Company on track to significantly increase production and free cash flow in second half of year
Proceeding with Manh Choh project to increase gold production in Alaska at lower costs

TORONTO, July 27, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kinross Gold Corporation (TSX: K, NYSE: KGC) (“Kinross” or the “Company”) today announced its results for the second-quarter ended June 30, 2022.

This news release contains forward-looking information about expected future events and financial and operating performance of the Company. Please refer to the risks and assumptions set out in our Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information located on page 33 of this release. All dollar amounts are expressed in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise noted.

Results from the Company’s Russian and Ghanaian assets have been excluded from its Q2 2022 continuing results, along with comparative figures, due to the classification of these assets as discontinued as at June 30, 2022.

Q2 2022 highlights from continuing operations:

• Gold equivalent production of 453,978 Au eq. oz. produced.
• Production cost of sales¹ of $1,027 per Au eq. oz. sold and all-in sustaining cost² of $1,341 per Au eq. oz. sold.
• Margins³ of $845 per Au eq. oz. sold.  
• Adjusted operating cash flow² of $251.9 million, operating cash flow⁴ of $257.1 million and free cash flow² of $107.7 million.
• Reported net loss⁵ of $9.3 million, or $0.01 per share, with adjusted net earnings^{2, 6} of $37.4 million, or $0.03 per share².
• Cash and cash equivalents of $719.1 million, and total liquidity⁷ of approximately $2.1 billion at June 30, 2022.
• Kinross’ Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.03 per common share payable on September 1, 2022 to shareholders of record at the close of business on August 18, 2022.
  

Company guidance:

• Kinross is on track to significantly increase production in the second half of the year, primarily driven by stronger production at Paracatu, Tasiast and La Coipa. The Company expects to be at the low end of its 2022 production guidance range mainly due to temporary delays in the mill ramp-up at La Coipa.
• Kinross expects to maintain a substantial production profile with estimated average production of two million Au eq. oz. per year over the remainder of the decade.
• The Company expects its 2022 production cost of sales to be approximately $900 per Au eq. oz. sold and all-in sustaining cost to be approximately $1,240 per Au eq. oz. sold², mainly due to the impact of the temporary delay in La Coipa’s mill ramp-up and inflationary pressures across the portfolio. Consolidated production cost of sales was $832⁸ per Au eq. oz. sold and attributable all-in sustaining cost of sales was $1,138^{2, 8} per Au eq. oz. sold for the year ended December 31, 2021. The Company continues to expect costs to decrease during the second half of the year largely due to the anticipated increase in production. Kinross is on track to meet its 2022 capital expenditures guidance of $850 million (+/- 5%).

Development projects:

• Kinross is proceeding with development of the 70%-owned Manh Choh project in Alaska, which is expected to increase the Company’s production profile by approximately 640,000 attributable Au eq. oz. over the life of mine at lower costs.
• The world-class Great Bear project in Red Lake, Ontario continues to make excellent progress, with drilling results from the first half of the year continuing to confirm Kinross’ vision of developing a large, long-life mining complex. The Company plans to declare an initial mineral resource estimate as part of its 2022 year-end results.
• The Tasiast 24k project remains on plan to reach 24,000 tonnes per day throughput in mid-2023.

Russia and Ghana divestments:  

• On June 15, 2022, Kinross announced the completion of the sale of 100% of its Russian assets to the Highland Gold Mining group of companies for $340 million in cash. The Company received $300 million in U.S. denominated cash on closing with a deferred payment of $40 million due on the one-year anniversary of closing.
• On April 25, 2022, Kinross announced the sale of its 90% interest in the Chirano mine in Ghana to Asante Gold Corporation for total consideration of $225 million in cash. The sale is expected to close in August 2022.

CEO Commentary:
J. Paul Rollinson, President and CEO, made the following comments in relation to 2022 second-quarter results:

“Kinross had higher production compared with the first quarter and we continue to expect stronger production and lower costs in the second half of the year to generate an increase in free cash flow. Paracatu and Tasiast are on track to increase production at lower costs for the rest of the year, with the La Coipa mill expected to continue ramping up, contributing to our higher production.

“With the completion of the sale of our Russian assets and pending sale of Chirano, approximately 70% of our production is now based out of the Americas. The new re-balanced portfolio is bolstered by our robust development projects, which all advanced well over the quarter. At the world-class Great Bear project in Red Lake, Ontario, drilling results continue to show the significant potential of a deposit that can host a large, long-life mining complex. At Manh Choh in Alaska, we completed a feasibility study ahead of schedule, and are proceeding with a project that we expect will add approximately 640,000 lower-cost gold ounces to our production profile over its life of mine in one of the world’s best mining jurisdictions.

“Looking ahead, we believe we have significant value upside. We are in excellent financial position, have strong liquidity of $2.1 billion, and continue to prioritize and strengthen our investment-grade balance sheet while returning capital to our shareholders. Our high-quality portfolio has a competitive reserve life, with production expected to increase to 2.3 million gold ounces next year, and average two million gold ounces per year over the remainder of the decade.”

Summary of financial and operating results

The following operating and financial results are based on second-quarter gold equivalent production and exclude Russian and Ghanaian operations except where noted:

Production: Kinross produced 453,978 Au eq. oz. in Q2 2022 from continuing operations, a 19% increase compared with 381,474 Au eq. oz. in Q2 2021. The year-over-year increase was largely due to Tasiast, which had higher grades and throughput.

Average realized gold price: The average realized gold price from continuing operations in Q2 2022 was $1,872 per ounce, compared with $1,814 per ounce in Q2 2021.

