Kinross reports 2024 first-quarter results

Strong start to the year with robust margins driving strong free cash flow
Development projects on track
Well positioned to meet annual guidance

TORONTO, May 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kinross Gold Corporation (TSX: K, NYSE: KGC) (“Kinross” or the “Company”) today announced its results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024.

This news release contains forward-looking information about expected future events and financial and operating performance of the Company. We refer to the risks and assumptions set out in our Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information located on pages 27 and 28 of this release. All dollar amounts are expressed in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise noted.

2024 first-quarter highlights:

• Production of 527,399 gold equivalent ounces (Au eq. oz.), a 13% year-over-year increase.
• Production cost of sales^{1, 2} of $982 per Au eq. oz. sold and all-in sustaining cost^{2, 3} of $1,310 per Au eq. oz. sold, both of which are in line with Q1 2023.
• Margins⁴ increased by 20% to $1,088 per Au eq. oz. sold, outpacing the rise in the average realized gold price.
• Operating cash flow⁵ of $374.4 million and adjusted operating cash flow³ of $424.9 million. Attributable⁶ free cash flow³ of $145.3 million.
• Reported net earnings⁷ of $107.0 million, or $0.09 per share, with adjusted net earnings^{3, 8} of $124.9 million, or $0.10 per share³.
• Kinross’ Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.03 per common share payable on June 13, 2024, to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 30, 2024.
• On track to meet annual guidance: On an attributable basis⁶, Kinross expects to produce 2.1 million Au eq. oz. (+/- 5%) at a production cost of sales per Au eq. oz.¹ of $1,020 (+/- 5%) and all-in sustaining cost³ of $1,360 (+/- 5%) per ounce sold for 2024. Total attributable⁶ capital expenditures³ are forecast to be approximately $1,050 million (+/- 5%).
• Balance sheet strength: Kinross has improved its debt metrics and continues to maintain its investment grade credit ratings. As of March 31, 2024, Kinross had cash and cash equivalents of $406.9 million, for total liquidity⁹ of approximately $2 billion.
• Operations:
  • Kinross’ three largest producing mines – Tasiast, Paracatu and La Coipa – delivered 68% of total production, with production cost of sales of $821 per Au eq. oz. sold¹ and margins⁴ of $1,251 per Au eq. oz. sold.
  • Tasiast achieved record quarterly throughput as the mine continued its strong performance since the completion of the 24k project.
  • Paracatu achieved record quarterly throughput and La Coipa continued to deliver high margin production.
    
• Development projects:
  • Kinross’ pipeline of development projects continues to advance on plan.
  • At Great Bear, the drilling campaign made strong progress in Q1 2024 and continues to successfully target extensions of the resource at depth.
  • At Manh Choh, operations are ramping up and the project is on track for first production in early Q3 2024.
  • At Round Mountain, Phase S mining is on plan, and the exploration decline at Phase X is progressing well, with approximately 1,800 metres developed to date.
• Sustainability Report: Kinross expects to publish its 2023 Sustainability Report later this month, providing a comprehensive summary of its performance over the past year.

CEO commentary:
J. Paul Rollinson, CEO, made the following comments in relation to 2024 first-quarter results:

“We have had a strong start to the year and are well positioned to meet our annual guidance. Our portfolio of mines performed well, driven by strong operational performance, disciplined cost management and higher gold prices. The Company delivered a 20% increase in margins to $1,088 per ounce sold, which is approximately double the percentage increase in the gold price over the same period. As a result, free cash flow more than tripled over Q1 2023.

“With the strong sustained gold price, we will continue to prioritize our financial discipline and operational excellence. We will focus on maintaining our margins and cost profile, prudent capital allocation and debt reduction.

“Our development projects are all proceeding as planned. At Great Bear, we made excellent progress on our 2024 drilling campaign, which continued to successfully target extensions of the resource at depth, and we remain on track to release a preliminary economic assessment (PEA) in the second half of the year. At Round Mountain, Phase S and Phase X are advancing well. We are also looking forward to first production at Manh Choh early in the third quarter. At Tasiast, our solar power plant is complete and generating power at full capacity.

