MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR [18]

Chantal Gosselin

Age: 54

Director Since: November 8, 2013

(10 years)

Independent

 

Residence: British Columbia, Canada

Principal Occupation: Corporate Director

 

Wheaton Committees

• Governance & Sustainability Committee

• Human Resources Committee

Areas of Expertise (1)

• Managing or leading growth

• International

• Operations

• Industry expertise

• Compensation

 

• Investment banking/M&A

• Financial literacy

• Health/Safety/Environmental/ Climate Competency/ Sustainability

• Governance/Board

• Risk management

       
 
Ms. Gosselin is an experienced corporate board member with 30 years combined experience in mining operations and capital markets. Her involvement in the financial markets ranges from asset management to sell side analyst. Ms. Gosselin held positions as Vice President and Portfolio Manager at Goodman Investment Counsel and Senior Mining Analyst at Sun Valley Gold LLP, along with various analyst positions earlier in her career. Ms. Gosselin also held various mine-site management positions in Canada, Peru and Nicaragua, giving her firsthand experience in underground and open pit mine development and production in diverse cultural and social environments. Ms. Gosselin has a Masters of Business Administration from Concordia University and a Bachelor of Science (Mining Engineering) from Laval University and has completed the ICD – Director Education Program. She currently serves on the boards of a variety of TSX-listed companies in the natural resources sectors.
 
 
Public Directorships   Public Committee Appointments
   

• Ero Copper Corp. (since 2019)

 

• Prime Mining Corp. (since 2022)

 

• Pan American Silver Corp. (since 2023)

• Audit Committee
• Environmental, Health, Safety and Sustainability Committee (Chair)

 

• Compensation Committee (Chair)

• Corporate Governance Committee

 

• Environment, Health, Safety and Sustainability Committee

• Audit Committee

   
   
2023 Voting Results 2023 Board and Committee Meetings Attended (2)(3)(4)
   

• Votes For: 315,923,913 (95.69%)

• Votes Withheld: 14,239,717 (4.31%)

• Board: 8 out of 9 (89%)

• Human Resources: 5 out of 5 (100%)

• Governance & Sustainability: 4 out of 4 (100%)

   
   
2023 Continuing Education  
   

•      NACD, Directors Daily (daily news briefings and updates for corporate directors, 2023) (Daily)

•      World Gold Council Presentation – Gold 247, February 8, 2023, Cayman Islands

•      E&Y, Succession planning success webinar, February 13, 2023, Webinar

•      BMO, Global Mining Conference, Florida, February 27-29, 2023

•      NACD, Compensation Webinar: The Key to Executive Retention, April 6, 2023

•      Deloitte - Charting the Future of Canadian Governance: Raising the Bar on Risk Management, April 17, 2023

•      Deloitte - Podium Club: Quarterly Audit Committee Update, April 27, 2023

•      Wheaton Precious Metals – Kevin Mitnick Security Training, June 7, 2023, Webinar

•      Hugessen Consulting - Trends and Insights from the 2023 Proxy Season: TSX60 Board Governance & ESG Webinar, June 6, 2023

•      Deloitte - Thorny Topics for Audit Committees, June 7, 2023

•      Hugessen Consulting - Trends and Insights from the 2023 Proxy Season: TSX60 Exec Compensation, June 22, 2023

•      ICD - Beyond 2023 Proxy Season Insights, June 27, 2023

•      ICD - The Proxies Are Done: Putting Pay Versus Performance in Perspective, June 29, 2023

•      Deloitte - Tech Savvy Boards: AI | Generative AI, July 11, 2023

•      Canada Climate Law Initiative, Reporting of Non-Financial Information, June 17, 2022, Webinar

•      Deloitte - Podium Club: Audit Committee Update session, July 27, 2023

•      Deloitte - Podium Club: Audit Committee Update session, July 27, 2023

•      ICD - Navigating Climate Governance: Legal Update for Directors, August 23, 2023

•      Deloitte, The Climate Challenge: The Role of the Chair, September 12, 2023

•      Deloitte, Disaster in the Boardroom, September 19, 2023

•      ICD, M&A Activism Preparedness, September 21, 2023

•      ICD, The Future of Sustainability Reporting with ISSB Standards, September 28, 2023

•      Deloitte, Digital Tsunami: Generative AI Webinar, October 10, 2023

•      KPMG, International ESG reporting: ISSB and ESRSs, October 10, 2023

•      ICD, Key Questions to the HR Committee, October 18, 2023

•      Scotia Mining Conference, Toronto, November 28, 2023

•      Wheaton Precious Metals, Cyber Security Awareness Training: 2024 Common Threats, December 1, 2023

WHEATON 2024 MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR [19]

Jeane Hull

Age: 69

Director Since: May 12, 2023

(1 year)

Independent

 

Residence: Rapid City, South Dakota, United States

Principal Occupation: Corporate Director

 

Wheaton Committees

• Audit Committee

Areas of Expertise (1)

• Managing or leading growth

• International

• Operations

• Industry expertise

• Financial literacy

 

• Compensation

• Health/Safety/ Environmental/Climate Competency/Sustainability

• Governance/Board

• Risk management

       
       
Ms. Hull has over 35 years of mining operational leadership and engineering experience, most notably holding the positions of Chief Operating Officer for Rio Tinto plc at the Kennecott Utah Copper Mine and Executive Vice President and Chief Technical Officer of Peabody Energy Corporation. She also held numerous management engineering and operations positions with Rio Tinto affiliates. Prior to joining Rio Tinto, she held positions with Mobil Mining and Minerals and has additional environmental engineering and regulatory affairs experience in the public and private sectors. In addition to her extensive mining experience, Ms. Hull has 10 years of independent director experience. Ms. Hull currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Hudbay Minerals Inc., Epiroc AB and Coeur Mining, Inc. She previously served on the boards of Trevali Mining Company, Copper Mountain Mining Corporation, Pretium Resources Inc. and Cloud Peak Energy Inc.  Ms. Hull also served on the Advisory Board for South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.
 
 
Public Directorships Public Committee Appointments
   

• Coeur Mining, Inc.

 

• Hudbay Mining Company

 

• Epiroc AB

• Finance and Investment Committee

• Compensation and Leadership Development Committee

• Environmental, Health, Safety and Corporate Responsibility Committee (Chair)

 

• Environmental, Health, Safety and Sustainability Committee

• Technical Committee

   
   
2023 Voting Results 2023 Board and Committee Meetings Attended (2)(3)(4)(5)
   

• Votes For: 327,888,602 (99.31%)

• Votes Withheld: 2,275,028 (0.69%)

• Board: 5 out of 5 (100%)

• Audit: 2 out of 2 (100%)

   
   
2023 Continuing Education  
   

•      NACD, Directors Daily (daily news briefings and updates for corporate directors, 2023) (Daily)

•      World Gold Council Presentation – Gold 247, February 8, 2023, Cayman Islands

•      Copper Mountain Mine Tour, April 25, 2023

•      Wheaton Precious Metals – Kevin Mitnick Security Training, June 7, 2023, Webinar

•      Coeur Mining, Rochester Mine and Mill Tour and Expansion Project, July 18, 2023

•      Coeur Mining – ESG Training, September 3, 2023, Webinar

•      NACD – Cybersecurity Certificate, September 23 – December 30, 2023, Virtual

•      Hudbay, Lalor Mine, Mill and Infrastructure Mine Tour, September 28-29, 2023

•      Wheaton Precious Metals, Cyber Security Awareness Training: 2024 Common Threats, December 1, 2023

WHEATON 2024 MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR [20]

Glenn Ives

Age: 63

Director Since: May 14, 2020

(4 years)

Independent

 

Residence: British Columbia, Canada

Principal Occupation: Corporate Director

 

Wheaton Committees

• Human Resources Committee

Areas of Expertise (1)

• Managing or leading growth

• International

• CEO/President

• Industry expertise

• Compensation

• Investment banking/M&A

• Financial literacy

 

• Health/Safety/ Environmental/ Climate Competency/Sustainability

• Governance/Board

• Risk management

       
       
Mr. Ives joined the Board of Wheaton in May 2020. Mr. Ives retired as a Canadian partner of Deloitte LLP on March 31, 2020. He served as the Executive Chair of Deloitte Canada from 2010 and 2018, a director of Deloitte Global from 2010 to 2018 and Chair of the Deloitte Global Risk Committee from 2012 to 2018. Mr. Ives was the leader of the North and South America Mining group for Deloitte from 2007 to 2020. He served as an audit partner at Deloitte serving public mining companies from 1999 to 2010. Mr. Ives currently serves as a director of Kinross Gold Corporation and NervGen Pharma Corp. From 1993 to 1999, Mr. Ives was the Chief Financial Officer and a Director of Vengold Inc. He served as a director of Lihir Gold Inc. from 1997 to 1999. Mr. Ives served as the Vice-President of Finance of TVX Gold Inc. from 1988 to 1993. Mr. Ives has extensive corporate governance experience with non-profit organizations including serving as Chair of the St. Paul’s Foundation (Vancouver) and as a director of the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation from 2010 to 2019 and Chair from 2016 to 2018. Mr. Ives holds a Bachelor of Mathematics degree (honors) from the University of Waterloo, graduating on the Dean’s Honor List. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia, a member of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario and was the Ontario Gold medalist for the Uniform Final Exams in 1984. Mr. Ives is also a member of the ICD and the NACD.
 
 
Public Directorships Public Committee Appointments
   
• Kinross Gold Corporation (since 2020) • Audit & Risk Committee (Chair)
• Human Resources and Compensation Committee
   
• NervGen Pharma Corp. (since 2021) • Audit Committee (Chair)
• Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee
   
   
2023 Voting Results 2023 Board and Committee Meetings Attended (2)(3)(4)
   

• Votes For: 327,605,660 (99.23%)

• Votes Withheld: 2,557,970 (0.77%)

• Board: 9 out of 9 (100%)

• Human Resources: 5 out of 5 (100%)

   
   
2023 Continuing Education    
     

•      NACD, Directors Daily (daily news briefings and updates for corporate directors, 2023) (Daily)

•      ICD – Securities Laws Updates and Trends Heading into Proxy Season, February 1, 2023

•      World Gold Council Presentation – Gold 247, February 8, 2023, Cayman Islands

•      Deloitte, Geopolitics: Implications for Boards of the Shifting

Landscape in Europe, February 16, 2023

•      Deloitte, Tech Trends for Boards, March 2, 2023

•      ICD, Cyber Update, March 29, 2023

•      Deloitte Podium Club, The impact of bank failures on the market and economy, April 11, 2023

•      Economist, China and Russia: the new balance of power, April 14, 2023

•      Deloitte, Supply, Demand and Inflation: A Deep Dive for Boards, April 18, 2023

•      CPAB, Mining Forum, May 30, 2023, Vancouver

•      Deloitte, Thorny Topics for Audit Committees, June 7, 2023

•      ICD, Annual Conference, June 14, 2023

•      Economist, Ukraine at War: the counter-offensive, June 16, 2023

•      CPA Ontario, Ethics Conference – Navigating Grey Areas, June 22, 2023

•      Deloitte, Audit Committee Update Session, July 27, 2023

•      Deloitte, The Climate Challenge – the role of the Chair, September 12, 2023

•      EY, America’s Mining and Metals Forum, September 14, 2023

•      Deloitte, Disaster in the Boardroom – Six Dysfunctions Everyone should Understand, September 19, 2023

•      CPAB, CPAC Symposium, The Evolving Fraud Landscape, September 26, 2023

•      Deloitte, Economic Update, September 28, 2023

•      Deloitte, Digital Tsunami: Generative AI, October 10, 2023

•      Deloitte, Talent and the Board, October 17, 2023

•      ICD, Key Questions for the HR Committee, October 18, 2023

•      Deloitte, Audit Committee Update, October 25, 2023

•      Deloitte, CEO / Director Symposium, October 26, 2023

•      Cassels, Federal Impact Assessment Act Supreme Court of Canada decision, November 2, 2023

•      Deloitte, The Role of the Board Chair on Climate Strategy, November 15, 2023

•      Economist, The World Ahead 2024, November 16, 2023

•      Kinross, Anti-Bribery & Anti-Corruption and Conflicts of Interest, December 1, 2023

•      Wheaton Precious Metals, Cyber Security Awareness Training: 2024 Common Threats, December 1, 2023

•      Egon Zender, Audit Committee Forum & Roundtable, December 6, 2023

•      Deloitte, Sustainability Reporting – Navigating evolving expectations, December 7, 2023

•      ICD, The Role of Boards in Overseeing Culture, December 7, 2023

•      Kinross / Competent Boards, Navigating the ESG Landscape, December 11, 2023

•      Deloitte, Charting the Future of Canadian Governance, December 13, 2023

WHEATON 2024 MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR [21]

Charles Jeannes

Age: 65

Director Since: November 9, 2016

(7 years)

Independent

 

Residence: Reno, Nevada, U.S.A.

Principal Occupation: Corporate Director

 

Wheaton Committees

• Governance & Sustainability Committee, Chair

• Human Resources Committee

Areas of Expertise (1)

• Managing or leading growth

• International

• CEO/President

• Industry expertise

• Compensation

• Investment banking/M&A

 

• Financial literacy

• Health/Safety/ Environmental/Climate Competency/Sustainability

• Governance/Board

• Risk management

       
       
Mr. Jeannes joined the Board of Wheaton in November 2016.  Mr. Jeannes is a mining industry veteran with over 30 years of experience. As President and CEO of Goldcorp Inc. (now Newmont Corporation) from December 2008 to April 2016, he led Goldcorp’s development into one of the world’s largest and most successful gold mining companies with mining operations and development projects located throughout the Americas. Mr. Jeannes formerly held the role of Executive Vice President, Corporate Development of Goldcorp where he managed a series of M&A transactions that contributed to the company’s significant growth. Prior to joining Goldcorp, Mr. Jeannes held senior positions with Glamis Gold Ltd. and Placer Dome Inc. Mr. Jeannes was formerly a director of Tahoe Resources Inc. until its acquisition by Pan American Silver Corp. in early 2019 and currently serves as a director of Pan American Silver Corp. and Chair of Orla Mining Ltd.  He holds a B.A. degree from the University of Nevada (1980) and graduated from the University of Arizona College of Law with honors in 1983. He practiced law for 11 years and has broad experience in capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, public and private financing and international operations. Mr. Jeannes has received numerous awards including British Columbia CEO of the Year for 2013, Canada’s Most Admired CEO for 2015, 2016 Alumnus of the Year for the University of Nevada and 2015 Alumnus of the Year for the University of Arizona College of Law. Mr. Jeannes is involved in various philanthropic activities and currently serves as a Trustee of the Wolf Pack Athletic Association at the University of Nevada.
 
 
Public Directorships Public Committee Appointments
   
• Pan American Silver Corp. (since February 2019) • Human Resources and Compensation Committee (Chair)
• Nominating and Governance Committee
   
• Orla Mining Ltd. (Chair) (since June 2017)

• Compensation Committee

• Audit Committee

• Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee

   
   
2023 Voting Results 2023 Board and Committee Meetings Attended (2)(3)(4)
   

• Votes For: 306,763,045 (92.91%)

• Votes Withheld: 23,400,585 (7.09%)

• Board: 9 out of 9 (100%)
• Human Resources: 5 out of 5 (100%)

• Governance and Sustainability: 3 out of 4 (75%)

   
   
2023 Continuing Education  
   

•      NACD, Directors Daily (daily news briefings and updates for corporate directors, 2023) (Daily)

•      World Gold Council Presentation – Gold 247, February 8, 2023, Cayman Islands

•      BMO Global Metals and Mining Conference, February 26 – March 1, 2023, Florida

•      PDAC Mining Conference, March 5-8, 2023, Toronto

•      Wheaton Precious Metals – Kevin Mitnick Security Training, June 7, 2023, Webinar

•      Denver Gold Forum, September 17-20, 2023, Denver, Colorado

•      Wheaton Precious Metals, Cyber Security Awareness Training: 2024 Common Threats, December 1, 2023

WHEATON 2024 MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR [22]

Marilyn Schonberner

Age: 64

Director Since: February 26, 2018

(6 years)

Independent

 

Residence: Alberta, Canada

Principal Occupation: Corporate Director

 

Wheaton Committees

• Audit Committee, Chair

• Human Resources Committee

Areas of Expertise (1)

• Managing or leading growth

• International

• Compensation

• Financial literacy

 

• Health/Safety/ Environmental/Climate Competency/Sustainability

• Governance/Board

• Risk management

       
       
Ms. Schonberner is a Corporate Director with over 35 years of international experience in the Energy and Mining sectors.  She retired in 2018 as the Chief Financial Officer of Nexen Energy ULC.  During her 21-year career with Nexen, she held various executive roles with responsibility for financial and risk management, audit, human resources, strategic planning and budgeting, supply chain, and information services.  Ms. Schonberner currently serves on the board of directors of New Gold Inc. where she is the Chair of the Audit Committee and a member of the Governance and Nominating Committee.  She holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Alberta and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Calgary. She is a CPA, CMA and a Certified Internal Auditor. Ms. Schonberner completed the Senior Executive Development Programme at the London Business School and has obtained the ICD.D designation from the ICD.  
 
 
Public Directorships Public Committee Appointments
   
• New Gold Inc. (since July 2017) • Audit Committee (Chair)
• Governance and Nominating Committee
   
   
2023 Voting Results 2023 Board and Committee Meetings Attended (2)(3)(4)
   

• Votes For: 323,870,891 (98.09%)

• Votes Withheld: 6,292,739 (1.91%)

• Board: 9 out of 9 (100%)

• Audit: 4 out of 4 (100%)

• Human Resources: 5 out of 5 (100%)

   
   
2023 Continuing Education  
   

•      NACD, Directors Daily (daily news briefings and updates for corporate directors, 2023) (Daily)

•      ICD, Governance in Uncertain Times, January 18, 2023, Webcast

•      Deloitte Podium Club, Charting the Course of Canadian Governance (Session 1), January 25, 2023, Webcast

•      World Gold Council Presentation – Gold 247, February 8, 2023, Cayman Islands

•      ICD, Navigating Rising Expectations for Canadian Boards, February 21, 2023, Webcast

•      Deloitte Podium Club, Charting the Course of Canadian Governance (Session 2), February 22, 2023, Webcast

•      ICD, Energy Transitions – Questions every Board should be Asking, March 1, 2023 Webinar

•      Osler, First Quarter Economic Update with Stephen Poloz, March 1, 2023 Webinar

•      Deloitte Global Boardroom – Tech trends for Boards, March 2, 2023 Webinar

•      Deloitte Mining & Metals Workshop Series: Leading Transformations, Achieving Net-Zero in Mining, March 6, 2023, In-Person

•      Deloitte Global Boardroom, Supply, Demand, and Inflation: A Deep Dive for Boards, April 18, 2023, Webinar

•      Deloitte Podium Club, Quarterly Audit Committee Update, April 27, 2023, Webinar

•      Wheaton Precious Metals – Kevin Mitnick Security Training, June 7, 2023, Webinar

•      Deloitte, Challenges for Remuneration Committees, June 22, 2023, Webinar

•      Deloitte Podium Club, Audit Committee Update, October 25, 2023 Webinar

•      Wood Mackenzie, Charting a Path Through the Energy Transition, November 21, 2023 Webinar

•      Wheaton Precious Metals, Cyber Security Awareness Training: 2024 Common Threats, December 1, 2023

•      Mining Industry HR Council, The Importance of Gender Equity in Mining, December 9, 2023, Online Training

•      Deloitte, Charting the Future of Canadian Governance, December 13, 2023, Webinar

WHEATON 2024 MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR [23]

Randy V.J. Smallwood

Age: 59

Director Since: May 6, 2011

(12 years)

Non-Independent (6)

 

Residence: British Columbia, Canada

Principal Occupation: President and Chief Executive Officer

of the Company

 

Wheaton Committees

• None

Areas of Expertise (1)

• Managing or leading growth

• International

• CEO/President

• Operations

• Industry expertise

• Compensation

• Investment banking/M&A

 

• Financial literacy

• Health/Safety/Environmental/ Climate Competency/

Sustainability
• Governance/Board

• Risk management

       
 

Mr. Smallwood holds a geological engineering degree from the University of British Columbia and a mine engineering diploma from the British Columbia Institute of Technology. Mr. Smallwood was involved in the founding of Wheaton and in 2007, he joined Wheaton full time as Executive Vice President of Corporate Development, primarily focusing on growing the Company through the evaluation and acquisition of silver stream opportunities. In January 2010 he was appointed President, and in April 2011 he was appointed Wheaton’s Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Smallwood originally started as an exploration geologist with Wheaton River Minerals Ltd., and in 2001 was promoted to Director of Project Development, his role through its 2005 merger with Goldcorp. Mr. Smallwood was an instrumental part of the team that built Wheaton River / Goldcorp into one of the largest, and more importantly, one of the most profitable gold companies in the world, and he is now focused on continuing to add to the impressive growth profile of Wheaton. Mr. Smallwood formerly served on the boards of Defiance Silver Corp. (formerly ValOro Resources Inc. and Geologix Explorations Inc.) from 2005 to 2019, Ventana Gold from 2008 to 2011, Castle Peak Resources from 2010 to 2012, and Tigray Resources Inc. from 2011 to 2014. Mr. Smallwood is also the Chair of MineralsEd BC and serves as a past Chair and board member of the World Gold Council, and as a board member of Special Olympics BC and Mining4Life. Mr. Smallwood also previously served on the board of the BC Cancer Foundation. In 2015, Mr. Smallwood received the British Columbia Institute of Technology Distinguished Alumni Award.

 
 
Public Directorships Public Committee Appointments
   
• None • None
   
   
2023 Voting Results 2023 Board and Committee Meetings Attended (2)(3)(4)
   

• Votes For: 327,027,044 (99.05%)

• Votes Withheld: 3,136,586 (0.95%)

• Board: 9 out of 9 (100%)

   
   
2023 Continuing Education  
   

•      NACD, Directors Daily (daily news briefings and updates for corporate directors, 2023) (Daily)

•      MacKay CEO Forums (throughout the year)

•      CIBC, Western Institutional Investor Conference, January 18 – 20, 2023, Whistler

•      World Gold Council Presentation – Gold 247, February 8, 2023, Cayman Islands

•      BMO Global Mining Conference, February 26-March 1, 2023, Hollywood, Florida

•      Bank of America, Global Metals, Mining and Steel Conference, May 16-18, 2023, Miami, Florida

•      PDAC, Mining Conference, March 5-8, 2023, Toronto

•      Denver Gold Forum, September 17-20, 2023, Denver, Colorado

•      LBMA, Precious Metals Conference, October 15-17, 2023, Barcelona, Spain

•      LME, LME Week, October 8-13, 2023, London, UK

•      Scotiabank Mining Conference, November 28-29, 2023, Toronto

•      Wheaton Precious Metals, Cyber Security Awareness Training: 2024 Common Threats, December 1, 2023

•      LGBTQ2+ Diversity and Inclusion Training for Workplaces, December 2023, Online Training Module

WHEATON 2024 MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR [24]

Srinivasan Venkatakrishnan

Age: 58

Director Since: To be appointed at
Meeting

Wheaton Committees

Independent

 

Residence: Ireland

Principal Occupation: Corporate Director

 

• None

Areas of Expertise (1)

• Managing or leading growth

• International

• CEO/President

• Operations

• Industry Experience

• Compensation

• Investment Banking/M&A

 

•Financial Literacy

• Health/Safety/ Environmental/Climate Competency/Sustainability

• Governance/Board

• Risk management

       
 
Mr. Venkatakrishnan is a Corporate Director and an experienced mining executive who brings a wealth of mining and financial experience, gained through his vast experience of leading global mining businesses, in a career that has spanned across 17 countries and six continents.  Mr. Venkatakrishnan has a proven track record of leading multinational organizations - including major publicly listed companies - through periods of challenging and transformative change. He is currently the Chair of Endeavour Mining plc. and a director of BlackRock World Mining Trust plc. He is also, until March 31, 2024, a Director of Weir Group Plc. Previously, Mr. Venkatakrishnan served as CEO of Vedanta Resources plc from 2018 to 2020 and was CEO of AngloGold Ashanti Limited between 2013 to 2018, having previously been Chief Financial Officer of the business from 2005, and of Ashanti Goldfields Limited from 2000. In his early career, he was a Director with Deloitte in London, leading corporate restructurings on behalf of both corporates and financiers.  Mr. Venkatakrishnan is a past board member of the World Gold Council, International Council on Mining and Metals, Business Leadership South Africa, the Chamber of Mines of South Africa and a past member of the Financial Review Investigation Panel of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.
 
 
Public Directorships Public Committee Appointments
   

• Endeavour Mining plc. (since July 2022)

 

 

 

• Blackrock World Mining Trust plc (since 2021)

 

• Weir Gold plc. (since 2021)

(Mr.Venkatakrishnan will be leaving the Weir Group plc. Board on March 31, 2024)

• Corporate Governance & Nominations Committee

• ESG Committee

• Technical, Health & Safety Committee

 

• Audit Committee (Chair)

 

• Audit Committee

   
   
2023 Voting Results 2023 Board and Committee Meetings Attended (7)
   
• N/A (7) • N/A
   
   
2023 Continuing Education  
   

•      NACD, Directors Daily (daily news briefings and updates for corporate directors, 2023) (Daily)

 
WHEATON 2024 MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR [25]

 
(1) See “Director Qualifications and Experience” below for a summary of the areas of expertise.

(2) Does not include meetings attended by directors on committees that the director is not a member of.

(3) All Board members attended all Board meetings during 2023, with the exception of Mr. John A. Brough who did not attend one Board meeting in 2023 due to a significant health issue and Mr. Eduardo Luna and Ms. Chantal Gosselin who each missed one Board meeting in 2023. All Board members are generally expected to also attend meetings of the Audit Committee. All Board members attended all Audit Committee meetings during 2023. All Governance and Sustainability Committee members attended all required Governance and Sustainability Committee meetings during 2023 with the exception of Mr. Charles Jeannes who did not attend one meeting. All Human Resources Committee members attended all required Human Resources Committee meetings during 2023.

(4) After the May 12, 2023 annual and special meeting of shareholders: (a) Mr. Ives joined the Human Resources Committee, however he was in attendance for all Human Resource Committee meetings held before and after this date; (b) Mr. Luna ceased as a director and member of the Governance and Sustainability Committee and as such was not in attendance for Board and Governance and Sustainability Committee meetings held after this date; (c) Mr. Brough ceased as a director and member of the Audit Committee and as such was not in attendance for Board and Audit Committee meetings held after this date; (d) Mr. Gillin ceased as a member of the Human Resources Committee and as such was not required to be in attendance for Human Resource Committee meetings held after this date; (e) Mr. Gillin joined the Governance and Sustainability Committee and as such was not required to be in attendance for Governance and Sustainability Committee meetings held before this date; and (f) Ms. Donovan joined the Governance and Sustainability Committee and as such was not required to be in attendance for Governance and Sustainability Committee meetings held before this date.

(5) Ms. Hull was elected to the Board at the May 12, 2023 annual and special meeting of shareholders and was not in attendance for Board and Committee meetings held prior to this date. Ms. Hull attended all Audit Committee meetings after this date.

(6) Mr. Smallwood is not independent as he is a Wheaton officer.

(7) Mr. Venkatakrishnan is a first time Nominee for election to the Board at the Meeting.

 

Director Experiences, Expertise and Skills

 

On an annual basis, the Governance and Sustainability Committee considers the strategies of the Company to identify what experiences, expertise and skills are required of the Board in exercising its oversight responsibilities. Listed below is a summary of those areas of expertise.

 

Areas of Expertise & Skills Matrix

 

Managing or leading growth – experience as a senior officer in driving the strategy and vision of an organization and leading growth
International – experience as a senior officer in a major organization that has international operations
CEO/President – experience as the CEO or President of a publicly listed company or major organization
Operations – production or exploration experience with a leading mining or resource company, with formal education in geology, geophysics or engineering
Industry Expertise – experience as an officer with a company in the mining industry, combined with a strong knowledge of market participants
Compensation – experience as a senior officer or board compensation committee member, with compensation, benefit and pension programs, with specific expertise in executive compensation programs
Investment banking/Mergers & Acquisitions – experience in investment banking or in major mergers and acquisitions
Financial Literacy – experience in financial accounting and reporting, and corporate finance (familiarity with internal financial controls, Canadian GAAP, US GAAP or IFRS)
Health, Safety, Environment, Climate Competency and Sustainability – strong understanding of the requirements and leading practices of workplace safety, health and the environment, including the requirements needed for a strong safety culture; experience in the management of climate change impacts and sustainable development
Governance/Board – experience as a board member of a major organization
Risk Management – experience in identifying and managing risks that may impact a business

WHEATON 2024 MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR [26]

The Governance and Sustainability Committee then compares those areas of expertise to the areas of expertise of the current members of the Board and uses this assessment in considering the composition of the Board and identifying what skills the Company should be recruiting for when making changes or additions to the Board. See “Nomination of Directors” on page 40 for further discussion regarding the process through which nominees are identified.

