Exhibit 99.1

KINROSS GOLD CORPORATION

ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM

FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020

Dated March 30, 2021

TABLE OF CONTENTS

IMPORTANT NOTICE 

ABOUT INFORMATION IN THIS ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM

Unless specifically stated otherwise in this Annual Information Form: 

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT

All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained or incorporated by reference in this Annual Information Form (“AIF”) 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 harbor” 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 AIF. Forward-looking statements contained in this AIF, include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to our guidance for production, production costs of sales, all-in sustaining cost, all in cost, cash flow, free cash flow and capital expenditures; the declaration, payment and sustainability of the Company’s dividends; optimization of mine plans; identification of additional resources and reserves; the schedules and budgets for the Company’s development projects; mine life and any potential extensions; the Company’s capital reinvestment program and continuous improvement initiatives and project performance or outperformance; as well as references to other possible events such as, the future price of gold and silver, the timing and amount of estimated future production, costs of production, operating costs, capital expenditures, costs and timing of the development of projects and new deposits, estimates and the realization of such estimates (such as mineral or gold reserves and resources or mine life), success of exploration, development and mining activities, currency fluctuations, capital requirements, project studies, government regulation, permit applications and conversions, restarting suspended or disrupted operations; environmental risks and proceedings; and resolution of pending litigation. The words “advance”, “anticipate”, “assumption”, “believe”, “budget”, “consideration”, “continue”, “develop”, “enhancement”, “estimates”, “expand”, “expects”, “explore”, “extend”, “forecast”, “goal”, “focus”, “forward”, “future”, “guidance”, “indicate”, “initiative”, “intend”, “measures”, “opportunity”, “optimize”, “outlook”, “phase”, “plan”, “possible”, “potential”, “proceeding”, “progress”, “project”, “prospective”, “schedule”, “seek”, “study”, “target”, or variations of or similar such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results may, could, should or will be achieved, received or taken, or will occur or result and similar such 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 AIF, which may prove to be incorrect, include, but are not limited to, the various assumptions set forth herein and in our Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) for the year ended December 31, 2020 as well as: (1) there being no significant disruptions affecting the operations of the Company, whether due to extreme weather events (including, without limitation, excessive or lack of rainfall, in particular, the potential for further production curtailments at Paracatu resulting from insufficient rainfall and the operational challenges at Fort Knox and Bald Mountain resulting from excessive rainfall, which can impact costs and/or production) and other or related natural disasters, labour disruptions (including but not limited to strikes or workforce reductions), supply disruptions, power disruptions, damage to equipment, pit wall slides (in particular that the effects of the pit wall slides at Fort Knox and Round Mountain are consistent with the Company’s expectations) or otherwise; (2) permitting, development, operations and production from the Company’s operations and development projects being consistent with Kinross’ current expectations including, without limitation: the maintenance of existing permits and approvals and the timely receipt of all permits and authorizations necessary for the operation of Tasiast, and the development and operation of the 24k Project; operation of the SAG mill at Tasiast; land acquisitions and permitting for the construction and operation of the new tailings facility, water and power supply and continued operation of the tailings reprocessing facility at Paracatu; the Lobo-Marte project; commencement of production at the La Coipa project; approval of an enhanced mine plan at Fort Knox; in each case in a manner consistent with the Company’s expectations; and the successful completion of exploration consistent with the Company’s expectations at the Company’s projects; (3) political and legal developments in any jurisdiction in which the Company operates being consistent with its current expectations, including, without limitation, the impact of any political tensions and uncertainty in the Russian Federation or any related sanctions and any other similar restrictions or penalties imposed, or actions taken, by any government, including but not limited to amendments to the mining laws, and potential power rationing and tailings facility regulations in Brazil, potential amendments to water laws and/or other water use restrictions and regulatory actions in Chile, new dam safety regulations, potential amendments to minerals and mining laws and energy levies laws, the enforcement of labour laws in Ghana, new regulations relating to work permits, potential amendments to customs and mining laws (including but not limited to amendments to the VAT) and the potential application of revisions to the tax code in Mauritania, the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation or similar legislation in other jurisdictions and potential amendments to and enforcement of tax laws in Russia, Ghana and Mauritania (including, but not limited to, the interpretation, implementation, application and enforcement of any such laws and amendments thereto), and the impact of any trade tariffs being consistent with Kinross’ current expectations; (4) the completion of studies, including optimization studies, improvement studies, scoping studies and Pre-Feasibility and Feasibility Studies, on the timelines