Revenue: During the second quarter, revenue from continuing operations increased to $821.5 million, compared with $707.9 million during Q2 2021.

Production cost of sales: Production cost of sales from continuing operations per Au eq. oz. sold increased to $1,027 for the quarter, compared with $850 in Q2 2021, mainly as a result of inflationary cost pressures across the portfolio and an increase in waste stripping. The Company expects cost of sales per ounce sold to decrease in the second half of the year due to stronger production, notably at Tasiast, Paracatu and La Coipa, Kinross’ lowest cost mines.   

Production cost of sales from continuing operations per Au oz. sold² on a by-product basis was $1,018 in Q2 2022, compared with $840 in Q2 2021, based on gold sales of 434,086 ounces and silver sales of 413,175 ounces.

Margins³: Kinross’ margin from continuing operations per Au eq. oz. sold was $845 for Q2 2022, compared with the Q2 2021 margin of $964.

All-in sustaining cost²: All-in sustaining cost from continuing operations per Au eq. oz. sold was $1,341 in Q2 2022, compared with $1,150 in Q2 2021.

In Q2 2022, all-in sustaining cost from continuing operations per Au oz. sold on a by-product basis from continuing operations was $1,335, compared with $1,143 in Q2 2021.

Operating cash flow: Adjusted operating cash flow from continuing operations² increased to $251.9 million in Q2 2022, compared with $250.0 million for Q2 2021.

Operating cash flow from continuing operations⁴ was $257.1 million for Q2 2022, compared with $277.0 million for Q2 2021.

Free cash flow²: Free cash flow from continuing operations increased 12% to $107.7 million in Q2 2022 compared with $96.3 million for Q2 2021. The increase in free cash outflow was mainly due to lower capital expenditures during the quarter.

Earnings: Adjusted net earnings from continuing operations^2,6 were $37.4 million, or $0.03 per share, for Q2 2022, compared with $66.5 million, or $0.05 per share, for Q2 2021.

Reported net loss⁵ from continuing operations was $9.3 million, or $0.01 per share for Q2 2022, compared with reported net earnings of $30.1 million, or $0.02 per share, for Q2 2021. The net loss was mainly due to a decrease in operating earnings and an increase in income tax expense.

Capital expenditures: Capital expenditures from continuing operations decreased to $149.4 million for Q2 2022, compared with $180.7 million for Q2 2021. The decrease was primarily due to mine sequencing at Round Mountain and Tasiast involving an increase in operating waste mined and a decrease in capital stripping. These decreases were partially offset by increased expenditures for development activities at La Coipa and an increase in capital stripping at Bald Mountain.

Balance sheet

As of June 30, 2022, Kinross had cash and cash equivalents of $719.1 million, compared with $531.5 million at December 31, 2021. The increase was primarily due to cash received on completion of the sale of the Company’s Russian assets.

During the quarter, the Company repaid $120.0 million of debt, including $100.0 million of the outstanding balance on its revolving credit facility. In July 2022, Kinross repaid an additional $100.0 million of the drawn amount from its revolving credit facility. Kinross will prioritize paying down debt to continue strengthening its investment-grade balance sheet.

As of June 30, 2022, the Company had additional available credit⁹ of approximately $1.4 billion and total liquidity⁷ of approximately $2.1 billion.

Operating results
Mine-by-mine summaries for 2022 second-quarter operating results may be found on pages 14 and 18 of this news release. Highlights include the following:

At Tasiast, production was largely in line with the previous quarter’s record performance. In June, mill throughput averaged approximately 21,000 tonnes per day, with the site averaging similar rates in July 2022. Mill throughput, grades and recoveries are all expected to improve over the second half of the year, driving an increase in production. Tasiast is on track to produce more than 600,000 Au eq. oz. for full-year 2022. Cost of sales per ounce sold was higher compared with Q1 2022 and Q2 2021 mainly due to higher operating waste mined and inflationary pressures on consumables. Cost of sales per ounce sold is expected to decrease in the second half of the year with the anticipated increase in production.

At Paracatu, production was higher over the previous quarter primarily due to stronger mill throughput and grades. Production was lower compared with the same period last year mainly due to the expected lower grades from planned stockpile mining and the timing of ounces processed through the mill. The site mine plan consists of mining higher grade ore in the second half of the year to drive an increase in production. Paracatu achieved grades of approximately 0.45 g/t in July 2022, with planned grades for the second half of the year 30% higher than the first half. Cost of sales per ounce sold during the quarter decreased compared with Q1 2022 mainly due to the increase in gold ounces sold, and was higher year-over-year as a result of inflationary pressure on consumables, labour and maintenance, as well as unfavourable foreign exchange movements.

At Fort Knox, production increased compared with Q1 2022 and Q2 2021 as a result of higher mill grades and mill throughput, and more ounces recovered from the heap leach pads. Cost of sales per ounce sold was lower compared with the previous quarter primarily as a result of more gold ounces sold, and was higher compared with Q2 2021 mainly due to inflationary pressure on consumables.

At Round Mountain, production increased quarter-over-quarter mainly due to more ounces recovered from the heap leach pads, and decreased year-over-year primarily due to fewer ounces recovered from the heap leach pads. Cost of sales per ounce sold increased compared with Q1 2022 and Q2 2021 mainly due to inflationary effects on mining costs, with fewer gold ounces sold and higher operating waste mined also contributing to the increase year-over-year.

