Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. is a Canada-based precious metals streaming company that acquires and manages long-term purchase agreements for metals produced by mining companies. Rather than operating mines, Wheaton provides upfront and ongoing financing to miners in exchange for the right to purchase a portion of the metals produced — typically silver and gold, and occasionally other precious metals — at predetermined prices. This streaming business model offers investors exposure to metal production with reduced operating and capital-cost risk compared with traditional mining companies.
The company’s activities center on structuring and maintaining a diversified portfolio of streaming agreements across multiple jurisdictions. Wheaton’s streams entitle it to receive physical deliveries of metal or the cash equivalent under contract terms, and the company works with a range of producing and development-stage mining operations to secure these streams. Its portfolio spans a variety of geographies where precious metals are mined, providing exposure to different mines, ore types and regional operating environments without direct ownership or responsibility for mine operations.
Wheaton Precious Metals was originally founded under the name Silver Wheaton and adopted its current name to reflect a broader focus on precious metals. Headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, the company is managed by an experienced executive team and board with expertise in mining finance and metals markets; Randy Smallwood has served as president and chief executive officer. Wheaton’s positioning as a financial partner to mining companies makes it a notable participant in the precious metals sector, offering investors a financing-linked route to metal production rather than direct mining operations.