 

The biographies above and the skills matrix below summarize the qualifications and experience of each of the members of the Board that led the Governance and Sustainability Committee to conclude that such member is qualified to serve on the Board. The lack of a specifically identified area of expertise does not mean that the Nominee does not possess that qualification or skill. Rather, a specifically identified area of expertise indicates that the Board currently relies upon that Nominee for that expertise.

 

Name   G.
Brack
  J.
Donovan
  R.P.
Gillin
  C.
Gosselin
  J.
Hull
  G.
Ives
  C.
Jeannes
  M.  
Schonberner
  R.
Smallwood
  S.
Venkatakrishnan
  Total
Managing or Leading Growth                       10
International                       10
CEO/ President                               6
Operations                                 5
Industry Experience                         9
Compensation                         9
Investment Banking/ Mergers & Acquisitions                           8
Financial Literacy                       10
Health, Safety, Environment, Climate Competency and Sustainability                           8
Governance/ Board                       10
Risk Management                       10

WHEATON 2024 MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR [27]

Cease Trade Orders, Bankruptcies, Penalties or Sanctions

 

To the knowledge of the Company, no proposed director of the Company is, or within ten years prior to the date hereof has been, a director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer of any company (including the Company) that: (i) was subject to a cease trade order, an order similar to a cease trade order or an order that denied the relevant company access to any exemption under securities legislation, that was in effect for a period of more than 30 consecutive days, that was issued while the director or executive officer was acting in the capacity as director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer; or (ii) was subject to a cease trade order, an order similar to a cease trade order or an order that denied the relevant company access to any exemption under securities legislation, that was in effect for a period of more than 30 consecutive days, that was issued after the director or executive officer ceased to be a director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer and which resulted from an event that occurred while that person was acting in the capacity as director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer, other than as set out below.

 

To the knowledge of the Company, no proposed director of the Company is, or within ten years prior to the date hereof has been, a director or executive officer of any company (including the Company) that, while that person was acting in that capacity, or within a year of that person ceasing to act in that capacity, became bankrupt, made a proposal under any legislation relating to bankruptcy or insolvency or was subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangement or compromise with creditors or had a receiver, receiver manager or trustee appointed to hold its assets, other than as set out below.

 

Ms. Hull was the Executive Vice President and Chief Technical Officer from April 2011 to July 31, 2015 of Peabody Energy Corporation (“Peabody”), a company that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States on April 13, 2016 and emerged from Chapter 11 protection on April 3, 2017. Peabody filed for bankruptcy after a sharp drop in coal prices left it unable to service its debt.

 

Ms. Hull was a director from July 2016 to October 24, 2019 of Cloud Peak Energy Inc. (“Cloud Peak”), a company that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States on May 10, 2019, received court approval for its plan of reorganization on December 5, 2019 and emerged from bankruptcy on December 17, 2019. In connection with its plan of reorganization, Cloud Peak sold substantially all of its operating assets to Navajo Transitional Energy Company.

 

Ms. Hull was a director from January 2021 to September 2022 of Trevali Mining Corporation (“Trevali”), a company that obtained an initial order from the Supreme Court of British Columbia under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-36, as amended, in August 2022. Trevali indicated that its financial position deteriorated significantly in 2022 as a result of a number of events and challenges which impacted operations and production. A Monitor has been appointed for Trevali by the Court.

 

Mr. Venkatakrishnan was the Chief Executive Officer and executive director of Vedanta Resources Limited (“VRL”) from August 31, 2018 to April 5, 2020. During that time, Mr. Venkatakrishnan was also a non-executive director of Konkola Copper Mines Limited (“KCM”) in which VRL holds a majority shareholder position. In connection with an ownership dispute with VRL, ZCCM IH (a Zambian state-owned corporation that holds a minority interest in KCM) brought a petition before the Zambian High Court to have KCM wound up and an ex-parte petition to have a provisional liquidator appointed to manage KCM’s affairs. The petition to have KCM wound up is currently stayed and KCM has been under the direction and control of a provisional liquidator since May 2019. It was reported in November 2023 that VRL and ZCCM entered into an agreement to reinstate the KCM board of directors and a withdrawal of all legal challenges in court, including the removal of the provisional liquidator.

WHEATON 2024 MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR [28]

To the knowledge of the Company, no director of the Company has, within ten years prior to the date hereof, become bankrupt, made a proposal under any legislation relating to bankruptcy or insolvency, or become subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangement or compromise with creditors, or had a receiver, receiver manager or trustee appointed to hold the assets of the director, executive officer or shareholder.

 

To the knowledge of the Company, no proposed director of the Company has been subject to: (i) any penalties or sanctions imposed by a court relating to securities legislation or by a securities regulatory authority or has entered into a settlement agreement with a securities regulatory authority; or (ii) any other penalties or sanctions imposed by a court or regulatory body that would likely be considered important to a reasonable investor in deciding whether to vote for a proposed director.

WHEATON 2024 MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR [29]

Corporate Governance Practices

 

National Policy 58-201 Corporate Governance Guidelines and National Instrument 58-101 Disclosure of Corporate Governance Practices (the “Governance Disclosure Rule”) (which can be found at the following link: https://www.bcsc.bc.ca/securities-law/law-and-policy/instruments-and-policies/5-ongoing-requirements-for-issuers-insiders) were adopted by the securities regulatory authorities in Canada and deal with matters such as the constitution and independence of corporate boards, their functions, the effectiveness and education of board members and other items dealing with sound corporate governance practices. The Company is subject to the Governance Disclosure Rule, which requires that, if management of an issuer solicits proxies from its security holders for the purpose of electing directors, specified disclosure of its corporate governance practices must be included in its Circular.

 

The Company and the Board recognize the importance of corporate governance to the effective management of the Company and to the protection of its employees and shareholders. The Company’s approach to significant issues of corporate governance is designed with a view to ensuring that the business and affairs of the Company are effectively managed so as to enhance shareholder value. The Board fulfills its mandate directly and through its committees at regularly scheduled meetings or as required. Frequency of meetings may be increased and the nature of the agenda items may be changed depending upon the state of the Company’s affairs and in light of opportunities or risks which the Company faces. The directors are kept informed of the Company’s operations at these meetings as well as through reports and discussions with management on matters within their particular areas of expertise.

 

The Company’s corporate governance practices have been and continue to be in compliance with applicable Canadian and United States requirements, including the Governance Disclosure Rule. The Company’s corporate governance practices are summarized in this Circular and full copies the Company’s corporate governance policies can be accessed on the Company’s website at http://www.wheatonpm.com. The Company continues to monitor developments in Canada, the United States and the UK with a view to further enhancing and expanding upon its governance policies and practices, as appropriate and applicable.

 

The NYSE rules require the Company to disclose any significant ways in which its corporate governance practices differ from those followed by United States domestic issuers under the NYSE listing standards. The Company believes that there are no significant differences between its corporate governance practices and those required to be followed by United States domestic issuers under the NYSE listing standards. This confirmation is also located on the Wheaton website at http://www.wheatonpm.com.

 

Our Year in Review

 

See “2023 Corporate Governance At A Glance” on page [VI] of this Circular for a summary of Wheaton’s corporate governance practices in 2023.

 

The following is a full description of the Company’s corporate governance practices which has been prepared by the Governance and Sustainability Committee of the Board and has been approved by the Board.

 

Board of Directors

 

Independence of the Board

 

The independence of the directors under the Governance Disclosure Rule is determined in accordance with National Instrument 52-110 Audit Committees, which provides that a director is independent if he or she has no direct or indirect material relationship with the Company and its subsidiaries, and sets out certain relationships that would deem a director to not be independent. A “material relationship” is defined to mean any relationship which could, in the view of the Board, be reasonably expected to interfere with the exercise of a director’s independent judgment. The Company also determines the independence of its directors in accordance with the NYSE’s corporate governance standards (the “NYSE Governance Rules”) under which no director qualifies as independent unless the board of directors affirmatively determines that the director has no material relationship with the Company.

WHEATON 2024 MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR [30]

On an annual basis, the Board considers whether each director is independent in accordance with these requirements. Based on this review, nine out of the ten Nominees are independent. The Company’s determination on independence of directors is set out in the Nominee biographies starting on page 16.

 

In accordance with the NYSE Governance Rules, the Board also considers all factors relevant to determining whether a director has a relationship with the Company which is material to that director’s ability to be independent from management in connection with the duties of a compensation committee member (the “NYSE Enhanced Independence Rules”). The Board has confirmed that all members of the Human Resources Committee meet the NYSE Enhanced Independence Rules.

 

Independent Board Chair

 

The Board appointed Mr. Brack, an independent member of the Board, as its Chair. The Chair’s primary responsibilities include chairing all Board meetings and managing the affairs of the Board and shareholders, including ensuring that the Board is organized properly, functions effectively and meets its obligations and responsibilities. The Chair also acts as the primary spokesperson for the Board, ensuring that management is aware of concerns of the Board, shareholders, other stakeholders and the public and, in addition, ensuring that management strategies, plans and performance are appropriately represented to the Board. The Terms of Reference for the Board Chair sets out the full description of the responsibilities of the Chair of the Board and is available at www.wheatonpm.com.

 

Meetings of the Board and Committees of the Board

 

The Board meets a minimum of four times per year, every quarter. Each committee of the Board meets at least once each year or more frequently as deemed necessary by the applicable committee. The frequency of the meetings and the nature of the meeting agendas are dependent upon the nature of the business and affairs which the Company faces from time to time. The Nominee biographies starting on page 16 provide details regarding director attendance at Board and committee meetings held during the financial year ended December 31, 2023.

 

In Camera/Independent Directors’ Meetings

 

During 2023, the independent directors held an in-camera session at each Board meeting during which session non-independent directors and members of management did not attend. The Board may also excuse members of management and conflicted directors from all or a portion of any meeting where a conflict or potential conflict of interest arises or where otherwise appropriate.

 

The Chair of the Board facilitates and chairs discussions among the Company’s independent directors and facilitates communication between the independent directors and Company’s management. The Chair considers any comments or requests made by an independent director or during an in-camera session of the independent directors and determines the most appropriate action or response, which may include a request for additional information or action by the Chief Executive Officer or other members of the Company’s management, the seeking of independent legal or other advice, or any other action that the Chair of the Board deems appropriate or advisable under the circumstances to address the comment or request raised.

 

Other Public Company Directorships/Committee Appointments

 

The Nominee biographies starting on page 16 provide details regarding directorships and committee appointments held by the Company’s directors in other public companies. The Board has determined that the simultaneous service of some of its directors on other audit committees does not impair the ability of such directors to effectively serve on the Company’s Audit Committee, having regard to their qualifications, attendance and contribution as members of the Company’s Audit Committee.

WHEATON 2024 MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR [31]

Board Tenure and Renewal

 

The Company has not adopted term limits for directors serving on the Board. The Company and Board have considered term limits and believe that:

 

longer tenure does not impair a director’s ability to act independently of management;

imposing term limits could result in the loss of contributions of longer serving directors who have developed significant depth of knowledge and understanding of the streaming industry;

regular evaluation of Board skills and experience, rather than arbitrary term limits, will result in better Board performance; and

experience of Board members is a valuable asset to shareholders because of the complex issues that the Board faces.

 

The Company believes these positions are supported by both academic literature and Board performance.

 

While the Company has not adopted term limits, the Company recognizes and welcomes fresh perspectives from newer Board members. In addition, the Board conducts reviews of its directors as set out under “Board Assessments” on page 44.

 

As part of the Board’s commitment to Board renewal, a new director has been proposed for election to the Board every other year since 2016. In addition, a new director is also being proposed for election to the Board at the Meeting. Assuming the election of the Nominees as proposed at the Meeting, the average Board tenure of the non-executive Board members will be approximately 7.3 years immediately following the Meeting.

 

Interlocking Directorships

 

The Board has adopted a policy that no two Company directors shall sit together on two or more public company corporate boards without the approval of the Board. As of December 31, 2023, the following directors of the Company serve together as directors on the boards of another public company. Other than as set forth in such table, to the knowledge of the Company, no director of the Company serves on the board of any other public company with any other director of the Company. The Board has approved the interlocking board memberships identified below, subject to the election of the Nominees.

 

Interlocking Directorships

 

Interlocking Public Company Directorships Director
Dundee Precious Metals Inc.

Jaimie Donovan 

R. Peter Gillin 

Pan American Silver Corp.

Chantal Gosselin 

Charles Jeannes 

 

Board Mandate

 

The duties and responsibilities of the Board are to supervise the management of the business and affairs of the Company, and to act with a view towards the best interests of the Company. In discharging its mandate, the Board is responsible for the oversight and review of the development of, among other things, the following matters:

 

the strategic planning process of the Company;

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identifying the principal risks of the Company’s business and ensuring the implementation of appropriate systems to manage these risks;

succession planning, including appointing, training and monitoring senior management;

a communications policy for the Company to facilitate communications with investors and other interested parties; and

the integrity of the Company’s internal control and management information systems.

 

The Board also has the mandate to assess the effectiveness of the Board as a whole, its committees and the contribution of individual directors. The Board discharges its responsibilities directly and through its committees, currently consisting of the Audit Committee, the Human Resources Committee and the Governance and Sustainability Committee. In addition, in fulfilling its mandate the Board, among other things:

 

reviews the Company’s annual budget, five-year business plan and corporate strategic plan;

reviews financing arrangements and significant acquisitions;

reviews reports, at least quarterly, from the President & Chief Executive Officer, the Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, the Senior Vice President, Corporate Development and the Senior Vice President, Sustainability and Investor Relations on the Company’s progress in the preceding quarter and on the strategic, operational and financial matters facing the Company;

reviews environmental (including climate change – see Climate Change and Environment below), social matters (including health and safety, labour, community investment and human rights), and other related matters (“ESG Matters”) specific to the Company and its Mining Partners; and

reviews significant communications with shareholders and the public, including quarterly and annual financial results, the sustainability report, the annual report, annual information form and this Circular.

 

A copy of the terms of reference for the Board, setting out its mandate, responsibilities and the duties of its members is attached as Schedule “A” to this Circular.

 

Diversity and Representation of Women at Wheaton

 

The Governance and Sustainability Committee is committed to fostering a diverse environment where individual differences are respected and diversity is promoted and valued. The Company believes that employing and engaging a diverse workforce enhances the Company’s effectiveness by leveraging access to a wide array of experiences, skills, talents and knowledge. The Company recognizes the benefits from creating and maintaining a diverse and inclusive culture within our workforce, including exposure to different perspectives. Therefore, while opportunities will be primarily based on performance, skill and merit, due consideration will be given to diversity in all aspects of employment and engagement by an employee, officer or director with the Company, including selection, recruitment, hiring, promotion, compensation, termination, training and development. For clarity, “diversity” means any element or quality that can be used to differentiate groups and people from one another, including differences based on race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity and gender expression, sexual orientation, family or marital status, political belief, age, national or ethnic origin, citizenship or physical or mental disability and any other protected ground. The Company also fosters diversity through surveys on diversity and inclusion at Wheaton together with incorporating diversity awareness training and communications.

 

In order to promote and foster Board gender diversity, in 2021 the Board adopted a target to have at least 30% of Board members be women by the end of 2024 (the “Target”). The Target was met two and a half years early with the election at the May 13, 2022 annual and special meeting of three women, representing 30% of the Company’s Board members.

 

The Company continues to exceed the Target, with four of the current nine Board members being women, representing 44% of the current Board members. Assuming the election of all Nominees as proposed, immediately after the Meeting 40% of the Board members will be women, reflecting that four out of the 10 Board Nominees are women.

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In order to support the Board in meeting the Target, the Board implemented practices that:

 

required any search for nominees to the Board to specifically include diverse candidates generally, and women candidates in particular, and any search firm engaged for such purpose to be directed to do so, with the Board endeavoring to have at least 50% qualified women candidates in any presented list of potential candidates; and

 

an annual assessment of the progress on the Target, including an assessment of the percentage of potential candidates that were women during the year, the percentage of Board members who are women and the percentage of Board committee members who are women.

 

In addition, during 2023, Wheaton’s Board Guidelines were amended in order to facilitate increased diversity at the Board beyond gender. Under the revised Guidelines, any search for nominees to the Board is now required to specifically include diverse candidates generally beyond gender. These revised Guidelines formed the basis of the process undertaken during 2023 and early 2024 to identify a new Nominee for the Board and specifically required the search to include diverse candidates. 40% of Wheaton’s Board Nominees are Women and 10% are visible minority

 

For 2024, there is one Board Nominee who identifies as having a disability or accessibility need and one Nominee that identifies as a visible minority, diverse or Indigenous.

 

The Company and its subsidiaries currently have a total of five executive officers, none of whom are women. Each of the executive officers has been with the Company for over 10 years, reflecting consistently low turnover rates among all of the Company’s employees which limits opportunities for progression. While none of the executive officers currently are women, the Company has progressed its gender diverse pipeline so that 38% (27% in 2022) of Vice Presidents are women. The Company continues to focus on the development of leadership and skillsets among all employees in order to support ongoing succession planning.

 

In respect of non-gender diversity, one executive officer of the Company identifies as a member of a visible minority, approximately 30% of Wheaton’s employees identify as a member of a visible minority and approximately 7% identify as having a physical, cognitive or mental condition or disability. Wheaton does not currently have any employees that identify as Indigenous.

 

The Company has adopted a written policy to increase the percentage of gender diverse and visible minorities working at Wheaton, including of leadership, and advance diversity and inclusion initiatives across the Company by 2028.

 

The Governance and Sustainability Committee is required to annually update and recommend to the Board for approval a long-term plan for Board composition which takes into consideration, among other matters, the diversity of the Board. A similar approach will be taken by management and the Board with respect to recruitment of executive officers.

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Environmental, Social and Governance

 

Wheaton has a longstanding commitment to industry leading ESG practices. To support ESG management, Wheaton has established clear oversight of ESG at the Board of Directors level, consistent with its responsibility for overseeing strategy and risk, and has integrated ESG management throughout the Company. The following table sets out the oversight and management of ESG Matters at the Company:

 

Board of Directors

 

Provides oversight and approves Wheaton’s ESG-related policies and ESG strategy

 

Reviews ESG risks and opportunities related to potential new streaming transactions 

Governance and Sustainability Committee

 

Oversees execution of the ESG strategy & overall ESG performance

 

Reviews Wheaton’s annual Sustainability Report 

Audit Committee

 

Reviews Wheaton’s risks and mitigations, which includes ESG and climate-related risks specific to Wheaton and/or its Mining Partners

 

Human Resources Committee

 

Reviews ESG performance with respect to Wheaton’s Environmental, Social and Governance performance objective 

 

Wheaton Group Executive Team

 

Responsible for the execution of Wheaton’s ESG Strategy  

 

President, Wheaton Precious Metals International and Chief Sustainability Officer

 

Responsible for Wheaton’s overall ESG strategy and disclosures

 

Responsible for ESG due diligence for new transactions and ongoing monitoring of ESG for Mining Partners

 

Primary responsibility for reporting to the board on ESG Matters 

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

Responsible for Wheaton’s ESG strategy

 

 

SVP, Corporate Development, Wheaton

 

Responsible for due diligence for potential new streaming transactions, which includes ESG  

 

SVP, Legal and Strategic Development, Wheaton

 

Responsible for corporate governance, regulatory oversight and certain social topics 

SVP & Chief Financial Officer, Wheaton

 

Responsible for enterprise risk management, which includes ESG and climate change risks 

 

Corporate Support

Various Wheaton personnel, including at the Vice President level, support the implementation of Wheaton’s ESG strategy and day-to-day management of ESG issues. This includes personnel from the legal, operations, technical, financials and sustainability teams.

Wheaton Committees

 

Wheaton Committees support decision-making and review disclosures 

Diversity & Leadership Committee Climate Solutions Committee Community Investment Committees Disclosure Committee

 

While Wheaton’s Chief Executive Officer and Executive Officers are responsible for the daily implementation and management of ESG issues at Wheaton, they are supported by several internal committees focused on specific ESG topics, as well as employees who have particular expertise in the ESG topics under consideration.

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Wheaton also has a number of ESG-related policies and commitments, listed below, which can be accessed on Wheaton’s website at https://www.wheatonpm.com:

 

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (includes anti-bribery & anti-corruption)

Whistleblower policy

Climate Change and Environmental Policy

Community Investment Policy

Human Rights Policy

Diversity Policy

Investment Principles

Partner/Supplier Code of Conduct

 

Additional details on these policies are included elsewhere in this Circular and in Wheaton’s annual information form.

 

Wheaton’s annual Sustainability Report includes detailed information on ESG issues which are directly related to the Company’s operations and over which Wheaton has direct control, as well as ESG issues Wheaton may be exposed to through its Mining Partners and their mining operations. For additional information on Wheaton’s ESG governance structure, approach and performance, including ESG targets and progress against our goals, please see Wheaton’s most recent annual Sustainability Report.

 

Climate Change and Environment

 

In early 2022, the Board adopted a new Climate Change and Environmental Policy and developed a comprehensive strategy which was updated in February 2023 to include the following commitments related to climate change:

 

  ●       Reducing Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 50% by 2030 from a 2018 baseline.
  ●       80% of Scope 3 financed emissions be covered by emissions targets that are aligned with 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2040.
  ●       Supporting third-party operators at Mining Operations in their decarbonization and climate solutions efforts.

 

Under its updated Climate Change and Environmental policy, the Company is committed to assess and disclose information about its climate-related risks and opportunities guided by the recommendations of the Task Force for Climate-related Financial Disclosures (“TCFD”).

 

The Governance and Sustainability Committee has primary oversight of ESG performance at Wheaton and reviews progress against the Company’s climate change strategy based on semi-annual reporting by the Chief Sustainability Officer. In addition, the Governance and Sustainability Committee reviews physical and transitional climate-related risks related to Wheaton and its Mining Partners. Other committees also consider climate change within their functions. For example, climate risks are reviewed by the Audit Committee on a quarterly basis as part of overall enterprise risk monitoring. Performance against the climate change strategy is also considered annually by the Human Resources Committee as part of Wheaton’s ESG performance objective. In addition to the various responsibilities of Wheaton’s executive team for climate related disclosure, strategies, risk and opportunity assessment and management, and processes related to Climate Change, Wheaton also has a Climate Solutions Committee that supports decision-making related to investments to support decarbonization at Mining Partner sites.

 

During 2023, the Company published its first Climate Change Report, which aligns with the recommendations of the TCFD. The Climate Change Report includes details on:

 

Wheaton’s overall approach to climate change.

Wheaton’s oversight and governance of Climate Change, including Board and Board committee oversight, management responsibility and Wheaton’s Climate Solutions Committee.

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Details on the timing and frequency of considerations of Climate Change and climate-related issues by the Board and the applicable Board committees.

Wheaton’s strategic process in considering the actual or potential impacts of Climate Change.

Wheaton’s processes for the identification and assessment of risks and opportunities relating to Climate Change.

Wheaton’s metrics and performance relating to its Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 emission-generating activities, together with climate scenarios.

 

The Climate Change Report includes scenarios for analyzing the potential impacts of climate change to Wheaton. Two climate scenarios are analyzed based on low and high global emissions pathways, across two long-term time horizons: 2030 and 2050. These scenarios include the “business-as-usual” scenario where the world continues along the present path resulting in a global temperature increase of over 4.5 degrees Celsius and a net zero scenario where global emissions reach net zero by 2050 and global surface temperature increases are kept to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Details on this analysis can be found in the Climate Change Report which can be accessed on the Company’s website at https://www.wheatonpm.com/responsibility.

 

ESG Engagement

 

Wheaton responds to and provides insight into our approach and performance related to ESG Matters with shareholder advocacy groups as requested. We value all stakeholder and other interested party opinions, concerns and feedback. We invite you to communicate through the avenues set out on page 101.

 

Community Investment Program

 

For over a decade, Wheaton has adopted a formal community investment program tied to its financial success. Since inception, the program has contributed over $40 million to hundreds of community programs and non-profit organizations that aim to improve and strengthen communities both locally and internationally. Wheaton’s community investment program has two components centred around four pillars of giving (health and wellness, community, education and environment): the partner corporate investment program, which has an international focus, and the local corporate investment program, which supports organizations in the communities where our offices are located.  

 

Details concerning Wheaton’s corporate investment programs can be found in the Company’s Sustainability Report, in the Company’s Community Investment Policy and on the Company’s website at www.wheatonpm.com/responsibility.

 

Information Systems and Cyber Security

 

The Board has primary oversight of the Company’s information systems and cyber security, with the Chair of the Audit Committee acting as the responsible director for such oversight.

 

The Company’s information systems and cyber security program are designed and developed by information technology consultants retained by the Company and overseen by internal management, the Audit Committee and the Board. The operational status of the Company’s approach to information systems and cyber security are periodically reviewed with management, the Audit Committee and the Board. Both the Audit Committee, which is comprised of independent directors, and the Board receive at least quarterly reports on the Company’s information systems and cyber security.

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The Company undergoes an annual data penetration test, vulnerability assessment, and off-site disaster recovery test, to assess our data security and information technology infrastructure and recovery abilities, and the Company has external information security assurance and audit activities performed by qualified, independent professional service firms which validate the effectiveness of the information systems and cyber security program and controls. The Company has implemented third party managed cyber security and incident response support services for the company’s information technology infrastructure and systems.  The ongoing cyber security monitoring, detection, and incident response services provides additional capabilities to address potential cyber related events. In addition, on an annual basis, the Company’s information systems and information technology infrastructure are reviewed in connection with the Company’s annual internal audit.

 

The Company’s information systems and information technology controls are reviewed annually. The Company has also established an enterprise cyber security awareness training program to validate compliance and effectiveness, which is completed by all employees twice annually. Finally, during 2023, the Company developed a formal cyber security incident response plan and completed a cyber security incident table top simulation exercise.  To date, the Company has not experienced or been impacted by any cyber-attack.

 

Information Systems and Cyber Security Risk Management – Additional details on information systems and cyber security risk management are located in the Company’s annual information form.

 

Risk Management

 

Under the Board Guidelines, the Board is required to ensure management identifies the principal risks of the Company’s business and implements appropriate systems to manage these risks.

 

To assist the Board with its role, the Board annually attends strategy sessions that include speakers and education on the risks facing the Company’s business, together with considerations of potential impact and strategies to mitigate those risks.

 

Management and the Board have worked together to develop rigorous identification, management, reporting and mitigation strategies for key risks that the Company faces in the operation of its business. Management has identified risks and assigned ratings to those risks to assess each risk’s impact, likelihood of occurring and effectiveness of current processes to mitigate the risks.

 

The key factors that drive the Company’s risk profile are set out in the Company’s annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2023. Changes in these factors can increase or decrease the Company’s risk profile. The Board receives quarterly reports to review the Company’s progress in managing these risks and identify any emerging risks. In addition, the following committees are engaged in risk management oversight at the Company:

 

Audit Committee – monitors significant business, political, financial and control risks and exposures including significant risks associated with the Company’s compensation policies and practices and information systems and cyber security;

Human Resources Committee – monitors personnel/human resource risks including compensation and succession; and

Governance and Sustainability Committee – monitors governance and sustainable business practices risks, including ESG Matters.

 

Information Systems and Cyber Security Risk Management – Additional details on information systems and cyber security risk management are located in the Company’s annual information form.

 

Compensation Risk Management – Additional details on compensation risk management are located on page 80.

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Position Descriptions

 

Written position descriptions have been developed by the Board for the Chair of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and may be accessed on the Company’s website at www.wheatonpm.com.

 

The Company does not maintain a separate written description of the roles of the Chairs of each of the committees of the Board. Instead, the Company has developed terms of reference for each of the committees of the Board (available at www.wheatonpm.com). The Chair of each committee is responsible for ensuring that the applicable committee fulfils its responsibilities and duties under its governing terms of reference.