currently expected and the results of those studies being consistent with Kinross’ current expectations including the completion of the Lobo-Marte and Manh Choh Feasibility Studies and the Udinsk Pre-Feasibility Study; (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 the Company’s expectations; (8) production and cost of sales forecasts for the Company meeting expectations; (9) the accuracy of: the current mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates of the Company including the accuracy and reliability of the pre-acquisition mineral resource estimates of the Manh Choh project (formerly the Peak Project) and Kinross’ analysis thereof being consistent with expectations (including but not limited to ore tonnage and ore grade estimates), future mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates being consistent with preliminary work undertaken by the Company, mine plans for the Company’s current and future mining operations, and the Company’s internal models; (10) labour and materials costs increasing on a basis consistent with Kinross’ current expectations; (11) 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 and without material amendment or formal dispute (including without limitation the application of tax, customs and duties exemptions and royalties); (12) goodwill and/or asset impairment potential; (13) the regulatory and legislative regime regarding mining, electricity production and transmission (including rules related to power tariffs) in Brazil being consistent with Kinross’ current expectations; (14) access to capital markets, including but not limited to maintaining our current credit ratings consistent with the Company’s current expectations; (15) that the Brazilian power plants will operate in a manner consistent with our expectations; (16) that drawdown of remaining funds under the Tasiast project financing will proceed in a manner consistent with our current expectations; (17) potential direct or indirect operational impacts resulting from infectious diseases or pandemics such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic; (18) the effectiveness of preventative actions and contingency plans put in place by the Company to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, including, but not limited to, social distancing, travel restrictions, business continuity plans, and efforts to mitigate supply chain disruptions; (19) changes in national and local government legislation or other government actions, particularly in response to the COVID-19 outbreak; (20) litigation, regulatory proceedings and audits, and the potential ramifications thereof, being concluded in a manner consistent with the Corporation’s expectations (including without limitation the audit of mining companies in Ghana which includes the Corporation’s Ghanaian subsidiaries, litigation in Chile relating to the alleged damage of wetlands and the scope of any remediation plan or other environmental obligations arising therefrom, the ongoing litigation with the Russian tax authorities regarding dividend withholding tax and the ongoing Sunnyside litigation regarding potential liability under the U.S. Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act); (21) that the Company will enter into definitive documentation with the Government of Mauritania substantially in accordance with the terms and conditions of the term sheet, on a basis consistent with our expectations and that the parties will perform their respective obligations thereunder on the timelines agreed; (22) that the exploitation permit for Tasiast Sud will be issued under the terms and on timelines consistent with our expectations; (23) that the benefits of the contemplated arrangements related to the agreement in principle will result in increased stability at the Company’s operations in Mauritania; and (24) the Company’s financial results, cash flows and future prospects being consistent with Company expectations in amounts sufficient to permit sustained dividend payments. 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: the inaccuracy of any of the foregoing assumptions, sanctions (any other similar restrictions or penalties) now or subsequently imposed, other actions taken, by, against, in respect of or otherwise impacting any jurisdiction in which the Company is domiciled or operates (including but not limited to the Russian Federation, Canada, the European Union and the United States), or any government or citizens of, persons or companies domiciled in, or the Company’s business, operations or other activities in, any such jurisdiction; reductions in the ability of the Company to transport and refine doré; fluctuations in the currency markets; fluctuations in the spot and forward price of gold or certain other commodities (such as 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 financial 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, production royalties, 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, Mauritania, Ghana, or other countries in which Kinross does 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, development or refining activities; employee relations; litigation or other claims against, or regulatory investigations and/or any enforcement actions, administrative orders or sanctions in respect of the Company (and/or its directors, officers, or employees) including, but not limited to, securities class action litigation in Canada and/or the United States, environmental litigation or regulatory proceedings or any investigations, enforcement actions and/or sanctions under any applicable anti-corruption, international sanctions and/or anti-money laundering laws and regulations in Canada, the United States or any other applicable jurisdiction; 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 ratings; 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 AIF, including but not limited to the “Risk Factors” section hereof, are qualified by this cautionary statement 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 Analysis” section of our MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2020. 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.