The Company continues to advance the Round Mountain mine optimization program, which is on schedule to be completed later this year. The program is optimizing the mine plan sequence for Phase W, which is expected to be divided into four parts. Mining for the first two parts is ongoing and is expected to continue over the next two to three years as part of the open-pit mining plan. Phase S mining is now expected to start early next year as part of the optimized mining sequence, with permits now in hand. Longer-term mine plan scenarios post-2024 are analyzing optimized stripping requirements for the third and fourth parts of Phase W mining. Underground mining potential is also being evaluated for the deeper portions of Phase W and Phase X. Plans for the development of an exploration drift at Phase X continue to advance well, with construction expected to begin in Q4 2022.

At Bald Mountain, production increased over Q1 2022 and Q2 2021 mainly due to an increase in ounces recovered from the heap leach pads, with higher grades contributing to the increase year-over-year. Cost of sales per ounce sold increased compared with Q1 2022 mainly due to inflationary pressure and was lower compared with Q2 2021 mainly due to a decrease in operating waste mined.

At La Coipa, the mine produced 7,414 Au eq. oz. during the quarter at a cost of sales of $789 per Au eq. oz. sold. Production during the quarter was lower than expected due to temporary delays in the mill ramp-up, primarily due to issues with the pumps and global supply chain challenges affecting availability of spare parts. The Company expects the mill ramp-up to increase during the second half of the year and significantly increase production. Mining activity at La Coipa advanced on plan during the quarter, with ore stockpiled and available for processing for the expected increase in mill ramp-up. La Coipa now expects to reach full mill capacity in Q4 2022 and does not expect the mill ramp-up delays to impact its life of mine production estimates. Kinross continues to study opportunities to further extend mine life by incorporating adjacent pits into the mine plan.

Development projects

Tasiast

At the Tasiast 24k project, the process plant continues to regularly reach throughput of 21,000 tonnes per day (t/d) and averaged 21,000 t/d during June 2022. The second phase of the project is continuing to progress on schedule to reach throughput of 24,000 t/d by mid-2023, with engineering now substantially complete and construction of the third leach tank 90% complete. Purchase orders have been placed for all major procurement packages, and the contracting process is ramping up and proceeding well.

The 34 MW Tasiast solar power plant project is continuing to advance and is expected to be completed in the second half of 2023. Engineering for the project has commenced and the procurement process is well underway, with key contracts awarded. Initial site activities are expected to start in Q4 2022. The solar project is expected to provide approximately 20% of the site’s power and reduce GHG emissions by approximately 530 Kt over the life of mine, which could save approximately 180 million litres of fuel over the same period.

Great Bear

The Company continues to make excellent progress at the world-class Great Bear project in Red Lake, Ontario and expects to declare an initial mineral resource as part of its 2022 year-end results.

Drilling results continue to support the view of a high-grade deposit that underpins a large, long-life mining complex. Results have also confirmed gold mineralization with good widths and high grades, including high-grade mineralization at depths of more than 500 metres. These results support the view that the LP Fault zone, the largest discovery to date at the project, can support a sizeable, long-life, open-pit mine. The Company has received additional assay results since its last update on June 28, 2022, with a selection of the new results from targets at the LP Fault zone highlighted in the table below (see Appendix A for full results).

To date, Kinross has drilled approximately 100,000 metres and is on track to complete 200,000 metres of exploration and infill drilling in 2022 at the LP Fault zone. The 35,000-metre grade control drilling program has now been completed, confirming the Company’s view of the high-grade core in the LP Fault zone. The program has improved Kinross’ understanding of the continuity and distribution of the high grade intercepts in the LP Fault zone.

Baseline environmental surveys and local community socio-economic studies required for the permitting process are progressing well and all key work packages have been awarded for scoping-level engineering work. Kinross continues to advance its comprehensive local community outreach and engagement program, with a focus on the Wabauskang and Lac Seul First Nations, on whose traditional territories the project is located. The Company is on schedule to commence a Great Bear pre-feasibility study in 2023.

Results are preliminary in nature and are subject to on-going QA/QC.

See Appendix B for a LP Fault zone long section.

View an interactive 3D model of the Great Bear project here:
https://vrify.com/decks/11758?auth=af709cc9-5f96-4165-8a1d-0b29e33ef12a

Manh Choh

The Company announced that it is proceeding with development of the 70%-owned Manh Choh project in Alaska with the completion of the project feasibility study (FS) ahead of schedule. The project is expected to increase Kinross’ production profile in Alaska by a total of approximately 640,000 attributable Au eq. oz. over the life of mine at lower costs. Including Manh Choh, the Company expects to produce an average of approximately 400,000 attributable Au eq. oz. per year from 2024 to 2027 from its Alaskan assets.

The early works program has begun at the project, with camp refurbishments and preparation for construction activities now underway. The Company is also continuing its comprehensive community programs and prioritizing local economic benefits as it develops the project. Permitting activities are advancing well, with major permit applications submitted in December 2021 and regulatory reviews well underway. Production is expected to commence in the second half of 2024 with a mine plan that consists of two small, open pits that will be mined concurrently over 4.5 years.  

The FS outlines the plan to batch process high-grade Manh Choh ore at the Fort Knox mill, with grades expected to be approximately 8 g/t, or 10 times the current average mill grade at Fort Knox. The FS plan expects to lower Fort Knox’s average life of mine all-in sustaining cost and increase cash flow. By utilizing existing infrastructure, the FS plan unlocks the project’s value and avoids the construction of a mill or tailings facilities to reduce environmental disturbance at the project site.

The project is expected to generate an IRR¹⁵ of 23% and NPV¹⁶ of $90 million based on a gold price of $1,500 per ounce, and an IRR¹⁵ of 40% and NPV¹⁶ of $195 million based on a gold price of $1,800 per ounce.