 

Orientation and Continuing Education

 

The Governance and Sustainability Committee, in conjunction with the Chair of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, is responsible for ensuring that new directors are provided with an orientation and education program which will include written information about the duties and obligations of directors, the business and operations of the Company, documents from recent Board meetings, and opportunities for meetings and discussion with senior management and other directors. The Company does not have a formal orientation process in place for its new directors and instead has adopted a tailored approach depending on the particular needs and focus of the director being appointed.

 

The Board recognizes the importance of ongoing director education and the need for each director to take personal responsibility for this process. To facilitate ongoing education of the Company’s directors, the Governance and Sustainability Committee will: (a) periodically canvass the directors to determine their training and education needs and interests; (b) arrange ongoing visitation by directors to the Company’s facilities and operations; (c) arrange the funding for the attendance of directors at seminars or conferences of interest and relevance to their position as a director of the Company; and (d) encourage and facilitate presentations by outside experts to the Board or committees on matters of particular import or emerging significance.

 

The Nominees biographies starting on page 16 provide details regarding various continuing education events held for the Company’s directors during the financial year ended December 31, 2023.

 

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

 

The Board has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “Code”) for its directors, officers and employees. The Governance and Sustainability Committee has the responsibility for monitoring compliance with the Code by ensuring all directors, officers and employees receive and become thoroughly familiar with the Code and acknowledge their support and understanding of the Code. Any non-compliance with the Code is to be reported to the Company’s Chief Compliance Officer or other appropriate person. In addition, the Board conducts regular audits to test compliance with the Code, including an annual certification by each of the employees of the Company that they are in compliance with the Code. The Company also engages an independent reporting agency to provide a confidential and anonymous reporting system for breaches of the Code, as more fully described in the next section entitled “Whistleblower Policy”. A copy of the Code may be accessed on the Company’s website at www.wheatonpm.com.

 

The Board takes steps to ensure that directors, officers and employees exercise independent judgment in considering transactions and agreements in respect of which a director, officer or employee of the Company has a material interest, which include ensuring that directors, officers and employees are thoroughly familiar with the Code and, in particular, the rules concerning reporting conflicts of interest and obtaining direction from the Company’s Chief Compliance Officer regarding any potential conflicts of interest. In addition, in accordance with the Company’s charter documents and the Act, if a director is a director or officer of, or has a material interest in, any person who is a party to a transaction or proposed transaction with the Company, that director may not attend any part of the meeting of the directors during which the transaction is discussed and may not vote on any resolution with respect to the transaction, unless the transaction relates primarily to his or her remuneration as a director of the Company, is for indemnity or insurance or is one with an affiliate of the Company.

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The Board encourages and promotes an overall culture of ethical business conduct by promoting compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations; providing guidance to directors, officers and employees to help them recognize and deal with ethical issues; promoting a culture of open communication, honesty and accountability; and ensuring awareness of disciplinary action for violations of ethical business conduct. To date, the Company has not been required to file a material change report relating to a departure from the Code.

 

The Code has been aligned with the United Nations Global Compact by outlining our commitment to human rights, fair practice and freedom of association, collective bargaining and our support for the abolition of forced labour and child labour, as well as other provisions. During 2023, the Code was updated to clarify processes, responsibilities, and consequences under the Code.

 

A copy of the Code has been filed under the Company’s profile on SEDAR+ and on EDGAR. Additional details on our Code are available at www.wheatonpm.com and in our annual information form.

 

Whistleblower Policy

 

The Company has adopted a Whistleblower Policy which allows its directors, officers and employees who feel that a violation of the Code has occurred, or who have concerns regarding financial statement disclosure issues, accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters, to report such violation or concerns in a number of manners, including on a confidential and anonymous basis. Such reporting can be made by e-mail or telephone through EthicsPoint, an incident reporting tool maintained through an independent third party, Navex Global, used by the Company for this purpose. Once received, complaints are forwarded to the Chair of the Audit Committee and the Senior Vice President, Legal. The Chair of the Audit Committee and the Senior Vice President, Legal then investigate each matter so reported and the Company determines what corrective and disciplinary actions, if any, will be taken. There is also a quarterly and annual report prepared by the agency that provides aggregated information that is shared with the Board on a quarterly and annual basis. Under the Whistleblower Policy, employees, officers or directors are not restricted from reporting concerns regarding breaches or suspected breaches of any laws or regulations directly to any regulatory body, legal authority or other person having jurisdiction with respect to such law or regulation. Employees, officers and directors are encouraged to choose the manner in which they report that is most appropriate given the nature of their concerns and their circumstances.

 

Nomination of Directors

 

The Governance and Sustainability Committee, which is composed entirely of independent directors, is responsible for identifying and recruiting new candidates for nomination to the Board. The process by which the Board anticipates that it will identify new candidates is through recommendations of the Governance and Sustainability Committee whose responsibility it is to develop, and annually update and recommend to the Board for approval, a long-term plan for Board composition that takes into consideration among other matters, the following: (a) the independence of each director; (b) the competencies and skills the Board, as a whole, should possess; (c) the current strengths, skills and experience represented by each director, as well as each director’s personality and other qualities as they affect Board dynamics; (d) retirement dates; (e) the diversity of the Board, including the Target; and (f) the strategic direction of the Company.

 

The Governance and Sustainability Committee maintains an assessment of the areas of expertise of the members of the Board. Please see “Director Experiences, Expertise and Skills” on page 26 for further discussion regarding the purpose of the assessment and each individual director’s particular areas of expertise.

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Any search for nominees to the Board will specifically include diverse candidates generally. For instance, in order to promote and foster Board gender diversity, in 2021 the Board adopted the Target. In order to support the Board in meeting the Target, until the Target was achieved, the Board implemented practices that require any search for nominees to the Board to specifically include diverse candidates generally, and women candidates in particular, and any search firm engaged for such purpose to be directed to do so, with the Board endeavoring to have at least 50% qualified women candidates in any presented list of potential candidates.

 

The Governance and Sustainability Committee believes that nominations for election or re-election to the Board should also be based on a particular candidate’s merits, skills and the Company’s needs after taking into account the current composition of the Board. Please see “Diversity and Representation of Women” on page 33 for further discussion regarding consideration given to diversity in the identification, nominations and appointments to the Board.

 

The Governance and Sustainability Committee does not maintain a formal list of potential candidates. Instead, in the event of any search for a nominee to fill a vacancy on the Board, the Governance and Sustainability Committee would solicit the names of potential candidates from directors, management, shareholders, advisors and other external sources, and evaluate any potential candidates on the basis of their ability to alleviate any gaps identified through the areas of expertise assessment; their independence, their competencies, skills, backgrounds and experiences, their integrity, professionalism and values, their character and personality, their ability to contribute to the long-term strategy and success of the Company, the diversity of the Board generally, including the Target, the long term plan for Board composition and the needs of the Board, any past experiences of directors or management with the potential candidate, their expected contribution to achieving an overall Board that can function as a high performance team with sound judgment and proven leadership, whether or not they can devote sufficient time and resources to their other duties as a Board member and any other factors as may be considered appropriate at the time.

 

Majority Voting for Election of Directors

 

The Board has adopted a policy regarding majority voting for the election of directors. The policy is described under “Election of Directors” on page 14.

 

Human Capital Management and Compensation

 

The Wheaton Board has oversight over human capital management and compensation.

 

Wheaton reports human capital information in accordance with GRI, including data on compensation, benefits, training and development, engagement, employee turnover, diversity and health and safety.

 

The Human Resources Committee’s responsibilities include reviewing and making recommendations to the directors regarding any equity or other compensation plan and regarding the total compensation package of the Chief Executive Officer and considering and approving the recommendations of the Chief Executive Officer regarding the total compensation packages for the other officers of the Company. The process by which appropriate compensation is determined is through periodic and annual reports from the Human Resources Committee on the Company’s overall compensation and benefits philosophies. The Human Resources Committee is composed entirely of independent directors. See “Role of the Human Resources Committee” on page 55 for further details regarding the Human Resources Committee.

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Advisors to the Human Resources Committee

 

During the financial year ended December 31, 2023, the Human Resources Committee retained Mercer (Canada) Limited (“Mercer”) to provide assistance to the Human Resources Committee in determining compensation for the Company’s directors, as well as officers. Mercer was originally retained in 2012 by Wheaton. See “Role of the Compensation Consultant” on page 58 for further details regarding the engagement of Mercer by the Human Resources Committee.

 

Committees of the Board

 

The Board has the following three standing committees, the members of which are set out under the Director Biographies on page 16 and below:

 

the Audit Committee;

the Human Resources Committee; and

the Governance and Sustainability Committee.

 

All of the committees are independent of management and report directly to the Board. From time to time, when appropriate, ad hoc committees of the Board may be appointed by the Board.

 

Consistent with the Board’s commitment to Board renewal, on a regular and ongoing basis, the Governance and Sustainability Committee of the Board reviews the make up and leadership of Committees of the Board. This process takes into account the existing areas of expertise and skills of Board members and highlights any areas that may be beneficial for potential directors as part of the Board recruitment process. The Governance and Sustainability Committee then recommends to the Board for approval committee members and Committee Chair appointments. During 2023, this review resulted in a new Chair for the Human Resources Committee, together with certain adjustments to committee membership.

 

Audit Committee

 

The following are the current members of the Audit Committee:

 

Marilyn Schonberner (Chair) Jaimie Donovan Jeane Hull

 

The purposes of the Audit Committee are to assist the Board’s oversight of:

 

the integrity of the Company’s financial statements;

the Company’s compliance with legal, ethical and regulatory requirements;

the qualifications and independence of the Company’s independent auditors;

the Company’s financial reporting process and internal controls;

the significant business, political, financial and control risks that the Company is exposed to, including a review of management’s assessment of the likelihood and severity of those risks and any mitigation steps taken; and

the performance of the independent auditors and the Company’s internal audit function.

 

In fulfilling its mandate the Audit Committee, among other things:

 

reviews the Company’s financial statements, management’s discussion and analysis and financial press releases;

reviews treasury reports on cash flows and borrowing matters;

meets with the internal audit function, external auditors (with and without management being present) and management; and

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reviews reports regarding internal controls, the Company’s risk management activities, the Company’s insurance coverage, material risks related to ESG Matters and climate change, and the Company’s information systems and cyber security.

 

Ms. Schonberner, as Chair of the Audit Committee, is an “audit committee financial expert” under the United States Sarbanes-Oxley Act and is “independent” as that term is defined in the rules of the New York Stock Exchange.

 

Further information regarding the Audit Committee is contained in the Company’s annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2023 under the heading “Audit Committee”. A copy of the Audit Committee terms of reference is available at www.wheatonpm.com.

 

Human Resources Committee

 

The following are the current members of the Human Resources Committee:

 

Chantal Gosselin (Chair) Glenn Ives Charles Jeannes Marilyn Schonberner

 

The purposes of the Human Resources Committee are to make recommendations to the Board relating to the compensation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and review compensation of the members of senior management of the Company. See “Role of the Human Resources Committee” on page 55 for further information. A copy of the Human Resources Committee terms of reference is available at www.wheatonpm.com.

 

Governance and Sustainability Committee

 

The following are the current members of the Governance and Sustainability Committee:

 

Charles Jeannes (Chair) Jaimie Donovan R. Peter Gillin Chantal Gosselin

 

The purposes of the Governance and Sustainability Committee are to:

 

provide a focus on governance that will enhance the Company’s performance;

assess and make recommendations regarding the Board’s effectiveness;

establish and lead the process for identifying, recruiting, appointing, re-appointing and providing ongoing development for directors; and

provide oversight with respect to ESG Matters.

 

In fulfilling its mandate, the Governance and Sustainability Committee, among other things:

 

identifies and recommends individuals to the Board for nomination as members of the Board and its committees (other than the Governance and Sustainability Committee);

makes recommendations to the Board relating to the compensation of the Board members;

develops and recommends to the Board a set of corporate governance principles applicable to the Company; and

reviews, reports and monitors risks and potential risks to, and performance of the Company in relation to, ESG Matters, including the Company’s ESG strategy and disclosures.

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The Governance and Sustainability Committee’s responsibilities include periodically reviewing the charters of the Board and the committees of the Board; assisting the Chair of the Board in carrying out his responsibilities; considering and, if thought fit, approving requests from directors for the engagement of independent counsel in appropriate circumstances; preparing and recommending to the Board a set of corporate governance guidelines, a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and annually a “Statement of Corporate Governance Practices” to be included in the Company’s management information circular; annually reviewing the Board’s relationship with management to ensure the Board is able to, and in fact does, function independently of management; assisting the Board by identifying individuals qualified to become Board members and members of Board committees; leading the Board in its annual review of the Board’s performance; assisting the Board in monitoring compliance by the Company with legal and regulatory requirements; monitoring and providing guidance in respect of developments in relevant policies, regulations and trends with respect to ESG Matters; and making recommendations to management and the Board with respect to policy and strategic initiatives and actions arising with respect to ESG Matters.

 

A copy of the Governance and Sustainability Committee terms of reference is available at www.wheatonpm.com.

 

Related Party Transactions

 

A “related party transaction” means a transaction between the Company, or its affiliates, on the one hand, and a related party of the Company, or its affiliates, as defined in Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (“MI 61-101”), on the other hand, but does not include any transaction in respect of compensation related matters as compensation matters are already addressed by the Human Resources Committee in the case of executive officers and employees, and the Governance and Sustainability Committee in the case of directors. Transactions between the Company and its own subsidiaries are not, for this purpose, considered to be related party transactions.

 

The Board does not believe it requires a standing committee to address related party transactions, however, in the event that the Company was proposed to be involved in a related party transaction that was not exempt under MI 61-101, the Board anticipates that it would proceed as follows:

 

form and appoint members to a special committee of independent/disinterested members of the Board to consider the related party transaction, where the Board believes that the transaction cannot be appropriately considered by the Governance and Sustainability Committee;

ensure that the mandate of any such special committee generally vests the special committee with full authority to negotiate the terms of the related party transaction, consider other alternative transactions, and consider whether the related party transaction is in the interests of, or fair to, security holders of the Company;

provide the special committee with access to financial, legal and other advice required in the course of their negotiation and consideration of the related-party transaction; and

any Board approval of the related party transaction will exclude both non-independent and interested members of the Board.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company was not involved in any related party transactions.

 

Board Assessments

 

The Board is committed to regular assessments of the effectiveness of the Board, the committees of the Board and individual directors. The Governance and Sustainability Committee annually reviews and makes recommendations to the Board regarding evaluations of the Board, the committees of the Board and individual directors.

 

The process for individual director peer evaluations includes a formal one-on-one session between each director and the Chair of the Board to seek candid feedback regarding each other director of the Board, the Board performance and any concerns or issues the director has. These sessions are typically held in February of each year. A summary of the findings is presented to the Board by the Chair of the Board in March of each year.

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The process for Board and Committee evaluations includes a written questionnaire that is circulated to each member of the Board. In addition to specific questions for which a rating is assigned by each director, directors are solicited for any comments with respect to Board and Committee composition, effectiveness, performance and conduct of meetings, as well as Company strategy, operations and organization. Results are aggregated and a written report prepared summarizing the results. The written report is circulated to the Chair of the Board and to the Governance and Sustainability Committee, and presented to and discussed with the Board in March of each year. For 2023, this process will be undertaken during Spring 2024.

 

Director Share Ownership Requirements

 

Each non-executive director of the Company is required to hold Common Shares having a value equal to at least three times the amount of the annual retainer paid to such director, including the value of any Restricted Share Rights (as defined herein) (see “Restricted Share Plan” on page 96 for further details and definitions regarding the Restricted Share Rights), granted to such director in respect of the year in which the calculation is determined (or in respect of the prior year if no grant has yet been made to such director in respect of such year), but excluding any additional retainer paid to a director in his or her capacity as the Chair of the Board or Chair of any Committee of the Board. Stock options are not granted to the Company’s non-executive directors. This share ownership requirement must be attained within five years of becoming a director of the Company.

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The following table provides information regarding the share ownership, actual and required, for each non-executive director as of December 31, 2023.

 

Director Share Ownership Requirements

and Actual Share Ownership

 

          Actual Share Ownership ⁽¹⁾            
Name   Ownership Requirement
(C$)
    Common
Shares
(C$) (2)
    Restricted
Share Rights
(C$) (3)
  Total
Ownership
Value (C$) (4)
    Total Current Market Value
(C$) (5)
    Ownership Req’ment Multiple Achieved (6)     Meets
Ownership
Requirement?
George L. Brack   1,019,751     1,379,242
(21,099 Shares)
    1,244,253
(19,034 Rights)
    2,623,494     2,010,988     2.6     Yes
Jaimie Donovan (8)   -     130,740
(2,000 Shares)
    249,713
(3,820 Rights)
    380,453     151,348     -     Yes
R. Peter Gillin (7)   750,624     1,624,445
(24,850 Shares)
    4,446,860
(68,026 Rights)
    6,071,304     5,358,962     8.1     Yes
Chantal Gosselin   750,624     26,148
(400 Shares)
    2,517,791
(38,516 Rights)
    2,543,939     2,073,877     3.4     Yes
Charles Jeannes   750,624     261,480
(4,000 Shares)
    1,021,733
(15,630 Rights)
    1,283,213     899,746     1.7     Yes
Marilyn Schonberner   750,624     391,239
(5,985 Shares)
    1,037,553
(15,872 Rights)
    1,428,792     1,035,325     1.9     Yes
Glenn Ives (8)(9)   750,624     784,440
(12,000 Shares)
    317,110
(4,851 Rights)
    1,101,550     852,320     1.5     Yes
Jeane Hull (8)   -     $Nil
(Nil Shares)
    75,191
(1,110 Rights)
    75,191     -     -     Yes

 

 
(1) Represents Common Shares and Restricted Share Rights beneficially owned by the respective directors, directly or indirectly, or over which control or direction is exercised as of December 31, 2023. In calculating such holdings, a director may include any Restricted Share Rights, but may not include any options held. The number of securities held by directors is to the knowledge of the Company based on information provided by the directors.

(2) The value of the Common Shares is calculated using the greater of (i) the closing price of the Common Shares on the TSX on December 31, 2023 of C$65.37; and (ii) the weighted average acquisition cost of the Common Shares.

(3) This column includes all Restricted Share Rights held. The value of the Restricted Share Rights is calculated using the greater of (i) the closing price of the Common Shares on the TSX on December 31, 2023 of C$65.37; and (ii) the closing price of the Common Shares one business day prior to the date of grant of the relevant Restricted Share Rights.

(4) Represents total value calculated using the Company’s share ownership requirement.

(5) Represents total current market vale of Common Shares and vested Restricted Share Rights beneficially owned by the director, directly or indirectly, or over which control or direction is exercised as of March 20, 2024. The number of securities held by directors is to the knowledge of the Company based on information provided. Current Market Value calculated as follows:

For Common Shares, calculated using the closing price of the Common Shares on the TSX on March 20, 2024 of C$60.88; and

For Restricted Share Rights, calculated using the closing price of the Common Shares on the TSX on March 20, 2024 of C$60.88.

(6) Represents a Director’s Total Ownership Value compared to the director’s share ownership requirement.

(7) 15,850 of these Common Shares are held indirectly through Mr. Gillin’s private company, RPCG Investments Ltd.

(8) Mr. Ives, Ms. Donovan and Ms. Hull were appointed to the Board on May 14, 2020, May 12, 2022 and May 12, 2023, respectively, and have five years from the date of their appointment to attain the required share ownership. Accordingly, Mr. Ives has an additional year to meet the ownership requirement, Ms. Donovan has an additional 3 years and Ms. Hull has an additional 4 years.

(9) All Common Shares are held through Mr. Ives private company, Glenn Antony Ives Professional Corporation.
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Market Value of Directors’ Share Ownership

 

The total current market value of the Common Shares and vested Restricted Share Rights of Directors is as follows:

 

Name   Current Market Value of Common Shares (C$) (1)(2)     Current Market Value of Vested Restricted Share Rights (C$) (1)(2)     Total Current Market Value (C$)  
George L. Brack     1,284,507       726,481       2,010,988  
Jaimie Donovan     121,760       29,588       151,348  
R. Peter Gillin     1,512,868       3,846,094       5,358,962  
Chantal Gosselin     24,352       2,049,525       2,073,877  
Charles Jeannes     243,520       656,226       899,746  
Jeane Hull      $Nil        $Nil       -  
Marilyn Schonberner     364,367       670,958       1,035,325  
Glenn Ives     852,320        $Nil       852,320  

 

 
(1) Represents total Common Shares and vested Restricted Share Rights beneficially owned by the director, directly or indirectly, or over which control or direction is exercised as of March 20, 2024. The number of securities held by directors is to the knowledge of the Company based on information provided.

(2) Current Market Value calculated as follows:

a. For Common Shares, calculated using the closing price of the Common Shares on the TSX on March 20, 2024 of C$60.88; and

b. For Restricted Share Rights, calculated using the closing price of the Common Shares on the TSX on March 20, 2024 of C$60.88.
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Director Compensation

 

The Governance and Sustainability Committee makes recommendations to the Board relating to the compensation of Board members and the Board meets annually to review the adequacy and form of directors’ compensation.

 

For the financial year ended December 31, 2023, non executive Board members received the following compensation:

 

Fees  

Amount (C$)(1)

 
Annual Board Retainer        
•      All directors   $ 110,000  
•      Additional Board Chair retainer (currently Mr. Brack)   $ 100,000  
Annual Committee Chair Retainer        
•      Audit Committee Chair (currently Ms. Schonberner)   $ 30,000  
•      Governance and Sustainability Committee Chair (currently Mr. Jeannes)   $ 15,000  
•      Human Resources Committee Chair (currently Ms. Gosselin)   $ 30,000  
Meeting and Travel Fees        
•      Meeting Fee for each Board or Board committee meeting attended (in-person or virtually)   $ 1,500  
•      Travel Fee for travel required to attend a Board or Board committee meeting held at a location where the director does not reside   $ 1,500  

 

 
(1) In the event that any director of the Company only serves as such for part of a year, they receive such compensation pro rata.

 

Share-based awards

 

Grants of Restricted Share Rights to the non-executive directors have been used since 2005 as equity-based compensation in lieu of stock options which were discontinued for non-executive directors in 2005. See “Restricted Share Plan” on page 96 for further details and definitions regarding Restricted Share Rights. For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Board granted Restricted Share Rights to non-executive directors to acquire that number of Common Shares of the Company that would equate to a value of approximately C$140,000 and Restricted Share Rights to the Chair of the Board to acquire that number of Common Shares of the Company that would equate to a value of C$230,000.

 

For the financial year ending December 31, 2024, the Board has approved retaining the same annual compensation.

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Director Compensation Summary

 

The following table provides information regarding compensation paid to the Company’s non-executive directors during the financial year ended December 31, 2023.

 

Director Compensation Table (1)

 

Name   Fees Earned
(C$)
    Share-based Awards (2)
(C$)
    Option-based Awards
(C$)
    Non-equity Incentive Plan Compensation
(C$)
    All Other Compensation (3)
(C$)
    Total
(C$)
 
George L. Brack     241,500       229,917       -       -       9,697       481,114  
John A. Brough (4)     42,192       140,208       -       -       2,669       185,069  
Jaimie Donovan     150,500       140,208       -       -       297       291,005  
R. Peter Gillin     165,962       140,208       -       -       51,338       357,508  
Chantal Gosselin     171,038       140,208       -       -       27,357       338,603  
Jeane Hull     88,110       75,192       -       -       -       163,302  
Eduardo Luna (4)     49,692       140,208       -       -       8,437       198,337  
Charles Jeannes     171,500       140,208       -       -       8,759       320,467  
Marilyn Schonberner     186,500       140,208       -       -       8,956       335,664  
Glenn Ives     138,500       140,208       -       -       -       278,708  
TOTALS     1,405,494       1,426,773       -       -       117,510       2,949,777  

 

 
(1) Directors’ fees are paid in Canadian dollars.

(2) Each of Messrs. Brough, Gillin, Luna, Jeannes, Ives and Mses. Gosselin, Schonberner and Donovan were granted 2,360 Restricted Share Rights and Mr. Brack was granted 3,870 Restricted Share Rights on March 14, 2023 at a deemed price of C$59.41 per share (being the grant date fair value based on the closing price of the Common Shares on the TSX on March 13, 2023) with restricted periods expiring as to one-third on each of March 14, 2024, March 14, 2025 and March 14, 2026, respectively. Additionally, Ms. Hull was granted 1,110 Restricted Share Rights on May 12, 2023 at a deemed price of C$67.74 per share (being the grant date fair value based on the closing price of the Common Shares on the TSX on May 11, 2022) with restricted periods expiring as to one-third on each of May 12, 2024, May 12, 2025 and May 12, 2026, respectively. This is consistent with the accounting values used in the Company’s financial statements.

(3) This column includes equivalent cash payments to the dividends paid on the Common Shares, received by holders of Restricted Share Rights in respect of which the restricted period has expired but for which the holder has elected to defer receipt of the Common Shares.

(4) Mr. Luna and Mr. Brough retired and did not stand for re-election at the May 12, 2023 annual and special meeting.
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The table below provides a further break down of the “Fees Earned” column from the previous table for the financial year ended December 31, 2023.

 

Breakdown of Fees Earned Table (1)

 

Name   Board Annual Retainer
(C$)
    Board/ Committee Chair Retainer
(C$)
    Aggregate Board Attendance Fee
(C$)
    Aggregate Committee Attendance Fee
(C$)
    Aggregate Travel Fee (C$)     Total Fees Earned
(C$)
 
George L. Brack
(Chair of the Board)
    110,000       100,000       18,000       7,500       6,000       241,500  
John A. Brough (2)     30,192       n/a       6,000       3,000       3,000       42,192  
Jaimie Donovan     110,000       n/a       18,000       10,500       12,000       150,500  
R. Peter Gillin     110,000       10,962       18,000       15,000       12,000       165,962  
Chantal Gosselin
(Chair of the Human Resources Committee)
    110,000       19,038       16,500       19,500       6,000       171,038  
Jeane Hull (3)     70,110       n/a       9,000       3,000       6,000       88,110  
Eduardo Luna (2)     30,192       n/a       6,000       4,500       9,000       49,692  
Charles Jeannes
(Chair of the Governance and Nominating Committee)
    110,000       15,000       16,500       18,000       12,000       171,500  
Marilyn Schonberner
(Chair of the Audit Committee)
    110,000       30,000       18,000       13,500       15,000       186,500  
Glenn Ives     110,000       n/a       18,000       7,500       3,000       138,500  

 

 
(1) Directors’ fees are paid in Canadian dollars.

(2) Mr. Luna and Mr. Brough retired and did not stand for re-election at the May 12, 2023 annual and special meeting.

(3) Ms. Hull was elected to the Board at the May 12, 2023 annual and special meeting.
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Incentive Plan Awards

 

The following table provides information regarding the incentive plan awards for each non-executive director outstanding as of December 31, 2023.

 

Outstanding Option-Based Awards and Share-Based Awards

 

    Option-based Awards     Share-based Awards  
Name   Number of securities underlying unexercised options
(#)
    Option exercise price
(C$)
    Option expiration date     Value of unexercised in-the-money options
(C$)
    Number of shares or units of shares that have not vested (1)
(#)
    Market or payout value of share-based awards that have not vested (2)
(C$)
    Market or payout value of share-based awards not paid out or
distributed (2) (3)
(C$)
 
George L. Brack     -       -       -       -       7,101       464,192       780,060  
John A. Brough (4)     -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Jaimie Donovan     -       -       -       -       3,334       217,944       31,770  
R. Peter Gillin     -       -       -       -       4,851       317,110       4,129,750  
Chantal Gosselin     -       -       -       -       4,851       317,110       2,200,681  
Jeane Hull     -       -       -       -       1,110       72,561       -  
Eduardo Luna (4)     -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Charles Jeannes     -       -       -       -       4,851       317,110       704,623  
Marilyn Schonberner     -       -       -       -       4,851       317,110       720,443  
Glenn Ives     -       -       -       -       4,851       317,110       -  

 

 
(1) This column reflects Restricted Share Units for which the restricted period had not yet expired as of December 31, 2023. See footnote (2) to the table entitled “Value Vested or Earned During the Financial Year Ended December 31, 2023” for further details.

(2) Calculated using the closing price of the Common Shares on the TSX on December 31, 2023 of C$65.37.