“Kinross’ commitment to Sustainability is deeply rooted in our values and culture, and we are proud of our consistent high rankings in our industry. We are looking forward to publishing our 2023 Sustainability Report later this month, marking our 16^th year of reporting in this important area.”

Summary of financial and operating results

The following operating and financial results are based on first-quarter gold equivalent production:

Production: Kinross produced 527,399 Au eq. oz. in Q1 2024, compared with 466,022 Au eq. oz. in Q1 2023. The 13% year-over-year increase was primarily due to higher throughput at Tasiast, higher grades at La Coipa, and higher production at Bald Mountain due to timing of ounces recovered from the heap leach pads.

Average realized gold price¹⁰: The average realized gold price in Q1 2024 was $2,070 per ounce, compared with $1,894 per ounce in Q1 2023.

Revenue: During the first quarter, revenue increased to $1,081.5 million, compared with $929.3 million during Q1 2023. The 16% year-over-year increase is primarily due to increases in gold equivalent ounces sold and average metal prices realized.

Production cost of sales: Production cost of sales per Au eq. oz. sold^{1, 2} decreased slightly to $982 for the quarter, compared with $987 in Q1 2023.

Production cost of sales per Au oz. sold on a by-product basis^{2, 3} was $941 in Q1 2024, compared with $929 in Q1 2023, based on gold sales of 503,604 ounces and silver sales of 1,667,248 ounces.

Margins⁴: Kinross’ margin per Au eq. oz. sold increased by 20% to $1,088 for Q1 2024, compared with the Q1 2023 margin of $907, outpacing the 9% increase in average realized gold price¹⁰.

All-in sustaining cost^{2, 3}: All-in sustaining cost per Au eq. oz. sold was $1,310 in Q1 2024, compared with $1,321 in Q1 2023.

In Q1 2024, all-in sustaining cost per Au oz. sold on a by-product basis was $1,281, compared with $1,284 in Q1 2023.

Operating cash flow⁵: Operating cash flow was $374.4 million for Q1 2024, compared with $259.0 million for Q1 2023.

Adjusted operating cash flow³ for Q1 2024 was $424.9 million, compared with $358.2 million for Q1 2023.

Attributable⁶ free cash flow³: Attributable free cash flow more than tripled to $145.3 million in Q1 2024, compared with $47.8 million in Q1 2023.

Earnings: Reported net earnings⁷ increased by 19% to $107.0 million for Q1 2024, or $0.09 per share, compared with reported net earnings of $90.2 million, or $0.07 per share, for Q1 2023.

Adjusted net earnings^{3, 8} increased by 43% to $124.9 million, or $0.10 per share, for Q1 2024, compared with $87.6 million, or $0.07 per share, for Q1 2023.

Attributable⁶ capital expenditures³: Attributable capital expenditures increased to $232.1 million for Q1 2024, compared with $211.8 million for Q1 2023, primarily due to an increase in capital stripping at Tasiast and Fort Knox¹¹, as well as the start of Phase S capital development at Round Mountain, partially offset by a decrease in capital stripping at La Coipa.

Balance sheet

Kinross had cash and cash equivalents of $406.9 million as of March 31, 2024, compared with $352.4 million at December 31, 2023. The increase was primarily due to the increase in operating cash flow.

Kinross has improved its debt metrics and continues to prioritize maintaining and strengthening its investment grade balance sheet. Kinross plans to further reduce debt during the year by allocating excess free cash generated towards the term loan due in 2025.

The Company had additional available credit¹² of $1.6 billion and total liquidity⁹ of approximately $2 billion as of March 31, 2024.

Dividend

As part of its continuing quarterly dividend program, the Company declared a dividend of $0.03 per common share payable on June 13, 2024, to shareholders of record as of May 30, 2024.

Operating results

Mine-by-mine summaries for 2024 first-quarter operating results may be found on pages 10 and 14 of this news release. Highlights include the following:

At Tasiast, production was in line with the previous quarter, and was higher year-over-year mainly due to record quarterly throughput following the completion of the Tasiast 24k project in the second half of 2023, partly offset by lower grades, as planned. Cost of sales per ounce sold was largely in line quarter-over-quarter, and lower year-over-year mainly due to the higher ounces sold.