As a result of an updated resource model, approximately 698 Au koz. at 7.88 g/t were added to Kinross’ probable mineral reserve estimates. Approximately 1,203 Ag koz. at 13.58 g/t were also added to the Company’s probable mineral reserves¹⁷. The Company now expects the average gold equivalent grade processed from Manh Choh to be 8.06 g/t, compared with previous estimates of approximately 6.0 g/t. See Appendix C for details.

The higher grades are expected to offset some recent inflationary pressures, which are reflected in the project’s capital expenditures and operating cost estimates. Initial capital expenditures are expected to be $190 million, with total capital expenditures of approximately $255 million, both on a 100% basis. On a 70% basis, and factoring in an administration credit to Kinross as part of the Manh Choh joint venture agreement, total capital expenditures are expected to be approximately $190 million.

The project has strong support from the Native Village of Tetlin, on whose land the project is located, with an extension of the community support agreement signed earlier this year. Manh Choh is expected to generate 400 to 600 new jobs, support the more than 700 existing jobs at Fort Knox, and build on Kinross’ commitment to environmental stewardship and strong history of responsible mining in Alaska. Since 2010, Kinross has generated more than $3.5 billion in economic benefits to the state through procurement, taxes, wages, community programs and donations, providing meaningful livelihoods for employees and opportunities for local suppliers. The project is also expected to lower the GHG emissions intensity for Kinross Alaska’s operations, supporting the Company’s GHG reduction goals.

Lobo-Marte

Following the completion of a feasibility study for the Lobo-Marte project in Chile in November 2021, the Company continues to believe in the project’s long-term development potential as a large, low-cost mine. As previously disclosed, project timing would be dependent on the conclusion of mining at La Coipa, which is located approximately 50 kilometres northwest of Lobo-Marte. Other factors that may impact a go-forward decision include the gold price, economic returns, permitting, and other priorities in the Company’s portfolio and potential opportunities in the region.

Round Mountain Gold Hill exploration

At the Gold Hill exploration project in Nevada, which is located approximately seven kilometres northeast of Round Mountain, exploration drilling has extended the main and Alexandria veins over 300 metres and 200 metres down dip. New geophysical data confirms multiple deposit-scale trends along strike at Gold Hill and results shows significant strike continuity and the open, un-tested nature of the trend.

Curlew Basin exploration

At the Curlew exploration project in Washington State, which is located approximately 35 kilometres north of the Company’s Kettle River mill by paved road, drilling from underground has improved the understanding of mineralized vein orientations. In addition to results from the Stealth and Galaxie targets at Curlew, the Lower Portal drill results have shown excellent growth potential to the project’s resource growth. Curlew encompasses a 6.5-square-kilometre area and Kinross is on schedule to declare a total mineral inventory of 1 million Au oz. by year-end 2022 at the project.

Company guidance
The following section of the news release represents forward-looking information and users are cautioned that actual results may vary. We refer to the risks and assumptions contained in the Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information on page 33 of this news release. This Company Guidance section references all-in sustaining cost per equivalent ounce sold, which is a non-GAAP ratio with no standardized meaning under IFRS and therefore, may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. The definition of this non-GAAP ratio and comparable reconciliation is included on pages 19 to 24 of this news release.

The Company’s Russian and Ghanaian assets have been excluded from its guidance due to the classification of these assets as discontinued as at June 30, 2022.

As Kinross’ share of Chirano (90%) is excluded from guidance, all guidance figures are no longer on an attributable basis, but on a total basis.

Production guidance

The Company expects to be at the low end of its +/- 5% range for its 2022 production guidance of 2.15 million Au eq. oz. The Company continues to expect significantly higher production in the second half of the year, which is largely driven by increased production at Paracatu, Tasiast and La Coipa. While Kinross continues to expect significantly higher production at La Coipa as it increases mill ramp-up in the second half of the year, production during the second quarter was lower than expected due to a temporary delay in the mill ramp-up.

The Company expects production to increase to 2.3 million Au eq. oz. (+/- 5%) in 2023, and 2024 production to be 2.1 million Au eq. oz. (+/- 5%). The 2024 production guidance does not include expected production from the Manh Choh project.

Kinross expects to maintain a substantial production profile with estimated average production of two million Au eq. oz. per year over the remainder of the decade.

Cost guidance¹⁸

The Company expects its 2022 production cost of sales to be approximately $900 per Au eq. oz. sold and all-in sustaining cost to be approximately $1,240 per Au eq. oz. sold² mainly due to inflationary pressures across the portfolio and the impact of the temporary delay in La Coipa’s mill ramp-up. Consolidated production cost of sales was $832¹⁹ per Au eq. oz. sold and attributable all-in sustaining cost of sales was $1,138² per Au eq. oz. sold for the year ended December 31, 2021. Kinross’ previous 2022 guidance for cost of sales per Au eq. sold and all-in sustaining costs per Au eq. sold was $830 and $1,150 (+/- 5%), respectively.

The Company continues to expect costs to decrease during the second half of the year largely due to the anticipated increase in production.

Capital expenditures guidance

Kinross expects to meet its 2022 capital expenditures guidance of $850 million (+/- 5%). The Company has maintained its capital expenditures outlook for 2023 and 2024 of approximately $750 million per year, excluding inflationary impacts and based on Kinross’ current production guidance. The 2023 to 2024 capital expenditures guidance does not include the Manh Choh and Great Bear projects.

Completed divestment of Russian assets

On June 15, 2022, Kinross announced that it had completed the sale of 100% of its Russian assets to the Highland Gold Mining group of companies for total consideration of $340 million in cash. Kinross received $300 million in U.S. denominated cash in its corporate account at closing and will receive a deferred payment of $40 million on the one-year anniversary of closing.

