TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - May 7, 2013) - Kinross Gold Corporation (News - Market indicators)(NYSE:KGC) today announced its results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2013.

(This news release contains forward-looking information subject to the risks and assumptions set out in our Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information located on page six of this release. All dollar amounts in this release are expressed in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise noted. The comparative figures have been recast to exclude Crixás due to its disposal.)

Financial and operating highlights:

• Production⁽¹⁾: 648,897 gold equivalent ounces (Au eq. oz.), compared with 588,358 ounces in Q1 2012.
• Revenue: $1,058.1 million, compared with $1,005.1 million in Q1 2012.
• Production cost of sales⁽²⁾: $729 per Au eq. oz., compared with $738 in Q1 2012.
• All-in sustaining cost⁽²⁾: $1,038 per Au oz. sold, compared with $1,180 in Q1 2012.
• Attributable margin⁽³⁾: $895 per ounce sold, compared with $906 in Q1 2012.
• Adjusted operating cash flow⁽²⁾: $411.8 million, or $0.36 per share, compared with $319.3 million, or $0.28 per share, in Q1 2012.
• Adjusted net earnings^{(2), (4)}: $170.5 million, or $0.15 per share, compared with $196.1 million, or $0.17 per share, in Q1 2012.
• Reported net earnings⁽⁴⁾: $160.5 million, or $0.14 per share, compared with net earnings of $99.6 million, or $0.09 per share, for Q1 2012.
• Outlook: The Company expects to be within its 2013 forecast guidance for production (2.4-2.6 million attributable gold equivalent ounces), production cost of sales ($740-$790 per gold equivalent ounce), all-in sustaining cost ($1,100-$1,200 per gold ounce sold) and capital expenditures ($1.6 billion).  

Development projects:

• The Company announced results of the Tasiast expansion project pre-feasibility study on April 29, 2013. The Company is proceeding to a full feasibility study on a 38,000 tonne per day (tpd) mill. The feasibility study is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2014.
• Dvoinoye remains on schedule to commence full production in the second half of the year.

Board of Directors:

• On April 3, 2013, Kinross announced the appointments of Mr. John Macken, Ms. Una Power, and Ms. Ruth Woods to its Board of Directors.

CEO Commentary

J. Paul Rollinson, CEO, made the following comments in relation to first-quarter 2013 results:

"Our continued focus on operational fundamentals contributed to solid results in the first quarter, as production was higher and cost of sales per ounce was lower than the same period last year. We are on target to meet our annual guidance for production and cost of sales at each of our regions, and company-wide.

"We continue to focus on margin and cash flow, versus production at any cost, in our mine planning and production decisions. At the same time, we continue to pursue opportunities to reduce capital spending and operating costs across our operations.

"During the quarter, we made excellent development progress at Dvoinoye, and completed the Tasiast pre-feasibility study on schedule. We are proceeding to a feasibility study at Tasiast, and plan to make a decision on whether to proceed with construction of an expanded operation following completion of the study."

Financial results

Summary of financial and operating results

The following operating and financial results are based on first-quarter 2013 attributable gold equivalent production from continuing operations:

Production: Kinross produced 648,897 attributable gold equivalent ounces from continuing operations in the first quarter of 2013, a 10% increase over the first quarter of 2012, mainly due to production increases at Tasiast and Fort Knox.

Production cost of sales: Production cost of sales per gold equivalent ounce⁽²⁾ was $729 for the first quarter of 2013, compared with $738 for the first quarter of 2012. The decrease was mainly due to the continued focus on cost management and the increase in gold ounces sold. Production cost of sales per gold ounce on a by-product basis was $674 in the first quarter of 2013, compared with $655 in Q1 2012, based on Q1 2013 attributable gold sales of 606,767 ounces and attributable silver sales of 2,085,425 ounces.

All-in sustaining cost: Attributable all-in sustaining cost per gold ounce sold⁽²⁾ was $1,038 in Q1 2013, compared with $1,180 in Q1 2012, mainly as a result of increased ounces sold and the timing of sustaining capital spending. The Company expects all-in sustaining cost per gold ounce sold to be within the previously disclosed guidance range of $1,100 to $1,200 for the year.