(3) This column reflects Restricted Share Rights for which the restricted period has expired and for which the holder has irrevocably elected to defer receipt of the Common Shares beyond December 31, 2023. See the footnotes to “Value Vested or Earned During the Financial Year Ended December 31, 2023” table for details of deferral elections made during 2023.

(4) Mr. Luna and Mr. Brough retired and did not stand for re-election at the May 12, 2023 annual and special meeting.
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The following table provides information regarding the value vested or earned of incentive plan awards for each non-executive director for the financial year ended December 31, 2023.

 

Value Vested or Earned During the Financial Year Ended December 31, 2023

 

Name   Option-based awards – Value vested during the year
($)
    Share-based awards – Value vested during the year (1) (2)
(C$)
    Non-equity incentive plan compensation – Value earned during the year
(C$)
 
George L. Brack     -       128,526       -  
John A. Brough (3)     -       1,515,078       -  
Jaimie Donovan     -       -       -  
R. Peter Gillin     -       -       -  
Chantal Gosselin     -       103,273       -  
Jeane Hull     -       -       -  
Eduardo Luna (3)     -       2,938,507       -  
Charles Jeannes     -       -       -  
Marilyn Schonberner     -       101,180       -  
Glenn Ives     -       137,070       -  

 

 
(1) Calculated (i) in the case of directors who have not elected to sell the underlying Common Shares on the expiry of the restricted period of the relevant Restricted Share Rights, using the closing price of the Common Shares on the TSX on the trading day immediately prior to the date the restricted period expires, which reflects the value of the underlying Common Shares that were received, or (ii) in the case of directors who have elected to sell the underlying Common Shares on the expiry of the restricted period of the relevant Restricted Share Rights, utilizing the actual realized Common Share price on such sale.

(2) This column does not include Restricted Share Rights for which the original restricted period expired during the year where the holder has irrevocably elected to postpone the expiry of the restricted period to some later date in accordance with the terms of the Restricted Share Rights Plan. Such value is reported in the table above entitled “Outstanding Option-Based Awards and Share-Based Awards” in the column titled “Market or payout value of share-based awards not paid out or distributed”. Deferral elections made during 2023 for Restricted Share Rights are set out below. Please refer to prior years’ management information circulars for information on deferral elections made in prior years.

Each of Mr. Gillin, Mr. Jeannes and Ms. Donovan elected to defer receipt of all of the Restricted Share Rights for which the restricted period expired during the 2023 year until retirement.

(3) Mr. Luna and Mr. Brough retired and did not stand for re-election at the May 12, 2023 annual and special meeting.
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Retirement Policy for Directors

 

The Company does not have a retirement age policy for its directors.

 

Directors’ and Officers’ Liability Insurance

 

The Company has purchased for the benefit of the Company, its subsidiaries and their directors and officers, insurance against liability incurred by the directors or officers in their capacity as directors or officers of the Company or its subsidiaries. The following are particulars of such insurance for the financial year ended December 31, 2023:

 

(a) the total amount of insurance is $165,000,000 and, subject to the deductible portion referred to below, up to the full-face amount of the policy is payable, regardless of the number of directors and officers involved;

 

(b) the total cost for directors and officers liability insurance during 2023 was USD$1,864,918. The policy does not specify that a part of the premium is paid in respect of either directors as a group or officers as a group; and

 

(c) the policy provides for deductibles as follows:

 

(i) with respect to the directors and officers there is no deductible applicable, unless the Company is permitted by laws and is financially able to indemnity the directors and officers, in which case there is a deductible per claim of $2,500,000; and

 

(ii) with respect to reimbursement of the Company there is a deductible per claim of $2,500,000.
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Executive Compensation

 

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

 

Table of Contents

 

Our year in review - 2023 54
Introduction 54
Objectives of Compensation Program 54
Overview of the Compensation Philosophy 55
Opportunity for Shareholder Feedback 55
Role of the Human Resources Committee 55
Named Executive Officers 57
Role of the Chief Executive Officer 57
Role of the Compensation Consultant 58
Elements of Executive Compensation 59
Overview of How Compensation Program Fits with Wheaton Compensation Goals 62
The Comparator Group 63
Benchmarking 64
Base Salary 65
Annual Performance Based Cash Incentives 65
Corporate Performance Objectives 66
Personal Performance Objectives 70
Overall Annual Performance Based Cash Incentive - 2023 71
Long-Term Incentive Plan – Stock Options, Restricted Share Rights and Performance Share Units 72
2023 Stock Option Awards 73
2023 Restricted Share Right Awards 73
2023 Performance Share Unit Awards 74
Retirement Plans 76
Other Compensation – Perquisites 77
Executive Share Ownership Policy 77
Policy Regarding Certain Financial Instruments 79
Consideration of Risk Associated with Executive Compensation 80
Succession Planning for President and Chief Executive Officer 81
Pay for Performance Alignment 82
Performance Graph 83
Net Realizable Pay 84
Summary Compensation Table 86
Incentive Plan Awards 88
Termination and Change of Control Benefits 90
Estimated Incremental Payment on Change of Control or Termination 92
Share Option Plan 93
Performance Share Unit Plan 95
Restricted Share Plan 96

 

Our Year in Review - 2023

 

See “2023 Compensation At A Glance” on page [V] of this Circular for a summary of Wheaton’s compensation practices and results in 2023.

 

Introduction

 

This Compensation Discussion and Analysis section provides full details on the objectives of Wheaton’s compensation program, Wheaton’s compensation philosophy, the role and responsibility of the Human Resources Committee in connection with compensation matters, selection of the Company’s comparator group for determining compensation, discusses how compensation is determined for executives and describes each element of executive pay.

 

Objectives of Compensation Program

 

The objectives of the Company’s compensation program are to attract, hold and inspire performance by members of senior management in a manner that will enhance the sustainable profitability and growth of the Company.

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Overview of the Compensation Philosophy

 

The following principles guide the Company’s overall compensation philosophy:

 

(a) compensation is determined on an individual basis by the need to attract and retain talented, high-achievers;

 

(b) calculating total compensation is set with reference to the market for similar jobs in similar locations;

 

(c) an appropriate portion of total compensation is variable and linked to achievements, both individual and corporate;

 

(d) internal equity is maintained such that individuals in similar jobs and locations are treated fairly; and

 

(e) the Company supports reasonable expenses in order that employees continuously maintain and enhance their skills.

 

Opportunity for Shareholder Feedback

 

The Board believes that it is important to have regular and constructive engagement with its shareholders to discuss those aspects of the Company’s executive compensation that are of importance to shareholders and to allow and encourage shareholders to express their views on executive compensation matters to the Board outside of the annual meeting. Shareholders are invited to express their views to the Board or the Human Resources Committee by contacting the Board or committee in the manner described under the heading “Shareholder Engagement & Contacting the Board of Directors” on page 101.

 

The Board has also adopted a policy providing for an annual advisory vote on executive compensation, known as “Say on Pay”, in order to give the Company’s shareholders a formal opportunity to provide their views on the executive compensation program of the Company. At the 2023 Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders, over 92% of the votes cast were in favour of the resolution accepting the Company’s approach to executive compensation. See “Special Matters – Say on Pay Advisory Vote” on page 100 for further details.

 

Role of the Human Resources Committee

 

The Human Resources Committee, comprised of independent directors, is established by the Board to assist in fulfilling the Board’s responsibilities relating to human resources and compensation matters and to establish a plan of continuity for senior management. The Human Resources Committee ensures that the Company has an executive compensation plan that is both motivational and competitive so that it will attract, hold and inspire performance by senior management in a manner that will enhance the sustainable profitability and growth of the Company.

 

The Human Resources Committee reviews on an annual basis the overall compensation package for each executive officer. It submits to the Boards of Wheaton and Wheaton Precious Metals International Ltd. (“Wheaton International”) recommendations with respect to the base salary, annual bonus and long-term incentive award for each executive officer, as applicable. During 2023, the Human Resources Committee received various reports from Mercer reviewing Wheaton’s past and current compensation levels for executives, in comparison to a peer group of companies selected by the Human Resources Committee, and practices in the current market. See “The Comparator Group” on page 63 for details on the peer group.

 

The Human Resources Committee makes recommendations to the Board annually after reviewing the matters discussed in Mercer’s reports, discussing various factors with management, comparing compensation to the Comparator Group (as defined below), and receiving recommendations from the Chief Executive Officer in March 2023 with respect to 2023 base salaries and 2023 long-term incentive awards for executive officers, and in March 2024 with respect to 2023 annual performance-based cash incentives. In making its recommendations, the Human Resources Committee was satisfied that all recommendations complied with the Human Resources Committee’s philosophy and guidelines.

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In accordance with Terms of Reference for the Human Resources Committee, the Human Resources Committee is authorized to:

 

retain or obtain the advice of compensation consultants, independent counsel and other advisors;

appoint, compensate and have oversight over the work of compensation consultants, independent counsel and other advisors;

determine appropriate funding to be paid to compensation consultants, independent counsel and other advisors;

conduct independence assessments of compensation consultants, independent counsel and other advisors at the time they are appointed and on an annual basis thereafter; and

identify any conflict of interest issues with compensation consultants annually to shareholders.

 

The Human Resources Committee did not identify any conflict of interest issues that could reasonably be expected to interfere with the independence of its compensation consultant for the year ended December 31, 2023. A copy of the Human Resources Committee terms of reference is available at www.wheatonpm.com.

 

The members of the Human Resources Committee, their independence (as such term is defined in National Instrument 52-110 Audit Committees and the NYSE Enhanced Independence Rules) and their experience relevant to their responsibilities in executive compensation are as follows:

 

Name Independent Relevant Experience

Chantal Gosselin

(Chair)

Yes

Chair of Prime Mining Corp.’s Compensation Committee

 

Former Member of Lundin Gold Inc.’s Compensation Committee

 

ICD, Key Questions to the HR Committee, October 18, 2023

 

Hugessen Consulting - Trends and Insights from the 2023 Proxy Season: TSX60 Exec Compensation, June 22, 2023

 

NACD, Compensation Webinar: The Key to Executive Retention, April 6, 2023

 

ICD, 2022 Executive Compensation Trend by Hugessen, June 28, 2022, Webinar

 

ICD, The Board’s role in CEO transition, April 21, 2022, Webinar

 

Glenn Ives

Yes

Deloitte, Talent and the Board, October 17, 2023

 

ICD, Key Questions for the HR Committee, October 18, 2023

 

ICD, The Role of Boards in Overseeing Culture, December 7, 2023

 

Member of Kinross Human Resources and Compensation Committee since 2020

 

Member of Deloitte Leadership & Development Rewards Committee from 2008 to 2018

 

Member of St. Paul’s Foundation (Vancouver) Human Resources Committee since 2022

 

Charles Jeannes Yes

Member of Pan American Silver Corp.’s Human Resources Committee (Chair)

 

Member of Orla Mining Ltd.’s Human Resources Committee

 

President and CEO of Goldcorp Inc. from 2008 to 2016

 

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Name Independent Relevant Experience

Marilyn Schonberner

Yes

Mining Industry HR Council, The Importance of Gender Equity in Mining, December 9, 2023, Online Training

 

Deloitte, Challenges for Remuneration Committees, June 22, 2023, Webinar

 

Former Member of New Gold Inc.’s Human Resources and Compensation Committee

 

NACD, Pay vs. Performance Guidance is Finalized: What Compensation Committees Must Do, October 27, 2022, Webcast

 

NACD, Creating Clarity in Incentive Strategy in an Uncertain Business Environment, August 18, 2022, Webcast

ICD/Hugessen Consulting, 2022 Executive Compensation Trends, June 29, 2022, Webcast

 

CFO and Senior Vice President, and an Executive Director, of Nexen Energy ULC from 2016 to 2018

 

General Manager of Human Resources Services; Director of Corporate Audit; Director of Business Services U.K.; and Treasurer and Vice President of Corporate Planning of Nexen Energy ULC from 1997 to 2016

 

 

The Human Resources Committee requires members who possess the ability to exercise independent judgment and reasoning, are able to apply analytical and logical thinking, have knowledge of the competitive marketplace for executives, and have experience with the objectives and purposes of compensation programs. All of these skills have been obtained through the combined business experiences of the members of the Human Resources Committee, including experiences with financial matters, human resources and management of public companies. The skills and experiences of the individual members of the Human Resources Committee together with input and advice from Mercer, enable the Human Resources Committee to make the decisions on the suitability of the Company’s compensation program.

 

Named Executive Officers

 

For the remainder of this Circular, the following individuals included in the “Summary Compensation Table” on page 86 are referred to as the “Named Executive Officers” or “NEOs”:

 

Randy V.J. Smallwood, President and Chief Executive Officer;

Gary D. Brown, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer;

Curt D. Bernardi, Senior Vice President, Legal and Strategic Development;

Haytham H. Hodaly, Senior Vice President, Corporate Development; and

Patrick E. Drouin, President, Wheaton International and Chief Sustainability Officer. During 2023, Mr. Drouin ceased as Senior Vice President, Sustainability and Investor Relations at the Company and became President and Chief Sustainability Officer at Wheaton International.

 

Role of the Chief Executive Officer

 

The Chief Executive Officer completes a review of the Named Executive Officers’ performance in accordance with the evaluation criteria listed below in the “Annual Performance Based Cash Incentives” section. Based on the foregoing evaluation, as well as a subjective assessment, the Chief Executive Officer makes a recommendation to the Human Resources Committee on base salaries, cash bonuses and long-term incentive plan awards for each Named Executive Officer, which is taken into consideration by the Human Resources Committee in completing its review and ultimate recommendations to the Board.

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Role of the Compensation Consultant

 

Mercer’s mandate with the Human Resources Committee includes providing advice on the competitiveness and appropriateness of compensation programs for the Named Executive Officers and members of the Board, as required. This mandate may include advice with respect to base salaries, retainers and fees, short and long-term incentives, pensions, benefits, perquisites, employment agreements and change of control provisions.

 

The Human Resources Committee will agree annually and on an as-needed basis, with input from management and Mercer, on the specific work to be undertaken by the consultant for the Human Resources Committee and the fees associated with such work. Mercer reports directly to the Chair of the Human Resources Committee. Neither the Board nor the Human Resources Committee formal pre-approval is required in order for the Company or its affiliates to obtain services other than compensation services from Mercer or its affiliates. The Human Resources Committee reviews the engagement of Mercer annually to ensure that all reasonable steps are taken to minimize any potential conflicts of interest. 

 

In conducting the review for each of 2022 and 2023, the Human Resources Committee recognized that the fees paid to Mercer and its affiliates for insurance-related matters exceeded the fees paid to Mercer for executive compensation-related matters.  Mercer’s affiliates include Marsh Canada, part of Marsh & McLennan world-wide professional services group, which provides insurance and insurance related services to the Company. The Human Resources Committee was satisfied that Mercer’s advice was objective and free from any conflict that could reasonably be expected to interfere with the independence of Mercer. The Human Resources Committee considered the following factors in making this determination: (i) the percentage of fees Mercer and its affiliates received from the Company was minimal compared to Mercer’s and its affiliates total revenues, and a significant percentage of the fees are passed through Mercer to the carriers of underlying insurance policies; (ii) Mercer and Marsh Canada have internal policies and procedures around potential conflicts of interest and tied-selling, do not compensate employees based on client revenue received by affiliates and conduct annual reviews directed to preserving the objectivity of their advice; and (iii) there were no known business or personal relationships between the Company (and its directors and officers) and Mercer (and Mercer’s and its affiliates’ directors and officers).

 

During 2023 and the first quarter of 2024, Mercer was engaged by the Human Resources Committee to conduct a compensation review of the Named Executive Officers and present its findings based on a comparison of compensation levels of a peer group of companies. Although Mercer provides advice to the Human Resources Committee, the decisions of the Human Resources Committee may reflect factors and considerations other than the information and recommendations provided by Mercer.

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Fees billed by Mercer and its affiliates in respect of services in 2022 and 2023 are detailed below:

 

Mercer and Affiliate Fees

 

    2022 (1)
($)
    2023 (1)
($)
 
Executive Compensation-Related Fees     73,235       65,618  
Insurance related fees (2)     213,372       169,500  
Premiums paid to third-party insurance carriers (2)     2,010,424       1,872,449  
TOTAL     2,297,031       2,107,567  

 

 
(1) Fees paid in Canadian dollars are converted to United States dollars for reporting purposes in this table at the exchange rate of C$1.00 = US$0.7561 for the financial year ended December 31, 2023 and at the exchange rate of C$1.00 = US$0.7383 for the financial year ended December 31, 2022.

(2) Marsh Canada Limited, an affiliate of Mercer, provided insurance and insurance related services to the Company in 2023 and 2022. Marsh Management, an affiliate of Mercer, provided insurance and insurance related services in 2023 and 2022 to Wheaton International. Of the fees paid in 2023, approximately $1,872,449 relate to premiums paid to affiliates of Mercer which were to have been passed through by those affiliates to carriers of the underlying insurance policies, and only approximately $169,500 relate to fees that were to be retained by Mercer affiliates.

 

Elements of Executive Compensation

 

It is the compensation philosophy of the Company to provide a market-based blend of base salaries, bonuses and long-term equity incentives in the form of stock options, Restricted Share Rights (see “Restricted Share Plan” on page 96 for further details and definitions regarding Restricted Share Rights) and Performance Share Units (see “Performance Share Unit Plan” on page 95 for further details and definitions regarding Performance Share Units). The Company believes that the bonus and long-term incentive components of compensation serve to further align the interests of management with the interests of the Company’s shareholders.

 

In order to align the interests of management with the interests of the Company’s shareholders (i) grants of stock options made after December 31, 2020 have a seven-year term with a vesting schedule of 1/3 on each of the first, second and third anniversary of grant, and (ii) grants of Restricted Share Rights made after December 31, 2020 have restricted periods that expire as to 1/3 on each of the first, second and third anniversary of the date of grant.

 

For the financial year ended December 31, 2023, the Company’s executive compensation program consisted of the following elements.

 

Element of
Compensation
Summary and Purpose Risk Performance
Period
Form of
Compensation
Base Salary

Salaries form an essential element of the Company’s compensation mix as they are the first base measure to compare and remain competitive relative to peer groups. Base salaries are fixed and therefore not subject to uncertainty and are used as the base to determine other elements of compensation and benefits.

 

The Human Resources Committee reviews NEO salaries at least annually as part of its overall competitive market assessment, as described above. Typically, the Human Resources Committee makes annual salary adjustments in March of each year for the 12-month period from January 1 to December 31 of that year.

Not at Risk 1 year Cash
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Element of
Compensation
Summary and Purpose Risk Performance
Period
Form of
Compensation
Annual Performance-Based Cash Incentives (Bonus)

Annual performance-based cash incentives are a variable component of compensation designed to reward the NEOs for maximizing annual operating performance. Annual performance-based awards can range from 0% to 200% of base salary. In making annual performance-based awards, the Human Resources Committee considers that such bonus awards are intended to incentivize management during the year to take actions and make decisions within their control, and as a result, the performance criteria do not include matters outside of the control of management, most notably commodity pricing.

 

The Human Resources Committee reviews annual performance based -awards of cash as part of its overall annual assessment of Company and individual performance, as more fully described under the heading “Annual Performance Based Cash Incentives”. Typically, the Human Resources Committee makes awards in March of each year for the 12-month period from January 1 to December 31 of the prior year.

At Risk 1 year Cash
Medium and Long-Term Incentive Plan – Stock Options, Restricted Share Rights and Performance Share Units

Long-Term Incentive Plan compensation is a variable component of compensation intended to reward the NEOs for their success in achieving sustained, long-term profitability and increases in stock value. Typically, the Human Resources Committee makes awards in March of each year for the 12-month period from January 1 to December 31 of that year. Long-Term Incentive Plan awards are made in stock options, Restricted Share Rights and Performance Share Units with the value of each Named Executive Officer’s award targeted to be approximately 50% in Performance Share Units, 25% in stock options and 25% in restricted share rights.

At Risk

 

Equity (settled in Common Shares for both stock options and Restricted Share Rights and cash for PSUs)
         
  Stock options are a variable component of compensation designed to reward Named Executive Officers for maximizing operating performance, while at the same time rewarding the Company’s Named Executive Officers for its success in achieving sustained, long-term profitability and increases in stock value. Awards of stock options seek to align the interests of management with the interests of the Company’s shareholders both through the possible increase in the price of the Common Shares over time and longer-term vesting schedules. Stock options granted before December 31, 2020 have a 5 year term with a vesting schedule as to 50% on each of the first and second anniversary of grant. Stock options granted after December 31, 2020 have a 7-year term with a vesting schedule of 1/3 on each of the first, second and third anniversary of the date of grant.  

Stock Options: 

5 years for options granted before December 31, 2020 and 7 years for options granted after December 31, 2020

 
         
  Performance based Restricted Share Rights or RSUs are a variable component of compensation designed to reward the Company’s executive officers for maximizing operating performance, while at the same time rewarding the Company’s executive officers for its success in achieving sustained, long-term profitability and increases in stock value. Awards of Restricted Share Rights seek to align the interests of management with the interests of the Company’s shareholders both through the possible increase in the price of the Common Shares over time and longer-term vesting schedules. Restricted periods for Restricted Share Rights granted before December 31, 2020 occur as to 50% on each of the first and second anniversary of grant. For Restricted Share Rights granted after December 31, 2020, the restricted periods expire as to 1/3 on each of the first, second and third anniversary of the date of grant.   Restricted Share Rights: 3 years  
         
  Performance Share Units or PSUs provide a component of the long-term incentive plan that continues to offer a potential for a payout and incentivizing employees even if the Common Share price declines, provided that the Company’s performance exceeded that of a comparator group. In addition, the performance period for awards to date has been set at three years, thereby incentivizing management to take a longer-term view of Company performance.   PSUs: 3 years  
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Element of
Compensation
Summary and Purpose Risk Performance
Period
Form of
Compensation
Other Compensation (Including Perquisites) The Company’s executive employee benefit program includes life, medical, dental and disability insurance, and paid parking. In addition, for Canadian employees, the Company provides a contribution to a registered retirement savings plan and a contribution to the Company’s Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan (“SERP”). A separate retirement plan is in effect for Caymanian employees. Such benefits and perquisites are designed to be competitive overall with equivalent positions in comparable Canadian and United States organizations. Not at Risk 1 year/ Retirement Other

 

The breakdown of each element of compensation of the Chief Executive Officer as a percentage of total compensation is reflected in the following pie chart for 2023:

 

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Overview of How Compensation Program Fits with Wheaton Compensation Goals

 

1.          Attract, Retain and Motivate Key Talent

 

The compensation package meets the goal of attracting, retaining and motivating key talent in a highly competitive mining environment through the following elements:

 

a competitive cash compensation program, consisting of base salary, contribution to RRSP/SERP/retirement and cash bonus, which is generally consistent with or superior to similar opportunities; and

providing an opportunity to participate in the Company’s growth through stock options, Performance Share Units and Restricted Share Rights.

 

2.          Alignment of Interest of Management with Interest of the Company’s Shareholders

 

The compensation package meets the goal of aligning the interests of management with the interest of the Company’s shareholders through the following elements:

 

the grant of stock options, Performance Share Units and Restricted Share Rights, where, if the price of the Common Shares increases over time, both executives and shareholders will benefit;

three-year vesting schedule on stock option awards and Restricted Share Rights, and a three-year vesting term on Performance Share Units which drives management to create long-term shareholder value, rather than focusing on short-term increases; and

an executive share ownership policy (see “Executive Share Ownership Policy” on page 77 for further details).
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The Comparator Group

 

The Human Resources Committee believes that it is appropriate to establish compensation levels based in large part on benchmarking against similar companies. In this way, the Company can gauge if its compensation is competitive and reasonable.

 

The Human Resources Committee and the Company are constantly assessing the methods for selection of comparator group members because of the importance of benchmarking for the purposes of evaluating and considering executive compensation. The Human Resources Committee has established the following enhanced methods and parameters to be considered in selecting and updating members of the comparator group:

 

No.   Criterion   Description of
Comparator
Group
  Committee Consideration   4 Market Cap Screen
1   Industry   Metals Streaming   Include direct competitors that are obvious peers to the Company   Exclude direct competitors that are too large or small compared to Company
                   
2   Competition for Talent   Mining Producers  

Include companies that are within the mining sector, but that are not direct competitors

  First apply +/- 50% as screen. After application of Business Model criterion, include next closest in size until comparator group reaches 15
                   
            These companies would represent the most significant competitors with respect to attracting and retaining talent  
                 
            Preference to include Vancouver based companies  
                 
3   Business Model   Other Commodity Streaming  

Companies should employ the same business model but may be in different sector

Apply +/- 50% as screen
                   
            Consider if other companies have used Company as a comparator  

 

As a result of these methods and parameters, the Human Resources Committee adopted the following comparator group (the “Comparator Group”) for the purposes of benchmarking and determining salaries, long-term awards and bonuses in respect of the 2023 year:

 

The Comparator Group

•       Agnico-Eagle Mines Limited

•       B2Gold Corp.

•       Kinross Gold Corp.

•       Lundin Mining Corporation

•       Cameco Corporation •       Pan American Silver Corp.
•       Centerra Gold Inc. •       Royal Gold, Inc.
•       First Quantum Minerals Ltd. •       SSR Mining Inc.
•       Franco-Nevada Corporation •       Teck Resources Limited

 

For the 2023 year, Yamana Gold Inc. (“Yamana”) was removed from the Comparator Group as a result of the acquisition of Yamana by Pan American Silver Corp. The Human Resources Committee believes that the Comparator Group members are an appropriate and comparable group for the purposes of benchmarking and determining executive compensation. For 2024, it is expected that Alamos Gold Inc. will be added to the Comparator Group.

 

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Set out below are the names of the entities, as well as details on the revenue, market capitalization and enterprise value of the Comparator Group.

 

Comparator Group (1)

 

    Market Cap
($ Millions)
    Revenue
($ Millions)
    Net Income
($ Millions)
 
Agnico-Eagle Mines Limited   $ 27,210     $ 6,627     $ 1,941  
B2Gold Corp.   $ 4,054     $ 1,934     $ 10  
Cameco Corporation   $ 18,450     $ 1,915     $ 267  
Centerra Gold Inc.   $ 1,270     $ 1,095     $ (81 )
First Quantum Minerals Ltd.   $ 5,549     $ 6,456     $ (954 )
Franco-Nevada Corporation   $ 20,981     $ 1,217     $ (466 )
Kinross Gold Corp.   $ 7,327     $ 4,240     $ 416  
Lundin Mining Corporation   $ 6,240     $ 3,392     $ 242  
Pan American Silver Corp.   $ 5,865     $ 2,316     $ (104 )
Royal Gold, Inc.   $ 7,946     $ 598     $ 239  
SSR Mining Inc.   $ 2,157     $ 1,427     $ (98 )
Teck Resources Limited   $ 21,673     $ 11,106     $ 1,782  
Wheaton Precious Metals   $ 22,034     $ 1,016     $ 538  
Wheaton Percent Ranking     92 %     8 %     83 %

 

 
(1) As of December 31, 2023, based upon publicly available information.

 

The diagrams below graphically show the relative revenue and market capitalization and net income and market capitalization of Wheaton and the Comparator Group based on the information above.

 

Revenue and Market Capitalization of
Wheaton and Comparator Group
  Net Income and Market Capitalization of
Wheaton and Comparator Group
     
 

 

Benchmarking

 

In arriving at a targeted total compensation package for 2023, the Human Resources Committee generally recommended to the Board that the executive officers receive (i) base salaries that are typically targeted at the 50th percentile, or average, of the Comparator Group, and (ii) long-term incentive and bonus compensation that are typically on the higher end of the targeted range of the Comparator Group due to the Company’s unique business model and deal-driven nature.

 

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Base Salary

 

In determining the base salary of a Named Executive Officer, the Human Resources Committee’s practice is to consider the recommendations made by the Chief Executive Officer and to review the remuneration paid to executives with similar titles at the Comparator Group. In addition, the Human Resource Committee considers the findings of Mercer in their report relating to base salary. In arriving at an overall subjective assessment of base salary to be paid to a particular executive officer, the Human Resources Committee also considers the particular responsibilities of the position, the experience level of the executive officer, his or her past performance at the Company, the performance of the Company over the past year, and an overall assessment of market, industry and economic conditions.

