Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. has officially launched the third edition of its Future of Mining Challenge, inviting innovators from around the globe to submit proposals that optimize mining operations and reduce land impacts. The Vancouver-based company announced the return of the competition, which will award US$1 million to a cleantech venture with a groundbreaking technology aimed at strengthening orebody knowledge or improving extraction methods.
Innovation for Responsible Mining
Haytham Hodaly, President and Chief Executive Officer of Wheaton, emphasized the critical role of innovation in meeting growing global demand for responsibly produced mining resources. "We believe innovation is key to improving efficiency, enhancing performance, and reducing environmental impacts," Hodaly stated. "The third edition of the Future of Mining Challenge is focused on advancing solutions that optimize mining methods and reduce impacts on land. We have been encouraged by the creativity and progress of past participants and look forward to the ideas this year's challenge will bring."
Challenge Details and Timeline
For the 2026/2027 cycle, Wheaton will accept expressions of interest until 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on Friday, August 21, 2026. After reviewing submissions, selected ventures will be invited to submit full applications in September 2026. An information session is scheduled for early July to guide applicants and address process-related questions. The winner will be announced in March 2027 during the PDAC Convention in Toronto, the world's largest mining conference.
Partnership with UBC Sauder
Wheaton continues its collaboration with the University of British Columbia's Sauder School of Business, leveraging expertise in venture building and early-stage innovation support. Patrick Drouin, Chief Sustainability Officer of Wheaton, highlighted the importance of backing bold technologies: "It is remarkable to see how far mining has advanced, driven by the ingenuity of entrepreneurial minds committed to progressing the industry forward. By backing bold, early-stage technologies, we hope to accelerate the next generation of solutions that improve performance and reduce environmental impact."
Previous Winner
The 2025/2026 challenge focused on sustainable water management, with Cetos Water winning US$1 million for its technology that converts mining wastewater into clean, reusable water. This year's challenge shifts focus to mine optimization and land impact reduction.
About Wheaton Precious Metals
Wheaton Precious Metals is the world's premier precious metals streaming company, offering shareholders access to a high-quality portfolio of low-cost, long-life mines globally. Through strategic streaming agreements, Wheaton partners with mining companies to secure future precious metals production while adhering to responsible mining practices. The company's shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange, New York Stock Exchange, and London Stock Exchange under the symbol WPM. For more information, visit www.futureofmining.ca or www.wheatonpm.com.