Paracatu delivered according to plan, with production largely in line with the previous quarter, and higher year-over-year mainly due to an increase in throughput, partly offset by lower grades as a result of planned mine sequencing. Cost of sales per ounce sold decreased quarter-over-quarter primarily due to lower maintenance, labour and contractor costs. Year-over-year, cost of sales per ounce sold increased mainly due to an increase in labour, drilling, blasting and fuel costs related to an increase in tonnes mined.

At La Coipa, production was slightly lower than the previous quarter mainly as a result of a decrease in throughput, which was offset by higher grades and recoveries. Production increased compared with the same period last year primarily due to an increase in gold grades, and an increase in mill throughput. Cost of sales per ounce sold was largely in line with both comparable periods.

At Fort Knox¹¹, production was lower quarter-over-quarter due to lower mill grade, throughput and recovery, and the seasonal effect of fewer ounces recovered from the heap leach pads. Year-over-year, production was lower due to lower mill grade, throughput and recovery. In both comparable periods, cost of sales per ounce sold was higher primarily due to lower production.

Round Mountain performed well, with production increasing quarter-over-quarter due to higher mill throughput, grade, and recoveries, partially offset by fewer ounces recovered from the heap leach pads. The increase in production compared to Q1 2023 was primarily due to higher mill grade and throughput, partially offset by lower mill recovery and fewer ounces recovered from the heap leach pads. In both comparable periods, cost of sales per ounce sold was lower due to the increase in production as well as an increase in capital development related to the start of stripping Phase S.

At Bald Mountain, production increased in both comparable periods mainly due to an increase in ounces recovered from the heap leach pads. Cost of sales per ounce sold was lower quarter-over-quarter mainly as a result of a higher proportion of capital development, and similarly, lower year-over-year due to a higher proportion of capital development as well as higher production.

Development Projects and Exploration

Great Bear  

At the Great Bear project, the Company’s robust exploration program continues to make excellent progress, execution planning for the advanced exploration program is well underway, and permitting continues to advance on plan.

The drilling results below (at true width) continue to support the view of a high-grade, long-life mining complex at Great Bear, with recent results showing extension of mineralization at depth across multiple zones.

At Yuma, results continue to intersect higher grade mineralization at depth in close proximity to the current resource, with holes BR-843AC3 and BR-695C1A intersecting 10.2m @ 18.59 g/t at 975m vertical depth and 6.2m @ 6.24 g/t at 1,085m vertical depth, respectively.

At Yauro, BR-708AC1B intersected 2.0m @ 11.41 g/t at a vertical depth of 1,095m well below the current resources, showing the potential for Yauro to continue to expand at depth with high grade mineralization, similar to how depth extensions progressed with continued drilling at Yuma.

At Auro, recent drilling also intersected high grade mineralization with a minable width below the current resources with hole BR-882 intersecting 6.1m @ 25.71 g/t at a vertical depth of 720m.

At Discovery to the northwest, hole BR-847 has intersected 2.4m @ 5.53 g/t at 870m in the under-tested area beneath the current resource, demonstrating continuity of mineralization between previously reported drill holes. The 2024 drill program will continue to target mineralization below the existing mineral resource, explore for additional deposits along strike, and expand our Red Lake style mineralization at Hinge and Limb.

For the Advanced Exploration (AEX) program, Kinross is progressing provincial permitting, engineering, and execution planning activities that would establish an underground decline to obtain a bulk sample and allow for definition and infill drilling in the LP zone. Kinross has the necessary surface rights to develop the AEX project, subject to obtaining the required provincial permits.

Detailed engineering, execution planning, and procurement continue to progress well. Some required infrastructure such as the camp and water treatment plant have now been purchased.

Kinross is targeting a start of the surface construction for the AEX program in the second half of 2024, subject to receipt of permits, with start of the underground decline planned in mid-2025.

For the Main Project, Kinross continues to advance technical studies, including engineering and field test work campaigns. In the last quarter, substantial geotechnical field work was conducted to help de-risk project construction through strong early technical studies.