 

The Human Resources Committee reviews Named Executive Officer salaries at least annually as part of its overall competitive market assessment. Typically, the Human Resources Committee makes annual salary adjustments in March of each year for the 12-month period from January 1 to December 31 of that year.

 

The 2023 base salaries of each of the Named Executive Officers were increased from their respective 2022 base salaries by 4% to better align with market practice and the Comparator Group. For 2024, it is anticipated that base salaries for Named Executive Officers will increase by 4.2% for the CEO and by 2% for each of the other Named Executive Officers to better align with the compensation philosophy and the Comparator Group.

 

Annual Performance Based Cash Incentives

 

In determining the annual cash bonus of a Named Executive Officer, the Human Resources Committee has implemented a performance-based incentive plan that includes a target bonus for each Named Executive Officer, corporate and personal performance objectives and a payout depending on the achievement of those objectives. Importantly, the design of the performance-based incentive plan could result in a Named Executive Officer receiving no bonus.

 

The Human Resources Committee also considers the recommendations made by the Chief Executive Officer in assessing the corporate and personal performance over the past year, and the findings of Mercer in their report relating to the annual cash bonus. The Human Resources Committee also reviews the bonus that would be determined as a result of the application of the performance based incentive plan and retains complete discretion to (i) award compensation absent attainment of the relevant performance goal, (ii) not award compensation even if the relevant performance goal is attained, (iii) award compensation in excess of any expressed maximum or less than any expressed minimum, and (iv) otherwise reduce or increase the size of any award or payout.

 

As part of their determination of whether to exercise discretion to adjust any award or payout, the Human Resources Committee compares the award that would have been determined as a result of the application of the performance-based incentive plan to the bonuses paid to executives with similar titles and roles at the Comparator Group.

 

In making annual performance-based awards, the Human Resources Committee considers that such bonus awards are intended to incentivize management during the year to take actions and make decisions in the operation of the Company that support the Company’s overall business strategy and the effective operation of the Company’s business, and as a result, the performance criteria do not include matters outside of the control of management, most notably commodity pricing.

 

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The following table summarizes the annual target bonus for each of the Named Executive Officers as a percentage of base salary.

 

Target Bonus

 

    President and
Chief Executive
Officer
    SVP and Chief
Financial Officer
    SVP, Legal and
Strategic
Development
    SVP, Corporate
Development
    President & Chief
Sustainability
Officer, Wheaton
International
 
Target Bonus (% of Base Salary)     125 %     95 %     95 %     95 %     80 %

 

In 2023, for each Named Executive Officer, the total corporate performance objective weighting was 75% and the personal performance objective weighting was 25%.

 

Corporate Performance Objectives

 

The following table details the targets for threshold, target and maximum achievement for each of the corporate performance objectives, as well as the actual performance achieved for 2023. The table also includes the resulting performance score and the metric weighting for each corporate performance objective to be applied in determining bonuses. Each of the corporate performance categories has been capped at 200%.

 

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Target Corporate Performance and Actual Results

 

   

Threshold

(0%)

   

Target

(100%)

   

Maximum

(200%)

    Actual Performance     Performance Score     Metric Weighting       Weighted Total (2)  
1.    Growth (Capped – 200%)
(a)    Total Cost / NPO as a % of spot price (1)   102 %   95 %   88 %   95.4 %   95 %   20.0 %    
(b)    Change in NPO per Share(1)   -3.5 %   0 %   10.0 %   4.4 %   144 %   30.0 %     62 %
Total Growth                           124 %   50.0 %        
2.    Financial Excellence (Capped – 200%)
(a)    Capital Structure Management   Qualitative Assessment     150 %   7.5 %    
(b)    Relative Share Price Performance   25.0 %   50.0 %   75.0 %   75.0 %   200 %   7.5 %     26 %
Total Financial Excellence                           175 %   15.0 %        
3.    Operational Excellence (Capped – 200%)
(a)   Production Ounces   -10.0 %   0.0 %   10.0 %   -1.6 %   84 %   15.0 %    
(b)   Expense Control   10 %   0.0 %   -10.0 %   -5.4 %   154 %   5.0 %     20 %
Total Operational Excellence                           102 %   20.0 %        
4.     Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) (Capped – 200%)
Environmental, Social & Governance   Qualitative Assessment     150 %   15.0 %     23 %
5.    Overall Qualitative Adjustment
Discretionary Overall Qualitative Adjustment   Qualitative Assessment                   10 %
Total Corporate Performance                                 100 %     141 %

 

 
(1) See below for a full description of these metrics.
(2) Weighted Total corporate performance is calculated based upon the total corporate Performance Score multiplied by the Metric Weighting, being that Named Executive Officer’s Total Corporate Performance Weighting (as set out in the table entitled “Target Bonus” on page 66). Numbers may not add up due to rounding.

 

The Corporate Performance objective is comprised of the metrics as noted in the table above, each of which are further described below.

 

The Growth performance objective, which is capped at an overall 200% performance factor, is determined on the basis of two metrics relating to new transactions announced during the year, both using a Net Present Payable Ounces (“NPO”) calculation. NPO is calculated by discounting expected future payable ounces by risk adjusted discount rates to reflect: (i) mineral classification of production profile, with higher discount rates being used for categories with lower confidence levels; (ii) credit quality of counterparty; (iii) political risk; (iv) life cycle of the asset (whether in production, development or exploration stage); and (v) asset quality (the lower the cost quartile the lower the applied discount rate):

 

Total Cost/NPO as a Percentage of Spot Prices – this is intended to provide a consistent metric for comparing spot price to the price paid for each NPO. Total Cost is calculated as the Upfront Payment made in a streaming transaction plus the present value of expected production payments relative to future payable ounces.

 

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Change in NPO per Share – this is intended to measure how accretive the combination of new transactions and organic growth has been from a NPO per share perspective.

 

The Financial Excellence performance objective seeks to assess management’s ability to optimize the Company’s capital structure and is capped at an overall 200% performance factor. The Financial Excellence performance objective is based on two metrics as follows:

 

Capital Structure Management – this is intended to provide a subjective assessment by the Human Resources Committee of the Company’s ability to access debt markets, leverage risk and ability to comply with financial covenants under its debt facilities. In arriving at a total qualitative assessment the Human Resources Committee considered that:

 

the Company has no debt and a significant cash surplus as of December 31, 2023;
the Company maintained its ability to withstand significant commodity price decreases;
the Company disbursed US$272 million of dividends; and
the Company amended its revolving credit facility (“Revolving Facility”) to extend the maturity date to 2028.

 

Relative Share Price Performance – this is intended to compare the Common Share price of the Company with that of the Comparator Group during the year. During 2023, the Company’s share price performance ranked in the 75th percentile relative to the Comparator Group.

 

The Operational Excellence performance objective, which is capped at an overall 200% performance factor, measures two areas:

 

Production Ounces – this is intended to measure the percentage by which the Company exceeded (missed) its annual production guidance. During 2023, the Company’s production was sightly below mid-point of guidance as a result of labour dispute at the Peñasquito mine.

 

Expense Control – this is intended to measure the percentage by which the actual general and administration expense of the Company for 2023 is less than (exceeds) the budgeted general and administration expense for 2023, adjusting for certain matters that were not appropriate to take into account in evaluating management’s ability to control expenses. During 2023, the Company’s adjusted general and administration expense was 5% below budget.

 

The Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) performance objective, which is capped at an overall 200% performance factor, is a qualitative assessment of the Company’s commitment and contribution in the following six ESG areas:

 

Reporting, Disclosure and Shareholder Engagement – this is intended to measure effective engagement and reporting on ESG matters and the alignment of Company practices with best practices.

 

ESG Due Diligence and Ongoing Monitoring – this is intended to measure effective use of ESG due diligence in decision making and operational ESG risk mitigation.

 

Climate Change – this is intended to evaluate progress against the Company’s climate goals and targets.

 

Community Investment – this is intended to evaluate execution of the Company’s Community Investment Programs and alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

 

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People & Diversity – this is intended to evaluate management’s progress on human capital initiatives and diversity goals.

 

ESG Ratings & Recognition – this is intended to measure Company’s performance on ESG issues and topics.

 

In determining the Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) performance metric score, the Human Resources Committee considered, among other metrics, that:

 

the Company published a standalone Climate Change Report that was recognized as a runner up for ESG Investing’s Best Company for Climate Reporting;
the Company’s ESG due diligence has been effective at screening and identifying opportunities as a result of ESG practices;
the Company made progress on its scope 2 emissions target, is performing well in its Scope 3 engagement target, and has engaged with partners on climate change;
the Company’s Community Investment Program budget was fully deployed in 2023, with programs aligned with the Company’s pillars of giving and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals;
the Company increased diversity at the management level in line with its commitment to increase diversity by 2028; and
the Company maintained top ratings by MSCI and Sustainalytics and was awarded Best Company for ESG & Sustainability (Metals & Mining) by ESG Investing and runner up in the Best Company for Climate Reporting and made Corporate Knights Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations.

 

As part of its consideration of the Discretionary Overall Qualitative Adjustment, the Human Resources Committee retains discretion to adjust the Corporate Performance actual results if necessary to ensure that they are fair and reasonable under the circumstances, rather than rigidly adhering to a formulaic approach that might not take into account developments during the year, intangibles in assessing the quality of an asset, comparisons of the resulting payout to the Comparator Group and other considerations not reflected within the Corporate Performance objectives above.

 

Following a consideration by the Human Resources Committee of whether all achievements during the year were fully captured and if a discretionary adjustment to the formulaic application of the Corporate Performance metrics should be made, the Human Resources Committee determined that such an adjustment in respect of the 2023 was warranted, primarily as a result of:

 

Wheaton having completed transactions representing over one-half of the value of all streaming/royalty transactions completed in 2023;
management having introduced creative structures to facilitate several of the new transactions that were consummated in 2023; and
a desire to align performance with the shareholder experience over the course of 2023, where Wheaton’s total shareholder return outperformed relative to direct streaming company peers.

 

Taking into account all of the foregoing, the Human Resources Committed determined to make a discretionary adjustment to increase the Corporate Performance assessment in respect of the 2023 year by 10%, with the result being that the corporate performance assessment was adjusted to 141%.

 

For the year ending December 31, 2024, the Board has approved certain minor adjustments to the Target Corporate Performance metrics and weightings, none of which would have a material impact to the Corporate Performance results if the changes were in place for the year ending December 31, 2023.

 

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Personal Performance Objectives

 

The Personal Performance objective is based in part on a qualitative assessment by the Chief Executive Officer and Human Resources Committee on personal performance of the Named Executive Officers other than the Chief Executive Officer, and by the Human Resources Committee alone on personal performance of the Chief Executive Officer.

 

Evaluation of personal performance factors is subjective, but generally include elements of strategy, financial goals, operational success, employee development and community commitment, while also considering quality of work, effort undertaken and leadership abilities. For 2023, some of the key accomplishments for the Named Executive Officers included the following:

 

Strategy – over $1 billion committed towards new projects, with eight streaming and royalty transactions in 2023, the largest number of transactions added in one year for Wheaton, representing over one-half of the value of all streaming/royalty transactions completed in 2023, and completed record amounts of investor outreach and marketing;
Financial Goals – extended the Revolving Facility and distributed a record $272 million in dividends;
Operational Success – ongoing management of existing streaming transactions, including development and early deposit streaming transactions, and successful implementation of new streaming and royalty structures;
Employee Development – continued to focus on employee development and engagement, including ongoing support of all employees; and
Community Commitment – continued with commitment to community involvement.

 

Individualized personal objectives established for each Named Executive Officer were assessed as part of the year-end performance assessment. Details on these objectives, together with some of the key accomplishments for the Named Executive Officers during the year ended December 31, 2023, are set out below:

 

President & Chief
Executive Officer
SVP & Chief Financial
Officer
SVP, Legal & Strategic
Development
SVP, Corporate
Development
President & Chief
Sustainability Officer,
Wheaton International (1)

Employees:

•   Continued focus on employee development and Company strategic initiatives

•   Continued succession planning initiatives

Advancing Strategic Initiatives:

•   Reviewed opportunities with total upfront value > $2.7billion

•   Completed eight streaming and royalty transactions in 2023 with total upfront payments of $1billion

•   Implementation of new streaming and royalty structures

Advancing Strategic Initiatives:

•   Reviewed opportunities with total upfront value > $2.7billion

•   Completed eight streaming and royalty transactions in 2023 with total upfront payments of $1billion

•   Implementation of new streaming and royalty structures

Advancing Strategic Initiatives:

•   Reviewed opportunities with total upfront value > $2.7billion

•   Completed eight streaming and royalty transactions in 2023 with total upfront payments of $1billion

Investor Relations:

•   Proactive relationship building with institutional and retail investors

•   Host conferences and meetings

•   Receipt of Top Gun award for Investor Relations

•   Liaised with research analysts regarding up-to-date information on the Company’s business

Board:

•   Encouraged continued open dialogue between Board and management

•   Assisted with development of Board renewal commitments

Capital Structure Management:

•   Extended Revolving Facility by one year

•   Renewal of At The Market equity program

Laws:

•   Legal and regulatory compliance

Partner Relationships:

•   Maintained strong relationships with existing and prospective partners

Sustainability:

•   Implementation and integration of sustainability initiatives and program

•   Published 2nd Sustainability Report

 

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President & Chief
Executive Officer
SVP & Chief Financial
Officer
SVP, Legal & Strategic
Development
SVP, Corporate
Development
President & Chief
Sustainability Officer,
Wheaton International (1)

Investors:

•   Continued dialogue with new and existing investors

•   Provided investors with confidence in Wheaton governance and implementation of Wheaton vision

Risk Management:

•   Enhancement of risk review process for new opportunities

External Service Provider:

•   Management of legal budget and service providers

Transaction Development:

•   Managed due diligence and negotiation of potential and completed transactions

Investor Relations:

•   Maintained effective engagement, communications and messaging with investors regarding Company business

Partner Relationships:

•   Strengthened relationships with existing, new and potential partners

Operational Excellence:

•   Ongoing management of financial reporting, financial processes, internal systems and existing streaming transactions

•   Increased efficiency in processes and structure

Operational Excellence:

•   Ongoing management of existing streaming transactions

•   Negotiation of precious metals and cobalt sales arrangements

•   Renewal of At The Market equity program

Operational Excellence:

•   Managed internal systems for efficient and on-time engagement in stream bidding process

Operational Excellence:

•   Ongoing management of communications and feedback regarding streaming transactions

•   Strengthening corporate communication process and systems

Business Direction:

•   Continued to implement Wheaton corporate vision, strategy and mandate, with strong expansion

Employee Development:

•   Advanced employee engagement and development

Employee Development:

•   Advanced employee engagement and development

•   Sponsor for Diversity and Leadership Committee

Employee Development:

•   Advanced employee engagement and development

Employee Development:

•   Advanced employee engagement and development, including transition of new Vice Presidents at the Company

•   Effective transition to role as President and Chief Sustainability Officer at Wheaton International

Community Engagement:

•   Significant commitment of personal time towards community initiatives

•   Advancing Wheaton ESG commitments

Community Engagement:

•   Significant commitment of personal time towards community initiatives

•   Advancing Wheaton ESG commitments

Community Engagement:

•   Significant commitment of personal time towards community initiatives

•   Advancing Wheaton ESG commitments

Community Engagement:

•   Significant commitment of personal time towards community initiatives

•   Advancing Wheaton ESG commitments

Community Engagement:

•   Significant commitment of personal time towards community initiatives

•   Advancing Wheaton ESG commitments

 

 
(1) During 2023, Mr. Drouin ceased as Senior Vice President, Sustainability and Investor Relations at the Company and became President & Chief Sustainability Officer at Wheaton International. Mr. Drouin’s personal objectives are allocated between those two roles.

 

Overall Annual Performance Based Cash Incentive - 2023

 

In determining the total annual performance-based cash incentive, the Human Resources Committee applied a Total Corporate Performance Assessment (as determined above) and the personal performance assessment for each of the Named Executive Officers. The Human Resources Committee does retain discretion to adjust the total annual performance based cash incentive if necessary to ensure that it is fair and reasonable under the circumstances, rather than rigidly adhering to a formulaic approach that might not take into account developments during the year, intangibles in assessing the quality of an asset, comparisons of the resulting payout to the Comparator Group and other considerations not reflected with the annual performance based cash incentive.

 

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As described in the Discretionary Overall Qualitative Adjustment section under the heading Corporate Performance Objectives above, the Board determined to make a discretionary adjustment to reduce the annual performance-based cash incentive for each of the Named Executive Officers. As a result of the foregoing, with respect to the financial year ended December 31, 2023, bonuses were awarded to the following Named Executive Officers in March 2024:

 

Non-equity Incentive Plan Actual Compensation

 

Name of Officer   Title of Officer   Bonus
Amounts
(C$)
    Actual (1)
%
    Target
%
    Maximum
%
 
Randy V.J. Smallwood   President and Chief Executive Officer   $ 2,325,400       186 %     125 %     250 %
Gary D. Brown   SVP and Chief Financial Officer   $ 879,800       138 %     95 %     190 %
Curt D. Bernardi   SVP, Legal and Strategic Development   $ 933,000       146 %     95 %     190 %
Haytham H. Hodaly   SVP, Corporate Development   $ 917,800       144 %     95 %     190 %
Patrick E. Drouin   President, Wheaton International and Chief Sustainability Officer   $ 599,860       117 %     80 %     160 %
        $ 5,655,860                          

 

 
(1) This column expresses the bonus amount awarded for 2023 as a percentage of 2023 base salary.

 

Long-Term Incentive Plan – Stock Options, Restricted Share Rights and Performance Share Units

 

The Company’s long-term incentive plan is designed to advance the interests of the Company by encouraging eligible participants (employees, officers and consultants) to have equity participation in the Company through the acquisition of Common Shares. The Company targets an award that results in approximately 50% of the value of a Named Executive Officer’s long-term incentive plan award being awarded in Performance Share Units, 25% in stock options and 25% in Restricted Share Rights.

 

Annually, the Chief Executive Officer proposes a long-term incentive plan award for executive officers in his presentation to the Human Resources Committee based on an approximate target award (as set out in table below), a comparison of the long-term compensation to the Comparator Group and such other factors as the Chief Executive Officer determines to be relevant. The Human Resources Committee considers the Chief Executive Officer’s recommendations in addition to the findings in Mercer’s report, in making its recommendation to the Board regarding any stock options and Performance Share Units to be granted. In addition, the Human Resources Committee considered the long-term award of stock options, Restricted Share Rights and Performance Share Units made in March 2023 compared to the Comparator Group for the Named Executive Officers.

 

As a result of the foregoing, the target awards and actual awards for 2023 long-term compensation expressed as a percentage of base salary were as follows:

 

2023 Long-Term Compensation Awards as a Percentage of Base Salary

 

    Randy V.J.
Smallwood,
President and
CEO
    Gary D. Brown,
SVP, CFO
    Curt D. Bernardi,
SVP, Legal and
Strategic
Development
    Haytham H.
Hodaly
SVP, Corporate
Development
    Patrick E. Drouin
President
Wheaton
International and
Chief
Sustainability
Officer
 
Targeted Award Values                                        
Stock Options Value     72 %     48 %     48 %     48 %     48 %
Restricted Share Rights Value     73 %     48 %     48 %     48 %     48 %
Performance Share Units Value     145 %     94 %     94 %     94 %     94 %
Total     290 %     190 %     190 %     190 %     190 %
Actual Award Values                                        
Stock Options Value     72 %     48 %     48 %     48 %     48 %
Restricted Share Rights     73 %     48 %     48 %     48 %     48 %
Performance Share Units Value     145 %     94 %     94 %     94 %     94 %
Total     290 %     190 %     190 %     190 %     190 %

 

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2023 Stock Option Awards

 

As a result of the foregoing and on the recommendation of the Human Resources Committee, the Board granted stock options to the Named Executive Officers as set forth in the table below in March 2023. For the purposes of the award of stock options made in March 2023 to the Named Executive Officers: (i) the grant date was the third trading day following the release of the 2022 financial results of the Company; and (ii) the exercise price for each option was determined to be equal to the closing price of the Common Shares on the TSX on the second trading day following the release of the 2022 financial results of the Company. For the award of options: (i) the vesting schedule is 1/3 of the award on each of the first, second and third anniversary of the date of the grant; and (ii) the stock options are exercisable for a seven-year period following the grant date. For further details regarding the terms of the Share Option Plan, see “Share Option Plan” at page 93.

 

The total number of stock options granted to the Named Executive Officers in 2023 represents approximately 0.04% of the Common Shares outstanding as of March 20, 2024.

 

Stock Option Awards

 

Name of Officer   Title of Officer   Number of Stock
Options
    Option
Awards (2)
(C$)
 
Randy V.J. Smallwood   President and Chief Executive Officer     70,650 (1)       904,857  
Gary D. Brown   SVP and Chief Financial Officer     23,700 (1)      303,540  
Curt D. Bernardi   SVP, Legal and Strategic Development     23,700 (1)      303,540  
Haytham H. Hodaly   SVP, Corporate Development     23,700 (1)      303,540  
Patrick E. Drouin   President Wheaton International and Chief Sustainability Officer     18,840 (1)      241,295  
          160,590       2,056,772  

 

 
(1) These stock options will vest as to one-third on each of March 14, 2024, March 14, 2025 and March 14, 2026, respectively. The exercise price for these stock options is C$59.41.
(2) The amounts in this column are calculated using the Black-Scholes-Merton model. This is consistent with the accounting values used in the Company’s financial statements. The Company selected the Black-Scholes-Merton model given its prevalence of use within North America. Key assumptions and estimates used in the model include an expected average option life of 3 years, a discount rate based on the average yields of two-year, three-year and four-year Government of Canada benchmark bonds and a volatility of 30% based on historical volatility of the stock price of the Company as traded on the TSX during the 30 month period immediately preceding the grant date.

 

2023 Restricted Share Right Awards

 

On the recommendation of the Human Resources Committee as discussed under the heading “Long-Term Incentive Plan – Stock Options, Restricted Share Rights and Performance Share Units” on page 72, the Board granted Restricted Share Units to the Named Executive Officers as set forth in the table below in March 2023.

 

Each Restricted Share Right entitles the holder to one Common Share on the later of (i) the end of a restricted period of time determined at the time of grant, and (ii) a date determined by a holder that is after the restricted period of time but at or before retirement or termination. Further details regarding Restricted Share Rights and the Restricted Share Plan are described on page 96 under the heading “Restricted Share Plan”.

 

Grants of Restricted Share Rights have restricted periods that expire as to 1/3 on each of the first, second and third anniversary of the date of grant.

 

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Restricted Share Right Awards

 

Name of Officer   Title of Officer   Number of
RSUs (1)
    RSU
Award
Value (2)
(C$)
 
Randy V.J. Smallwood   President and Chief Executive Officer     15,230       904,815  
Gary D. Brown   SVP and Chief Financial Officer     5,110       303,585  
Curt D. Bernardi   SVP, Legal and Strategic Development     5,110       303,585  
Haytham H. Hodaly   SVP, Corporate Development     5,110       303,585  
Patrick E. Drouin   President, Wheaton International and Chief Sustainability Officer     4,060       241,205  
          34,620       2,056,775  

 

 
(1) In respect of grants of Restricted Share Rights made in March 2023, the restricted periods expire as to one-third on each of March 14, 2024, March 14, 2025 and March 14, 2026, respectively.
(2) Calculated by multiplying the grant date fair value of the Restricted Share Rights (being the closing price of the Common Shares on the TSX on March 13, 2023 of C$59.41) by the number of Restricted Share Rights awards. This is consistent with the accounting values used in the Company’s financial statements.

 

2023 Performance Share Unit Awards

 

On the recommendation of the Human Resources Committee as discussed under the heading “Long-Term Incentive Plan – Stock Options, Restricted Share Rights and Performance Share Units” on page 72, the Board granted Performance Share Units to the Named Executive Officers as set forth in the table below in March 2023.

 

Performance Share Units entitle the holder to a cash payment at the end of a specified performance period in an amount equal to the number of Performance Share Units held, multiplied by a multiplier as determined pursuant to certain specified performance criteria, multiplied by the fair market value of a Common Share as of the end of the performance period. Further details regarding the Performance Share Units and the Performance Share Unit Plan are described on page 95 under the heading “Performance Share Unit Plan”.

 

With respect to the particular award of Performance Share Units made in March 2023, the performance period is three years commencing March 14, 2023. The multiplier to apply at the end of the performance period is determined in accordance with the following table depending on the percentile that the total shareholder return of a Common Share (assuming reinvestment of all dividends) represents to the total shareholder return of the comparator group described below:

 

Wheaton Return Compared to Comparator Returns Multiplier
   
performance below the 37.5th percentile 0%
threshold performance at the 37.5th percentile 50%
performance at the median (50th percentile) 100%
maximum performance at the 75th percentile 200%

 

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The comparator group for the 2023 Performance Share Unit awards is comprised of: (i) the common shares of each of the following companies:

 

Agnico Eagle Mines Limited Kinross Gold Corp.

Alamos Gold Inc.

B2Gold Corp.

Newmont Corporation

Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd.

Barrick Gold Corporation Pan American Silver Corp.
Centerra Gold Inc. Royal Gold, Inc.
Franco-Nevada Corporation Sandstorm Gold Ltd.
Fresnillo plc SSR Mining Inc.
Hecla Mining Company Triple Flag Precious Metals Corp.

 

and (ii) the silver and gold price (collectively, the “PSU Comparator Group”). Provision is made to address situations where a comparator ceases to exist, or ceases to be relevant, or the Human Resources Committee otherwise determines in its sole discretion to add or remove a comparator in the PSU Comparator group. For the 2023 year, the PSU Comparator Group was adjusted to remove Yamana Gold Inc. as a result of the acquisition of Yamana by Pan American Silver Corp. For the 2024 year, it is anticipated that Newcrest Mining Limited will be removed as a result of the acquisition of Newcrest by Newmont Corporation and Lundin Gold Inc. will be added.

 

The PSU Comparator Group differs from the Comparator Group because of the different purposes for which the comparator groups are used. The PSU Comparator Group measures Company performance, with the result that the PSU Comparator Group is comprised of companies that are either royalty/streaming companies or silver mining companies of a similar size and complexity to the Company, and whose company performance the Company views as being comparable to its own. The Comparator Group, on the other hand, is used to benchmark Named Executive Officer base salary, annual performance-based cash incentives and long-term incentives, and is therefore intended to be more reflective of a comparator group with which the Company competes for employees and officers.

 

If the total shareholder return of a Common Share is greater than the lowest PSU Comparator Group return and less than the highest PSU Comparator Group return, then interpolation between the returns nearest to the total shareholder return of a Common Share will be used to determine the percentile achieved. Interpolation will also be used to determine the multiplier if the percentile that the total shareholder return of a Common Share represents is between the threshold performance (37.5th percentile) and the median or if such percentile is between the median and the maximum performance (75th percentile) range. The multiplier is capped at 100% if the total shareholder return of a Common Share for the performance period is negative.

 

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On the recommendation of the Human Resources Committee as discussed under the heading “Long-Term Incentive Plan – Stock Options, Restricted Share Rights and Performance Share Units” on page 72, the Board granted Performance Share Units to the Named Executive Officers as set forth in the table below in March 2023.

 

Performance Share Unit Awards

 

Name of Officer   Title of Officer   Number of
PSUs (1)
    PSU Award
Value (2)
(C$)
 
Randy V.J. Smallwood   President and Chief Executive Officer     30,460       1,809,629  
Gary D. Brown   SVP and Chief Financial Officer     10,220       607,170  
Curt D. Bernardi   SVP, Legal and Strategic Development     10,220       607,170  
Haytham H. Hodaly   SVP, Corporate Development     10,220       607,170  
Patrick E. Drouin   President, Wheaton International and Chief Sustainability Officer     8,120       482,409  
          69,240       4,113,548  

 

 
(1) These Performance Share Units have a three-year performance period commencing March 14, 2023.
(2) Calculated by multiplying the grant date fair value of the Performance Share Unit (being the closing price of the Common Shares on the TSX on March 13, 2023 of C$59.41). As PSUs are settled in cash, the accounting values used in the Company’s financial statements for determining the value of PSUs reflects the value of the anticipated settlement at the end of the associated performance period which is adjusted at the end of each reporting period to reflect fair market value of common shares and the number of PSUs anticipated to vest based on the anticipated performance factor.

 

Retirement Plans

 

For Canadian employees, the Company matches employee contributions to a registered retirement savings plan (“RRSP”) up to a maximum of 5/9th of the RRSP dollar limit as established under the Canadian Income Tax Act for the year.