Revenue: Revenue from metal sales was $1,058.1 million in the first quarter of 2013, compared with $1,005.1 million during the same period in 2012, an increase of 5%, mainly due to an increase in gold equivalent ounces sold. The average realized gold price was $1,624 per ounce in Q1 2013, compared with $1,644 per ounce for Q1 2012.

Margins: Kinross' margin per gold equivalent ounce sold⁽³⁾ was $895 for the first quarter of 2013, a decrease of 1% compared with Q1 2012 margin of $906 per gold equivalent ounce.

Operating cash flow: Adjusted operating cash flow⁽²⁾ was $411.8 million for the quarter, or $0.36 per share, compared with $319.3 million, or $0.28 per share, for Q1 2012.

Cash balance: Cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments were $1,420.8 million as at March 31, 2013, compared with $1,982.5 million as at December 31, 2012.

Earnings: Adjusted net earnings^{(2), (4)} were $170.5 million, or $0.15 per share, for Q1 2013, compared with $196.1 million, or $0.17 per share, for Q1 2012.

Reported net earnings⁽⁴⁾ were $160.5 million, or $0.14 per share, for Q1 2013, compared with earnings of $99.6 million, or $0.09 per share, for Q1 2012.

Capital expenditures: Capital expenditures were $317.8 million for Q1 2013, compared with $529.3 million for the same period last year, a decrease due mainly to timing of expenditures at the Tasiast expansion project, and the completion of the fourth ball mill at Paracatu and SART plant at Maricunga in 2012.

Operating results

Mine-by-mine summaries for first-quarter operating results may be found on pages 11 and 15 of this news release. Highlights include the following:

North America: Performance was strong in the first quarter, and the region is on track to meet both production and production cost of sales guidance for the year. Regional production was higher compared with Q1 2012, but lower compared with the previous quarter, mainly due to the expected winter slow-down of production from the heap leach at Fort Knox, and lower mill output as a result of harder ore and slightly lower grade. The harder ore Fort Knox encountered during the quarter is not expected to continue in Q2. Kettle River-Buckhorn had an outstanding quarter, as throughput increased compared with the previous quarter, while Round Mountain performed as anticipated during the quarter.

Russia: The region is on target to meet both production and production cost of sales guidance for the year. First quarter production at Kupol was largely in line with Q1 2012, but was lower compared with Q4 2012 as a result of expected lower grades. Mill throughput and recoveries remained strong.

West Africa: Performance was strong during the first quarter and the region is on target to meet both production and production cost of sales guidance for the year. Tasiast achieved its highest quarterly production since being acquired by Kinross. The production increase was mainly due to higher mining rates and expected higher grades entering the mill, along with improved performance from the dump leach. Chirano performed ahead of expectations for the quarter, but production was lower than Q4 2012 as a result of expected lower grades and a slight reduction in mill throughput.

South America: The region is on target to meet both production and production cost of sales guidance for the year. Paracatu achieved record mill throughput and continued to achieve higher mill recoveries. Production at Paracatu was lower than the previous quarter mainly due to expected lower grades at both mills, particularly at Plant 2. Maricunga's decrease in production was a result of less favourable heap performance, and lower grades from transitional ore as the bottom of the current phase is mined. Due to anticipated lower grades, La Coipa's production decreased relative to Q4 2012. As previously disclosed, the Company expects to suspend mining of the existing orebody at La Coipa in the second half of the year.

Project update and new developments

The forward-looking information contained in this section of the release is subject to the risks and assumptions contained in the Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information on page six of this news release.

Tasiast expansion project

On April 29, 2013, Kinross announced the results of its pre-feasibility (PFS) study for the Tasiast expansion. Based on the PFS study results, the Company is proceeding to a full feasibility study on an expanded Tasiast operation with a 38,000 tpd mill. The feasibility study is scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2014.

Following completion of the feasibility study, the Company will make a decision on whether to complete engineering and proceed with construction. The decision will depend on a range of factors, including gold price assumptions and projections, expected economic returns, and various technical and other considerations.

