Kinross reports 2025 first-quarter results

Core Insights - Kinross Gold Corporation reported strong operational performance in Q1 2025, with free cash flow more than doubling year-over-year to over $370 million, driven by a 67% increase in margins to $1,814 per ounce sold, significantly outpacing the 38% increase in gold prices [6][18][19]. Financial Performance - Revenue for Q1 2025 increased to $1,497.5 million, a 38% rise from $1,081.5 million in Q1 2024, attributed to higher average metal prices [15]. - Reported net earnings more than tripled to $368.0 million, or $0.30 per share, compared to $107.0 million, or $0.09 per share, in Q1 2024 [19]. - Attributable free cash flow increased to $370.8 million in Q1 2025, compared to $145.3 million in Q1 2024 [18]. Production and Costs - Kinross produced 512,088 gold equivalent ounces in Q1 2025, slightly down from 527,399 ounces in Q1 2024 [14]. - The production cost of sales per gold equivalent ounce sold rose to $1,043 in Q1 2025 from $982 in Q1 2024 [15]. - Attributable all-in sustaining cost per gold equivalent ounce sold was $1,355 in Q1 2025, compared to $1,310 in Q1 2024 [17]. Capital Allocation and Shareholder Returns - The company plans to return $650 million to shareholders by 2025 through dividends and share buybacks, having reactivated its share buyback program with approximately $60 million repurchased to date [4][25][26]. - A quarterly dividend of $0.03 per common share was declared, payable on June 12, 2025 [26]. Balance Sheet and Liquidity - Kinross improved its balance sheet by repaying the remaining $200 million of its term loan, resulting in cash and cash equivalents of $694.6 million as of March 31, 2025 [21][22]. - The company has total liquidity of approximately $2.3 billion, with an investment grade rating of Baa3 from Moody's [22]. Operational Highlights - Strong performance was noted at Paracatu and Fort Knox, with increased production and improved recoveries [9][31]. - Development projects, including the Great Bear AEX program and Round Mountain Phase X, are progressing well, with significant drilling results supporting high-margin production potential [35][39]. Sustainability Initiatives - Kinross is committed to sustainability, having completed a municipal hospital renovation in Brazil and formalized a partnership with Lakehead University for research on geology and mining [47][48]. - The company plans to publish its 2024 Sustainability Report later this month [49].