Kinross remains on track to release a PEA in the second half of 2024. Kinross has opted to pursue a PEA as it enables the inclusion of a portion of the inferred underground resource. This provides visibility into the potential production scale, construction capital, all-in sustaining cost and margins for both the open pit and the underground. The PEA will only include a subset of the ounces in the measured, indicated, and inferred resources drilled to date.

The Detailed Project Description for the Main Project was submitted to the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada in Q1 2024, as planned, and the Federal Impact Assessment is underway. Studies are ongoing and the Company expects to file its Impact Statement in the first half of 2025.

Selected Great Bear Drill Results
See Appendix A for full results.

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

See Appendix B for a LP zone long section.

Fort Knox

At the Kinross-operated, 70%-owned Manh Choh project, the Company is on track for first production in early Q3 2024. Ore and waste mining are ongoing with the full mining fleet now in operation as planned. Following several months of orientation runs, transportation of ore to Fort Knox, where the ore will be processed, continues to ramp up with all contracted trucks received, the majority of the drivers onboarded, and trailer manufacturing now complete.

At Fort Knox, mill modifications and site preparation remain on plan, including the completion of the ore delivery road and tie-ins for the pebble recycle conveyor. Building construction is advancing well, along with interior piping and electrical works.

Round Mountain

The extension strategy at Round Mountain is advancing well. At Phase S, mining is on plan. For the heap leach pad expansion, earthworks began during the quarter, procurement is advancing as expected and construction activities remain on track. 

At Phase X, development of the exploration decline is progressing well, with over 1,800 metres developed to date. The decline has now progressed to the point that infill drilling of the primary Phase X target can commence in Q2 2024, as planned. 

The Company also took the opportunity, as the decline was advancing, to perform exploration drilling in between the open pit and the underground target. This drilling¹³ has intersected high-grade mineralization with significant widths in this area outside of the primary Phase X target, which is also an area that did not have significant historic drilling, as highlighted below:

• DX-0012: 8.4m @ 16.6 g/t Au Eq
• DX-0019: 21.3m @ 9.9 g/t Au Eq
• DX-0014: 9.1m @ 9.5 g/t Au Eq
  

These results show potential for expansion of the target area for mineralization and for potential future mining at Phase X (see Appendix C).

At Gold Hill, infill drilling of the underground targets is being completed from the bottom of the historical pit and exploration drilling is being completed from surface, testing continuity and extensions at depth and on strike.

Chile

Kinross’ activities in Chile are currently focused on La Coipa and potential opportunities to extend its mine life. The Lobo-Marte project continues to provide optionality as a potential large, low-cost mine upon the conclusion of mining at La Coipa. While the Company focuses its technical resources on La Coipa, it will continue to engage and build relationships with communities related to Lobo-Marte and government stakeholders.

Curlew Basin exploration

At Curlew, Kinross is working on optimizing the potential mine design with a focus on improving the efficiency and margin of potential underground mining. The Company continues to progress underground drilling to follow up on recent high-grade intersections at the Roadrunner and Stealth vein zones, and has intersected multiple zones of stockwork veining with assays pending.

Conference call details

In connection with this news release, Kinross will hold a conference call and audio webcast on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at 7:45 a.m. EDT to discuss the results, followed by a question-and-answer session. To access the call, please dial:

Canada & US toll-free – 1 (888) 330-2446; Passcode: 4915537
Outside of Canada & US �� 1 (240) 789-2732; Passcode: 4915537

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

Canada & US toll-free – 1 (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.

Virtual Annual Meeting of Shareholders

Kinross’ virtual Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be held on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. EDT.  

The virtual meeting will be accessible online at: web.lumiagm.com/#/429018094. The link to the virtual meeting will also be accessible at www.kinross.com and will be archived for later use.

Voting and participation instructions for eligible shareholders are provided in the Company’s Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and Management Information Circular.