CORPORATE STRUCTURE

Kinross Gold Corporation was initially created in May 1993 by the amalgamation of CMP Resources Ltd., Plexus Resources Corporation, and 1021105 Ontario Corp. In December 2000, Kinross amalgamated with LT Acquisition Inc.; in January 2005, Kinross amalgamated with its wholly-owned subsidiary, TVX Gold Inc. (“TVX”); in January 2006, it amalgamated with its wholly-owned subsidiary, Echo Bay Mines Ltd. (“Echo Bay”); and in January 2011, it amalgamated with Underworld Resources Inc. Kinross is the continuing entity resulting from these amalgamations. Kinross is governed by the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) and its registered and principal offices are located at 25 York Street, 17^th Floor, Toronto, Ontario, M5J 2V5.

Each of Kinross’ mining operations is a separate business unit. Operations are overseen by a regional Senior Vice-President employed by Kinross or the applicable foreign subsidiary, who reports to the Company’s Chief Technical Officer. Global exploration strategies, corporate financing, tax, additional technical support services, hedging and acquisition strategies are managed centrally. Execution of site/regional operations and exploration strategies is managed locally. Kinross’ enterprise risk management programs are subject to overview by its Audit and Risk Committee of the Board of Directors (as defined below).

A significant portion of Kinross’ business is carried on through subsidiaries. A chart showing the names of the significant subsidiaries of Kinross, as of December 31, 2020, is set out below. All subsidiaries are 100% owned (directly or indirectly) unless otherwise noted.

Subsidiary Governance and Internal Controls

Kinross has systems of governance, internal control over financial consolidation and reporting, and disclosure controls and procedures that apply at all levels of the Company and its subsidiaries, including those that operate in emerging markets. These systems are overseen by the Company’s board of directors (the “Board of Directors”) and are implemented by the Company’s senior management, and the senior management of its subsidiaries. The relevant features of these systems include:

Control over Subsidiaries. All of the Company’s subsidiaries are wholly-owned or controlled unless otherwise noted. Operations are overseen by a regional Senior Vice-President or by an equivalent senior officer employed by Kinross or the applicable foreign subsidiary, who reports to the Company’s Chief Technical Officer. Kinross’ subsidiaries, including those subsidiaries in emerging markets, are located in the applicable jurisdictions. Each of the subsidiaries legally owns or controls its operating assets, and the subsidiaries’ operational decisions are localized. Kinross, as the ultimate sole shareholder, has internal policies and systems in place which provide it with visibility into the operations of its subsidiaries, including its subsidiaries operating in emerging markets, and the Company’s management team is responsible for monitoring the activities of the subsidiaries.

Further, the board of directors (or similar governing body) of each subsidiary is appointed by the shareholders of such subsidiary. Directors (or those holding similar positions) may be replaced at any time by a written resolution of the shareholders (or equivalent corporate action under applicable law). Through its corporate structure, Kinross has the power to directly or indirectly appoint and replace the board members of each wholly owned subsidiary¹, including those operating in emerging markets. The boards of directors (or similar governing bodies under applicable law) of Kinross’ subsidiaries (including those operating in emerging markets) act with regard to their respective fiduciary duties in the interests of the respective subsidiaries and in accordance with applicable corporate procedures, and are also accountable to Kinross and its Board of Directors and senior management.

With respect to the bank accounts of subsidiaries, Kinross has internal controls that require each of the Company’s subsidiaries to notify the Company’s treasury team before opening or closing any bank accounts. Kinross’ treasury team is also responsible for generally monitoring the activity within all such bank accounts on an ongoing basis via a web-based global treasury management system and/or web-based account access provided by the applicable financial institution to the extent available.

Strategic Direction. While the operations of each of the Company’s subsidiaries are managed locally, certain exploration strategies, external corporate financing, tax governance, additional technical support services, hedging and acquisition strategies are established centrally by the Company’s management, and, on consideration, implemented accordingly by senior management of applicable subsidiaries under the oversight of their respective boards of directors. Each operating subsidiary is responsible for the development and execution of its own risk management programs based on the enterprise risk management process established by the Company. The subsidiaries report a summary of their respective risk registers to the Company’s management on a quarterly basis which is then aggregated and summarized for reporting to the Audit and Risk Committee of the Board of Directors.

