PRESS RELEASE: Wheaton Precious Metals is a precious metals streaming company that has streaming agreements in place for 20 operating mines and nine development stage projects around the globe. The Canada-based firm provides funding arrangements for mine operators, partnering with large and small businesses that share the company's values and belief in responsible mining.

Simon Hille, director of CEEC, said that the organisation welcomed the support of Wheaton Precious Metals and looked forward to collaborating on promoting initiatives that result in lower footprint mining.

He commented: "Wheaton Precious Metals clearly demonstrates its ability to provide value for shareholders while upholding its commitment to sustainable development principles. Both of our organisations are keenly interested in improvements and innovations that drive energy efficiency and productivity, so this sponsorship enables us to work together to foster greater global sustainability in mining and processing."

Maurice Tagami, technical ambassador at Wheaton Precious Metals, said that the company was looking forward to the knowledge sharing opportunities provided by CEEC sponsorship.

He stated: "We pride ourselves on using our outstanding technical expertise to help operators increase mine site productivity. Our collaboration with CEEC is a ‘win-win', allowing us to share and implement initiatives that provide tangible financial and environmental benefits to operators at all stages of the mining process.

"Reducing the footprint of the operations we fund also helps us maintain our social licence to operate and safeguard the health and vibrancy of communities and the environment, now and into the future."

Tagami added that Wheaton Precious Metals was proud to be the first streaming and royalty company to initiate community investment programmes in the areas where its assets operate.

He noted: "Since 2014, we've provided financial support for our mining partners' economic, environmental and social initiatives within the communities directly influenced by the mines. The programme is designed to increase the impact of our partners' initiatives, either by matching their funds for specific projects, or in some instances by providing funding for new projects."

Hille said that the addition of the Wheaton to CEEC's list of sponsors highlighted the not-for-profit organisation's global reach in communicating and collaborating on energy efficient minerals processing and optimised comminution solutions.

He explained: "CEEC's mandate is to help facilitate good knowledge sharing through credible scientific work. It's only by having the support of sponsors from around the world that we can continue to promote cutting-edge energy efficient mining processes that reduce environmental impact, lower costs and strengthen shareholder value."