As disclosed on April 5, 2022, the previously agreed total consideration for the transaction was $680 million, which included a payment of $100 million upon closing, with the remaining $580 million scheduled to be received in annual payments from 2023 through to 2027. The transaction consideration was adjusted by the parties following a review by the Russian Sub-commission on the Control of Foreign Investments, which approved this transaction for a purchase price not exceeding $340 million. With the approval and completion of the sale, Kinross has divested all of its interests in Russia and has no further obligations or liabilities in the country.

Update on divestment of Ghanaian assets

On April 25, 2022, Kinross announced the sale of its 90% interest in the Chirano mine in Ghana to Asante Gold Corporation for total consideration of $225 million in cash and shares. The sale is now expected to close in August 2022. 

Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) update

Kinross published its second annual Climate Report, providing comprehensive climate-related disclosures and the Company’s GHG emissions data for 2021. The Report outlines the Company’s progress towards meeting the goals of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Paris Agreement. Click here to access the Climate Report: https://www.kinross.com/2021-Climate-Report

Kinross has committed to being a net-zero GHG emissions company by 2050. In early 2022, the Company also delivered its multi-faceted Climate Change Strategy, which outlines a comprehensive GHG reduction plan. As part of the strategy, Kinross has set an interim target to achieve a 30% reduction in intensity per ounce produced of Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 2030 over its 2021 baseline of 970 kg of CO2e per Au eq. oz. produced.

Kinross has been reporting on climate-related data since 2005, and began reporting in alignment with the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) in 2020 with its inaugural Climate Report. The Climate Report follows the recommended TCFD framework, providing investors and broader stakeholders with timely information about Kinross’ global efforts to address climate change and manage climate-related risks to its business.

In the important area of health and safety, a tragic employee fatality occurred at the Tasiast mine on July 19, 2022. An investigation has commenced, in cooperation with authorities, to determine the root cause of the incident and to avoid such tragic incidents in the future. The Company will continue to prioritize safety and is undertaking steps to enhance its risk management and safety systems at Tasiast and across its global operations.

Conference call details

In connection with this news release, Kinross will hold a conference call and audio webcast on Thursday, July 28 2022 at 8:00 a.m. EDT to discuss the results, followed by a question-and-answer session. To access the call, please dial:

Canada & US toll-free – (888) 330-2446; Passcode: 4915537
Outside of Canada & US – (825) 312-2059; Passcode: 4915537

Replay (available up to 14 days after the call):

Canada & US toll-free – (800) 770-2030; Passcode: 4915537
Outside of Canada & US – +1 (647) 362-9199; Passcode: 4915537

You may also access the conference call on a listen-only basis via webcast at our website www.kinross.com. The audio webcast will be archived on www.kinross.com.

This release should be read in conjunction with Kinross’ 2022 second-quarter unaudited Financial Statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis report at www.kinross.com. Kinross’ 2022 second-quarter unaudited Financial Statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis have been filed with Canadian securities regulators (available at www.sedar.com) and furnished with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (available at www.sec.gov). Kinross shareholders may obtain a copy of the financial statements free of charge upon request to the Company.

About Kinross Gold Corporation

Kinross is a Canadian-based global senior gold mining company with operations and projects in the United States, Brazil, Mauritania, Chile, Ghana and Canada. Our focus on delivering value is based on our core principles of responsible mining, operational excellence, disciplined growth and balance sheet strength. Kinross maintains listings on the Toronto Stock Exchange (symbol:K) and the New York Stock Exchange (symbol:KGC).

Media Contact
Louie Diaz
Vice-President, Corporate Communications
phone: 416-369-6469
louie.diaz@kinross.com

Investor Relations Contact
Chris Lichtenheldt
Vice-President, Investor Relations
phone: 416-365-2761
chris.lichtenheldt@kinross.com