¹ Kinross has the power to appoint and replace two of the three members of the Management Committee at Peak Gold, LLC. Our joint venture partner Contango ORE, Inc. has the power to appoint and replace the third member of the Management Committee.

Financial Reporting. Kinross prepares its consolidated financial statements and the financial information presented in its Management’s Discussion & Analysis (“MD&A”) on a quarterly and annual basis in accordance with IFRS as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, which includes financial information and disclosures from its subsidiaries. The Company has internal controls over the preparation of its financial statements and other financial disclosures to provide reasonable assurance that its financial reporting is reliable and that the quarterly and annual financial statements and the financial information presented in its MD&A are being prepared in accordance with IFRS and applicable securities laws. These internal controls include the following:

Pursuant to regulations adopted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and those of the Canadian Securities Administrators, Kinross’ management evaluates the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting. This evaluation is done under the supervision of, and with the participation of, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer.

These systems of corporate governance, internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures are designed to enable, among other things, Kinross to have access to all material information about its subsidiaries, including those operating in emerging markets.

Fund Transfers from the Company’s Subsidiaries

Certain of the Company’s subsidiaries have a long history of operating in emerging markets and Kinross has not had any material issues with respect to transferring funds from, to or within emerging markets. Funds are transferred to, from or among Kinross’ subsidiaries pursuant to a variety of methods which include the following: chargeback of costs undertaken on behalf of the subsidiaries via intercompany invoices; advances and repayment of intercompany loans and related interest expenses; capital contributions; equity purchases; returns of capital and dividend declaration/payment by the subsidiaries. The method of transfer is dependent on the operational, financing or other arrangement established amongst Kinross and/or its applicable subsidiaries. All fund transfers from Kinross’ subsidiaries are in compliance with applicable law.

Records Management of the Company’s Subsidiaries

As required by applicable law, original copies of all corporate records are required to be maintained in the language of, and stored at the offices of, each subsidiary in the jurisdiction of incorporation. However, where practical, a duplicate set of corporate records for certain subsidiaries is maintained at Kinross’ head office in Toronto. Kinross also maintains a web-based global entity management system for recording such corporate information and documents which is regularly monitored and updated by Kinross’ corporate secretarial team and/or the regional legal teams.

GENERAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE BUSINESS

Overview

Kinross is principally engaged in the mining and processing of gold and, as a by-product, silver ore and the exploration for, and the acquisition of, gold bearing properties in the Americas, the Russian Federation, West Africa and worldwide. The principal products of Kinross are gold and silver produced in the form of doré that is shipped to refineries for final processing.

Kinross’ strategy is to increase shareholder value through increases in precious metal reserves, net asset value, production, long-term cash flow and earnings per share. Kinross’ strategy also consists of optimizing the performance, and therefore, the value, of existing operations, investing in quality exploration and development projects and acquiring new potentially accretive properties and projects.

Kinross’ operations and mineral reserves are impacted by, among other things, changes in metal prices. The average gold price per ounce during 2020 was approximately $1,770 ($1,393 during 2019). Kinross used a gold price of $1,200 per ounce at the end of 2020 to estimate mineral reserves.

Kinross’ attributable² estimated proven and probable mineral reserves as at December 31, 2020, was 30.0 million ounces of gold and 59.2 million ounces of silver.

Three-Year History

On February 2, 2018, Compania Minera Mantos de Oro (“MDO”), a subsidiary of the Company, Minera La Coipa (“MLC”) and Salmones de Chile Alimentos S.A. (“SDCA”) agreed, among other things, to spin out the Phase 7 concessions surrounding Kinross’ La Coipa mine into a new company and MDO agreed to purchase SDCA’s 50% interest in such company in exchange for payments to SDCA totaling $65 million. Prior to completion of the transaction, MDO held a 50% ownership interest in the Phase 7 deposit through its 50% ownership of MLC, with the remaining 50% held by SDCA. Following completion of the transaction on March 19, 2018, MDO now holds a 100% ownership interest in the Phase 7 deposit.

² “Attributable” includes Kinross’ share of Chirano (90%) production.