During the first quarter, work on a large part of the basic infrastructure improvements at Tasiast neared completion, including the power station, truck shop and other facilities. The new camp was completed in the quarter, and permitting, engineering and bidding for a permanent seawater supply system are progressing as expected.

Dvoinoye

Underground development at Dvoinoye progressed ahead of plan, with 1,567 metres completed. All necessary permits for the current scope of underground development and construction activities are in place, including approval of the mine design. Infrastructure construction progressed on schedule, including advancing the installation of the permanent man camp, truck shop and administrative building.

Expansion of Kupol's mill capacity to 4,500 tpd is well underway, with final completion expected to take place in the third quarter.

The project remains on schedule and on budget and is expected to commence full production in the second half of the year. 

Fruta del Norte

As previously disclosed, the Company is engaged in negotiations with the Ecuadorian government regarding exploitation and investment protection agreements for the Fruta Del Norte (FDN) project, and thus far the parties have been unable to reach agreement on certain key economic and legal matters.

The Company respects the sovereign authority of the Ecuadorian government, and a meeting with the newly appointed Minister for Non-Renewable Natural Resources has been requested with a view to continuing dialogue on the key outstanding matters.

The Company can give no assurances that an agreement acceptable to the parties can be reached within the required time frame⁽⁵⁾.

Outlook

The forward-looking information contained in this section is subject to the risk factors and assumptions contained in the Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information located on page six of this news release.

As previously announced on February 13, 2013, Kinross expects to produce approximately 2.4-2.6 million gold equivalent ounces for the year, and meet regional production guidance.

The Company expects to be within its regional production cost of sales guidance and meet its company-wide production cost of sales range of $740-$790 per gold equivalent ounce and its all-in sustaining costs range of $1,100-$1,200 per gold ounce sold on a by-product basis in 2013.

The Company also expects to meet its 2013 capital expenditures forecast of approximately $1.6 billion.

Other developments

Board of Directors appointments

Kinross announced the appointments of Mr. John Macken, Ms. Una Power, and Ms. Ruth Woods to its Board of Directors, effective April 3, 2013. Mr. Macken, Ms. Power, and Ms. Woods will be nominated as Directors for election by shareholders at the Kinross Annual Meeting of Shareholders on May 8, 2013. The appointments bring membership on the Kinross Board of Directors to 12, following the retirement of Mr. George Michals in 2012.

Convertible senior notes

On March 15, 2013, the Company repurchased convertible senior notes totaling $454.6 million that were tendered by the holders under their right to require Kinross to repurchase the convertible senior notes on March 15, 2013.

On April 30, 2013, the Company redeemed, in cash, the remaining $5.4 million of convertible senior notes.

Conference call details

In connection with the release, Kinross will hold a conference call and audio webcast on Wednesday, May 8, 2013 at 7:45 a.m. ET to discuss the results, followed by a question-and-answer session. To access the call, please dial:

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

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 our website at www.kinross.com.

Kinross will hold its Annual Meeting of Shareholders on Wednesday, May 8, 2013, at 10 a.m. ET at the Design Exchange, 234 Bay Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. A live audio webcast (listen-only mode) of the Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be available at www.kinross.com.

This release should be read in conjunction with Kinross' 2013 first quarter Financial Statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis report at www.kinross.com.

Kinross' unaudited 2013 first quarter 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 gold mining company with mines and projects in Brazil, Canada, Chile, Ecuador, Ghana, Mauritania, Russia and the United States, employing approximately 9,000 people worldwide. Kinross maintains listings on the Toronto Stock Exchange (symbol:K) and the New York Stock Exchange (symbol:KGC).

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 "anticipates", "plans", "expects", "indicative", "intend", "scheduled", "timeline", "estimates", "forecasts", "guidance", "opportunity", "outlook", "potential", "projected", "pursue", "seek", "strategy", "study", "targets", "models", or "believes", or variations of or similar such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", or "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 full-year 2012 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 viability, permitting and development of the Fruta del Norte deposit, and its continuing ownership by the Company, being consistent with Kinross' current expectations; (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 implementation of Ecuador's mining and investment laws (and prospective amendment to these laws) and related regulations and policies, being consistent with Kinross' current expectations;
(5) negotiation of an exploitation contract and an investment protection contract for Fruta del Norte with the Ecuadorian government being successfully concluded, including but not limited to Kinross and the government jointly declaring a phase change from economic evaluation to exploitation prior to August 1, 2013 (or any government approved extension of up to 1.5 years or up to a two year suspension of commencement of the exploitation phase) and entering into an exploitation agreement with the government within six months of such declared phase change or such suspension, the failure of which will likely result in the extinguishment of the FDN concession and forfeiture of related project infrastructure to the government, with a corresponding non-cash charge equal to the carrying value of FDN being recorded by the Company; (6) 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; (7) certain price assumptions for gold and silver; (8) prices for diesel, natural gas, fuel oil, electricity and other key supplies being approximately consistent with current levels; (9) 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;
(10) the accuracy of the current mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates of the Company (including but not limited to ore tonnage and ore grade estimates) and any entity in which it now or hereafter directly or indirectly holds an investment; (11) labour and materials costs increasing on a basis consistent with Kinross' current expectations; (12) permitting, development and operations at Dvoinoye (including, without limitation, renewal of the subsoil license) being consistent with Kinross' expectations; (13) permitting, development, operations and expansion at Tasiast and Chirano (including but not limited to, at Tasiast, the expansion feasibility study and project optimization, the impact of ore tonnage and grade variability reconciliation analysis and, as required, conversion of exploration licences to mining licences) being consistent with Kinross' current expectations; (14) 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; (15) goodwill and/or asset impairment potential; and (16) access to capital markets, including but not limited to maintaining an investment grade debt rating and 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 actions in Canada and/or the United States; 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 full-year 2012 and Q1 2013 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 $9 impact in production cost of sales per ounce⁽⁶⁾.

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 $3 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 contained in this news release has been prepared under the supervision of and verified by Mr. James K. Fowler, an officer of the Company who is a "qualified person" within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101.

Reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures

The Company has included certain non-GAAP financial measures in this document. These measures are not defined under IFRS and should not be considered in isolation. The Company believes that these measures, together with measures determined in accordance with IFRS, provide investors with an improved ability to evaluate the underlying performance of the Company. The inclusion of these measures is meant to provide additional information and should not be used as a substitute for performance measures prepared in accordance with IFRS. These measures 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 are non-GAAP measures 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, 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, 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 are not necessarily indicative of net earnings and earnings per share measures as determined under IFRS.

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

The Company makes reference to a non-GAAP measure for adjusted operating cash flow and adjusted operating cash flow per share. Adjusted operating cash flow is defined as cash flow from operations 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, and in the case of Kupol, a build-up of inventory due to transportation logistics. 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, adjusted operating cash flow and adjusted operating cash flow per share measures are not necessarily indicative of net cash flow from operations as determined under IFRS.

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

Consolidated production cost of sales per gold equivalent ounce sold is a non-GAAP measure and is defined as production cost of sales as per the consolidated financial statements divided by the total number of gold equivalent ounces sold. This measure converts the Company's non-gold production into gold equivalent ounces and credits it to total production.

Attributable production cost of sales per gold equivalent ounce sold is a non-GAAP measure and is defined as attributable production cost of sales divided by the attributable number of gold equivalent ounces sold. This measure converts the Company's non-gold production into gold equivalent ounces and credits it to total production.

Management uses these measures to monitor and evaluate the performance of its operating properties.

Attributable production cost of sales per ounce sold on a by-product basis is a non-GAAP measure 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 measure 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 attributable production cost of sales per ounce sold on a by-product basis for the periods presented:

All-in sustaining cost - attributable is a non-GAAP measure that the Company has defined to include attributable production cost of sales from continuing operations net of silver by-product credits; general and administrative expenses; sustaining business development and exploration costs; sustaining capital (including related capitalized interest); and a portion of other operating costs. Management uses this measure internally and believes that it provides investors with the ability to better evaluate the cost of sustaining gold production.

Review of Operations

Consolidated balance sheets

Consolidated statements of operations

Consolidated statements of cash flows

For more information, please see Kinross' 2013 first-quarter Financial Statements and MD&A at www.kinross.com.