 

In addition, effective January 1, 2019, the Company adopted the SERP. Under the SERP, at the end of each year the Company will make a notional contribution to each Canada employee’s account equal to the lesser of (i) 18% of the excess, if any, of the difference between an employee’s earnings for the year and the earnings required to max out the RRSP limit for that year, and (ii) 10% (15% in the case of the CEO, President and Senior Vice Presidents) of an employee’s earnings for a year, less any amount contributed by the Company to the employee’s RRSP for that year. For purposes of the SERP, earnings are calculated based upon an employee’s base salary in respect of that year plus the target bonus for an employee under the annual performance-based cash incentive plan. The Company will accrue notional interest at the end of each year equal to the amount contributed to an employee’s account as of the end of the prior year multiplied by the annual average five-year Government of Canada benchmark bond yield. The SERP is an unfunded plan. The SERP provides that if an employee has been with the Company for at least five years, then upon cessation of the employee’s employment with the Company (whether as a result of termination, resignation, retirement or death), the employee will receive the amount in the employee’s account in 10 equal annual instalments, in a single lump sum, or in equal instalments over a one to nine year period, as determined by the employee. The notional amounts contributed into the accounts for the NEOs for the year ended December 31, 2023 are set out in the Summary Compensation Table on page 86.

 

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The table below sets out the current undiscounted value of the notional SERP accounts for each of the NEOs as at December 31, 2023, including both notional contribution amounts and accrued interest.

 

Value of SERP at December 31, 2023

 

Name   Undiscounted
SERP Liability
January 1, 2023
(C$)
    Notional SERP
Company
Contribution for
2023 (C$)
    Accrued Interest
(C$)
    Undiscounted
SERP Liability
December 31,
2023 (C$)
 
Randy V.J. Smallwood     1,396,608       404,100       38,686       1,839,394  
Gary D. Brown     595,219       169,807       16,488       781,514  
Curt D. Bernardi     595,219       169,807       16,488       781,514  
Haytham H. Hodaly     595,219       169,807       16,488       781,514  
Patrick E. Drouin (1)     372,537       91,045       10,319       473,902  

 

 
(1) In connection with Mr. Drouin’s new position as President of Wheaton International and Chief Sustainability Officer, no further contributions will be made to Mr. Drouin’s notional SERP account, however interest will continue to be accrued.

 

As required under certain statutory provisions, in respect of certain employees of Wheaton International, contributions are made to a third-party plan (the “Caymanian Plan”). Amounts contributed under the Caymanian Plan are invested through the British Caymanian Pensions.

 

The Company does not have any other pension plans or other supplemental employee retirement plans.

 

Other Compensation – Perquisites

 

During the financial year ended December 31, 2023, none of the Named Executive Officers received perquisites that in the aggregate were greater than C$50,000 or 10% of the respective Named Executive Officer’s salary, other than as disclosed in the Summary Compensation Table.

 

Executive Share Ownership Policy

 

The Company has adopted a policy (the “Executive Share Ownership Policy”) which requires certain officers of the Company to hold a minimum number of Common Shares equal to five times base salary for the CEO and two times base salary for all other NEOs. Under the Executive Share Ownership Policy:

 

the ownership requirement must be attained within four years of becoming an officer and must be maintained throughout their tenure as such an officer; and
in calculating Common Share holdings, the officer may include any Restricted Share Rights and Performance Share Units held but may not include any stock options held.

 

The Human Resources Committee will periodically review and make recommendations to the Board as to what level of shareholding requirement is appropriate under the Executive Share Ownership Policy.

 

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The following table provides information regarding compliance with the Executive Share Ownership Policy for each Named Executive Officer as of December 31, 2023.

 

Executive Share Ownership Policy

 

    Share Ownership
Requirement
  Actual Share Ownership (1)
Name   Multiple of
Base
Salary
  Ownership
Requirement
(C$)
 

Common Shares (2)
(C$)

  Restricted Share
Rights (3)
(C$)
  Performance
Share Units (4)
(C$)
  Total Ownership
(C$)
  Satisfied
Ownership
Requirement?
Randy V.J. Smallwood   Five times   6,240,000   23,978,371
(366,810 Shares)
  1,922,924
(29,416 RSUs)
  5,659,735
(86,580 PSUs)
  31,561,030   Yes
Gary D. Brown   Two times   1,278,000   2,187,476
(33,463 Shares)
  667,232
(10,207 RSUs)
  2,032,353
(31,090 PSUs)
  4,887,061   Yes
Curt D. Bernardi   Two times   1,278,000   385,683
(5,900 Shares)
  1,438,598
(22,007 RSUs)
  2,032,353
(31,090 PSUs)
  3,856,634   Yes
Haytham H. Hodaly   Two times   1,278,000   $653,700
(10,000 Shares)
  667,232
(10,207 RSUs)
  2,032,353
(31,090 PSUs)
  3,353,285   Yes
Patrick E. Drouin   Two times   1,024,900   410,524
(6,280 Shares)
  507,533
(7,764 RSUs)
  1,521,814
(23,280 PSUs)
  2,439,871   Yes

 

 
(1) Represents Common Shares, Restricted Share Rights (referred to as Rights in table above) and Performance Share Units (referred to as PSUs in the table above) beneficially owned by the respective officers, directly or indirectly, or over which control or direction is exercised as of December 31, 2023. The number of securities held by officers is to the knowledge of the Company based on information provided by the officers.
(2) The value of the Common Shares is calculated using the greater of (i) the closing price of the Common Shares on the TSX on December 31, 2023 of C$65.37; and (ii) the weighted average acquisition cost of the Common Shares.
(3) This column includes all Restricted Share Rights held, including Restricted Share Rights in respect of which the restricted period has expired but for which an officer has elected to defer receipt of the Common Shares. The value of the Restricted Share Rights is calculated using the greater of (i) the closing price of the Common Shares on the TSX on December 31, 2023 of C$65.37; and (ii) the closing price of the Common Shares one business day prior to the date of grant.
(4) In accordance with the terms of the Executive Share Ownership Policy, the value of each Performance Share Unit is calculated using a performance factor of 100% applied to the number of Performance Share Units originally awarded (so that it is deemed to have the same value as one Common Share) and using the greater of (i) the closing price of the Common Shares on the TSX on December 31, 2023 of C$65.37 (taking into account Performance Share Units granted in lieu of dividends on Performance Share Units held); and (ii) the closing price of the Common Shares one business day prior to the date of grant.

 

The Board has approved a Human Resource Committee recommendation that effective March 2024, the Executive Share Ownership Policy be amended to (the “2024 ESOP”):

 

exclude Performance Share Units when calculating Common Share holdings;
allow the ownership requirement to be attained within five years of becoming an officer;
permit officers up to 12 months to comply with the Executive Share Ownership Policy where the officer ceases to be in compliance solely as a result of a sudden decline in the trading price of the Common Shares; and
permit officers up to three years to comply with the Executive Share Ownership Policy where the officer ceases to be in compliance solely as a result of the exclusion of Performance Share Units when calculating Common Share holdings.

 

If the 2024 ESOP amendments were in place as of December 31, 2023, all of the NEOs would have been in compliance with the 2024 ESOP.

 

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Market Value of Chief Executive Officer Share Ownership

 

The market value of the common shares, unexercised option-based awards and share-based awards of the Chief Executive Officer is as follows:

 

Ownership (1)  

Common

Shares

   

Unexercised

Options

   

Restricted Share

Rights

   

Performance

Share Units

 
Number Held     366,810       412,060       29,416       86,580  
Current Market Value (C$) (2)     22,331,393       6,821,797       1,790,846       9,110,060  
Percentage of Total Current Market Value     56 %     17 %     4 %     23 %
Total Current Market Value (C$)                             40,054,096  

 

(1) Represents total Common Shares, Restricted Share Rights and Performance Share Units beneficially owned by the Chief Executive Officer, directly or indirectly, or over which control or direction is exercised as of March 20, 2024. The number of securities held by Chief Executive Officer is to the knowledge of the Company based on information provided.

(2) Current Market Value calculated as follows, and includes both vested and unvested awards:

(a) For Common Shares, calculated using the closing price of the Common Shares on the TSX on March 20, 2024 of C$60.88;

(b) For unexercised options, calculated using the closing price of the Common Shares on the TSX on March 20, 2024 of C$60.88 less the exercise price of in-the-money stock options. These stock options have not been, and may never be, exercised and actual gains, if any, on the exercise will depend on the value of the Common Shares on the date of exercise;

(c) For Restricted Share Rights, calculated using the closing price of the Common Shares on the TSX on March 20, 2024 of C$60.88; and

(d) For Performance Share Units, calculated using the current market value of the Common Shares on March 20, 2024 of C$60.88 and an estimated performance factor which is consistent with those used in the Company’s financial statements for the period ended December 31, 2023.

 

Policy Regarding Certain Financial Instruments

 

The Board has adopted a policy that restricts all directors, officers and Vice-Presidents of the Company from entering into certain financial instruments that are designed to hedge or offset a decrease in the market value of: (i) compensation paid in equity in the Company that has not yet vested; (ii) equity in the Company that the individual is required to hold to satisfy the requirements of the Executive or Director Share Ownership Policy; or (ii) any other equity in the Company if the individual does not hold the underlying equity.

 

Executive Compensation Claw Back Policy

 

During 2023, the Board adopted an updated executive compensation claw back policy that is compliant with the NYSE listing standards. Under the policy, there is a mandatory claw back of incentive compensation paid by the Company to an executive if there is a restatement of financial results where the executive received higher incentive compensation than otherwise would have been received. The ability to claw back incentive compensation under the policy is regardless of whether there was misconduct or omission on the part of any executive. The policy applies to the NEOs as well as certain other Vice-Presidents who are in charge of a principal business unit or perform a policy-making function for the Company.

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Consideration of Risk Associated with Executive Compensation

 

The Audit Committee has the overall responsibility to identify, review and assess significant business, political, financial and control risks and exposures, and as part of that general mandate, considers significant risks associated with the Company’s compensation policies and practices. However, without limiting or reducing the scope of the Audit Committee’s role and responsibilities with respect to risk, the Board has also charged the Human Resources Committee with a complementary responsibility to identify, review and assess risks specifically associated with the Company’s compensation policies and practices, in order to facilitate a more granular review of risk as part of the overall consideration of the Company’s compensation policies and practices.

 

In fulfilling its responsibilities, the Human Resources Committee’s is required to:

 

adopt such practices as may be appropriate to identify and mitigate any compensation program that could encourage an executive officer to take inappropriate or excessive risks;

 

review the compensation program with a view to identifying, reviewing and assessing any risks and developing a mitigation strategy if determined appropriate in the circumstances; and

 

identify any risks arising from the compensation program that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.

 

The Human Resources Committee’s review of the Company’s compensation program is initiated through a detailed risk assessment of the compensation program prepared by management, which identifies risks associated with the Company’s compensation program and evaluates those risks on the basis of an impact assessment, likelihood of occurrence assessment, and an overall assessment of the effectiveness of the current compensation practice taking into account any mitigation strategies or practices. The Human Resources Committee members review that assessment based on their own expertise and knowledge of the Company’s compensation program.

 

As a result of the foregoing review, there were no aspects of the compensation program that were identified as being reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company. Contributing to that conclusion, a number of factors were identified that mitigated the potential for excessive risk taking, including:

 

Wheaton Risk Management Policy Application Why it is important
Balanced Approach to Compensation Applies to executives and all employees The Company has adopted a balanced compensation program consisting of base salary, retirement plan, bonus and long-term compensation which discourage inappropriate risk-taking
Significant Proportion of Long-term Compensation Applies to executives and all employees A significant portion of the Company’s compensation is paid in long-term compensation (48% for the CEO for the year ended December 31, 2023) which is designed to align the interests of management with the interests of the Company’s shareholders
Performance Applies to executives and all employees The Company relies on a number of corporate and personal performance metrics for payouts under the annual performance-based cash incentive
Caps on Compensation Applies to executives and all employees The Company has adopted caps on non-equity performance awards and the number of performance share units vesting, each equal to 200%  

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Wheaton Risk Management Policy Application Why it is important
Claw Back Policy Applies to executives as well as certain other Vice-Presidents who are in charge of a principal business unit or perform a policy-making function for the Company There is a mandatory claw back of incentive compensation paid by the Company to an executive if there is a restatement of financial results where the executive received higher incentive compensation than otherwise would have been received. The ability to claw back incentive compensation under the policy is regardless of whether there was misconduct or omission on the part of any executive
Anti-Hedging Policy Applies to executives, directors and Vice-Presidents The Company prohibits entering into hedging transactions with the Company’s common shares
Oversight and Human Resources Committee Discretion Applies to executives The Company has strong governance practices and oversight of the compensation program, together with Human Resources Committee discretion with respect to payouts under the annual performance-based cash incentive and other elements of the compensation program
Executive Share Ownership Applies to executives The Company requires holding common shares equal in value to 5x base salary for CEO and 2x salary for other executives

 

Succession Planning for President and Chief Executive Officer

 

The Board is responsible for succession planning for the role of the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and the Human Resources Committee is responsible for providing recommendations to the Board on succession planning for the President and Chief Executive Officer.

 

The Human Resources Committee formally considers succession planning for the President and Chief Executive Officer at meetings held in March of each year.

 

The Board recognizes that succession planning at the Company is challenged by the limited number of employees the Company has. The Company has a total of 42 employees as of March 20, 2024, including 15 employees of Wheaton International located in the Cayman Islands. Ultimately, an external hire may be necessary for the President and Chief Executive Officer role depending on the circumstances at the time of the vacancy. The Board seeks opportunities to interact with and develop potential eventual internal successors. The Board also encourages all employees to engage in professional development and training to improve their skills and abilities.

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Pay for Performance Alignment

 

As the most significant element of compensation paid to executives is provided in the form of equity compensation, which is intended to align with shareholder experience, the Company believes there is a strong link between executive compensation and Company performance. The chart below provides a comparison between three-year total shareholder return and the reported Summary Compensation Table pay for the CEO of the Company for the most recent year ended December 31, 2023, as compared with the Comparator Group. Where some of the 2023 reported Summary Compensation Table pay for the Comparator Group was not publicly available as of the date of this Circular, for purposes of comparing Summary Compensation Table pay, reported Summary Compensation Table Pay for the 2022 financial year of the Comparator Group was used, with an overall adjustment of 4.7%. Total shareholder return was calculated over a three-year period ended December 31, 2023 and assumes reinvestment of dividends paid during the period.

 

2023 Summary Compensation Table Pay & Three-Year Total Shareholder Return

 

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Performance Graph

 

The following graph compares the yearly percentage change in the cumulative total shareholder return for C$100 invested in Common Shares on December 31, 2018 against the cumulative total shareholder return of the S&P/TSX Composite Index and the S&P/TSX Global Mining Index for the five most recently completed financial periods of the Company, assuming the reinvestment of all dividends.

 

 

    Dec. 2018     Dec. 2019     Dec. 2020     Dec. 2021     Dec. 2022     Dec. 2023  
Wheaton Precious Metals Corp.     100.00       147.15       204.60       211.82       209.54       262.43  
S&P/TSX Composite Index     100.00       122.88       129.76       162.32       152.83       170.79  
S&P/TSX Global Mining Index     100.00       125.41       159.35       170.38       187.99       202.08  

 

The performance graph illustrates that Wheaton has overall outperformed both the S&P/TSX Global Mining Index (“Global Mining Index”) and the S&P/TSX Composite Index over the five most recently completed financial years of the Company. In addition, Wheaton substantially outperformed the Global Mining Index and the S&P/TSX Composite Index in the year ended December 31, 2023.

 

While share price is an important factor in Wheaton’s target corporate performance, the Human Resources Committee recognizes that management has little ability to influence commodity prices (which have a significant impact on the Company’s share price performance) and therefore does not place undue emphasis on share price performance in its evaluation of NEO performance. Other factors, as set out above under “Overview of How Compensation Program Fits with Compensation Goals” play a more significant role in the determination of executive compensation, including actions and decisions by management that support overall business strategy and operation of the business.

 

The Company’s share price performance does, however, have a significant impact on the NEO’s net realizable pay. A significant portion of the NEO total compensation is paid in long term incentive plan awards (48% of the CEO’s total compensation in 2023), the value of which will vary depending on the share price performance of the Company.

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Net Realizable Pay

 

The Company has included additional information showing the Chief Executive Officer’s realizable pay in the graph below. Realizable pay adjusts the calculation of compensation set out in the Summary Compensation Table to reflect the actual value of compensation realizable as at December 31, 2023 rather than grant-date value. The Company believes that the net realizable pay disclosure provides shareholders with an additional tool for evaluating pay of Named Executive Officers as it reflects the amount that is actually realizable by a Named Executive Officer. To assist with understanding the difference between the compensation set out in the Summary Compensation Table and the net realizable pay, the Company has also included the value of the Common Shares at the year-end for each of the periods in the graph below.

 

For the purposes of net realizable pay, the Company has made adjustments as follows:

 

Compensation Element Net Realizable Pay Disclosure Adjustment
Salary None
Annual Incentive Plan (Cash Bonuses) None
Share-Based Awards (PSUs) Based on information available as of the date of this Circular. The value is based upon PSU payouts for PSU awards that have vested. For PSU awards that have not vested, the value is calculated using the closing price of the Common Shares on March 20, 2024 and an estimated performance factor which is consistent with those used in the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Share-Based Awards (RSUs) The value for RSUs is calculated using the closing price of the Common Shares on the TSX as of March 20, 2024 in the case of RSUs granted that remain outstanding as of March 20, 2024; and as of the date of release in the case of RSUs granted but released prior to March 20, 2024.
Option-Based Awards The value of options granted in any year is calculated based on the difference between the closing price of Common Shares on the TSX and the exercise price: (i) as of March 20, 2024 in the case of options granted that remain outstanding as of March 20, 2024; and (ii) as of the date of exercise in the case of options granted but exercised prior to March 20, 2024.

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Five Year Net Realizable Pay, Summary Compensation Table Pay and Common Share prices – Chief Executive Officer

 

 

As illustrated above, net realizable pay for the years 2019 through 2023 was higher for all periods than the reported total compensation for the Chief Executive Officer as set out in the Summary Compensation Table, reflecting the significant impact of the increase in the price of the Common Shares on the realizable value of share-based and option-based awards. The price of the Common Shares increased by almost 70% from 2019 to 2023. The increase in the prices of Common Shares at the time of the grant of such awards, led to a significant decline in net realizable pay.

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Summary Compensation Table

 

The following table provides information for the three most recently completed financial years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 regarding compensation earned by each of the Named Executive Officers.

 

The aggregate total compensation paid to the Named Executive Officers represented 3% of the net earnings of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2023, or approximately 3% of the adjusted net earnings of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2023.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2023, the ratio of total Chief Executive Officer compensation to average employee total compensation at the Company was 9.3 to 1.

 

Adjusted net earnings is a non-IFRS measure. Please See “Non-IFRS Measures” in Schedule B to this Circular.

 

Summary Compensation Table (1)(7)

 

                              Non-equity incentive
plan compensation ($)
                 
Name and principal
position
  Year     Salary
(C$)
      Share-based
Awards (2)
(C$)
    Option-based
awards (3)
(C$)
    Annual
incentive
plans (4)
    Long-term
incentive
plans
    Defined
contribution
plans
(C$) (5)
    All other
compensation
(C$) (6)
    Total
compensation
(C$)
 
Randy V.J. Smallwood
President and Chief Executive Officer
  2023     1,248,000       2,714,444     904,857     2,325,400     -     404,100     -     7,596,801  
  2022     1,200,000       2,610,000     869,994     1,620,000     -     398,247     -     6,698,241  
  2021     1,127,000       2,028,304     676,170     2,129,400     -     372,021     -     6,332,895  
Gary D. Brown
SVP and Chief Financial Officer
  2023     639,000       910,755     303,540     879,800     -     169,807     -     2,902,902  
  2022     614,000       874,800     291,613     662,800     -     167,427     -     2,610,640  
  2021     585,000       833,659     277,839     857,700     -     158,714     -     2,712,912  
Curt D. Bernardi
SVP, Legal and Strategic Development
  2023     639,000       910,755     303,540     933,000     -     169,807     -     2,956,102  
  2022     614,000       874,800     291,613     691,200     -     167,427     -     2,639,040  
  2021     585,000       833,659     277,839     857,700     -     158,714     -     2,712,912  
Haytham H. Hodaly
SVP, Corporate Development
  2023     639,000       910,755     303,540     917,800     -     169,807     -     2,940,902  
  2022     614,000       874,800     291,613     676,600     -     167,427     -     2,624,440  
  2021     585,000       833,659     277,839     857,700     -     158,714     -     2,712,912  
Patrick E. Drouin
President, Wheaton International and Chief Sustainability Officer
  2023     512,450       723,614     241,295     599,860     -     91,045     -     2,168,264  
  2022     446,000       635,400     211,902     420,100     -     106,715     -     1,820,117  
  2021     425,000       605,799     201,896     524,700     -     101,141     -     1,858,536  

 

 

(1) Effective October 16, 2023, Mr. Drouin became President at Wheaton International and Chief Sustainability Officer and his compensation was changed from being paid in Canadian Dollars to being paid in United States Dollars. Except for Mr. Drouin’s salary and applicable Annual Incentive Plan payment relating to the period from October 16, 2023 to December 31, 2023, which was paid in United States dollars and converted for the purposes of the above table at the exchange rate of C$1.00 = US$0.7561, being the closing exchange rate for Canadian dollars in terms of the United States dollar, as quoted by the Bank of Canada on December 31, 2023, all other compensation in this Summary Compensation Table is paid in Canadian dollars. Mr. Smallwood does not receive any additional compensation relating to his role as a director.
(2) The amounts in this column represent the combined value of the Performance Share Units and Restricted Share Rights which were granted during the years in question. Restricted Share Rights are settled in Common Shares on the later of (i) the end of a restricted period of time determined at the time of the grant, and (ii) a date determined by a holder that is after the restricted period of time but before retirement or termination. The amounts in this column relating to Restricted Share Rights are calculated by multiplying the grant date fair value of the Restricted Share Rights (being the closing price of the Common Shares on the TSX as of the day before the award was made) by the number of Restricted Share Rights awards. This is consistent with the accounting values used in the Company’s financial statements. Performance Share Units are paid out in cash following a three-year performance period, based on the fair market value of a Common Share as at the end of the performance period and the achievement of certain performance criteria during such time. The amounts in this column relating to Performance Share Units are calculated by multiplying the grant date fair value of the Performance Share Units (being the closing price of the Common Shares on the TSX as of the day before the award was made) by the number of Performance Share Units awarded. As PSUs are settled in cash, the accounting values used in the Company’s financial statements for determining the value of Performance Share Units reflects the value of the anticipated settlement at the end of the associated performance period which is adjusted at the end of each reporting period to reflect fair market value of common shares and the number of Performance Share Units anticipated to vest based on the anticipated performance factor.

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(3) The amounts in this column are calculated using the Black-Scholes-Merton model. This is consistent with the accounting values used in the Company’s financial statements. The Company selected the Black-Scholes-Merton model given its prevalence of use within North America. Key assumptions and estimates for all employees used in the model include an average expected option life of 3 years, a discount rate based on the average yields of 2 year, 3 year and 4 year Government of Canada benchmark bonds and a volatility of 30% for 2023 (35% for 2022 and 2021), which is based on the historical volatility of the stock price as traded on the TSX of the Company during the 30 month period immediately preceding the grant date.
(4) Amounts in this column are paid as annual cash bonuses in respect of the financial year noted.  These payments are generally made by April 15 of the following financial year.
(5) Amounts in this column represent notional amounts contributed to the NEO’s account under the SERP and does not include accrued notional interest. In accordance with the terms of the SERP, the Company will accrue notional interest at the end of each year equal to the amount contributed to an employee’s account as of the end of the prior year multiplied by the annual average five-year Government of Canada benchmark bond yield. Please see table “Value of SERP at December 31, 2023” for details on the current value of the notional SERP account for each NEO and details on accrued interest.
(6) The value of all perquisites for each Named Executive Officer did not exceed the lesser of C$50,000 and 10% of the total salary of such Named Executive Officer in 2023, and are therefore not included in “All other compensation” as permitted under Canadian securities laws. All perquisites have a direct cost to the Company and were valued on this basis.
(7) Please see table “Value Vested or Earned During the Financial Year Ended December 31, 2023” for details on Performance Share Units, Restricted Share Rights and Options vesting during the year ended December 31, 2023.

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Incentive Plan Awards

 

The following table provides information regarding the incentive plan awards for each Named Executive Officer outstanding as of December 31, 2023. 

 

Outstanding Option-Based Awards and Share-Based Awards

 

    Option-based Awards     Share-based Awards  
Name   Number of
securities
underlying
unexercised
options
(#)
    Option
exercise
price
(C$)
    Option
expiration
date
  Value of
unexercised
in-the-money
options (1)
(C$)
    Number of
shares or units
of shares that
have not vested (2)
(#)
    Market or
payout value of
share-based
awards that
have not vested (3)
(C$)
    Market or
payout value of
vested
share-based
awards not paid
out or
distributed (3) (4)
(C$)
 
Randy V.J. Smallwood     121,210       32.93     25-Mar-24     3,932,053       86,580 PSUs       10,031,651       Nil  
    94,090       33.47     16-Mar-25     3,001,471       29,416 RSUs       1,922,924       Nil  
    63,130       49.86     16-Mar-26     979,146                          
    62,980       60.00     15-Mar-27     338,203                          
    70,650       59.41     14-Mar-28     421,074                          
Gary D. Brown     38,700       33.47     16-Mar-25     1,234,530       31,090 PSUs       3,640,848       Nil  
    25,940       49.86     16-Mar-26     402,329       10,207 RSUs       667,232       Nil  
    21,110       60.00     15-Mar-27     113,361                          
    23,700       59.41     14-Mar-28     141,252                          
Curt D. Bernardi     38,700       33.47     16-Mar-25     1,234,530       31,090 PSUs       3,640,848       Nil  
    25,940       49.86     16-Mar-26     402,329       10,207 RSUs       667,232       771,366  
    21,110       60.00     15-Mar-27     113,361                          
    23,700       59.41     14-Mar-28     141,252                          
Haytham H. Hodaly     38,700       33.47     16-Mar-25     1,234,530       31,090 PSUs       3,640,848       Nil  
    25,940       49.86     16-Mar-26     402,329       10,207 RSUs       667,232       Nil  
    21,110       60.00     15-Mar-27     113,361                          
    23,700       59.41     14-Mar-28     141,252                          
Patrick E. Drouin     28,110       33.47     16-Mar-25     896,709       23,280 PSUs       2,705,515       Nil  
    18,850       49.86     16-Mar-26     292,364       7,764 RSUs       507,533       Nil  
    15,340       60.00     15-Mar-27     82,376                          
    18,840       59.41     14-Mar-28     112,286                          

 

 

(1) Calculated using the closing price of the Common Shares on the TSX on December 31, 2023 of C$65.37 and subtracting the exercise price of in-the-money stock options. These stock options have not been, and may never be, exercised and actual gains, if any, on exercise will depend on the value of the Common Shares on the date of exercise.
(2) This column reflects PSUs and RSUs for which the vesting period had not yet expired as of December 31, 2023.
(3) In relation to RSUs, the figures in this column are calculated using the closing price of the Common Shares on the TSX on December 31, 2023 of C$65.37. In relation to PSUs, the figures in this column are calculated using the fair market value of the Common Shares at December 31, 2023 and an estimated performance factor which is consistent with those used in the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023.
(4) This column reflects RSUs for which the vesting period has expired and for which the holder has irrevocably elected to defer receipt of the Common Shares beyond December 31, 2023.

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The following table provides information regarding the value vested or earned of incentive plan awards for each Named Executive Officer for the financial year ended December 31, 2023.

 

Value Vested or Earned During the Financial Year Ended December 31, 2023

 

Name   Option-based awards – Value vested during the year
(C$)
    Share-based awards – Value vested during the year (1)
(C$)
    Non-equity incentive plan compensation – Value earned during the year (2) (C$)  
Randy V.J. Smallwood     224,528       4,664,393       553,439  
Gary D. Brown     92,231       1,917,793       205,443  
Curt D. Bernardi     92,231       1,917,793       205,443  
Haytham H. Hodaly     92,231       1,917,793       205,443  
Patrick E. Drouin     67,016       1,393,902       149,251  

 

 

(1) This represents PSUs vesting and paid during the financial year ended December 31, 2023.
(2) This represents RSUs vesting and underlying Common Shares sold during the financial year ended December 31, 2023.

