Kinross Reaches Terms With Government Of Mauritania To Enhance Partnership

TORONTO - Kinross Gold Corporation has reached an agreement in principle with the Government of Mauritania to enhance the parties’ partnership. The key terms of the agreement, which remain subject to definitive documentation, are the culmination of discussions between Kinross and the Government that balance the interests of both parties. The terms contemplate reasonable commercial trade-offs intended to provide certainty and resolution of outstanding matters.

Under the terms of the agreement, the Government will provide Kinross with a 30-year exploitation license for Tasiast Sud under the 2008 Mining Code and the 2012 Mining Convention, granted with expedited permitting and the possibility of early mining. The agreement also provides for the reinstatement of the tax exemption on fuel duties1 and the repayment by the Government to Kinross of approximately $40 million in outstanding VAT refunds with an agreed payment schedule through 2025.

Kinross will make a $10 million payment to the Government after completion of the definitive agreements to resolve disputed matters related to fuel use and tax exemptions. In addition, upon receiving the exploitation license for Tasiast Sud, Kinross will make a $15 million payment to resolve disputed matters arising out of Kinross’ prior application to convert the Tasiast Sud exploration license into an exploitation license.

At Tasiast, Kinross has also volunteered to update its existing fixed 3% royalty payable under the 2006 Tasiast Mining Convention (the 2006 Convention). While the 2006 Convention remains in full force and effect for Tasiast, the mining laws of Mauritania have evolved in a manner that is consistent with other African mining jurisdictions. Accordingly, Kinross decided it was appropriate to pay an escalating royalty tied to the price of gold1 that aligns with the 2008 Mining Code (that replaced the 1999 Mining Code) and the 2012 Mining Convention, and is comparable with other royalties in the region.

A renewed partnership approach for Tasiast Sud contemplates the Government receiving a 15% free carried interest in Tasiast Sud with an option to purchase an additional 10% participating interest in the project after additional feasibility work is completed.

The parties have also agreed to enhanced exploration programs at Tasiast Sud and Kinross-held concessions north of the current mining area, to the extent achievable in the current COVID-19 environment. The exploration program at the large, under explored and prospective Tasiast Sud property is expected to focus on upgrading existing indicated resource estimates of 193 Au koz. and inferred resource estimates of 817 Au koz2 and to potentially enhance the probable reserve estimates of 144 Au koz.

The Government will have the right to nominate two observers to the Board of Directors (“Board”) of the Kinross subsidiary operating the Tasiast mine and will also have a right to nominate one representative and one observer to the Board of the Kinross subsidiary that will operate Tasiast Sud. These changes are intended to enhance transparency and communication between Tasiast and the Government.