Kinross reports 2014 third-quarter results
11.05.14 - Kinross reports 2014 third-quarter results
Cost guidance lowered on strong performance year-to-date; All-in sustaining cost per ounce down 15% year-over-year
$100 million of cash added to the balance sheet in the first nine months of the year
Toronto, Ontario - November 5, 2014 - Kinross Gold Corporation (TSX: K, NYSE: KGC) today announced its results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2014.
(All dollar amounts are expressed in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise noted.)
Highlights:
- Production1: 693,818 gold equivalent ounces (Au eq. oz.), compared with 680,580 ounces in Q3 2013.
- Revenue: $945.7 million, compared with $876.3 million in Q3 2013.
- Production cost of sales2: $698 per Au eq. oz., compared with $740 in Q3 2013.
- All-in sustaining cost2: $919 per Au eq. oz. sold, compared with $1,082 in Q3 2013. All-in sustaining cost per Au oz. sold on a by-product basis was $911 in Q3 2014, compared with $1,069 in Q3 2013.
- Adjusted operating cash flow2: $312.0 million, or $0.27 per share, compared with $256.4 million, or $0.22 per share, in Q3 2013.
- Adjusted net earnings2,3: $70.1 million, or $0.06 per share, compared with $54.4 million, or $0.05 per share, in Q3 2013.
- Reported net loss/earnings3: Loss of $4.3 million, or $0.00 per share, compared with earnings of $46.9 million, or $0.04 per share, in Q3 2013.
- Average realized gold price: $1,268 per Au oz., compared with $1,331 per Au oz. in Q3 2013.
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2014 Outlook:
- Lowers guidance range for production cost of sales per Au eq. oz. sold to $720-$750, from $730-$780
- Expects to be at the high end of a narrowed production guidance range of 2.6-2.7 million Au eq. oz., from previous guidance range of 2.5-2.7 million Au eq. oz.
- Narrows guidance range downward for all-in sustaining cost per Au eq. oz. sold to $950-$990, from $950-$1,050
- Lowers guidance for capital expenditures from $675 million to a range of $630-$650 million
- Expects to end the year below guidance of $205 million for overhead (GA and business development)
- Sale of Fruta del Norte: On October 21, 2014, Kinross announced that it entered into an agreement to sell its interest in Aurelian Resources Inc. and the Fruta del Norte project in Ecuador to Fortress Minerals Corp. for $240 million in cash and shares.
CEO Commentary
J. Paul Rollinson, CEO, made the following comments in relation to 2014 third-quarter results:
"In Q3, Kinross made further significant gains in reducing costs. The Company is lowering its 2014 production cost of sales guidance and is revising down other key cost metrics as a result of successful cost reduction initiatives at several mines, continued discipline in capital spending and the addition of low cost ounces from our newest mine, Dvoinoye.
"The combination of declining costs and strong production in Q3 - including record production at Paracatu and Maricunga - resulted in a 22% year-over-year increase in adjusted operating cash flow, despite a lower gold price. In the first nine months of the year, the Company has added $100 million in cash to the balance sheet.
"With Kinross' recently announced agreement to sell its interests in Ecuador for $240 million in cash and Fortress Minerals shares, we continue to strengthen our balance sheet and focus on strategic priorities and growth opportunities."
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(1) Unless otherwise stated, production figures in this news release are based on Kinross' 90% share of Chirano production.
(2) These figures are non-GAAP financial measures and are defined and reconciled on pages 12 to 16 of this news release.
(3) Net earnings/loss figures in this release represent "net earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders".
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 harbour’’ 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 “CEO Commentary”, “Outlook”, “Tasiast expansion project update”, “La Coipa Phase 7 update”, “Fruta del Norte sale”, “Liquidity”, and include, without limitation, statements with respect to: our guidance for production; production costs of sales, all-in sustaining cost and capital expenditures; expected savings pursuant to our cost review and reduction initiatives including, without limitation, optimization of projects and operations, as well as references to other possible events, the future price of gold and silver, the estimation of mineral reserves and mineral resources, the realization of mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates, the timing and amount of estimated future production, costs of production, capital expenditures, costs and timing of the development of projects and new deposits, success of exploration, development and mining activities, permitting timelines, currency fluctuations, requirements for additional capital, government regulation of mining operations, environmental risks, unanticipated reclamation expenses, title disputes or claims and limitations on insurance coverage. The words “anticipate”, “estimates”, ‘‘expects’’, ‘‘explore’’, ‘‘forecasts”, “focus”, “guidance”, “initiative”, “metric”, “on track”, “on target”, “options”, “outlook”, “opportunity”, “plan”, “potential”, “priorities”, “pursue”, “seek”, or “study”, 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 most recently filed Annual Information Form and our Management’s Discussion and Analysis as well as: (1) there being no significant disruptions affecting the operations of the Company or any entity in which it now or hereafter directly or indirectly holds an investment, whether due to labour disruptions, supply disruptions, power disruptions, damage to equipment or otherwise; (2) permitting, development, operations and expansion at Paracatu (including, without limitation, land acquisitions and permitting for the construction and operation of the new tailings facility) being consistent with our current expectations; (3) the cessation by the Company of further investment and development of the Fruta del Norte deposit and La Zarza mining concession (“FDN”) being consistent with Kinross’ current expectations including, without limitation, as to the reasonable cooperation of the Government of Ecuador in ensuring an orderly transition with respect to FDN that respects the interests of both parties, the closing of the announced transaction with Fortress Minerals Corp., continuing recognition of the Company’s other remaining mining concessions and other assets, rights, titles and interests in Ecuador, the implementation of Ecuador’s mining and investment laws (and prospective amendment to these laws) and related regulations and policies, and compliance with, and the implementation and enforcement of, the Canada-Ecuador Agreement for the Promotion and Reciprocal