Wheaton Precious Metals Launches Third Annual $1 Million Future of Mining Challenge Focused on Mine Optimization and Reducing Land Impacts

Executive Summary

• Wheaton Precious Metals launches the third annual $1 million Future of Mining Challenge, inviting global cleantech innovators to develop solutions that optimize mining methods and reduce land impacts.
• The initiative is executed in partnership with the University of British Columbia's Sauder School of Business, with the winning venture to be announced at the 2027 PDAC Convention in Toronto.
• The 2026/2027 cycle follows the previous year's focus on sustainable water management, which awarded $1 million to Cetos Water for its wastewater-to-clean-water technology.

Key Details

• Prize & Focus: US$1 million awarded to a cleantech venture developing innovative technology to strengthen orebody knowledge or improve extraction methods.
• Submission Deadline: Expressions of interest accepted until 11:59 p.m. (Pacific Time) on August 21, 2026.
• Application Process: Following review of expressions of interest, select ventures will be invited to submit full applications in September 2026.
• Information Session: Scheduled for early July 2026 to provide applicant guidance and address procedural questions.
• Winner Announcement: March 2027 at the PDAC Convention in Toronto.
• Previous Cycle Results: The 2025/2026 challenge focused on sustainable water management; winner Cetos Water received $1 million for technology that transforms mining wastewater into clean, reusable water.
• Strategic Partner: University of British Columbia's Sauder School of Business, providing expertise in venture building and early-stage innovation support.
• Program Website: www.futureofmining.ca

Notable Quotes

• Haytham Hodaly, President and CEO: "Mining resources underpin nearly every sector, and as global demand grows, the need to produce them responsibly has never been greater... We believe innovation is key to improving efficiency, enhancing performance, and reducing environmental impacts."
• Patrick Drouin, Chief Sustainability Officer: "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."