On July 31, 2018, Kinross Brasil Mineração, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kinross completed its transaction to acquire two hydroelectric power plants in Brazil from a subsidiary of Gerdau SA for $253.7 million.³

On October 2, 2018, Kinross acquired Barrick’s 50% interest in the Bald Mountain Exploration Joint Venture for consideration of $15.5 million in cash and a 1.25% net smelter royalty, giving Kinross 100% ownership of the entire Bald Mountain land package.

On July 25, 2019, Kinross extended the maturity date of its $1.5 billion revolving credit facility by one year to 2024, restoring a five-year term.

On July 31, 2019, Kinross announced that it had entered into an agreement to acquire the Chulbatkan license, containing Udinsk, an open-pit heap leach development project, located in the Khabarovsk region of Far East Russia from N-Mining Limited (“N-Mining”) for total fixed consideration of $283 million. In addition, N-Mining received a 1.5% net smelter return royalty on future production from Chulbatkan and contingent consideration of $50 per ounce of future proven and probable reserves beyond the first 3.25 million of declared proven and probable ounces. The transaction was completed on January 16, 2020.

On September 15, 2019, Kinross announced that it was proceeding with a project to incrementally increase throughput capacity at its Tasiast mine in Mauritania to 24,000 tonnes per day (“Tasiast 24k”).

On December 2, 2019, Kinross announced that it had entered into an agreement to sell a portfolio of precious metals royalties to Maverix Metals Inc. (“Maverix”) for total consideration of $73.9 million, which included $25 million in cash and approximately 11.2 million Maverix common shares, representing a 9.4% ownership interest in Maverix. As part of the transaction, Kinross entered into an investor rights agreement with Maverix, which among other customary terms and conditions, provided Kinross with pre-emptive rights to participate in any future equity financings to maintain its ownership position. The transaction closed on December 19, 2019.

On December 9, 2019, the Company sold its investment of 20,656,250 common shares of Lundin Gold Inc. to a syndicate of buyers for proceeds of $113.2 million.

On December 16, 2019, Tasiast Mauritanie Limited S.A. (“TMLSA”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kinross, announced it had entered into a definitive loan agreement for up to $300 million for its Tasiast mine in Mauritania with the IFC (a member of the World Bank Group), Export Development Canada (“EDC”), and with the participation of ING Bank and Société Générale (the “Tasiast Loan”). The eight-year loan, which is non-recourse to Kinross, matures in December 2027, with principal repayments beginning in 2022, and has a floating interest rate of LIBOR plus 4.38%. On April 9, 2020 the Company drew down $200 million from the $300 million Tasiast Loan, and the remaining $100 million is available to be drawn up to March 2022.

On March 20, 2020, the Company drew down $750 million from its $1.5 billion revolving credit facility as a precautionary measure to protect against economic and business uncertainties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Company repaid $250 million of the drawn amount on July 24, 2020 and the remaining $500 million balance on September 18, 2020 (See “Risk Factors” – “Kinross may be negatively affected by an outbreak of infectious disease or pandemic”).

On June 15, 2020, the Company announced it had reached an agreement in principle with the Government of Mauritania (the “Government”) to enhance the parties’ partnership. The key terms of the agreement include the Government (i) providing the Company with a 30-year exploitation license for Tasiast Sud, (ii) reinstating the tax exemption on fuel duties, and (iii) repaying to the Company approximately $40 million in outstanding VAT refunds over the course of the next five years. The Company in return has agreed to (i) make payments totaling $25 million to resolve certain disputed matters, and (ii) update its existing 3% royalty payable to an escalating royalty approach tied to the price of gold that is comparable with other royalties being paid in the region. The terms of the agreement remain subject to finalization of definitive documentation between the parties.

³ Based on exchange rate of 3.29 Brazilian reais to the U.S. dollar. 

On September 30, 2020, Kinross announced that it had entered into an agreement to acquire a 70% interest in the Peak project in Alaska from Royal Gold, Inc. and Contango ORE, Inc. (“Contango”) for total cash consideration of $93.7 million. Going forward the Company, in consultation with the local community, has agreed to change the name to the Manh Choh project. Kinross has broad authority to construct and operate the Manh Choh project, with Contango retaining a 30% non-operating minority interest in the project.

DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS

Kinross is principally engaged in the mining and processing of gold and, as a by-product, silver ore and the exploration for, and the acquisition of, gold bearing properties in the Americas, the Russian Federation, West Africa and worldwide. The material properties of Kinross as of December 31, 2020 were as follows:

In addition, as of December 31, 2020, Kinross held a 100% interest in the Fort Knox mine in Alaska, United States, a 100% interest in the Round Mountain mine in Nevada, United States, a 100% interest in the Bald Mountain mine in Nevada, United States, a 100% interest in the La Coipa project in Chile, a 90% interest in the Chirano mine in Ghana, a 100% interest in the Lobo-Marte project in Chile, a 100% interest in the Maricunga property in Chile, a 100% interest in the Chulbatkan property, containing the Udinsk project in Russia, a 70% interest in the Manh Choh project (formerly the Peak project) in Alaska and other mining properties in various stages of exploration, development, reclamation, and closure. The Company’s principal product is gold and it also produces silver as a by-product.

Employees

At December 31, 2020, Kinross and its subsidiaries employed approximately 8,951 employees. In Brazil, a new collective agreement for Paracatu was signed on March 3, 2020 and expires January 31, 2022. In Chile, there is currently a collective agreement in place for Maricunga which expires February 28, 2023, while an agreement for La Coipa was signed on March 18, 2020 and expires on March 17, 2023. In Mauritania, the collective agreement signed in Q4 2019 is valid until December 31, 2022. In Ghana, there are agreements respecting both junior and senior staff, which are renewed annually. An agreement in respect of junior staff was reached in March 2021, while negotiations for senior staff are ongoing. In Russia, a union was registered at Kupol in February 2012, but there are currently no union members. At Dvoinoye, a union was registered in 2015, which currently has two members. Collective bargaining in Russia is not required until a majority of employees have joined the union. All of Kinross’ employees in the United States, Canada, Spain and the Netherlands are non-unionized.

⁴ The Paracatu and Tasiast properties are subject to various royalties (see “Kinross Material Properties” –“Paracatu, Brazil” and “Tasiast, Mauritania”) 

Competitive Conditions

The precious metal mineral exploration and mining business is a competitive business. Kinross competes with numerous other companies and individuals in the search for and the acquisition of attractive precious metal mineral properties. The ability of Kinross to replace or increase its mineral reserves and mineral resources in the future will depend not only on its ability to develop its present properties, but also on its ability to select and acquire suitable producing properties or prospects for precious metal development or mineral exploration.

Environmental Protection

Kinross’ exploration activities and mining and processing operations are subject to the federal, state, provincial, regional and local environmental laws and regulations of the jurisdictions in which Kinross’ activities and facilities are located. For example, in the United States, Kinross is subject to a number of such laws and regulations including, without limitation: the Clean Air Act; the Clean Water Act; the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act; the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act; the Endangered Species Act; the Federal Land Policy and Management Act; the National Environmental Policy Act; the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act; and related state laws.

Kinross is subject to similar laws in other jurisdictions in which it operates. In all jurisdictions in which Kinross operates, environmental licenses, permits and other regulatory approvals are required in order to engage in exploration, mining and processing, and mine closure activities. Regulatory approval of a detailed plan of operations and a comprehensive environmental impact assessment is required prior to initiating mining or processing activities or for any substantive change to previously approved plans. In all jurisdictions in which Kinross operates, specific statutory and regulatory requirements and standards must be met throughout the life of the mining or processing operations in regard to air quality, water quality, fisheries, wildlife and biodiversity protection, archaeological and cultural resources, solid and hazardous waste management and disposal, the management and transportation of hazardous chemicals, toxic substances, noise, community right-to-know, land use, and reclamation. Except as may be otherwise disclosed herein, Kinross is currently in compliance, in all material respects, with all material applicable environmental laws and regulations. Details and quantification of the Company’s reclamation and remediation obligations are set out in Note 14 of the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2020.

As part of Kinross’ Corporate Responsibility Management System, Kinross has implemented corporate environmental governance programs including:

POLICY - The Corporate Safety & Sustainability Policy sets the overall expectations for maintaining environmental compliance, managing our environmental footprint, and systematic monitoring of our environmental performance. The policy assigns accountabilities to implement those expectations, which apply to all stages of exploration, development, operation and closure.

STANDARDS – Corporate environmental management standards provide a clear bottom line for all Kinross activities in all jurisdictions in which we carry on business. Where legal requirements are unclear, Kinross’ environmental management standards provide clear direction regarding performance expectations and minimum design and operating requirements.