Protection of Investments; (4) political and legal developments in any jurisdiction in which the Company, or any entity in which it now or hereafter directly or indirectly holds an investment, operates being consistent with its current expectations including, without limitation, the impact of escalating political tensions and uncertainty in the Russian Federation and Ukraine or any related sanctions and any other similar restrictions or penalties imposed by any government, the transition period as we reduce our level of activity in Ecuador and any potential amendments to the Brazilian Mining Code, the Mauritanian Customs Code, the Mauritanian Mining Code, the Mauritanian VAT regime and water legislation or other water use restrictions in Chile (including, but not limited to, the interpretation, implementation and application of any such amendments), being consistent with Kinross’ current expectations; (5) the exchange rate between the Canadian dollar, Brazilian real, Chilean peso, Russian rouble, Mauritanian ouguiya, Ghanaian cedi 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 current levels; (8) production and cost of sales forecasts for the Company, and entities in which it now or hereafter directly or indirectly holds an investment, meeting expectations; (9) the accuracy of the current mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates of the Company (including but not limited to the classification of such estimates as mineral reserves or mineral resources, and ore tonnage and ore grade estimates); (10) labour and materials costs increasing on a basis consistent with Kinross’ current expectations; (11) the permitting and development of, operations at and production from the Company’s operations and projects, including but not limited to production from Dvoinoye; permitting, development and expansion at Tasiast (including but not limited to, opportunities to enhance/optimize project economics and reduce execution risk of the potential expansion, and any resulting optimization initiatives which may, among other things, lead to changes in processing approach and maintenance, and conversion of adjacent exploration licences to exploitation licences); and permitting and development at Cerro Casale or Lobo Marte, being consistent with Kinross’ current expectations; (12) the terms and conditions of the legal and fiscal stability agreements for the Tasiast and Chirano operations being interpreted and applied in a manner consistent with their intent and Kinross’ expectations; (13) goodwill and/or asset impairment potential including but not limited to as a result, in whole or in part, of any inability to maintain or obtain permits, any reclassification of mineral reserve or mineral resource estimates, and/or postponement or cessation of advancement of development; and (14) access to capital markets, including but not limited to maintaining an investment grade debt rating and, as required, securing and maintaining partial project financing for Dvoinoye, Kupol and any expansion at Tasiast, being consistent with the Company’s current 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: sanctions (any other similar restrictions or penalties) now or subsequently imposed by, against, in respect of or otherwise impacting any jurisdiction in which the Company is domiciled or operates (including but not limited to the Russian Federation, Canada, the European Union and the United States), or any government or citizens of, persons or companies domiciled in, or the Company’s business, operations or other activities in, any such jurisdiction; our ability to successfully cease further investment in and development of FDN and, in cooperation with the Government of Ecuador, successfully complete an orderly transition with respect to FDN (including, but limited to, the closing of the announced transaction with Fortress Minerals Corp.) that is respectful of the interests of both parties and does not impose on the Company (and/or any of its directors, officers or employees) any unreasonable obligations or liabilities; litigation commenced, or other claims or actions brought, against the Company (and/or any of its directors, officers or employees) in respect of the cessation by the Company of further investment in and development of FDN, or any of the Company’s prior or continuing activities on or in respect thereof or otherwise in Ecuador; fluctuations in the currency markets; fluctuations in the spot and forward price of gold or certain other commodities (such as fuel and electricity); 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, royalty, 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, Russia, Ecuador, Mauritania, Ghana, or other countries in which Kinross, or entities in which it now or hereafter directly or indirectly holds an interest, do 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 or development activities; employee relations; litigation against the Company including, but not limited to, securities class action litigation in Canada and/or the United States; the speculative nature of gold exploration and development including, but not limited to, the risks of obtaining and maintaining necessary licenses and permits at our operations and projects (including but not limited to Cerro Casale and Lobo Marte), and decisions made by controlling joint venture partners such as at Cerro Casale; diminishing quantities or grades, or reclassification, of mineral reserves; adverse changes in our credit rating; 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 these cautionary statements 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 Factors’’ section of our most recently filed Annual Information Form and Management Discussion and Analysis. 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 60%-70% of the Company's costs are denominated in U.S. dollars. A 10% change in foreign exchange could result in an approximate $12 impact on production cost of sales per ounce . A $10 per barrel change in the price of oil could result in an approximate $3 impact on production cost of sales per ounce. The impact on royalties of a $100 change in the gold price could result in an approximate $3 impact on production cost of sales per ounce.
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 material mineral properties contained in this news release has been prepared under the supervision of and verified by Mr. John Sims, an officer of the Company who is a “qualified person” within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101.
About Kinross
Kinross is a Canadian-based gold mining company with mines and projects in Brazil, Chile, Ghana, Mauritania, Russia and the United States. Kinross maintains listings on the Toronto Stock Exchange (symbol:K) and the New York Stock Exchange (symbol:KGC).
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