__________________________________

1 Production cost of sales from continuing operations per equivalent ounce sold” is defined as production cost of sales, as reported on the interim condensed consolidated statements of operations, divided by total gold equivalent ounces sold from continuing operations.
2 These figures are non-GAAP financial measures and ratios, as applicable, and are defined and reconciled on pages 19 to 24 of this news release. Non-GAAP financial measures and ratios have no standardized meaning under IFRS and therefore, may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers.  
3 “Margins” from continuing operations per equivalent ounce sold is defined as average realized gold price per ounce from continuing operations less production cost of sales from continuing operations per gold equivalent ounce sold.
4 Operating cash flow figures in this release represent “Net cash flow of continuing operations provided from operating activities,” as reported on the interim condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.
5 Reported net (loss) earnings figures in this news release represent “Net (loss) earnings from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders,” as reported on the interim condensed consolidated statements of operations.   
6 Adjusted net earnings figures in this news release represent “Adjusted net earnings from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders.”
7 “Total liquidity” is defined as the sum of cash and cash equivalents, as reported on the interim condensed consolidated balance sheets, and available credit under the Company’s credit facilities (as calculated in Section 6 – Liquidity and Capital Resources of Kinross’ MD&A for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022).
8 Results as previously reported for the year ended December 31, 2021 include Ghanaian and Russian operations. Production cost of sales per equivalent ounce sold for the year ended December 31, 2021 is “Consolidated production cost of sales per equivalent ounce sold” and is defined as production cost of sales, as reported on the consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2021, divided by total gold equivalent ounces sold. Attributable all-in sustaining cost per equivalent ounce sold of $1,138 for the year ended December 31, 2021 includes Kinross' share of Chirano (90%) production and costs. The definition and reconciliation of this non-GAAP ratio is included on page 21 of this news release.
9 “Available credit” is defined as available credit under the Company’s credit facilities and is calculated in Section 6 – Liquidity and Capital Resources of Kinross’ MD&A for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022.
10 Based on a $1,500 per ounce gold price assumption, $18.75 per ounce silver price and $70/bbl oil price assumption. July 1, 2022 to December 31, 2030 unless noted otherwise.
11 All-in sustaining cost per equivalent ounce sold for non-producing projects are forward-looking non-GAAP ratios without historical equivalents. All-in sustaining cost per equivalent ounce sold is calculated as all-in sustaining cost divided by gold equivalent ounces sold. All-in sustaining cost is a non-GAAP financial measure. Non-GAAP financial measures and ratios have no standardized meaning under IFRS and therefore, may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. For definition and purpose of this measure and ratio, please refer to pages 19 to 24 of this news release.
12 Incremental view for Manh Choh, including attributable portion of JV and synergistic value to Fort Knox.
13 Initial capital excludes pre-production G&A, capitalized waste stripping, highway ore transport capital. 70% Manh Choh and 100% of Fort Knox.
14 Includes toll milling profit and admin fee from the JV that will be realized by Fort Knox.
15 Throughout this news release, calculated from January 1, 2022 forward and after tax.
16 Throughout this news release, calculated based on a 5% discount rate from January 1, 2022 and after tax.
17 Refer to Appendix C for additional information on Manh Choh’s updated mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates. The optimization for the mineral reserve estimates at Manh Choh assumed a $1,300 per ounce gold price.
18 Based on a gold price of $1,800 per ounce and an oil price of $100 per barrel (including a $10 per barrel change in the price of oil would be expected to result in an approximate $4 impact on fuel consumption costs on production cost of sales per ounce), as disclosed in Kinross’ Q1 2022 results news release from May 10, 2022. The other key assumptions and sensitivities disclosed in the Company’s original guidance on February 16, 2022 have not changed.
19 Results as previously reported for the year ended December 31, 2021 include Ghanaian and Russian operations. Production cost of sales per equivalent ounce sold for the year ended December 31, 2021 is “Consolidated production cost of sales per equivalent ounce sold” and is defined as production cost of sales, as reported on the consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2021, divided by total gold equivalent ounces sold. Attributable all-in sustaining cost per equivalent ounce sold of $1,138 for the year ended December 31, 2021 includes Kinross' share of Chirano (90%) production and costs. The definition and reconciliation of this non-GAAP ratio is included on page 21 of this news release.

Review of operations

Interim condensed consolidated balance sheets

Interim condensed consolidated statements of operations

Interim condensed consolidated statements of cash flows

Reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures and ratios

The Company has included certain non-GAAP financial measures and ratios in this document. These measures and ratios are not defined under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and should not be considered in isolation. The Company believes that these financial measures and ratios, together with financial measures and ratios determined in accordance with IFRS, provide investors with an improved ability to evaluate the underlying performance of the Company. The inclusion of these financial measures and ratios is meant to provide additional information and should not be used as a substitute for performance measures prepared in accordance with IFRS. These financial measures and ratios are not necessarily standard and therefore may not be comparable to other issuers.

All the non-GAAP financial measures and ratios in this document are from continuing operations and exclude results from the Company’s Chirano and Russian operations due to the classification of these operations as discontinued. The comparative information has been recast to exclude Chirano and Russia. As a result of the exclusion of Chirano, the following non-GAAP financial measures and ratios are no longer on an attributable basis, but on a total basis: production cost of sales from continuing operations per ounce sold on a by-product basis and all-in-sustaining cost from continuing operations per equivalent ounce sold and per ounce sold on a by-product basis.

Adjusted net earnings from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders and adjusted net earnings from continuing operations per share are non-GAAP financial measures and ratios which determine the performance of the Company, excluding certain impacts which the Company believes are not reflective of the Company’s underlying performance for the reporting period, such as the impact of foreign exchange gains and losses, reassessment of prior year taxes and/or taxes otherwise not related to the current period, impairment charges (reversals), gains and losses and other one-time costs related to acquisitions, dispositions and other transactions, and non-hedge derivative gains and losses. Although some of the items are recurring, the Company believes that they are not reflective of the underlying operating performance of its current business and are not necessarily indicative of future operating results. Management believes that these measures and ratios, which are used internally to assess performance and in planning and forecasting future operating results, provide investors with the ability to better evaluate underlying performance, particularly since the excluded items are typically not included in public guidance. However, adjusted net earnings from continuing operations and adjusted net earnings from continuing operations per share measures and ratios are not necessarily indicative of net earnings from continuing operations and earnings per share measures and ratios as determined under IFRS.

The following table provides a reconciliation of net (loss) earnings from continuing operations to adjusted net earnings from continuing operations for the periods presented:

(a) Includes COVID-19 related labour, health and safety, donations and other support program costs. For the second quarter and first six months ended June 30, 2022, adjusted net earnings has not been adjusted for COVID-19 related costs of $1.1 million and $6.8 million, respectively, incurred at operating sites.  
(b) Other includes various impacts, such as one-time costs at sites, and gains and losses on the sale of assets and hedges, which the Company believes are not reflective of the Company’s underlying performance for the reporting period. 

