Toronto, Ontario – November 13, 2013 – Kinross Gold Corporation (TSX: K, NYSE: KGC) today announced its results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2013.
(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 page six of this release. All dollar amounts are expressed in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise noted. The comparative figures have been recast to exclude the results of Fruta del Norte and Crixás.)
Financial and operating highlights:
- Production1: 680,580 gold equivalent ounces (Au eq. oz.), compared with 672,173 ounces in Q3 2012
- Revenue: $876.3 million, compared with $1,109.7 million in Q3 2012.
- Production cost of sales2: $740 per Au eq. oz., compared with $677 in Q3 2012.
- All-in sustaining cost2: $1,069 per Au oz. sold, compared with $1,021 in Q3 2012.
- Adjusted operating cash flow2: $256.4 million, or $0.22 per share, compared with $435.5 million, or $0.38 per share, in Q3 2012
- Adjusted net earnings2,3: $54.4 million, or $0.05 per share, compared with $251.9 million, or $0.22 per share, in Q3 2012
- Reported net earnings3: $46.9 million, or $0.04 per share, compared with $226.2 million, or $0.20 per share, in Q3 2012
- Average realized gold price: $1,331 per Au oz., compared with $1,649 per Au oz. in Q3 2012.
- Outlook: Kinross has increased its 2013 forecast guidance for production to 2.6-2.65 million attributable Au eq. oz. from 2.4-2.6 million attributable Au eq. oz. The Company expects to be at the lower end of both its production cost of sales guidance of $740-$790 per Au eq. oz., and its 2013 all-in sustaining cost forecast guidance of $1,100-$1,200 per Au oz. sold. As a result of the Company’s capital cost review process, Kinross has identified approximately $50 million in 2013 capital savings in addition to the $150 million in savings previously announced, and now expects its 2013 capital expenditures to be approximately $1.4 billion.
Cost review and reduction:
- The Company is completing its 2014 budgeting process and currently expects a significant reduction in its 2014 capital expenditures, which it anticipates will be in the range of $800-$900 million.
- The Company has completed its review of corporate and regional overhead and has identified approximately $20 million in expected annual cash savings. Cost-saving measures include integrating the North and South America regions into a single Americas region.
Development projects:
- Commercial production at Dvoinoye began on October 1st, on schedule and on budget.
- The Tasiast project feasibility study remains on schedule for expected completion in Q1 2014.
Other developments:
- During the third quarter, Kinross was named to the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index for the third consecutive year and to the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index for the fourth consecutive year.
CEO Commentary
J. Paul Rollinson, CEO, made the following comments in relation to third-quarter 2013 results:
“Our portfolio of mines delivered another excellent quarter. As a result of our strong year-to-date production we are increasing our 2013 production guidance to 2.6-2.65 million gold equivalent ounces. We are maintaining our sharp focus on operating costs and expect to be at the low end of our guidance range for all-in sustaining costs and cost of sales. Commercial production has now commenced at Dvoinoye, which is expected to contribute 235,000-300,000 incremental ounces of low-cost gold equivalent production annually to Kupol in each of its first three full years of operation.
“We continue our focus on reducing capital and other costs in a lower gold price environment. We have lowered our 2013 capital forecast to $1.4 billion, and expect our 2014 forecast to be in the range of $800-$900 million.
“As we have all year, we remain focused on strong, consistent operational performance, reducing costs, capital discipline, and ensuring balance sheet strength.”
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1Unless otherwise stated, production figures in this news release are based on Kinross’ 90% share of Chirano production. Prior year production figures have been adjusted to exclude Crixás due to its sale in Q2 2012.
2These figures are non-GAAP financial measures and are defined and reconciled on pages eight to 11 of this news release.
3Net earnings (loss) figures in this release represent “net earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders”.
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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 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 those under the headings Financial and operating highlights, CEO Commentary, Cost review and reduction, Project update and other developments and Outlook 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 the continuation of the Way Forward, modifications to projects and operations and our exploration budget, including the Tasiast expansion project and our expectations regarding timelines for continued development, 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 aims, anticipates, budget, plans, expects, intend, scheduled, forecasts, focus, priority, guidance, initiative, objective, on track, opportunity, outlook, potential, projected, pursue, study, targets, 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 way forward, will be taken, will occur or will 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 Managements 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 (including, without limitation, any related transactions) that respects the interests of both parties; continuing recognition of the Companys other remaining mining concessions and other assets, rights, titles and interests in Ecuador; the implementation of Ecuadors 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 transition period as we reduce our level of activity in Ecuador and any potential amendments to the Brazilian Mining Code, and Mauritanian Mining Code, Customs Code and VAT regimes, 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 ore tonnage and ore grade estimates); (10) labour and materials costs increasing on a basis consistent with Kinross current expectations; (11) operations at and production from the Dvoinoye deposit being consistent with Kinross expectations; (12) the viability of the Tasiast and Chirano mines (including but not limited to, at Tasiast, the impact of ore tonnage and grade variability reconciliation analysis) as well as permitting, development and expansion (including but not limited to, at Tasiast, expansion optimization initiatives leading to changes in processing approach and maintenance, the timing of completion and results of the Tasiast feasibility study of the Tasiast and Chirano mines being consistent with Kinross current expectations; (13) 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; (14) goodwill and/or asset impairment potential; and (15) access to capital markets, including but not limited to maintaining an investment grade debt rating and, as required, securing partial project financing for the Tasiast expansion project, being consistent with the Companys 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: 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 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 Companys 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 diesel 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 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 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 managements 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 Q3 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 ounce4 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 Companys 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 (NI-43-101).