Adjusted net earnings increase 16%

Board approves Dvoinoye feasibility study

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Toronto, Ontario - May 8, 2012 - Kinross Gold Corporation (TSX: K, NYSE: KGC) today announced its results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2012.

(This news release contains forward-looking information that is subject to the risks and assumptions set out in our Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information located on page seven of this news release. All dollar amounts in this news release are expressed in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise noted.)

 

Financial and operating highlights:

• Production⁽¹⁾ : 604,247 gold equivalent ounces, a 6% decrease over Q1 2011.
• Revenue: $1,036.6 million, an 11% increase over Q1 2011.
• Production cost of sales⁽²⁾ :  $742 per gold equivalent ounce, compared with $545 in Q1 2011.
• Attributable margin⁽³⁾ : $902 per ounce sold, a 15% increase over Q1 2011.
• Adjusted operating cash flow⁽⁴⁾ : $339.7 million, a 14% decrease over Q1 2011. Adjusted operating cash flow per share was $0.30, compared with $0.35 in Q1 2011.
• Adjusted net earnings^(4,5): $203.1 million, a 16% increase over Q1 2011. Adjusted net earnings per share were $0.18, compared with $0.15 in Q1 2011.
• Reported net earnings⁽⁵⁾ : $105.7 million, or $0.09 per share, compared with $250.1 million, or $0.22 per share, for Q1 2011.
• Outlook: The Company expects to be within its 2012 forecast guidance for production (2.6-2.8 million attributable gold equivalent ounces) and production cost of sales ($670-715 per gold equivalent ounce).

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Growth projects:

• Kinross continues to advance its capital and project optimization process, with Tasiast and Dvoinoye as key development priorities.

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• Mining activity at Tasiast has accelerated, and infrastructure development for an expanded operation is proceeding on schedule. Work towards identifying an optimum processing approach for the next phase of the expansion project remains on plan. Exploration activity has transitioned fully to step-out and district drilling.

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• The Dvoinoye feasibility study was completed on schedule and the Board has approved full construction funding. The mine is expected to produce approximately 1,000 tonnes of ore per day to be shipped to the Kupol mill, which will be upgraded to process approximately 4,500 tonnes per day. Gold equivalent production from Dvoinoye ore for the first three full years is expected to average approximately 215,000-250,000 ounces, providing total expected production from Kupol of approximately 650,000-700,000 ounces. The project is on schedule to deliver first ore to the Kupol mill in the second half of 2013.

 

^{(1)Unless otherwise stated, production figures in this news release are based on Kinross' 90% share of Chirano production.}

^{(2)"Production cost of sales per gold equivalent ounce" is a non-GAAP measure defined as production cost of sales per the financial statements divided by the attributable number of gold equivalent ounces sold, both reduced to reflect a 90% ownership interest in Chirano sales. Production cost of sales is equivalent to total cost of sales (per the financial statements), less depreciation, depletion, amortization, and impairment charges.}

^{(3)"Attributable margin per ounce sold" is a non-GAAP measure and defined as "average realized gold price per ounce" less "attributable production cost of sales per gold equivalent ounce sold".}

^{(4)Reconciliation of non-GAAP measures is located on page nine of this news release.}

^{(5)"Net earnings" figures in this release represent "net earnings attributed to common shareholders."}

Please download the PDF for the full version of the Press Release. 

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Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information
All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained or incorporated by reference in this news release, 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 include, without limitation, statements with respect to: 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 “aim”, ‘‘plans’’, ‘‘expects’’ or ‘‘does not expect’’, ‘‘is expected’’, ‘‘budget’’, ‘‘scheduled’’, “timeline”, “envision”, ‘‘estimates’’, ‘‘forecasts”, “goal”, “guidance”, “objective”, “potential”, “prospects”, “seek”, “strategy”, “targets”, “models”, ‘‘intends’’, ‘‘anticipates’’, or ‘‘does not anticipate’’, or ‘‘believes’’, or variations of or similar such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results ‘‘may’’, ‘‘could’’, ‘‘would’’, ‘‘should’’, ‘‘might’’, or ‘‘will be taken’’, ‘‘occur’’ or ‘‘be achieved’’ and similar 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 most recently filed 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, expansion and acquisitions 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) development of and production from the Phase 7 pit expansion and heap leach project at Fort Knox continuing on a basis consistent with Kinross’ current expectations; (4) the viability, permitting and development of the Fruta del Norte deposit, and its continuing ownership by the Company, being consistent with Kinross’ current expectations; (5) 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 implementation of Ecuador’s new mining and investment laws and related regulations and policies, and negotiation of an exploitation contract and an investment protection contract with the government, being consistent with Kinross’ current expectations; (6) permitting, construction, development and production at Cerro Casale being consistent with the Company’s current expectations; (7) the viability, permitting and development of the Lobo-Marte project, including, without limitation, the metallurgy and processing of its ore, being consistent with our current expectations; (8) 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; (9) certain price assumptions for gold and silver; (10) prices for natural gas, fuel oil, electricity and other key supplies being approximately consistent with current levels; (11) 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; (12) the accuracy of the current mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates of the Company and any entity in which it now or hereafter directly or indirectly holds an investment; (13) labour and materials costs increasing on a basis consistent with Kinross’ current expectations; (14) the development of the Dvoinoye and Vodorazdelnaya deposits being consistent with Kinross’ expectations; (15) the viability of the Tasiast and Chirano mines, and the permitting, development and expansion (including, but not limited to, optimization initiatives leading to changes in processing approach) of the Tasiast and Chirano mines on a basis consistent with Kinross’ current expectation, including but not limited to the terms and conditions of the legal and fiscal stability agreements for these operations being interpreted and applied in a manner consistent with their intent and Kinross’ expectations; (16) impairment potential and (17) access to capital markets, including but not limited to securing partial project financing for the Dvoinoye, Fruta del Norte and the Tasiast expansion projects, 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: fluctuations in the currency markets; fluctuations in the spot and forward price of gold or certain other commodities (such as diesel fuel and electricity); increases in the discount rates applied to present value net future cash flows based on country-specific real weighted average cost of capital; declines 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 interest rates or gold or silver lease rates that could impact the mark-to-market value of outstanding derivative instruments and ongoing payments/receipts under any interest rate swaps and variable rate debt 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; commencement of litigation against the Company including, but not limited to, securities class action in Canada and/or the U.S.; the speculative nature of gold exploration and development including, but not limited to, the risks of obtaining necessary licenses and permits; diminishing quantities or grades of 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 US dollars. A 10% change in foreign exchange could result in an approximate $5 impact in production cost of sales per ounce. A $10 per barrel change in the price of oil could result in an approximate $2 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 $4 impact on 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 (other than exploration activities) contained in this news release has been prepared under the supervision of Mr. Mark Sedore, an officer of the Company who is a “qualified person” within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101.The technical information about the Company’s drilling and exploration activities contained in this news release has been prepared under the supervision of Dr. Glen Masterman, an officer with the Company who is a “qualified person” within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101.