 

The following table provides information regarding the value of stock options exercised by each Named Executive Officer during the financial year ended December 31, 2023.

 

Stock Options Exercised During the Financial Year Ended December 31, 2023

 

Name   Number of Options Exercised     Option
Exercise
Price
(C$)
    Value Realized
(C$)
 
Randy V.J. Smallwood     114,610       26.24       4,322,092 (1) 
Gary D. Brown     24,905       32.93       731,554 (1) 
Curt D. Bernardi     49,810       32.93       1,508,850 (1) 
Haytham H. Hodaly     49,810       32.93       1,349,821 (1) 
Patrick E. Drouin     34,520       32.93       1,111,035 (1) 

 

 

(1) Calculated using the applicable sale price of the Common Shares acquired on exercise of any stock options if any of the Common Shares were immediately sold following exercise on a particular day (or the closing price of the Common Shares on the TSX as of the day before the exercise if none of the Common Shares acquired on exercise of any stock options on a particular day were not immediately sold following exercise) and subtracting the exercise price of stock options.

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Termination and Change of Control Benefits

 

The Company has entered into employment agreements with each of Messrs. Smallwood, Brown, Bernardi, Hodaly and Drouin which are summarized below.

 

A “Change of Control” is defined in these employment agreements as (a) less than 50% of the Board being comprised of (i) directors of the Company at the time the respective agreements are entered into or (ii) any director who subsequently becomes a director with the agreement of at least a majority of the members of the Board at the time the agreement was entered into; (b) the acquisition by any person or persons acting jointly and in concert of 40% or more of the issued and outstanding Common Shares; or (c) the sale by the Company of property or assets aggregating more than 50% of its consolidated assets or which generate more than 50% of its consolidated operating income or cash flow during the most recently completed financial year or during the current financial year.

 

The applicable Change of Control provisions for the Named Executive Officers are “double-trigger” because they require a Change of Control and the termination or effective termination of the NEO.

 

Other than described above, the Company and its subsidiaries have no compensatory plans or arrangements with respect to the Named Executive Officers that results or will result from the resignation, retirement or any other termination of employment of such officers’ employment with the Company and its subsidiaries, from a change of control of the Company and its subsidiaries or a change in the Named Executive Officers’ responsibilities following a change of control.

 

Randy V.J. Smallwood

 

Mr. Smallwood’s employment agreement provides for a severance payment of three years’ salary, plus the greater of three times his annual bonus at target or three times the bonus received by him in the previous year, plus accrued but unused vacation time and benefits for the earlier of three years or until Mr. Smallwood receives comparable benefits from another source. This severance payment is to be paid if he is: (a) dismissed without cause; or (b) upon the occurrence of two triggering events (the “Double Trigger Events”) being: (A) a change of control of the Company (a “Change of Control” as defined below); and (B) that within six months of such Change of Control: (i) the Company gives notice of its intention to terminate Mr. Smallwood for any reason other than just cause; or (ii) Mr. Smallwood elects to terminate his employment as a result of certain events occurring to him, including a material decrease in his duties, powers, rights, discretion, salary or benefits a diminution of title, a change in the person to whom he reports, a material change in his hours, a material increase in the amount of travel required or a change in location of his principal place of employment to a location greater than 100 kilometres from his principal place of employment prior to the Change of Control.

 

Gary D. Brown

 

The employment agreement for Mr. Brown provides for a severance payment of two years’ salary, plus the greater of two times his annual bonus at target or two times the bonus received by him in the previous year, plus accrued but unused vacation time and benefits for the earlier of two years or until he receives comparable benefits from another source, to be paid if he is: (a) dismissed without cause; or (b) upon the occurrence of the Double Trigger Events.

 

The employment agreement for Mr. Brown further provides that he will not, at any time within a period of two years following the termination of his employment, either individually or in partnership, or jointly, or in connection with any person or persons, firm, association, syndicate, company or corporation, whether as employee, principal, agent, shareholder or in any other manner whatsoever, (i) enter into any streaming agreements in the precious metals sector; (ii) enter into any discussions or negotiations with any party who has made a proposal to the Company during his employment with the Company; or (iii) explore, acquire, lease or option any mineral property, any portion of which lies within 10 kilometres of any property which the Company or any party who has made a proposal to the Company during his employment with the Company has an interest, at the termination of his employment or any renewal of it.

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Curt D. Bernardi

 

The employment agreement for Mr. Bernardi provides for a severance payment of twelve months’ salary and bonus entitlement, plus two additional months of salary and bonus entitlement for each complete year of service with the Company, up to a maximum of two years’ salary and bonus entitlement, plus accrued but unused vacation time and benefits for the earlier of the number of months for which he is entitled to a severance payment or until he receives comparable benefits from another source. Bonus entitlement is equal to the greater of the target annual bonus for Mr. Bernardi or the bonus actually received by him in the previous year, all multiplied by the number of months for which he is entitled to a termination allowance, divided by 12. Upon a Change of Control, the employment agreement for Mr. Bernardi provides for a severance payment of two years’ salary, plus the greater of two times his annual bonus at target or two times the bonus received by him in the previous year, plus accrued but unused vacation time and benefits for the earlier of two years or until he receives comparable benefits from another source, to be paid if: (a) he is dismissed without cause; or (b) upon the occurrence of the Double Trigger Events.

 

The employment agreement for Mr. Bernardi further provides that he will not, at any time within a period of two years following the termination of his employment, either individually or in partnership, or jointly, or in connection with any person or persons, firm, association, syndicate, company or corporation, whether as employee, principal, agent, shareholder or in any other manner whatsoever, (i) enter into any streaming agreements in the metals sector; or (ii) explore, acquire, lease or option any mineral property, any portion of which lies within 10 kilometres of any property which the Company or any party who has made a proposal to the Company during his employment with the Company has an interest, at the termination of his employment or any renewal of it.

 

Haytham H. Hodaly

 

The employment agreement for Mr. Hodaly provides for a severance payment of twelve months’ salary and bonus entitlement, plus one additional month of salary and bonus entitlement for each complete year of service with the Company, up to a maximum of two years’ salary and bonus entitlement, plus accrued but unused vacation time and benefits for the earlier of the number of months for which he is entitled to a severance payment or until he receives comparable benefits from another source. Bonus entitlement is equal to the greater of the target annual bonus for Mr. Hodaly or the bonus actually received by him in the previous year, all multiplied by the number of months for which he is entitled to a termination allowance, divided by 12. Upon a Change of Control, the employment agreement for Mr. Hodaly provides for a severance payment of two years’ salary, plus the greater of two times his annual bonus at target or two times the bonus received by him in the previous year, plus accrued but unused vacation time and benefits for the earlier of two years or until he receives comparable benefits from another source, to be paid if: (a) he is dismissed without cause; or (b) upon the occurrence of the Double Trigger Events.

 

The employment agreement for Mr. Hodaly further provides that during his employment and following his employment for the period to which he was entitled to, or would have been entitled to, a termination allowance as described above, he will not be employed by, engaged by, interested in or involved in, either directly or indirectly, whether as principal, agent, employee, consultant, director, officer, shareholder, advisor, lender, financier or otherwise, any person or business: (i) engaged in or whose business includes metal streaming agreements; or (ii) that explores, acquires, leases or options any mineral property any portion of which lies within 10 kilometres of any property which the Company has an interest in or any property of a person in respect of which such person has made a proposal to the Company during his employment with the Company.

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Patrick E. Drouin

 

The employment agreement for Mr. Drouin provides for a severance payment of twenty-four months’ salary and bonus entitlement, plus accrued but unused vacation time. Bonus entitlement is equal to the greater of the target annual bonus for Mr. Drouin or the bonus actually received by him in the previous year, all multiplied by the number of months for which he is entitled to a termination allowance, divided by 12. Upon a Change of Control, the employment agreement for Mr. Drouin provides for a severance payment of two years’ salary, plus the greater of his annual bonus at target or the bonus received by him in the previous year, plus accrued but unused vacation time, to be paid if: (a) he is dismissed without cause; or (b) upon the occurrence of the Double Trigger Events.

 

The employment agreement for Mr. Drouin further provides that during his employment and following his employment for the period to which he was entitled to, or would have been entitled to, a termination allowance as described above, he will not be employed by, engaged by, interested in or involved in, either directly or indirectly, whether as principal, agent, employee, consultant, director, officer, shareholder, advisor, lender, financier or otherwise, any person or business engaged in or whose business includes metal streaming or royalty transactions.

 

Estimated Incremental Payment on Change of Control or Termination

 

The following table provides details regarding the estimated incremental payments from the Company to each of the Named Executive Officers if terminated without cause on December 31, 2023, or if, upon the occurrence of the Double Trigger Events (see description of employment contracts above for further details regarding Double Trigger Events).

 

    Severance Period
(# of months)
    Base Salary
(C$)
    Bonus
Target Value
(C$)
    Benefits
Uplift (1)
(C$)
    Total Incremental Payment
(C$)
 
Randy V.J. Smallwood     36       3,744,000       4,860,000       49,200       8,653,200  
Gary D. Brown     24       1,278,000       1,325,600       31,336       2,634,936  
Curt D. Bernardi     24       1,278,000       1,382,400       33,179       2,693,579  
Haytham H. Hodaly     24       1,278,000       1,353,200       73,731       2,704,931  
Patrick E. Drouin     23 (2)      982,196       785,757       2,543       1,770,496  
Patrick E. Drouin     1 (2)      42,704       34,163       -       76,867  
TOTALS             8,602,900       9,741,120       189,989       18,534,009  

 

 
(1) Amounts in this column reflect accrued vacation allowance as of December 31, 2023.

(2) This represents the entitlement the NEO would have received if terminated without cause on December 31, 2023, without a change of control having occurred.

(3) This represents the additional entitlement the NEO would have received following the occurrence of the Double Trigger Events (see description of employment contracts above for further details regarding Double Trigger Events).
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Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans

 

Equity Compensation Plans

 

The following table provides details of compensation plans under which equity securities of the Company are authorized for issuance under compensation plans as of the financial year ended December 31, 2023.

 

Equity Compensation Plan Information

 

Plan Category   Number of
securities to be
issued upon
exercise of
outstanding
options, warrants
and rights (1)
    Weighted-average
price of
outstanding
options, warrants
and rights (2) (C$)
    Number of
securities
remaining
available for future
issuance under
equity
compensation
plans (3)
 
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders     1,586,357       38.80       2,677,173  
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders     Nil       n/a       n/a  
Total     1,586,357       38.80       2,677,173  

 

 
(1) Represents the number of Common Shares reserved for issuance upon exercise of outstanding stock options and Restricted Share Rights. This table does not include warrants issued as part of the acquisition from Vale of 70% of the gold production from certain of its mines located in Canada for a period of 20 years. Under that transaction, on February 28, 2013 the Company issued warrants to Vale to purchase 10,000,000 Common Shares at a price of $65.00 per Common Share. On August 16, 2016, in connection with the Company’s second amendment to the Salobo gold interest, the exercise price of these warrants was lowered from US$65.00 to US$43.75 per Common Share. The warrants expired unexercised February 28, 2023.

(2) Where priced in United States dollars, converted to Canadian dollars at the exchange rate of C$1.00 = US$0.7561, being the closing exchange rate for Canadian dollars in terms of the United States dollar, as quoted by the Bank of Canada on December 31, 2023.

(3) Based on the maximum number of Common Shares reserved for issuance upon exercise of options under the Share Option Plan of 21,000,000 and upon exercise of Restricted Share Rights under the Restricted Share Plan of 2,000,000.

 

Share Option Plan

 

The Share Option Plan is designed to advance the interests of the Company by encouraging eligible participants, being employees, officers and consultants, to have equity participation in the Company through the acquisition of Common Shares. Non-executive directors are not eligible to participate in the Share Option Plan. The Share Option Plan was approved by the Company’s shareholders at the Company’s annual and special meeting of shareholders held on December 8, 2004 and was since amended by shareholders of the Company on April 26, 2007, May 21, 2009, May 9, 2014 and November 9, 2016. A copy of the Share Option Plan, as amended, is available under the Company’s profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

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The Company had 453,069,254 issued and outstanding Common Shares on December 31, 2023 and 453,140,951 issued and outstanding Common Shares on March 20, 2024 and the aggregate maximum number of Common Shares that may be issued under the Share Option Plan is 21,000,000, representing approximately 4.6% of the Company’s issued and outstanding Common Shares at December 31, 2023 and 4.6% of the Company’s issued and outstanding Common Shares at March 20, 2024. As at December 31, 2023, options to purchase an aggregate of 1,270,021 Common Shares, representing approximately 0.3% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares, were outstanding under the Share Option Plan and 17,729,380 Common Shares have been issued upon exercise of options granted under the Share Option Plan. This leaves 2,000,599 Common Shares, representing approximately 0.4% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares, available for issuance under the Share Option Plan. The total number of stock options granted to the Named Executive Officers in 2023 represents approximately 0.04% of the Common Shares outstanding as of March 20, 2024. The total number of stock options granted in 2023 (including to Named Executive Officers) represents approximately 0.07% of the Common Shares outstanding as of March 20, 2024. Any options granted under the Share Option Plan and which have been cancelled or terminated in accordance with the terms of the Share Option Plan without having been exercised will again be available for re-granting under the Share Option Plan. However, any options granted under the Share Option Plan and exercised will not be available for re-granting under the Share Option Plan. The annual burn rate of the Share Option Plan for each of the Company’s most recently completed fiscal years is as follows:

 

Share Option Plan   2021     2022     2023  
Number of stock options granted during fiscal year     317,560       283,440       316,580  
Weighted average number of shares outstanding     450,138,000       451,570,000       452,814,000  
Annual Burn Rate     0.07 %     0.06 %     0.07 %

 

The maximum number of Common Shares issuable to insiders, at any time, pursuant to the Share Option Plan and any other security-based compensation arrangements of the Company, is 10% of the total number of Common Shares then outstanding. The maximum number of Common Shares issuable to insiders, within any one year period, pursuant to the Share Option Plan and any other security-based compensation arrangements of the Company, is 10% of the total number of Common Shares then outstanding. The aggregate maximum number of Common Shares reserved for issuance to any one person pursuant to the Share Option Plan is 5% of the total number of Common Shares then outstanding.

 

Options granted under the Share Option Plan have an exercise price of not less than the closing price of the Common Shares on the TSX on the trading day immediately preceding the date on which the option is granted and are exercisable for a period determined by the Board, not to exceed ten years, subject to extension if they would otherwise expire during, or on or before the date which is two trading days after the last day of a blackout period (see below for further details). All currently outstanding options are exercisable for a period of (i) five years from the date of the award in respect of options granted before on or before December 31, 2020, and (ii) seven years from the date of the award in respect of options granted after December 31, 2020. The vesting of stock options is at the discretion of the Board. At December 31, 2023, 566,396 of the outstanding options issued under the Share Option Plan remained unvested. In the event of a change of control, all outstanding unvested options will become immediately exercisable notwithstanding any vesting provisions. All grants of stock options made after December 31, 2020 have a seven-year term with a vesting schedule of 1/3 on each of the first, second and third anniversary of the date of grant. Options granted under the Share Option Plan are not transferable or assignable and will cease to be exercisable: (i) within a period of 30 days following the termination of an optionee’s employment or upon retirement, subject to the Board’s discretion; and (ii) within a period of time following the death of an optionee in the discretion of the Board, not to exceed 12 months following the date of death. Under the terms of the option plan, the Company is not permitted to re-price any issued and outstanding options to a lower exercise price.

 

Subject to receipt of requisite shareholder and regulatory approval, the Board may make, among other amendments, the following amendments to the Share Option Plan: (a) change the maximum number of Common Shares issuable under the Share Option Plan; (b) change the definition of eligible participants which would have the potential of broadening insider participation; (c) add any form of financial assistance or amend any financial assistance provision which is more favourable to participants; (d) add a cashless exercise feature which does not provide for a full deduction of the number of underlying securities from the Share Option Plan reserve; (e) add a deferred or restricted share rights or any other provision which results in participants receiving securities while no cash consideration is received by the Company; (f) discontinue the Share Option Plan; and (g) any other amendments that may lead to significant or unreasonable dilution in the Company’s outstanding securities or may provide additional benefits to eligible participants at the expense of the Company and its shareholders. In addition, the Board may not amend the Stock Option Plan to allow for re-pricing of outstanding options without obtaining both shareholder and regulatory approval.

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Subject to receipt of requisite regulatory approval, where required, and without further shareholder approval, the Board may make any other amendments to the Share Option Plan including: (a) amendments to the vesting provisions of a security of the Share Option Plan; (b) amendments to the termination provisions of a security of the Share Option Plan which does not entail an extension beyond the original expiry date; and (c) adding a cashless exercise feature which provides for a full deduction of the number of underlying securities from the Share Option Plan reserve.

 

The Share Option Plan allows the expiry date of options granted thereunder to be the tenth day following the end of a self-imposed blackout period on trading securities of the Company in the event that they would otherwise expire during, or on or before the date which is two trading days after the last day of such a blackout.

 

Performance Share Unit Plan

 

The Company’s performance share unit plan (the “PSU Plan”) was approved by the Board in March 2011 and amended by the Board effective March 21, 2018.

 

The PSU Plan provides a framework for the issuance of performance share units (“Performance Share Units” or “PSUs”) which entitle the holder to a cash payment at the end of a specified performance period equal to the number of Performance Share Units granted, multiplied by a performance factor, and multiplied by the fair market value of a Common Shares at the expiry of the performance period. The specific elements of the PSU Plan are described in more detail below, and the specific elements of the award made to the Named Executive Officers in 2023 are described under the heading “2023 Performance Share Unit Awards” on page 74.

 

The PSU Plan provides that PSUs may be granted by the Board or, if so determined by the Board, a committee of the Board (the “Committee”) which administers the PSU Plan to employees, officers, directors and consultants of the Company as a discretionary payment in consideration of past and future services to the Company. The current intention of the Company is to use the PSU Plan for grants of PSUs to certain of the employees and officers of the Company.

 

There is no maximum number of PSUs that may be issued. The PSU Plan is for non-U.S. participants only and is settled in cash only, not Common Shares. As at March 21, 2024, an aggregate of 381,090 PSUs were issued and outstanding.

 

The Committee determines the terms and conditions of each award of PSUs at the time of the award, establishing the number of PSUs to be awarded to each participant, the performance period, the performance criteria, and any other terms and conditions the Committee may deem appropriate or necessary.

 

Each PSU entitles the holder to a cash payment equal to the fair market value of a Common Share at the end of the specified performance period multiplied by the applicable multiplier. The multiplier is determined according to the performance criteria established by the Committee at the time of the initial award of PSUs, but may not exceed 200%.

 

In the event of a participant’s: (i) retirement or termination during a performance period, any PSUs automatically terminate, unless otherwise determined by the Committee; (ii) death during a performance period, any PSUs accelerate with performance being calculated as of the quarter end before the date of death if the performance criteria is based on financial statements, or the day before the date of death if the performance criteria is based on any other metric; (iii) disability, any PSUs continue to vest according to the PSU Plan terms.

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Any dividends declared on Common Shares will result in an increase to the amount payable in cash at the end of the expiry of the performance period.

 

In the event of a change of control, unless the Board determine otherwise, any PSUs will be converted into a cash value based on the performance criteria with performance being calculated as of the quarter end before the date of the change of control if the performance criteria is based on financial statements, or the day before the change of control if the performance criteria is based on any other metric. The cash value may, at the option of the Board, either be converted into shares of the acquiror or remain denominated as a dollar amount, to be paid out in either case in cash at the end of the original performance period, subject to certain accelerating events.

 

Under the PSU Plan, the Board may from time to time amend the terms of the PSU Plan, provided that the amendment does not adversely affect a participant with respect to any PSUs previously awarded.

 

Restricted Share Plan

 

The Company’s restricted share plan (the “Restricted Share Plan”) was approved by the Company’s shareholders at the annual and special meeting of shareholders held on May 17, 2005 and was subsequently amended by the Board on June 6, 2006 and May 9, 2017. On May 17, 2017 the Company received TSX acceptance for certain amendments to the Company’s Restricted Share Plan. A copy of the Restricted Share Plan is available under the Company’s profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

 

The Restricted Share Plan provides that restricted share rights (the “Restricted Share Rights” or “RSUs”) may be granted by the Board or, if so determined by the Board, a committee of the Board (the “Committee”) which administers the Restricted Share Plan to employees, officers, directors and consultants of the Company as a discretionary payment in consideration of past and future services to the Company. The current intention of the Company is to use the Restricted Share Plan for grants of Restricted Share Rights to the non-executive directors of the Company as part of their annual retainer (see “Director Compensation” above for details) and to employees of the Company (see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” above for details of awards to Named Executive Officers). The aggregate maximum number of Common Shares that may be issued under the Restricted Share Plan is 2,000,000, representing approximately 0.4% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares as at December 31, 2023 and 0.4% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares as at March 20, 2024. An aggregate of 316,336 Restricted Share Rights, representing approximately 0.07% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares, were outstanding as at December 31, 2023 under the Restricted Share Plan and 1,007,090 Common Shares have been issued upon expiry of restricted periods attached to outstanding Restricted Share Rights granted under the Restricted Share Plan. This leaves 676,574 Restricted Share Rights, representing approximately 0.1% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares, available for issuance under the Restricted Share Plan as of December 31, 2023. The annual burn rate of the Restricted Share Plan for each of the Company’s most recently completed fiscal years is as follows:

 

Restricted Share Plan   2020     2021     2022  
Number of RSUs granted during fiscal year     96,680       91,780       93,990  
Weighted average number of shares outstanding     450,138,000       451,570,000       452,814,000  
Annual Burn Rate     0.02 %     0.02 %     0.02 %
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The maximum number of Common Shares issuable to insiders, at any time, pursuant to the Restricted Share Plan and any other security-based compensation arrangements of the Company is 10% of the total number of Common Shares then outstanding. The maximum number of Common Shares issuable to insiders, within any one year period, pursuant to the Restricted Share Plan and any other security-based compensation arrangements of the Company is 10% of the total number of Common Shares then outstanding.

 

A Restricted Share Right converts into one Common Share on the later of: (i) the end of a restricted period of time wherein a Restricted Share Right cannot be exercised as determined by the Committee (“Restricted Period”); and (ii) a date determined by an eligible participant that is after the Restricted Period and before a participant’s retirement date or termination date (a “Deferred Payment Date”).

 

Under the Restricted Share Plan, the Board may from time to time amend or revise the terms of the Restricted Share Plan or may discontinue the Restricted Share Plan at any time. Subject to receipt of requisite shareholder and regulatory approval, the Board may make amendments to the Restricted Share Plan to change the maximum number of Common Shares issuable under the Restricted Share Plan and to change the provisions relating to insider restrictions. All other amendments to the Restricted Share Plan may be made by the Board without obtaining shareholder approval, such amendments including an amendment to the restricted period of a Restricted Share Right or an amendment to the termination provisions of a Restricted Share Right. The Board approved changes so that grants of Restricted Share Rights made after December 31, 2020 have restricted periods that expire as to 1/3 on each of the first, second and third anniversary of the date of grant.

 

Canadian participants seeking to set or change a Deferred Payment Date must give the Company at least 30 days notice prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period in order to effect such change.

 

In the event of a participant’s retirement or termination during a Restricted Period, any Restricted Share Rights automatically terminate, unless otherwise determined by the Committee. Previously, Restricted Share Rights that vested and were deferred to retirement/termination or to a date following retirement/termination, were paid out at retirement/termination with no option to extend. Any outstanding RSUs can be extended at termination/retirement beyond retirement/termination with the consent of the Board of Directors. Otherwise, any Restricted Share Rights will be immediately exercised without any further action by the participant and the Company will issue Restricted Shares and any dividends declared but unpaid to the participant. In the event of death or disability, such Restricted Share Rights will be immediately exercised.

 

If a participant holds Restricted Share Rights that are subject to a Restricted Period, the Committee will have the discretion to pay a participant cash equal to any cash dividends declared on the Common Shares at the time such dividends are ordinarily paid to holders of the Common Shares. The Company will pay such cash dividends, if any, to those participants that hold Restricted Share Rights that are no longer subject to a Restricted Period and are exercisable at a Deferred Payment Date.

 

In the event of a change of control, all Restricted Share Rights will be immediately exercised notwithstanding the Restricted Period and any applicable Deferred Payment Date.

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Other Information

 

Indebtedness of Directors and Executive Officers

 

None of the Company’s directors, executive officers or employees, or former directors, executive officers or employees, nor any associate of such individuals, is as at the date hereof, or has been, during the financial year ended December 31, 2023, indebted to the Company or its subsidiaries in connection with a purchase of securities or otherwise. In addition, no indebtedness of these individuals to another entity has been the subject of a guarantee, support agreement, letter of credit or similar arrangement or understanding of the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

 

Interest of Certain Persons in Matters to be Acted Upon

 

No: (a) director or executive officer of the Company who has held such position at any time since January 1, 2023; (b) proposed nominee for election as a director of the Company; or (c) associate or affiliate of a person in (a) or (b) has any material interest, direct or indirect, by way of beneficial ownership of securities or otherwise, in any matter to be acted upon at the Meeting.

 

Interest of Informed Persons in Material Transactions

 

Since January 1, 2023, no informed person of the Company, nominee for election as a director of the Company, or any associate or affiliate of an informed person or nominee, has or had any material interest, direct or indirect, in any transaction or any proposed transaction which has materially affected or will materially affect the Company or any of its subsidiaries. See “Committees of the Board – Related Party Transactions” on page 44 for further details.

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Appointment of Auditors

 

At the Meeting, shareholders will be asked to approve an ordinary resolution for the appointment of Deloitte LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, as auditors of the Company until the next annual meeting of shareholders and to authorize the directors to fix their remuneration. Unless authority to do so is withheld, the persons named in the accompanying proxy intend to vote in favour of such resolution.

 

Deloitte LLP was first appointed as auditors of the Company on September 24, 2004. Wheaton recognizes the importance of independent auditors, and as a result, on an annual basis Wheaton’s Audit Committee conducts a formal assessment and reviews the performance of the independent auditor. In addition, at least every five years, the Audit Committee conducts a comprehensive review of the independent auditor which is deeper and broader than an annual assessment, focusing on:

 

Independence, objectivity and professional skepticism;

Quality of the engagement team; and

Quality of communications and interactions with the independent auditor.

 

Deloitte follows audit partner rotation guidelines, such that a new lead audit partner and lead quality review partner is assigned to Wheaton at least every five years; partners that complete a five-year term are required to observe a cooling off period of at least five years before providing any further audit or non-audit services to Wheaton. Our current lead audit partner has been the lead audit partner since the year ended December 31, 2021.

 

At the Company’s last annual and special meeting of shareholders held on May 12, 2023, 347,748,023 shares (representing over 97.07% of votes cast) were voted in favour of the Company’s appointment of Deloitte LLP as auditors and 10,506,966 shares (representing 2.93% of votes cash) were withheld.

 

Fees billed by Deloitte LLP in respect of services in 2022 and 2023 are detailed below:

 

Auditor Fees

 

    2022 (1)
(C$)
    2023 (1)
(C$)
 
Audit Fees (2)     1,257,099       1,383,716  
Audit-Related Fees (3)     -       79,715  
Tax Fees (4)     20,710       146,904  
All Other Fees     -       -  
TOTAL     1,277,809       1,610,335  

 

 
(1) Fees are paid in Canadian dollars.

(2) Audit fees were paid for professional services rendered by the auditors for the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements or services provided in connection with regulatory filings or engagements.

(3) Audit related fees relate to assurance services provided in connection with reporting requirements under the Company’s Revolving Facility and certain metrics disclosed in the Company’s annual Sustainability Report.

(4) Tax fees were paid for tax related compliance and advisory services.
WHEATON 2024 MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR [99]

Special Matters

 

Say on Pay Advisory Vote

 

The Company’s policy relating to executive compensation, known as “Say on Pay”, gives shareholders a formal opportunity to provide their views on the executive compensation plans of the Company through an annual advisory vote.