An example of this is Kinross’ adoption of the standards outlined in the International Cyanide Management Code for the Manufacture, Transport and Use of Cyanide in the Production of Gold (the “Cyanide Code”). Kinross is a signatory to the Cyanide Code, which is administered by the International Cyanide Management Institute (the “ICMI”). The ICMI is an independent body that was established by a multi-stakeholder group under the guidance of the United Nations Environmental Program. The ICMI established operating standards for cyanide manufacturers, transporters and mines and provides for third party certification of facilities’ compliance with the Cyanide Code. All Kinross operations have either already been certified as compliant with the Cyanide Code or are in the process of being certified.

AUDITS - Comprehensive safety & sustainability audits are conducted at all operations and at selected residual properties on a triennial basis. The audit program assesses compliance with applicable legal requirements, measures effectiveness of management systems, and includes procedures to ensure timely follow-up on audit findings. Audit topics for detailed review are based on site-specific risks.

METRICS - Kinross has identified operational parameters that are key indicators of environmental performance, and measures these indicators on a regular basis. The Company tracks an index of these key performance indicators and sets performance targets to encourage continuous environmental improvement.

ENGINEERING - To effectively manage environmental risk, programs are in place to assess the management and stability of tailings and other engineered facilities. They include detailed water balance accounting, to assure sufficient storage capacity, and effective operational procedures. Every Kinross operation has a tailings or heap management plan in place, and tailings facilities are the subject of periodic review by independent experts. In addition, Kinross performs periodic assessments of engineered systems to assure adequate systems are in place to minimize or eliminate environmental risks.

RECLAMATION - Kinross recognizes its responsibility to manage the environmental change associated with its operations, and requires all sites to develop and maintain reclamation and closure plans to address the Company’s reclamation and closure obligations in accordance with applicable local regulations and Kinross’ corporate environmental management standards.

The results of these programs have been recognized by others within and outside the mining industry. Examples of significant recognition of Kinross’ efforts are listed on Kinross’ website at www.kinross.com.

Operations

Kinross’ total attributable production in 2020 was derived from the mines in the Americas (55%), West Africa (23%) and the Russian Federation (22%). The following shows the location of Kinross’ properties as of the date hereof.

Included in gold equivalent production and sales is silver production and sales, as applicable, converted into gold production using a ratio of the average spot market prices of gold and silver for each of the three comparative years. The ratios were 86.32:1 in 2020, 85.99:1 in 2019 and 80.74:1 in 2018.

The following table sets forth the total attributable gold equivalent production (in ounces) reflective of Kinross’ interest in each of its operating assets during the last three years:

⁵ Represents Kinross’ 90% ownership interest. 

Marketing

Gold is a metal that is traded on world markets, with benchmark prices generally based on the London market. Gold has two principal uses: product fabrication and bullion investment. Fabricated gold has a wide variety of end uses, including jewelry manufacture (the largest fabrication component), electronics, dentistry, industrial and decorative uses, medals, medallions, and official coins. Gold bullion is held primarily as a store of value and a safeguard against devaluation of paper assets denominated in fiat currencies. Kinross sells all of its refined gold to banks, bullion dealers, and refiners. In 2020, sales from operations to its top three customers totaled $648.6 million, $498.5 million, and $428.5 million respectively, for an aggregate of $1,575.6 million. In 2019, sales from operations to its top three customers totaled $517.3 million, $397.8 million, and $355.0 million respectively, for an aggregate of $1,270.1 million. Due to the size of the bullion market and the above ground inventory of bullion, activities by Kinross will generally not influence gold prices. Kinross believes that the loss of any of these customers would have no material adverse impact on Kinross because of the active worldwide market for gold.

The following table sets forth for the years indicated the high and low London Bullion Market afternoon fix prices for gold:

Kinross Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources

Throughout this AIF mineral resources are presented exclusive of mineral reserves.

