Kinross To Proceed With Phase One Of Tasiast Expansion

 

TORONTO, ON - Kinross Gold Corporation reported that it is proceeding with the Phase One expansion of its Tasiast mine in Mauritania. Phase One is expected to increase mill throughput capacity from the current 8,000 tonnes per day (t/d) to 12,000 t/d, while significantly reducing Tasiast's operating costs and increasing production. Preparations for Phase One construction to install incremental crushing and grinding capacity to the existing carbon-in-leach (CIL) circuit, which includes an oversized semi-autogenous grinding (SAG) mill and gyratory crusher, will begin immediately. Phase One is expected to reach full production by the end of Q1 2018 with estimated capital expenditures of approximately $300 million.

In relation to the Tasiast two-phased expansion studies, J. Paul Rollinson, President and CEO said, "This phased approach allows Kinross to transform Tasiast into a lower cost, cash flow positive operation in the near term while preserving the operation's significant growth potential. Phase One, which is expected to reach full production by the end of Q1 2018, will require an estimated initial capital investment of approximately $300 million, to be self-financed by the Company. The expansion is forecast to reduce Tasiast's production cost of sales per ounce by an estimated 48% while increasing annual production by an estimated 87% compared with 2015. The Phase One expansion has robust standalone economics, including a positive 20% expected internal rate of return.

"Phase Two, which anticipates increasing total throughput to 30,000 t/d, underscores Kinross' focus on financial discipline. The forecast total capital expenditure for the combined Phase One and Two has been significantly lowered compared to previous expansion studies. With lower capital required, the expected benefits remain compelling, with a 30,000 t/d Tasiast expected to be the Company's largest and lowest cost operation with a long estimated mine life.

"The two-phased approach strikes the right balance between growth and preserving balance sheet strength and is well-suited to the current gold price environment. Phase One achieves Kinross' near term goals with a manageable investment while allowing the Company to reassess market conditions and further optimize the project before deciding to proceed with Phase Two. In short, this is the right project for Kinross at the right time."

The Phase One feasibility study is based on increasing the current 8,000 t/d throughput capacity to 12,000 t/d. The additional processing capacity is expected to be achieved with the addition of a gyratory crusher, an oversized SAG mill and three leach tanks, as well as improvements to other components of the processing circuit. The new mill is forecast to produce an average of approximately 409,000 gold ounces a year during the first 10 years (2018-2027, when mining will occur), with a forecast cumulative production of 5.0 million gold ounces to 2033. Milling of residual stockpiled ore will extend the estimated mine life to 2033.

Production cost of sales is estimated to average $535 per ounce, with estimated all-in sustaining cost of $760 per ounce for 2018-2027. Mill grades are expected to average 3.1 g/t over this period.

Preparations for Phase One construction will begin immediately, with expected forecast capital expenditures of $300 million, plus estimated capital stripping of $428 million (2016-2019). Engineering work is 35% complete and is expected to reach 80% by end of July 2016. A significant amount of contractual commitments and site establishment work is expected to occur during Q2 2016, with full field construction expected to commence in Q3 2016. Phase One commissioning is expected to begin in Q4 2017, with full production expected by the end of Q1 2018.

Based on an assumed gold price of $1,200 and oil price of $45/bbl, the expansion has an estimated IRR of 20% and NPV of $635 million (after tax and unlevered, from April 1, 2016 forward) and is expected to generate $1.16 billion in free cash flow over the life of mine.

The Phase Two prefeasibility study contemplates installing additional mill throughput of 18,000 t/d for a total combined capacity of 30,000 t/d. The potential expansion would replace the two current ball mills with a new larger ball mill, and add new leaching, thickening and refinery capacity. An additional 60 MW of capacity would be added to the existing power plant to power the 30,000 t/d mill, which is forecast to have an average production of approximately 777,000 gold ounces a year from 2020-2026, with a forecast cumulative gold production of 6.4 million ounces to 2030.

Production cost of sales is estimated to average $535 per ounce for the life of project, with forecast all-in sustaining cost of $720 per ounce. Mill grades are expected to average 1.9 g/t. Capital costs for the additional 18,000 t/d expansion are forecast to be $620 million, plus incremental estimated capitalized stripping of $119 million (2016-2019). The combined estimated total capital expenditures for Phase One and Phase Two is expected to be approximately $920 million.

A feasibility study of Phase Two is expected to be initiated in the second half of 2016, with a potential go-ahead decision targeted for the end of 2017 and construction expected to commence in early 2018. Based on this timeline, Phase Two could potentially reach full production in early 2020.

Based on an assumed gold price of $1,200 and oil price of $45/bbl, the expansion has an estimated IRR of 17% and NPV of $885 million (after tax and unlevered, from April 1, 2016 forward), and is expected to generate $1.66 billion in free cash flow after tax over the life of mine.