 

The Company will disclose the results of the vote as part of its report on the voting results for the Meeting. The advisory vote is non-binding on the Company and it remains the duty of the Board to develop and implement appropriate executive compensation policies for the Company. However, the Board will take the results into account when considering the executive compensation plans and policies of the Company for future periods. In the event that a significant number of shareholders oppose the resolution, the Board will endeavour to consult with its shareholders as appropriate (particularly those who are known to have voted against it) to understand their concerns and will review the Company’s approach to compensation in the context of those concerns. The Board will consider disclosing to shareholders as soon as is practicable, and no later than in the Circular for its next annual meeting, a summary of any comments received from shareholders in the engagement process and any changes to the compensation plans made or to be made by the Board (or why no changes will be made).

 

The Board believes that it is important to have constructive engagement with its shareholders to allow and encourage shareholders to express their views on governance matters directly to the Board outside of the Meeting. These discussions are intended to be an interchange of views about governance and disclosure matters that are within the public domain and will not include a discussion of undisclosed material facts or material changes.   At the Company’s last annual and special meeting of shareholders held on May 12, 2023, 303,830,867 shares (representing 92.02% of votes cast) were voted in favour of the Company’s non-binding resolution on executive compensation and 26,332,755 shares (representing 7.98% of votes cast) were voted against.

 

To the extent that votes cast against the Company’s non-binding resolution on executive compensation have exceeded 10% in the past, the Company has engaged with shareholders to determine the reasons for such votes. For instance, in respect of the annual and special meeting held in 2021, the Company engaged with shareholders and determined that certain changes were required to its approach to long-term incentive plans to increase the vesting periods. These changes were implemented at the May 13, 2022 annual and special meeting, resulting in a substantial reduction in the votes cast against the Company’s non-binding resolution on executive compensation.

 

At the Meeting, the shareholders of the Company will be asked to consider a non-binding advisory resolution on executive compensation, known as “Say on Pay”, as follows:

 

“BE IT RESOLVED THAT on an advisory basis, and not to diminish the role and responsibilities of the Board, that the shareholders accept the Board’s approach to executive compensation disclosed under the section entitled “Statement of Executive Compensation” in this management information circular delivered in advance of the Meeting.”

 

The Board and management recommend the adoption of the above resolution. To be effective, the non-binding advisory resolution on executive compensation must be approved by not less than a majority of the votes cast by the holders of Common Shares present in person, or represented by proxy, at the Meeting. Unless authority to do so is withheld, the persons named in the accompanying proxy intend to vote in favour of such resolution.

WHEATON 2024 MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR [100]

Shareholder Engagement & Contacting Board of Directors

 

Shareholder Engagement & Contacting the Board of Directors

 

We recognize the importance of engagement with our shareholders and all stakeholders. During 2023, over 60% of our engagement was done in-person with the remainder done virtually. We engaged with shareholders and other stakeholders through a number of avenues, including the following:

 

Wheaton Event Wheaton Engagement Who does Wheaton engage and what are topics?
Calls, Discussions & Meetings Senior Management We hold meetings and discussions with retail shareholders as well as institutional investors throughout the year to provide public information on our business and operations
Presentation Panels & Webinars Senior Management We participate in panels discussions and produce webinars throughout the year to provide information on our business and operations and our perspectives on global issues of importance to Wheaton
Conferences Senior Management We attend and present at investor conferences throughout the year to provide information and updates on our business and operations
Investor Presentations Directors/Senior Management We attend and present at investor presentations throughout the year to provide information and updates on our business and operations
Governance Engagement Directors We respond to and provide insight into our governance practices with shareholder advocacy groups as requested
News Releases Senior Management Released throughout the year to report on material changes as well as upcoming events, important dates (including dates of release of financial results), and disclosure of key documents such as sustainability report
Quarterly conference call Senior Management Open to all investors, we review our most recent financial results
Annual General Meeting Directors/Senior Management Open to all investors (hybrid meeting)

 

We value shareholder, employee and other interested party opinions, concerns and feedback. We invite you to communicate directly as follows:

 

  Board Matters Executive Compensation Matters Governance Practices
Who Chair of the Board

Chair of the Human Resources Committee

Chair of the Governance and Sustainability Committee
Telephone

604-639-9884 or
toll free at 1-866-696-3066

604-639-9884 or
toll free at 1-866-696-3066

604-639-9884 or
toll free at 1-866-696-3066

Email

board@wheatonpm.com

humanresources@wheatonpm.com governance@wheatonpm.com
Letter/ Mail

Wheaton Precious Metals Corp.

Suite 3500 – 1021 West Hastings Street

Vancouver, BC V6E 0C3

 

Attention: Chair of the Board of Directors

Wheaton Precious Metals Corp.

Suite 3500 – 1021 West Hastings Street

Vancouver, BC V6E 0C3

 

Attention: Chair of the Human Resources Committee

Wheaton Precious Metals Corp.

Suite 3500 – 1021 West Hastings Street

Vancouver, BC V6E 0C3

 

Attention: Chair of the Governance and Sustainability Committee

WHEATON 2024 MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR [101]

Additional Information

 

Additional Information

 

Additional information relating to the Company can be found at the Company’s website at www.wheatonpm.com, on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov. Financial information is provided in the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and management’s discussion and analysis for the financial year ended December 31, 2023 which can be found on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Shareholders may also contact the Vice President, Investor Relations of the Company by phone at 604-639-9883 or toll free at 1-800-380-8687, or by e-mail at info@wheatonpm.com to request copies of these documents.

 

Directors’ Approval

 

The contents of this Circular and the sending thereof to the shareholders of the Company have been approved by the Board.

 

  BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
   
  “Randy V.J. Smallwood”
  Randy V.J. Smallwood
  President and Chief Executive Officer

 

Vancouver, British Columbia

March 21, 2024

WHEATON 2024 MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR [102]

Schedule “A” – Charter of the Board of Directors

 

I. INTRODUCTION

 

A. The Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. (“Wheaton” or the “Company”) board of directors (the “Board”) has a primary responsibility to foster the short and long-term success of the Company and is accountable to the shareholders.

 

B. The directors are stewards of the Company. The Board has the responsibility to oversee the conduct of the Company’s business and to supervise management, which is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Company. In supervising the conduct of the business, the Board, through the Chief Executive Officer (the “CEO”) sets the standards of conduct for the Company.

 

C. These terms of reference are prepared to assist the Board and management in clarifying responsibilities and ensuring effective communication between the Board and management.

 

II. COMPOSITION AND BOARD ORGANIZATION

 

A. Nominees for directors are initially considered and recommended by the Board’s Governance and Nominating Committee in conjunction with the Board Chair and Lead Director, approved by the entire Board and elected annually by the shareholders.

 

B. A majority of directors comprising the Board must qualify as independent directors.

 

C. Certain of the Board’s responsibilities may be delegated to Board committees. The responsibilities of those committees will be as set forth in their terms of reference.

 

III.       DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

 

A. Managing the Affairs of the Board

 

The Board operates by delegating certain of its authorities, including spending authorizations, to management and by reserving certain powers to itself. The legal obligations of the Board are described in Section IV. Subject to these legal obligations and to the Articles and By-laws of the Company, the Board retains the responsibility for managing its own affairs, including:

 

(i) annually reviewing the skills and experience represented on the Board in light of the Company’s strategic direction and approving a Board composition plan recommended by the Governance and Nominating Committee;

(ii) appointing, determining the composition of and setting the terms of reference for, Board committees;

(iii) determining and implementing an appropriate process for assessing the effectiveness of the Board, the Board Chair and CEO, committees and directors in fulfilling their responsibilities;

(iv) assessing the adequacy and form of director compensation;

(v) assuming responsibility for the Company’s governance practices;

(vi) establishing new director orientation and ongoing director education processes;

(vii) ensuring that the independent directors meet regularly without executive directors and management present;

(viii) setting the terms of reference for the Board; and

(ix) appointing the secretary to the Board.

 

B. Human Resources

 

The Board has the responsibility to:

 

(i) provide advice and counsel to the CEO in the execution of the CEO’s duties;

(ii) appoint the CEO and plan CEO succession;

(iii) set terms of reference for the CEO;

(iv) annually approve corporate goals and objectives that the CEO is responsible for meeting;

(v) monitor and, at least annually, review the CEO’s performance against agreed upon annual objectives;

(vi) to the extent feasible, satisfy itself as to the integrity of the CEO and other senior officers, and that the CEO and other senior officers create a culture of integrity throughout the Company;

(vii) set the CEO’s compensation;

(viii) approve the CEO’s acceptance of significant public service commitments or outside directorships;

(ix) approve decisions relating to senior management, including:

(a) review senior management structure including such duties and responsibilities to be assigned to officers of the Company;

(b) on the recommendation of the CEO, appoint and discharge the officers of the Company who report to the CEO;
WHEATON 2024 MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR [103]

Schedule “A” – Charter of the Board of Directors

 

(c) review compensation plans for senior management including salary, incentive, benefit and pension plans; and

(d) employment contracts, termination and other special arrangements with executive officers, or other employee groups;

(x) approve certain matters relating to all employees, including:

(a) the Company’s broad compensation strategy and philosophy;

(b) new benefit programs or material changes to existing programs; and

(xi) ensure succession planning programs are in place, including programs to train and develop management.

 

C. Strategy and Plans

 

The Board has the responsibility to:

 

(i) adopt and periodically review a strategic planning process for the Company;

(ii) participate with management, in the development of, and annually approve a strategic plan for the Company that takes into consideration, among other things, the risks and opportunities of the business;

(iii) approve annual capital and operating budgets that support the Company’s ability to meet its strategic objectives;

(iv) direct management to develop, implement and maintain a reporting system that accurately measures the Company’s performance against its business plans;

(v) approve the entering into, or withdrawing from, lines of business that are, or are likely to be, material to the Company; and

(vi) approve material divestitures and acquisitions.

 

D. Financial and Corporate Issues

 

The Board has the responsibility to:

 

(i) take reasonable steps to ensure the implementation and integrity of the Company’s internal control and management information systems;

(ii) review and approve release by management of any materials reporting on the Company’s financial performance or providing guidance on future results to its shareholders and ensure the disclosure accurately and fairly reflects the state of affairs of the Company, and is in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, including interim results press releases and interim financial statements, any guidance provided by the Company on future results, Company information circulars, annual information forms, annual reports, offering memorandums and prospectuses;

(iii) declare dividends;

(iv) approve financings, issue and repurchase of shares, issue of debt securities, listing of shares and other securities, issue of commercial paper, and related prospectuses and recommend changes in authorized share capital to shareholders for their approval;

(v) approve the incurring of any material debt by the Company outside the ordinary course of business;

(vi) approve the commencement or settlement of litigation that may have a material impact on the Company; and

(vii) recommend the appointment of external auditors and approve auditors’ fees.

 

E. Business and Risk Management

 

The Board has the responsibility to:

 

(i) ensure management identifies the principal risks of the Company’s business and implements appropriate systems to manage these risks;

(ii) approve any plans to hedge sales; and

(iii) evaluate and assess information provided by management and others about the effectiveness of risk management systems.

 

F. Policies and Procedures

 

The Board has the responsibility to:

 

(i) approve and monitor, through management, compliance with all significant policies and procedures that govern the Company’s operations;
WHEATON 2024 MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR [104]

Schedule “A” – Charter of the Board of Directors

 

(ii) approve and act as the guardian of the Company’s corporate values, including:

(a) approve and monitor compliance with a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for the Company and ensure it complies with applicable legal or regulatory requirements, such as relevant securities commissions;

(b) require management to have procedures to monitor compliance with the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and report to the Board through the Audit Committee; and

(c) disclosure of any waivers granted from a provision of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics in a manner that meets or exceeds regulatory requirements; and

(iii) direct management to ensure the Company operates at all times within applicable laws and regulations and to the highest ethical and moral standards.

 

G. Compliance Reporting and Corporate Communications

 

The Board has the responsibility to:

 

(i) ensure the Company has in place effective communication processes with shareholders and other stakeholders and financial, regulatory and other recipients;

(ii) approve and periodically review the Company’s communications policy;

(iii) ensure the Board has measures in place to receive feedback from shareholders;

(iv) approve interaction with shareholders on all items requiring shareholder response or approval;

(v) ensure the Company’s financial performance is adequately reported to shareholders, other security holders and regulators on a timely and regular basis;

(vi) ensure the financial results are reported fairly and in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(vii) ensure the CEO and CFO certify the Company’s annual and interim financial statements, annual and interim MD&A and Annual Information Form, and that the content of the certification meets all legal and regulatory requirements;

(viii) ensure timely reporting of any other developments that have a significant and material effect on the Company; and

(ix) report annually to the shareholders on the Board’s stewardship for the preceding year.

 

IV.       GENERAL LEGAL OBLIGATIONS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

A. The Board is responsible for:

 

(i) directing management to ensure legal requirements have been met, and documents and records have been properly prepared, approved and maintained; and

(ii) recommending changes in the Articles and By-laws, matters requiring shareholder approval, and setting agendas for shareholder meetings.

 

B. Ontario law identifies the following as legal requirements for the Board:

 

(i) act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the Company, including the duty:

(a) to disclose conflicts of interest;

(b) not to appropriate or divert corporate opportunities;

(c) to maintain confidential information of the Company and not use such information for personal benefit; and

(d) disclose information vital to the business of the Company in the possession of a director;

(ii) exercise the care, diligence and skill that a reasonably prudent individual would exercise in comparable circumstances; and

(iii) act in accordance with the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) and any regulations, by-laws and unanimous shareholder agreement.
WHEATON 2024 MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR [105]

Schedule “B” – Non IFRS Measures

 

Non-IFRS Measures

 

Wheaton has included, in this document, a non-IFRS performance measure, adjusted net earnings. This non-IFRS measure does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS, and other companies may calculate this measure differently. The presentation of this non-IFRS measure 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.

 

i. Adjusted net earnings and adjusted net earnings per share are calculated by removing the effects of non-cash impairment charges (reversals) (if any), non-cash fair value (gains) losses and other one-time (income) expenses as well as the reversal of non-cash income tax expense (recovery) which is offset by income tax expense (recovery) recognized in the Statements of Shareholders’ Equity and OCI, respectively. 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)   2023     2022     2023     2022  
Net earnings   $ 168,435     $ 166,125     $ 537,644     $ 669,126  
Add back (deduct):                                
Impairment charge (reversal)     -       1,719       -       (8,611 )
Gain on disposal of Mineral Stream Interest     -       (51,443 )     (5,027 )     (155,868 )
Gain (loss) on fair value adjustment of share purchase warrants held     (217 )     (67 )     31       1,033  
Income tax (expense) recovery recognized in the Statement of Shareholders’ Equity     -       -       -       4,143  
Income tax (expense) recovery recognized in the Statement of OCI     (3,487 )     (7,214 )     3,719       (6,513 )
Income tax recovery related to prior year disposal of Mineral Stream Interest     -       (5,376 )     (2,672 )     2,404  
Other     (162 )     -       (644 )     (802 )
Adjusted net earnings   $ 164,569     $ 103,744     $ 533,051     $ 504,912  
Divided by:                                
Basic weighted average number of shares outstanding     453,010       452,070       452,814       451,570  
Diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding     453,611       452,778       453,463       452,344  
Equals:                                
Adjusted earnings per share - basic   $ 0.363     $ 0.229     $ 1.177     $ 1.118  
Adjusted earnings per share - diluted   $ 0.363     $ 0.229     $ 1.176     $ 1.116  

 

WHEATON 2024 MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR [106]

 

 

 

 

 

EX-99.3 4 tm241503d4_ex99-3.htm EXHIBIT 99.3

Exhibit 99.3

 

FORM OF PROXY SOLICITED BY THE MANAGEMENT OF WHEATON PRECIOUS METALS CORP.

FOR USE AT AN ANNUAL AND SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON

MAY 10, 2024

 

The undersigned shareholder(s) of WHEATON PRECIOUS METALS CORP. (the “Company”) hereby appoint(s) Randy V. J. Smallwood, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, or in lieu of the foregoing, Curt D. Bernardi, Senior Vice President, Legal of the Company, or in lieu of the foregoing,                                                                                            , to attend and vote on behalf of the undersigned at the Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders (the “Meeting”) of the Company to be held on Friday, May 10, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. (PST) and at any adjournments thereof. The Company has adopted an online virtual meeting platform in addition to the in-person meeting location and we encourage all of our shareholders to participate in the Meeting using this online platform. See important information below on voting at the Meeting using the online platform. More information regarding participating in the Meeting online, including browser requirements, is detailed in the Wheaton Virtual Meeting Guide provided with this notice and access notification or on Wheaton’s website at www.wheatonpm.com/Investors/annual-general-meeting/.

 

The directors and management recommend shareholders VOTE FOR the matters set out in items (a), (b) and (c) below.

 

The undersigned specifies that all of the voting shares owned by them and represented by this form of proxy shall be:

 

(a) VOTED FOR or WITHHELD FROM VOTING in respect of the election of the following directors:

 

  Name For Withhold
1. George L. Brack ¨ ¨
2. Jaimie Donovan ¨ ¨
3. R. Peter Gillin ¨ ¨
4. Chantal Gosselin ¨ ¨
5. Jeane Hull ¨ ¨
6. Glenn Ives ¨ ¨
7. Charles A. Jeannes ¨ ¨
8. Marilyn Schonberner ¨ ¨
9. Randy V.J. Smallwood ¨ ¨
10. Srinivasan Venkatakrishnan ¨ ¨

 

(b) VOTED FOR (    ) WITHHELD FROM VOTING (    ) in respect of the appointment of Deloitte LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, as auditors for 2024 and to authorize the directors to fix the auditors’ remuneration;

 

(c) VOTED FOR (    ) VOTED AGAINST (    ) a non-binding advisory resolution on the Company’s approach to executive compensation;

 

(d) VOTED on such other business as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment thereof;

 

hereby revoking any proxy previously given.

 

If any amendments or variations to matters identified in the Notice of Meeting are proposed at the Meeting or any adjournment thereof or if any other matters properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment thereof, this proxy confers discretionary authority to vote on such amendments or variations or such other matters according to the best judgement of the person voting the proxy at the Meeting or any adjournment thereof.

 

DATED this ___ day of _______________, 2024.  
   
   
Signature of Shareholder  
   
   
Name of Shareholder (Please Print)  

 

Quarterly Reports Request – Wheaton Precious Metal Corp.’s Interim Consolidated Financial Report and related MD&A are available at www.wheatonpm.com, but if you want to receive (or continue to receive) Interim Consolidated Financial Reports and related MD&A by mail, mark the box and return this form. If you do not mark the box, or do not return this form, Interim Consolidated Financial Reports and related MD&A will not be sent to you in 2024. ¨ 
   
Annual Report Request – Wheaton Precious Metal Corp.’s Audited Annual Consolidated Financial Statements and related MD&A are available at www.wheatonpm.com, but if you want to receive (or continue to receive) Audited Annual Consolidated Financial Statements and related MD&A by mail, mark the box and return this form. If you do not mark the box, or do not return this form, Audited Annual Consolidated Financial Statements and related MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2024 will not be sent to you. ¨ 

 

PLEASE SEE NOTES ON REVERSE

 

 


 

Notes:

 

(1) A shareholder has the right to appoint a person (who need not be a shareholder) to attend and act for them and on their behalf at the Meeting or any adjournment thereof other than the persons designated in the enclosed form of proxy. Such right may be exercised by striking out the names of the persons designated therein and by inserting in the blank space provided for that purpose the name of the desired person or by completing another form of proxy.

 

(2) The shares represented by this proxy will be voted in accordance with the instructions of the shareholder on any ballot that may be called for and, subject to section 114 of the Business Corporations Act (Ontario), where a choice is specified, the shares shall be voted accordingly. Where no specification is made, the shares will be VOTED FOR the matters set out in items (a), (b) and (c) above.

 

(3) Proxies to be used at the Meeting or any adjournment thereof must be received by the Company’s transfer agent indicated below not less than 48 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) before the time for holding the Meeting or any adjournment thereof.

 

(4) This proxy ceases to be valid one year from its date.

 

(5) If your address as shown is incorrect, please give your correct address when returning this proxy.

 

(6) Registered shareholders or proxyholders (including non-registered shareholders who have duly appointed themselves as proxyholders) attending the online Meeting do not need to complete a proxy. The online Meeting can be accessed at https://virtual-meetings.tsxtrust.com/1596. Registered shareholders and duly appointed proxyholders (including non-registered shareholders who have duly appointed themselves as proxyholders) may enter the online Meeting platform by clicking “I have a control number” and entering a valid control number and the password “wheaton2024” (case sensitive) before the start of the Meeting. Non-registered shareholders who wish to vote at the Meeting through the online virtual platform must insert their own name in the space provided on the VIF received from the nominee. In so doing, such non-registered shareholder will be instructing its nominee to appoint such non-registered shareholder as proxyholder. Non-registered shareholders must adhere strictly to the signature and return instructions provided by their nominee. It is not necessary to complete the form in any other respect, since such non-registered shareholder will be voting at the Meeting by voting online through the online virtual Meeting platform. Non-registered shareholders who wish to vote at the Meeting must register as proxyholder by contacting TSX Trust Company at 1-866-751-6315 (in North America) or 1 (416) 682-3860 outside North America or by completing the electronic form located at: https://www.tsxtrust.com/control-number-request by 10:30a.m. PST on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. TSX Trust Company will then provide the non-registered shareholder with a control number by email after the proxy voting deadline has passed. The control number is the non-registered shareholder’s username for the purposes of logging into the Meeting.

 

(7) Registered shareholders who are unable to attend the online virtual meeting or in person should return the completed form of proxy in one of the options noted below:

 

Online

 

Vote at www.meeting-vote.com. You will need the 13-digit control number located on the proxy.

Email Mail

 

Send to proxyvote@tmx.com

 

Return your completed and signed proxy card using the return envelope that was provided to you.

 

 

 

EX-99.4 5 tm241503d4_ex99-4.htm EXHIBIT 99.4

Exhibit 99.4

 

Notice of 2024 Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders

 

Important Meeting Information 
Date è May 10, 2024
Time è 10:30a.m. (PST)
Virtual è https://virtual-meetings.tsxtrust.com/1596
In person è Offices of Cassels, Brock & Blackwell LLP, Suite 2200 HSBC Building, 885 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3E8

 

Dear Wheaton Shareholders,

 

You are invited to attend the Annual and Special Meeting of shareholders (the “Meeting”) of Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. (“Wheaton” or the “Company”) for the following purposes:

 

· To receive the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023;
  · To elect the ten director nominees;
· To appoint Deloitte LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, as auditors for 2024; and
· To approve a non-binding advisory resolution on the Company’s approach to executive compensation.

 

Shareholders may also transact any other business which may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment of the Meeting. Wheaton’s board of directors has by resolution fixed the close of business on March 15, 2024 as the record date. Your vote as a shareholder is important.

 

Wheaton has adopted an online virtual Meeting platform and we encourage all of our shareholders to participate in the Meeting using this online platform. All eligible shareholders participating in our online virtual Meeting platform will be able listen to the Meeting live and ask questions online. For registered shareholders or proxyholders (including non-registered shareholders who have appointed themselves as proxyholder) participating in our online virtual Meeting, such holders will also be able to submit votes at the Meeting in real time. Further information is provided in the section headed “How Do I Join the Wheaton Online Virtual Meeting?” and “How do I ask a Question at the Meeting?”. Shareholders may also attend the Meeting in person. Any shareholder attending in person will be required to comply with the then-current protocols in place at the offices of Cassels, Brock & Blackwell LLP.

 

If you are unable to attend the online virtual Meeting or in person, Wheaton encourages all shareholders to vote by proxy in advance of the Meeting date. See “General Proxy Information” in the Company’s management information circular (the “Circular”) for details on how you can vote by proxy. If you are a registered shareholder, please complete and return the enclosed form of proxy by no later than 10:30 a.m. (PST) on May 8, 2024. Non-registered shareholders should follow the voting instructions provided to them in the accompanying materials.

 

Carefully read the Circular accompanying this notice before voting. Wheaton has delivered the Circular by posting it to the Company’s website (www.wheatonpm.com/Investors/annual-general-meeting/) to help reduce paper use and printing costs. The Circular will also be available at www.sedarplus.ca and www.sec.gov and shareholders may request a paper copy of the Circular (at no cost) by calling toll-free at 1-888-433-6443 or by emailing tsxt-fulfilment@tmx.com. Shareholders can request to receive the Company’s annual and/or interim financial statements and management’s discussion and analysis on the form of proxy or voting instruction form accompanying the Circular. Otherwise they are available upon request to the Company or at www.sedarplus.ca, www.sec.gov, or www.wheatonpm.com.

 

  By Order of the Board of Directors
  “Randy V. J. Smallwood”
  Randy V. J. Smallwood, President and Chief Executive Officer
  March 21, 2024

 

WHEATON 2024 MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR [1]

 

EX-99.5 6 tm241503d4_ex99-5.htm EXHIBIT 99.5
Exhibit 99.5

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tsxtrust.com Virtual Meeting Guide 1/2 Meeting Date Time URL Meeting Password (case sensitive) Issuer Name Please login at least 15 minutes before the start of the meeting and ensure your web browser and internet connection are working properly. This year we will be conducting a virtual meeting, giving you the opportunity to attend the meeting online, using your smartphone, tablet or computer. You will be able to view a live webcast of the Meeting, ask questions and submit your votes in real time (where applicable). APPOINTING SOMEONE TO BE YOUR PROXYHOLDER An additional step is required, if you appoint someone to be your proxy, other than the individual(s) named on the form of proxy or voting instruction form, you or your proxy will be required to register with TSX Trust to obtain a valid Control Number, in order to participate at the Meeting. To Register, please go the URL below. NON-REGISTERED HOLDERS, holding securities through a broker or financial institution, should carefully follow the instructions set out on the voting instruction form and in the information circular. Please note that only registered securityholders and proxyholders are permitted to vote at the meeting. A non-registered securityholder wishing to vote at the meeting, should appoint themselves as a proxyholder, and will be required to register with TSX Trust to obtain a Control Number in order participate at the Meeting. NOTE: If you do not register with TSX Trust and obtain a valid Control Number you will NOT be able to participate at the Meeting. ATTENDING THE MEETING VIRTUALLY Simply go to the following website in your web browser (not a Google search) on your smartphone, tablet or computer. You will need the latest versions of Chrome, Safari, Edge or Firefox. Please ensure your browser is compatible by logging in early. I HAVE A CONTROL NUMBER / MEETING ACCESS NUMBER If you have received a form of proxy from our transfer agent, TSX Trust Company, with a control number, or you are a proxyholder who has obtained a valid Control Number, select “I have a Control Number / Meeting Access Number” and enter the numbers and the password below (case sensitive): I AM A GUEST If you do not have a control number select “I am a Guest” and fill in the required information. To Register with TSX Trust and obtain a Control Number go to: tsxtrust.com/control-number-request


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Virtual Meeting Guide 2/2 NAVIGATION When successfully authenticated, the info screen will be displayed. You can view the company information, ask questions and watch the webcast. If you would like to watch the webcast press the play icon. If viewing on a computer, the webcast will appear automatically once the meeting has started. VOTING Once the voting is announced, click the voting icon on the left hand side. To vote, simply select your voting direction from the options shown on screen and click SUBMIT. A confirmation message will appear to show your vote has been received. If you have additional control numbers to vote, click at the top to enter the additional credential. To change your vote, simply click Voting will remain open until the voting on the ballot is closed. QUESTIONS Eligible securityholders (registered securityholder and proxyholders) attending the meeting with their valid Control Number, may ask questions during the meeting. Messages can be submitted at any time during the Q&A session up until the Chair closes the session. If you would like to ask a question, select the icon on the left. Type your message within the chat box in the messaging screen. Once you are happy with your message click the “Ask Now” button Questions sent via TSX Trust Virtual Meeting platform will be moderated before being sent to the Chair ADDITIONAL NOTES This document should be read in conjunction with the Information Circular. Registered and Non-registered securityholders should carefully follow the instructions on the Form of Proxy / Voting Instruction Form, and ensure that Votes / Proxy Appointments are submitted by the Proxy Filing Deadline. It is important that you are connected to the internet at all times during the Meeting. It is your responsibility to ensure connectivity for the duration of the Meeting. We encourage you to log-in to the Meeting at least 15 minutes before the start of the Meeting to check your connectivity and audio settings. For assistance logging into the virtual meeting platform, please contact: tsxtVGMinfo@tmx.com tsxtrust.com