Kinross reports 2013 fourth-quarter and year-end results

Company achieves record full-year production with all-in sustaining cost below guidance

Kinross Gold Corporation  today announced its results for the fourth quarter and year-ended December 31, 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 11 of this release. All dollar amounts are expressed in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise noted. The comparative figures have been recast to exclude Fruta del Norte and Crixás.)

Highlights:
Production1: 646,234 gold equivalent ounces (Au eq. oz.), compared with 724,510 ounces in Q4 2012. Full-year production was within increased guidance, and exceeded original guidance, at 2,631,092 Au eq. oz., compared with 2,617,813 Au eq. oz. for full-year 2012.
Revenue: $877.1 million, compared with $1,186.9 million in Q4 2012. Full-year revenue was $3,779.5 million, compared with $4,307.3 million for full-year 2012. 

 Production cost of sales2: $765 per Au eq. oz., compared with $686 in Q4 2012. Full-year production cost of sales was at the lower end of guidance at $743 per Au eq. oz., compared with $705 per Au eq. oz. for full-year 2012.
All-in sustaining cost2: $1,169 per Au oz. sold, compared with $953 in Q4 2012. Full-year all-in sustaining cost was below guidance at $1,063 per Au oz., compared with $1,079 per Au oz. for full-year 2012.

Adjusted operating cash flow2: $222.8 million, or $0.19 per share,compared with $505.3 million, or $0.44 per share, in Q4 2012. Full-year adjusted operating cash flow was $1,149.6 million, or $1.01 per share, compared with $1,527.0 million, or $1.34 per share, for full-year 2012.
Adjusted net earnings (loss)2,3: a loss of $25.1 million, or $0.02 per share, in Q4 2013 compared with adjusted earnings of $280.5 million, or $0.25 per share, in Q4 2012. Full-year adjusted net earnings were $321.2 million, or $0.28 per share, compared with net earnings of $886.2 million, or $0.78 per share, for full-year 2012.

Reported net loss3: $740.0 million, or $0.65 per share, compared with net loss of $2,984.9 million, or $2.62 per share, in Q4 2012. The Q4 reported net loss includes an after-tax non-cash impairment charge of $544.8 million, primarily comprised of property, plant and equipment at Maricunga. Full-year reported net loss was $3,012.6 million, or $2.64 per share, compared with a net loss of $2,546.2 million, or $2.24 per share for full-year 2012. Reported net loss for the full year also includes an after-tax non-cash impairment charge of $2,289.3 million, previously reported on July 31, 2013.

Average realized gold price: $1,268 per Au oz., compared with $1,707 per Au oz. in Q4 2012. The average realized gold price per ounce was $1,402 for full-year 2013, compared with $1,643 per ounce for full-year 2012.
Capital expenditures: $1.26 billion, $140 million below the Company's updated guidance, and approximately $340 million below the original capital expenditure guidance provided on February 13, 2013.

Mineral reserves and resources: Proven and probable mineral reserve estimates at year-end 2013 were 39.7 million ounces of gold, compared with 59.6 million ounces at year-end 2012, reflecting divesture of Fruta del Norte (FDN), depletion, and the Company's adoption of a fully-loaded costing methodology for estimating year-end mineral reserves. 

This methodology has resulted in a 14% increase in overall gold grade in the Company's estimated mineral reserves, including increased grades at eight of nine operating mines, and an expected increase in near-term cash flow. The new methodology does not currently sterilize known mineralization.
Outlook: Kinross expects to produce approximately 2.5-2.7 million Au eq. oz. in 2014 at a production cost of sales per Au eq. oz. of $730-780. All-in sustaining cost of sales per Au eq. oz. is expected to be $950-1,050 for the year. Total capital expenditures are forecast to be approximately $675 million, a reduction of approximately $585 million compared with 2013 expenditures.
Tasiast feasibility study: The study remains on schedule for expected completion in Q1 2014 and the Company expects to provide highlights of the results in April.
Exploration: The Company's 2013 exploration program delivered encouraging drill results from targets at Tasiast, La Coipa, Chirano, Kupol and Dvoinoye.

CEO Commentary
J. Paul Rollinson, CEO, made the following comments in relation to 2013 year-end and fourth-quarter results:
"Operational excellence, combined with a focus on financial discipline and a strong balance sheet, underpinned Kinross's solid performance in 2013. The fourth quarter of 2013 marked our sixth consecutive quarter of strong operational results. As a result, we produced a record 2.63 million gold equivalent ounces in 2013, exceeding our original production guidance, and within our updated guidance. We also reduced our all-in sustaining cost to $1,063 per ounce, which not only beat guidance, but was below our all-in sustaining cost for 2012.

"Part of our 'quality over quantity' strategy in 2013 included a rigorous mine plan optimization program, which applied a fully-loaded costing methodology to all of our operating sites in preparing our year-end mineral reserves estimates. The result is a reduction in proven and probable mineral reserves, primarily at Paracatu, but an increase in the value of our reserves, with higher grades and greater near-term cash flow expected at operations across the Company.

"We are forecasting another solid year of production in 2014, with Dvoinoye, our new low cost, high-grade mine, coming fully on-stream. Our focus on cost control is expected to further reduce our all-in sustaining cost. Capital expenditures, which were $140 million below our revised guidance in 2013, are expected to be further reduced by more than $585 million this year. Backed by a strong balance sheet and healthy liquidity, we enter 2014 committed to maintaining our record of financial discipline and solid operational performance."