Free cash flow from continuing operations is a non-GAAP financial measure and is defined as net cash flow of continuing operations provided from operating activities less additions to property, plant and equipment. The Company believes that this measure, which is used internally to evaluate the Company’s underlying cash generation performance and the ability to repay creditors and return cash to shareholders, provides investors with the ability to better evaluate the Company’s underlying performance. However, the free cash flow from continuing operations measure is not necessarily indicative of operating earnings or net cash flow of continuing operations provided from operating activities as determined under IFRS.

The following table provides a reconciliation of free cash flow from continuing operations for the periods presented:

Adjusted operating cash flow from continuing operations is a non-GAAP financial measure and is defined as net cash flow of continuing operations provided from operating activities excluding certain impacts which the Company believes are not reflective of the Company’s regular operating cash flow and excluding changes in working capital. Working capital can be volatile due to numerous factors, including the timing of tax payments. The Company uses adjusted operating cash flow from continuing operations internally as a measure of the underlying operating cash flow performance and future operating cash flow-generating capability of the Company. However, the adjusted operating cash flow from continuing operations measure is not necessarily indicative of net cash flow of continuing operations provided from operating activities as determined under IFRS.

The following table provides a reconciliation of adjusted operating cash flow from continuing operations for the periods presented:

Production cost of sales from continuing operations per ounce sold on a by-product basis is a non-GAAP ratio which calculates the Company’s non-gold production as a credit against its per ounce production costs, rather than converting its non-gold production into gold equivalent ounces and crediting it to total production, as is the case in co-product accounting. Management believes that this ratio provides investors with the ability to better evaluate Kinross’ production cost of sales per ounce on a comparable basis with other major gold producers who routinely calculate their cost of sales per ounce using by-product accounting rather than co-product accounting.

The following table provides a reconciliation of production cost of sales from continuing operations per ounce sold on a by-product basis for the periods presented:

See page 23 for details of the footnotes referenced within the table above.

All-in sustaining cost and attributable all-in cost from continuing operations per ounce sold on a by-product basis are non-GAAP financial measures and ratios, as applicable, calculated based on guidance published by the World Gold Council (“WGC”). The WGC is a market development organization for the gold industry and is an association whose membership comprises leading gold mining companies including Kinross. Although the WGC is not a mining industry regulatory organization, it worked closely with its member companies to develop these metrics. Adoption of the all-in sustaining cost and all-in cost metrics is voluntary and not necessarily standard, and therefore, these measures and ratios presented by the Company may not be comparable to similar measures and ratios presented by other issuers. The Company believes that the all-in sustaining cost and all-in cost measures complement existing measures and ratios reported by Kinross.

All-in sustaining cost includes both operating and capital costs required to sustain gold production on an ongoing basis. The value of silver sold is deducted from the total production cost of sales as it is considered residual production. Sustaining operating costs represent expenditures incurred at current operations that are considered necessary to maintain current production. Sustaining capital represents capital expenditures at existing operations comprising mine development costs and ongoing replacement of mine equipment and other capital facilities, and does not include capital expenditures for major growth projects or enhancement capital for significant infrastructure improvements at existing operations.

All-in cost is comprised of all-in sustaining cost as well as operating expenditures incurred at locations with no current operation, or costs related to other non-sustaining activities, and capital expenditures for major growth projects or enhancement capital for significant infrastructure improvements at existing operations.

All-in sustaining cost and attributable all-in cost from continuing operations per ounce sold on a by-product basis are calculated by adjusting production cost of sales from continuing operations, as reported on the interim condensed consolidated statements of operations, as follows:

See page 23 for details of the footnotes referenced within the table above.

The Company also assesses its all-in sustaining cost and attributable all-in cost from continuing operations on a gold equivalent ounce basis. Under these non-GAAP financial measures and ratios, the Company’s production of silver is converted into gold equivalent ounces and credited to total production.

All-in sustaining cost and attributable all-in cost from continuing operations per equivalent ounce sold are calculated by adjusting production cost of sales from continuing operations, as reported on the interim condensed consolidated statements of operations, as follows:

See page 23 for details of the footnotes referenced within the table above.

Attributable All-In Sustaining Cost and All-In Cost per Equivalent Ounce Sold – Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020

Attributable all-in sustaining cost and all-in cost per equivalent ounce sold are calculated by adjusting total production cost of sales, as reported on the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 consolidated statements of operations, as follows:

(a)   “Silver revenue” represents the portion of metal sales realized from the production of the secondary or by-product metal (i.e. silver). Revenue from the sale of silver, which is produced as a by-product of the process used to produce gold, effectively reduces the cost of gold production.
(b)   “Production cost of sales from continuing operations per equivalent ounce sold” is defined as production cost of sales from continuing operations divided by total gold equivalent ounces sold from continuing operations.
(c)   “Attributable” includes Kinross’ share of Manh Choh (70%) costs. As Manh Choh is a non-operating site, the attributable costs are non-sustaining costs and as such only impact the all-in-cost measures.
(d)   “General and administrative” expenses is as reported on the interim condensed consolidated statements of operations, net of certain restructuring expenses. General and administrative expenses are considered sustaining costs as they are required to be absorbed on a continuing basis for the effective operation and governance of the Company.
(e)   “Other operating expense – sustaining” is calculated as “Other operating expense” as reported on the interim condensed consolidated statements of operations, less other operating and reclamation and remediation expenses related to non-sustaining activities as well as other items not reflective of the underlying operating performance of our business. Other operating expenses are classified as either sustaining or non-sustaining based on the type and location of the expenditure incurred. The majority of other operating expenses that are incurred at existing operations are considered costs necessary to sustain operations, and are therefore classified as sustaining. Other operating expenses incurred at locations where there is no current operation or related to other non-sustaining activities are classified as non-sustaining.
(f)   “Reclamation and remediation - sustaining” is calculated as current period accretion related to reclamation and remediation obligations plus current period amortization of the corresponding reclamation and remediation assets, and is intended to reflect the periodic cost of reclamation and remediation for currently operating mines. Reclamation and remediation costs for development projects or closed mines are excluded from this amount and classified as non-sustaining.
(g)   “Exploration and business development – sustaining” is calculated as “Exploration and business development” expenses as reported on the interim condensed consolidated statements of operations, less non-sustaining exploration and business development expenses. Exploration expenses are classified as either sustaining or non-sustaining based on a determination of the type and location of the exploration expenditure. Exploration expenditures within the footprint of operating mines are considered costs required to sustain current operations and so are included in sustaining costs. Exploration expenditures focused on new ore bodies near existing mines (i.e. brownfield), new exploration projects (i.e. greenfield) or for other generative exploration activity not linked to existing mining operations are classified as non-sustaining. Business development expenses are classified as either sustaining or non-sustaining based on a determination of the type of expense and requirement for general or growth related operations.
(h)   “Additions to property, plant and equipment – sustaining” represents the majority of capital expenditures at existing operations including capitalized exploration costs, periodic capitalized stripping and underground mine development costs, ongoing replacement of mine equipment and other capital facilities and other capital expenditures and is calculated as total additions to property, plant and equipment (as reported on the interim condensed consolidated statements of cash flows), less non-sustaining capital. Non-sustaining capital represents capital expenditures for major projects, including major capital stripping projects at existing operations that are expected to materially benefit the operation, as well as enhancement capital for significant infrastructure improvements at existing operations. Non-sustaining capital expenditures during the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, primarily related to major projects at La Coipa and Tasiast. Non-sustaining capital expenditures during the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, primarily related to major projects at Tasiast, Round Mountain, Fort Knox and La Coipa.
(i)   “Lease payments – sustaining” represents the majority of lease payments as reported on the interim condensed consolidated statements of cash flows and is made up of the principal and financing components of such cash payments, less non-sustaining lease payments. Lease payments for development projects or closed mines are classified as non-sustaining.
(j)   The portion attributable to Chirano non-controlling interest represents the non-controlling interest (10%) in the production cost of sales for the Chirano mine for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
(k)   “Attributable” includes Kinross' share of Chirano (90%) production and costs, and Manh Choh (70%) costs for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
(l)   “Portion attributable to Chirano non-controlling interest” represents the non-controlling interest (10%) in the ounces sold from the Chirano mine for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
(m)   “General and administrative” expenses is as reported on the consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, net of certain restructuring expenses. General and administrative expenses are considered sustaining costs as they are required to be absorbed on a continuing basis for the effective operation and governance of the Company.
(n)   “Other operating expense – sustaining” is calculated as “Other operating expense” as reported on the consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, less other operating and reclamation and remediation expenses related to non-sustaining activities as well as other items not reflective of the underlying operating performance of our business. Other operating expenses are classified as either sustaining or non-sustaining based on the type and location of the expenditure incurred. The majority of other operating expenses that are incurred at existing operations are considered costs necessary to sustain operations, and are therefore classified as sustaining. Other operating expenses incurred at locations where there is no current operation or related to other non-sustaining activities are classified as non-sustaining.
(o)   “Reclamation and remediation - sustaining” is calculated as accretion related to reclamation and remediation obligations plus amortization of the corresponding reclamation and remediation assets for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, and is intended to reflect the periodic cost of reclamation and remediation for currently operating mines. Reclamation and remediation costs for development projects or closed mines are excluded from this amount and classified as non-sustaining.
(p)   “Exploration and business development – sustaining” is calculated as “Exploration and business development” expenses as reported on the consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, less non-sustaining exploration and business development expenses. Exploration expenses are classified as either sustaining or non-sustaining based on a determination of the type and location of the exploration expenditure. Exploration expenditures within the footprint of operating mines are considered costs required to sustain current operations and so are included in sustaining costs. Exploration expenditures focused on new ore bodies near existing mines (i.e. brownfield), new exploration projects (i.e. greenfield) or for other generative exploration activity not linked to existing mining operations are classified as non-sustaining. Business development expenses are classified as either sustaining or non-sustaining based on a determination of the type of expense and requirement for general or growth related operations.
(q)   “Additions to property, plant and equipment – sustaining” represents the majority of capital expenditures at existing operations for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, including capitalized exploration costs, periodic capitalized stripping and underground mine development costs, ongoing replacement of mine equipment and other capital facilities and other capital expenditures and is calculated as total additions to property, plant and equipment (as reported on the consolidated statements of cash flows), less non-sustaining capital. Non-sustaining capital represents capital expenditures for major projects, including major capital stripping projects at existing operations that are expected to materially benefit the operation, as well as enhancement capital for significant infrastructure improvements at existing operations. Non-sustaining capital expenditures during the year ended December 31, 2021, primarily related to major projects at Tasiast, La Coipa, Udinsk, Fort Knox, and Round Mountain. Non-sustaining capital expenditures during the year ended December 31, 2020, primarily related to major projects at Tasiast, Fort Knox and Round Mountain.
(r)   “Lease payments – sustaining” represents the majority of lease payments as reported on the consolidated statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, and is made up of the principal and financing components of such cash payments, less non-sustaining lease payments. Lease payments for development projects or closed mines are classified as non-sustaining.
(s)   “Consolidated production cost of sales per equivalent ounce sold” is defined as production cost of sales, as reported on the consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, divided by total gold equivalent ounces sold.

APPENDIX A

Recent LP Fault zone assay results