This release should be read in conjunction with Kinross’ 2024 first-quarter unaudited Financial Statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis report at www.kinross.com. Kinross’ 2024 first-quarter Financial Statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis have been filed with Canadian securities regulators (available at www.sedarplus.ca) 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 and Canada. Our focus is on delivering value based on the 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
Victoria Barrington
Senior Director, Corporate Communications
phone: 647-788-4153
victoria.barrington@kinross.com

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

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 financial measures and ratios are not defined under 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.

Adjusted Net Earnings Attributable to Common Shareholders and Adjusted Net Earnings per Share

Adjusted net earnings attributable to common shareholders and adjusted net earnings 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 and adjusted net earnings per share measures and ratios are not necessarily indicative of net earnings and earnings per share measures and ratios as determined under IFRS.

The following table provides a reconciliation of net earnings to adjusted net earnings for the periods presented:

Attributable Free Cash Flow

Attributable free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure and is defined as net cash flow provided from operating activities less attributable capital expenditures and non-controlling interest included in net cash flows provided from operating activities. 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, this measure is not necessarily indicative of operating earnings or net cash flow provided from operating activities as determined under IFRS.

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

See page 21 for details of the endnotes referenced within the table above.

Adjusted Operating Cash Flow

Adjusted operating cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure and is defined as net cash flow 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 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 measure is not necessarily indicative of net cash flow provided from operating activities as determined under IFRS.

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

See page 21 for details of the endnotes referenced within the table above.

Production Cost of Sales per Ounce Sold on a By-Product Basis^(l)

Production cost of sales 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 per ounce sold on a by-product basis for the periods presented:

See page 21 for details of the endnotes referenced within the table above.

All-In Sustaining Cost^(l) and Attributable All-In Cost per Ounce Sold on a By-Product Basis

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

See page 21 for details of the endnotes referenced within the table above.

The Company also assesses its all-in sustaining cost and attributable all-in cost 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^(l) and Attributable All-In Cost per Equivalent Ounce Sold

The Company also assesses its all-in sustaining cost and attributable all-in cost 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 per equivalent ounce sold are calculated by adjusting production cost of sales, as reported on the interim condensed consolidated statements of operations, as follows:

See page 21 for details of the endnotes referenced within the table above.

Capital Expenditures and Attributable Capital Expenditures

Capital expenditures are classified as either sustaining capital expenditures or non-sustaining capital expenditures, depending on the nature of the expenditure. Sustaining capital expenditures typically represent capital expenditures at existing operations including capitalized exploration costs and capitalized stripping unless related to major projects, 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 expenditures. Non-sustaining capital expenditures represent 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. Management believes the distinction between sustaining capital expenditures and non-sustaining expenditures is a useful indicator of the purpose of capital expenditures and this distinction is an input into the calculation of all-in sustaining costs per ounce and attributable all-in costs per ounce. The categorization of sustaining capital expenditures and non-sustaining capital expenditures is consistent with the definitions under the WGC all-in cost standard. Sustaining capital expenditures and non-sustaining capital expenditures are not defined under IFRS, however, the sum of these two measures total to additions to property, plant and equipment as disclosed under IFRS on the interim condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.

Additions to property, plant and equipment per the statement of cash flow includes 100% of capital expenditures for Manh Choh. Attributable capital expenditures includes Kinross' 70% share of capital expenditures for Manh Choh. Management believes this to be a useful indicator of Kinross’ cash resources utilized for capital expenditures.

The following table provides a reconciliation of the classification of capital expenditures for the periods presented:

See page 21 for details of the endnotes referenced within the table above.

Endnotes

APPENDIX A

Recent LP zone assay results

APPENDIX B

Great Bear: LP long section demonstrating potential for extension of a high-grade underground resource.

An infographic accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/12d656a2-96da-42d9-ac04-3da030e75ce6

Composites generated from drill intersections received since the February 14, 2024, news release includes assays from 29 fully assayed drill holes at the LP zone and 4 fully assayed drill holes at the Hinge and Limb zone. Composites are generated using 0.3 g/t minimum grade, maximum linear internal dilution of 5.0 m, and allows short high-grade intervals greater than 8 GXM to be retained. Results are preliminary in nature and are subject to on-going QA/QC. For full list of significant, composited assay results, see Appendix A.

APPENDIX C

Round Mountain Phase X drilling: High-grade zones encountered between portals and targeted mineralization.

An infographic accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/bc9fd7a8-a1f1-45cc-bea5-8119f4ee672c

Cautionary statement on forward-looking information

All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained or incorporated by reference in this news release including, but not limited to, any information as to the future financial or operating performance of Kinross, constitute “forward-looking information” or “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of certain securities laws, including the provisions of the Securities Act (Ontario) and the provisions for “safe harbor” under the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as of the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release, include, but are not limited to, those under the headings (or headings that include) “2024 first-quarter highlights”, “CEO commentary”, “Balance Sheet”, and “Development Projects and Exploration”, as well as statements with respect to our guidance for production, cost guidance, including production costs of sales, all-in sustaining cost of sales, and capital expenditures; statements with respect to our guidance for cash flow and free cash flow; the declaration, payment and sustainability of the Company’s dividends; identification of additional resources and reserves or the conversion of resources to reserves; the Company’s liquidity; the Company’s plan to reduce debt; the schedules budgets, and forecast economics for the Company’s development projects; budgets for and future prospects for exploration, development and operation at the Company’s operations and projects, including the Great Bear project; potential mine life extensions at the Company’s operations; the Company’s balance sheet and liquidity outlook, as well as references to other possible events including, the future price of gold and silver, costs of production, operating costs; price inflation; capital expenditures, costs and timing of the development of projects and new deposits, estimates and the realization of such estimates (such as mineral or gold reserves and resources or mine life), success of exploration, development and mining, currency fluctuations, capital requirements, project studies, government regulation, permit applications, environmental risks and proceedings, and resolution of pending litigation. The words “advance”, “continue”, “expects”, “focus”, “forecast”, “guidance”, “on plan”, “on track”, “opportunity”, “plan”, “potential”, “priority”, “prospect”, “target” or variations of or similar such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results may, could, should or will be achieved, received or taken, or will occur or result and similar such expressions identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Kinross as of the date of such statements, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. The estimates, models and assumptions of Kinross referenced, contained or incorporated by reference in this news release, which may prove to be incorrect, include, but are not limited to, the various assumptions set forth herein and in our Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) for the year ended December 31, 2023, and the Annual Information Form dated March 27, 2024 as well as: (1) there being no significant disruptions affecting the operations of the Company, whether due to extreme weather events (including, without limitation, excessive snowfall, excessive or lack of rainfall, in particular, the potential for further production curtailments at Paracatu resulting from insufficient rainfall and the operational challenges at Fort Knox and Bald Mountain resulting from excessive rainfall or snowfall, which can impact costs and/or production) and other or related natural disasters, labour disruptions (including but not limited to strikes or workforce reductions), supply disruptions, power disruptions, damage to equipment, pit wall slides or otherwise; (2) permitting, development, operations and production from the Company’s operations and development projects being consistent with Kinross’ current expectations including, without limitation: the maintenance of existing permits and approvals and the timely receipt of all permits and authorizations necessary for the operation of Tasiast; water and power supply and continued operation of the tailings reprocessing facility at Paracatu; permitting of the Great Bear project (including the consultation process with Indigenous groups), permitting and development of the Lobo-Marte project; in each case in a manner consistent with the Company’s expectations; and the successful completion of exploration consistent with the Company’s expectations at the Company’s projects; (3) political and legal developments in any jurisdiction in which the Company operates being consistent with its current expectations including, without limitation, restrictions or penalties imposed, or actions taken, by any government, including but not limited to amendments to the mining laws, and potential power rationing and tailings facility regulations in Brazil (including those related to financial assurance requirements), potential amendments to water laws and/or other water use restrictions and regulatory actions in Chile, new dam safety regulations, potential amendments to minerals and mining laws and energy levies laws, new regulations relating to work permits, potential amendments to customs and mining laws (including but not limited to amendments to the VAT) and the potential application of the tax code in Mauritania, potential amendments to and enforcement of tax laws in Mauritania (including, but not limited to, the interpretation, implementation, application and enforcement of any such laws and amendments thereto), potential third party legal challenges to existing permits, and the impact of any trade tariffs being consistent with Kinross’ current expectations; (4) the completion of studies, including scoping studies, preliminary economic assessments, pre-feasibility or feasibility studies, on the timelines currently expected and the results of those studies being consistent with Kinross’ current expectations; (5) the exchange rate between the Canadian dollar, Brazilian real, Chilean peso, Mauritanian ouguiya and the U.S. dollar being approximately consistent with current levels; (6) certain price assumptions for gold and silver; (7) prices for diesel, natural gas, fuel oil, electricity and other key supplies being approximately consistent with the Company’s expectations; (8) attributable production and cost of sales forecasts for the Company meeting expectations; (9) the accuracy of the current mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates of the Company and Kinross’ analysis thereof being consistent with expectations (including but not limited to ore tonnage and ore grade estimates), future mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates being consistent with preliminary work undertaken by the Company, mine plans for the Company’s current and future mining operations, and the Company’s internal models; (10) labour and materials costs increasing on a basis consistent with Kinross’ current expectations; (11) the terms and conditions of the legal and fiscal stability agreements for Tasiast being interpreted and applied in a manner consistent with their intent and Kinross’ expectations and without material amendment or formal dispute (including without limitation the application of tax, customs and duties exemptions and royalties); (12) asset impairment potential; (13) the regulatory and legislative regime regarding mining, electricity production and transmission (including rules related to power tariffs) in Brazil being consistent with Kinross’ current expectations; (14) access to capital markets, including but not limited to maintaining our current credit ratings consistent with the Company’s current expectations; (15) potential direct or indirect operational impacts resulting from infectious diseases or pandemics; (16) changes in national and local government legislation or other government actions, including the Canadian federal impact assessment regime; (17) litigation, regulatory proceedings and audits, and the potential ramifications thereof, being concluded in a manner consistent with the Corporation’s expectations (including without limitation litigation in Chile relating to the alleged damage of wetlands and the scope of any remediation plan or other environmental obligations arising therefrom); (18) the Company’s financial results, cash flows and future prospects being consistent with Company expectations in amounts sufficient to permit sustained dividend payments; and (19) the impacts of detected pit wall instability at Round Mountain and Bald Mountain being consistent with the Company’s expectations. Known and unknown factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: the inaccuracy of any of the foregoing assumptions; fluctuations in the currency markets; fluctuations in the spot and forward price of gold or certain other commodities (such as fuel and electricity); price inflation of goods and services; changes in the discount rates applied to calculate the present value of net future cash flows based on country-specific real weighted average cost of capital; changes in the market valuations of peer group gold producers and the Company, and the resulting impact on market price to net asset value multiples; changes in various market variables, such as interest rates, foreign exchange rates, gold or silver prices and lease rates, or global fuel prices, that could impact the mark-to-market value of outstanding derivative instruments and ongoing payments/receipts under any financial obligations; risks arising from holding derivative instruments (such as credit risk, market liquidity risk and mark-to-market risk); changes in national and local government legislation, taxation (including but not limited to income tax, advance income tax, stamp tax, withholding tax, capital tax, tariffs, value-added or sales tax, capital outflow tax, capital gains tax, windfall or windfall profits tax, production royalties, excise tax, customs/import or export taxes/duties, asset taxes, asset transfer tax, property use or other real estate tax, together with any related fine, penalty, surcharge, or interest imposed in connection with such taxes), controls, policies and regulations; the security of personnel and assets; political or economic developments in Canada, the United States, Chile, Brazil, Mauritania or other countries in which Kinross does business or may carry on business; business opportunities that may be presented to, or pursued by, us; our ability to successfully integrate acquisitions and complete divestitures; operating or technical difficulties in connection with mining, development or refining activities; employee relations; litigation or other claims against, or regulatory investigations and/or any enforcement actions, administrative orders or sanctions in respect of the Company (and/or its directors, officers, or employees) including, but not limited to, securities class action litigation in Canada and/or the United States, environmental litigation or regulatory proceedings or any investigations, enforcement actions and/or sanctions under any applicable anti-corruption, international sanctions and/or anti-money laundering laws and regulations in Canada, the United States or any other applicable jurisdiction; the speculative nature of gold exploration and development including, but not limited to, the risks of obtaining and maintaining necessary licenses and permits; diminishing quantities or grades of reserves; adverse changes in our credit ratings; and contests over title to properties, particularly title to undeveloped properties. In addition, there are risks and hazards associated with the business of gold exploration, development and mining, including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formations, pressures, cave-ins, flooding and gold bullion losses (and the risk of inadequate insurance, or the inability to obtain insurance, to cover these risks). Many of these uncertainties and contingencies can directly or indirectly affect, and could cause, Kinross’ actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of, Kinross, including but not limited to resulting in an impairment charge on goodwill and/or assets. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of providing information about management’s expectations and plans relating to the future. All of the forward-looking statements made in this news release are qualified by this cautionary statement and those made in our other filings with the securities regulators of Canada and the United States including, but not limited to, the cautionary statements made in the “Risk Analysis” section of our MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2023, and the “Risk Factors” set forth in the Company’s Annual Information Form dated March 27, 2024. These factors are not intended to represent a complete list of the factors that could affect Kinross. Kinross disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such forward-looking statements, except to the extent required by applicable law.

Key Sensitivities

Approximately 70%-80% of the Company's costs are denominated in U.S. dollars.

A 10% change in foreign currency exchange rates would be expected to result in an approximate $20 impact on production cost of sales per equivalent ounce sold¹⁴.

Specific to the Brazilian real, a 10% change in the exchange rate would be expected to result in an approximate $40 impact on Brazilian production cost of sales per equivalent ounce sold.

Specific to the Chilean peso, a 10% change in the exchange rate would be expected to result in an approximate $30 impact on Chilean production cost of sales per equivalent ounce sold.

A $10 per barrel change in the price of oil would be expected to result in an approximate $3 impact on production cost of sales per equivalent ounce sold.

A $100 change in the price of gold would be expected to result in an approximate $4 impact on production cost of sales per equivalent ounce sold as a result of a change in royalties.

Other information

Where we say "we", "us", "our", the "Company", or "Kinross" in this news release, we mean Kinross Gold Corporation and/or one or more or all of its subsidiaries, as may be applicable.

The technical information about the Company’s mineral properties contained in this news release has been prepared under the supervision of Mr. Nicos Pfeiffer, an officer of the Company who is a “qualified person” within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101.

Source: Kinross Gold Corporation

1 “Production cost of sales 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.
2 As production from Manh Choh is expected to commence in the third quarter of 2024, production cost of sales and attributable all-in sustaining cost figures and ratios for Manh Choh are nil for all periods presented. As a result, production cost of sales and all-in sustaining cost figures and ratios are equal to attributable production cost of sales and attributable all-in sustaining cost figures and ratios, as applicable.
3 These figures are non-GAAP financial measures and ratios, as applicable, and are defined and reconciled on pages 16 to 21 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.  
4 “Margins” per equivalent ounce sold is defined as average realized gold price per ounce less production cost of sales per equivalent ounce sold.
5 Operating cash flow figures in this release represent “Net cash flow provided from operating activities,” as reported on the interim condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.
6 “Attributable” includes Kinross’ 70% share of Manh Choh production, costs and capital expenditures. Attributable guidance figures are non-GAAP financial measures and ratios. Refer to footnote 2.
7 Reported net earnings figures in this news release represent “Net earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders,” as reported on the interim condensed consolidated statements of operations.   
8 Adjusted net earnings figures in this news release represent “Adjusted net earnings attributable to common shareholders.”
9 “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 months ended March 31, 2024).
10 “Average realized gold price per ounce” is defined as gold metal sales divided by total gold ounces sold.
11 “Fort Knox” includes Fort Knox and Manh Choh.
12 “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 months ended March 31, 2024.
13 Phase X drill results are reported as apparent widths as true widths have yet to be determined.
14 Refers to all of the currencies in the countries where the Company has mining operations, fluctuating simultaneously by 10% in the same direction, either appreciating or depreciating, taking into consideration the impact of hedging and the weighting of each currency within our consolidated cost structure.