Definitions

The estimated mineral reserves and mineral resources for Kinross’ properties have been calculated in accordance with the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (“CIM”) – Definitions Adopted by CIM Council on May 10, 2014 (the “CIM Standards”) which are incorporated in the Canadian Securities Administrators’ National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. The following definitions are reproduced from the CIM Standards:

A Mineral Resource is a concentration or occurrence of solid material of economic interest in or on the Earth’s crust in such form, grade or quality and quantity that there are reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction. The location, quantity, grade or quality, continuity and other geological characteristics of a Mineral Resource are known, estimated or interpreted from specific geological evidence and knowledge, including sampling.

An Inferred Mineral Resource is that part of a Mineral Resource for which quantity and grade or quality are estimated on the basis of limited geological evidence and sampling. Geological evidence is sufficient to imply but not verify geological and grade or quality continuity. An Inferred Mineral Resource has a lower level of confidence than that applying to an Indicated Mineral Resource and must not be converted to a Mineral Reserve. It is reasonably expected that the majority of Inferred Mineral Resources could be upgraded to Indicated Mineral Resources with continued exploration.

An Indicated Mineral Resource is that part of a Mineral Resource for which quantity, grade or quality, densities, shape and physical characteristics are estimated with sufficient confidence to allow the application of Modifying Factors in sufficient detail to support mine planning and evaluation of the economic viability of the deposit. Geological evidence is derived from adequately detailed and reliable exploration, sampling and testing and is sufficient to assume geological and grade or quality continuity between points of observation. An Indicated Mineral Resource has a lower level of confidence than that applying to a Measured Mineral Resource and may only be converted to a Probable Mineral Reserve.

A Measured Mineral Resource is that part of a Mineral Resource for which quantity, grade or quality, densities, shape, and physical characteristics are estimated with confidence sufficient to allow the application of Modifying Factors to support detailed mine planning and final evaluation of the economic viability of the deposit. Geological evidence is derived from detailed and reliable exploration, sampling and testing and is sufficient to confirm geological and grade or quality continuity between points of observation. A Measured Mineral Resource has a higher level of confidence than that applying to either an Indicated Mineral Resource or an Inferred Mineral Resource. It may be converted to a Proven Mineral Reserve or to a Probable Mineral Reserve.

A Mineral Reserve is the economically mineable part of a Measured and/or Indicated Mineral Resource. It includes diluting materials and allowances for losses, which may occur when the material is mined or extracted and is defined by studies at Pre-Feasibility or Feasibility level as appropriate that include application of Modifying Factors. Such studies demonstrate that, at the time of reporting, extraction could reasonably be justified. The reference point at which Mineral Reserves are defined, usually the point where the ore is delivered to the processing plant, must be stated. It is important that, in all situations where the reference point is different, such as for a saleable product, a clarifying statement is included to ensure that the reader is fully informed as to what is being reported. The public disclosure of a Mineral Reserve must be demonstrated by a Pre-Feasibility Study or Feasibility Study.

A Probable Mineral Reserve is the economically mineable part of an Indicated Mineral Reserve, and in some circumstances, a Measured Mineral Resource. The confidence in the Modifying Factors applying to a Probable Mineral Reserve is lower than that applying to a Proven Mineral Reserve. The qualified person(s) may elect, to convert Measured Mineral Resources to Probable Mineral Reserves if the confidence in the Modifying Factors is lower than that applied to a Proven Mineral Reserve. Probable Mineral Reserve estimates must be demonstrated to be economic, at the time of reporting, by at least a Pre-Feasibility Study.

A Proven Mineral Reserve is the economically mineable part of a Measured Mineral Resource. A Proven Mineral Reserve implies a high degree of confidence in the Modifying Factors. Application of the Proven Mineral Reserve category implies that the qualified person has the highest degree of confidence in the estimate with the consequent expectation in the minds of the readers of the report. The term should be restricted to that part of the deposit where production planning is taking place and for which any variation in the estimate would not significantly affect the potential economic viability of the deposit. Proven Mineral Reserve estimates must be demonstrated to be economic, at the time of reporting, by at least a Pre-Feasibility Study. Within the CIM Standards, the term Proved Mineral Reserve is an equivalent term to a Proven Mineral Reserve.

Modifying Factors are considerations used to convert Mineral Resources to Mineral Reserves. These include, but are not restricted to, mining, processing, metallurgical, infrastructure, economic, marketing, legal, environmental, social and governmental factors.

Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource Estimates

The following tables set forth the estimated mineral reserves and mineral resources attributable to interests held by Kinross for each of its properties: