Audit Committee

The Audit Committee shall provide assistance to the Board of Directors in fulfilling its financial reporting and control responsibilities to the shareholders of Kinross and the investment community. The Audit Committee’s primary duties and responsibilities are to:

• Oversee (i) the integrity of Kinross’ financial statements; (ii) Kinross’ compliance with legal and regulatory requirements regarding financial disclosure; (iii) the independent auditors’ qualifications and independence; and (iv) the performance of Kinross’ internal audit function.

• Serve as an independent and objective party to monitor Kinross’ financial reporting processes and internal control systems.

• Review and appraise the audit activities of Kinross’ independent auditors and the internal auditing functions.

• Annually evaluate the performance of the Audit Committee in light of the requirements of its Charter.

• Provide open lines of communication among the independent auditors, financial and senior management, and the Board of Directors for financial reporting and control matters. The Audit Committee will meet, periodically, with management, with the members of the internal audit function and with the independent auditors.

The Audit Committee shall be comprised of at least three directors. Each Committee member shall be an “independent director” in accordance with applicable legal requirements, including currently the requirements of Multilateral Instrument 52-110 and the Corporate Governance Rules of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE Rules”), which are reproduced in Schedule “A” attached hereto.

All members shall, to the satisfaction of the Board of Directors, be “financially literate”, and at least one member shall have accounting or related financial management expertise to qualify as a “financial expert” in accordance with applicable legal requirements, including currently the requirements of Multilateral Instrument 52-110, the rules adopted by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and the NYSE Rules reproduced in Schedule “A” attached hereto.

As the rules set out in Schedule “A” may be revised, updated or replaced from time to time, the Audit Committee shall ensure that such schedule is up-dated accordingly when required.

No director may serve as a member of the Committee if such director serves on the audit committee of more than two other public companies unless the Board of Directors determines that such simultaneous service would not impair the ability of such director to effectively serve on the Audit Committee, and this determination is disclosed in the annual management information circular.

The Committee members will be elected annually at the first meeting of the Board of Directors following the annual general meeting of shareholders.

Responsibilities and powers of the Audit Committee include:

• Annual review and revision of this Charter as necessary with the approval of the Board of Directors.

• Subject to the powers of the Board of Directors and the shareholders under Kinross’ articles, by-laws and under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario), the Audit Committee is responsible for the selection, appointment, oversight, evaluation, compensation, retention and, if necessary, the replacement of the independent auditors who prepare or issue an auditors’ report or perform other audit, review or attest services for Kinross.

• Approving the appropriate audit engagement fees and the funding for payment of the independent auditors’ compensation and any advisors retained by the Audit Committee.

• Ensuring that the auditors report directly to the Audit Committee and are made accountable to the Board and the Audit Committee, as representatives of the shareholders to whom the auditors are ultimately responsible.

• Confirming the independence of the auditors, which will require receipt from the auditors of a formal written statement delineating all relationships between the auditors and Kinross and any other factors that might affect the independence of the auditors and reviewing and discussing with the auditors any significant relationships and other factors identified in the statement. Reporting to the Board of Directors its conclusions on the independence of the auditors and the basis for these conclusions.

• Ensuring that the independent auditors are prohibited from providing the following non-audit services and determining which other non-audit services the independent auditors are prohibited from providing:

  • bookkeeping or other services related to the accounting records or financial statements of Kinross;

  • financial information systems design and implementation;

  • appraisal or valuation services, fairness opinions, or contribution-in-kind reports;

  • actuarial services;

  • internal audit outsourcing services;

  • management functions or human resources;

  • broker or dealer, investment adviser or investment banking services;

  • legal services and expert services unrelated to the audit; and

  • any other services which the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board determines to be impermissible.

• Approving any permissible non-audit engagements of the independent auditors in accordance with applicable laws.

• Obtaining from the independent auditors in connection with any audit a timely report relating to the Kinross’ annual audited financial statements describing all critical accounting policies and practices used, all alternative treatments within generally accepted accounting principles for policies and practices related to material items that have been discussed with management, ramifications of the use of such alternative disclosures and treatments, and the treatment preferred by the independent auditors, and any material written communications between the independent auditors and management, such as any "management" letter or schedule of unadjusted differences.

• Meeting with the auditors and financial management of Kinross to review the scope of the proposed audit for the current year, and the audit procedures to be used.

• Reviewing with management and the independent auditors:
  - Kinross’ annual and interim financial statements and related footnotes, management’s discussion and analysis, earnings releases and the annual information form, for the purpose of recommending approval by the Board of Directors prior to being released or filed with regulators, and ensuring that:

  • management has reviewed the financial statements with the audit committee, including significant judgments affecting the financial statements

  • the members of the Committee have discussed among themselves, without management or the independent auditors present, the information disclosed to the Committee

  • the Committee has received the assurance of both financial management and the independent auditors that Kinross’ financial statements are fairly presented in conformity with Canadian GAAP in all material respects

- Any significant changes required in the independent auditors’ audit plan and any serious issues with management regarding the audit.
- Other matters related to the conduct of the audit that are to be communicated to the Committee under generally accepted auditing standards.

• With respect to the internal auditing department,

  1. to review the appointment and replacement of the director of the internal auditing department; and

  2. to advise the director of the internal auditing department that he or she is expected to provide to the Audit Committee copies of significant reports to management prepared by the internal auditing department and management's responses thereto.

• With respect to accounting principles and policies, financial reporting and internal audit control over financial reporting,

  1. to advise management, the internal auditing department and the independent auditors that they are expected to provide to the Audit Committee a timely analysis of significant issues and practices relating to accounting principles and policies, financial reporting and internal control over financial reporting;

  2. to consider any reports or communications (and management's and/or the internal audit department's responses thereto) submitted to the Audit Committee by the independent auditors required by or referred to in SAS 61 (as codified by AU Section 380), as it may be modified or supplemented or other professional standards, including reports and communications related to:

  • deficiencies, including significant deficiencies or material weaknesses, in internal control identified during the audit or other matters relating to internal control over financial reporting;

  • consideration of fraud in a financial statement audit;

  • detection of illegal acts;

  • the independent auditors' responsibility under generally accepted auditing standards;

  • any restriction on audit scope;

  • significant accounting policies;

  • significant issues discussed with the national office respecting auditing or accounting issues presented by the engagement;

  • management judgments and accounting estimates;

  • any accounting adjustments arising from the audit that were noted or proposed by the auditors but were passed (as immaterial or otherwise);

  • the responsibility of the independent auditors for other information in documents containing audited financial statements;

  • disagreements with management;

  • consultation by management with other accountants;

  • major issues discussed with management prior to retention of the independent auditors;

  • difficulties encountered with management in performing the audit;

  • the independent auditors' judgments about the quality of the entity's accounting principles;

  • reviews of interim financial information conducted by the independent auditors; and

  • the responsibilities, budget and staffing of the Company's internal audit function.

• Satisfying itself that adequate procedures are in place for the review of Kinross’ public disclosure of financial information extracted or derived from Kinross’ financial statements, other than the public disclosure described in the preceding paragraph, and assessing the adequacy of such procedures periodically.

• Reviewing with the independent auditors and management the adequacy and effectiveness of the financial and accounting controls of Kinross.

• Establishing procedures: (i) for receiving, handling and retaining of complaints received by Kinross regarding accounting, internal controls, or auditing matters, and (ii) for employees to submit confidential anonymous concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters.

• Reviewing with the independent auditors any audit problems or difficulties and management’s response and resolving disagreements between management and the auditors.

• Making inquires of management and the independent auditors to identify significant, financial and control risks and exposures and assess the steps management has taken to minimize such risk to Kinross.

• Assessing the overall process for identifying principal financial and control risks and providing its views on the effectiveness of this process to the Board.

• Reviewing of confirmation of compliance with Kinross’ policies on internal controls.

• Discussing any earnings press releases, as well as financial information and earnings guidance provided to analysts and rating agencies.

• At least annually obtaining and reviewing a report prepared by the independent auditors describing

  1. the auditors’ internal quality-control procedures;

  2. any material issues raised by the most recent internal quality-control review, or peer review, of the auditors, or by any inquiry of investigation by governmental or professional authorities, within the preceding five years, respecting one or more independent audits carried out by the auditors, and any steps taken to deal with any such issues; and

  3. to assess the auditors’ independence) all relationships between the independent auditors and Kinross, including each non-audit service provided to the Company and at least the matters set forth in Independent Standards Board No.1.

• Setting clear hiring policies for partners, employees or former partners and former employees of the independent auditors.

• Engaging and compensating (for which Kinross will provide appropriate funding) independent counsel and other advisors if the Committee determines such advisors are necessary to assist the Committee in carrying out its duties.

• Reporting annually to the shareholders in Kinross’ Management Information Circular prepared for the annual and general meeting of shareholders on the carrying out of its responsibilities under this charter and on other matters as required by applicable securities regulatory authorities.

The Audit Committee will meet regularly at times necessary to perform the duties described above in a timely manner, but not less than four times a year. Meetings may be held at any time deemed appropriate by the Committee.

The Audit Committee will meet periodically with representatives of the independent auditors, appropriate members of management and personnel responsible for the internal audit function, all either individually or collectively as may be required by the Committee.

The independent auditors will have direct access to the Committee at their own initiative.
The Chairman of the Committee will report periodically the Committee’s findings and recommendations to the Board of Directors.

The Audit Committee shall have the resources and authority appropriate to discharge its duties and responsibilities, including the authority to select, retain, terminate, and approve the fees and other retention terms of special or independent counsel, accountants or other experts and advisors, as it deems necessary or appropriate, without seeking approval of the Board or management.
Kinross shall provide for appropriate funding, as determined by the Audit Committee, in its capacity as a committee of the Board, for payment of:

1. Compensation to the independent auditors and any other public accounting firm engaged for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or performing other audit, review or attestation services for the Company;

2. Compensation of any advisers employed by the Audit Committee; and

3. Ordinary administrative expenses of the Audit Committee that are necessary or appropriate in carrying out its duties.

Independence Requirement of Multilateral Instrument 52-110

A member of the Audit Committee shall be considered “independent”, in accordance with Multilateral Instrument 52-110 - Audit Committees (“MI 52-110”), subject to the additional requirements or exceptions provided in MI 52-110, if that member has no direct or indirect relationship with the Company, which could reasonably interfere with the exercise of the member’s independent judgment. The following persons are considered to have a material relationship with the Company and, as such, can not be a member of the Audit Committee:

1. an individual who is, or has been within the last three years, an employee or executive officer of the Company;

2. an individual whose immediate family member is, or has been within the last three years, an executive officer of the Company;

3. an individual who:

   1. is a partner of a firm that is the Company’s internal or external auditor;

   2. is an employee of that firm; or

   3. was within the last three years a partner or employee of that firm and personally worked on the Company’s audit within that time;

4. an individual whose spouse, minor child or stepchild, or child or stepchild who shares a home with the individual:

   1. is a partner of a firm that is the Company’s internal or external auditor;

   2. is an employee of that firm and participates in its audit, assurance or tax compliance (but not tax planning) practice, or

   3. was within the last three years a partner or employee of that firm and personally worked on the Company’s audit within that time;

5. an individual who, or whose immediate family member, is or has been within the last three years, an executive officer of an entity if any of the Company's current executive officers serves or served at the same time on the entity's compensation committee; and

6. an individual who received, or whose immediate family member who is employed as an executive officer of the Company received, more than $75,000 in direct compensation from the Company during any 12 month period within the last three years, other than as remuneration for acting in his or her capacity as a member of the Board of Directors or any Board committee, or the receipt of fixed amounts of compensation under a retirement plan (including deferred compensation) for prior service for the Company if the compensation is not contingent in any way on continued service.

In addition to the independence criteria discussed above, any individual who:

1. has a relationship with the Company pursuant to which the individual may accept, directly or indirectly, any consulting, advisory or other compensatory fee from the Company or any subsidiary entity of the Company, other than as remuneration for acting in his or her capacity as a member of the board of directors or any board committee; or as a part-time chair or vice-chair of the board or any board or committee, or

2. is an affiliated entity of the Company or any of its subsidiary entities,
   is deemed to have a material relationship with the Company, and therefore, is deemed not to be independent.

The indirect acceptance by an individual of any consulting, advisory or other fee includes acceptance of a fee by:

1. an individual's spouse, minor child or stepchild, or a child or stepchild who shares the individual's home; or

2. an entity in which such individual is a partner, member, an officer such as a managing director occupying a comparable position or executive officer, or occupies a similar position (except limited partners, non-managing members and those occupying similar positions who, in each case, have no active role in providing services to the entity) and which provides accounting, consulting, legal, investment banking or financial advisory services to the Company or any subsidiary entity of the Company.

A director shall be considered “independent” in accordance with NYSE Rules if that director has no material relationship with the Company that may interfere with the exercise of his/her independence from management and the Company.
In addition:

1. A director who is an employee, or whose immediate family member is an executive officer, of the Company is not independent until three years after the end of such employment relationships.

2. A director who receives, or whose immediate family member receives, more than $100,000 per year in direct compensation from the Company, other than director or committee fees and pension or other forms of deferred compensation for prior service (provided such compensation is not contingent in any way on continued service), is not independent until three years after he or she ceases to receive more than $100,000 per year in such compensation.

3. A director who is affiliated with or employed by, or whose immediate family member is affiliated with or employed in a professional capacity by, a present or former internal or external auditor of the Company is not “independent” until three years after the end of the affiliation or the employment or auditing relationship.

4. A director who is employed, or whose immediate family member is employed, as an executive officer of another company where any of the Company’s present executives serve on that company’s compensation committee is not “independent” until three years after the end of such service or the employment relationship.

5. A director who is an executive officer or an employee, or whose immediate family member is an executive officer, of a company that makes payments to, or receives payments from, the Company for property or services in an amount which, in any single fiscal year, exceeds the greater of $1 million, or 2% of such other company’s consolidated gross revenues, is not “independent” until three years after falling below such threshold.

A member of the Audit Committee must also satisfy the independence requirements of Rule 10A-3(b)(1) adopted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as set out below:

In order to be considered to be independent, a member of an audit committee of a listed issuer that is not an investment company may not, other than in his or her capacity as a member of the audit committee, the board of directors, or any other board committee:

1. Accept directly or indirectly any consulting, advisory, or other compensatory fee from the issuer or any subsidiary thereof, provided that, unless the rules of the national securities exchange or national securities association provide otherwise, compensatory fees do not include the receipt of fixed amounts of compensation under a retirement plan (including deferred compensation) for prior service with the listed issuer (provided that such compensation is not contingent in any way on continued service); or

2. Be an affiliated person of the issuer or any subsidiary thereof.
   An “affiliated person” means a person who directly or indirectly controls Kinross, or a director, executive officer, partner, member, principal or designee of an entity that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, Kinross.

“Financially literate”, in accordance with MI 52-110, means that the director has the ability to read and understand a set of financial statements that present a breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues that are generally comparable to the breadth and complexity of the issues that can reasonably be expected to be raised by the Company’s financial statements.

An audit committee financial expert is defined as a person who has the following attributes:

1. an understanding of generally accepted accounting principles and financial statements;

2. the ability to assess the general application of such principles in connection with the accounting for estimates, accruals and reserves;

3. experience preparing, auditing, analyzing or evaluating financial statements that present a breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues which are generally comparable to the breadth and complexity of issues that can reasonably be expected to be raised by the registrant’s financial statements, or experience actively supervising one or more persons engaged in such activities;

4. an understanding of internal controls and procedures for financial reporting; and

5. an understanding of audit committee functions.

An individual will be required to possess all of the attributes listed in the above definition to qualify as an audit committee financial expert and must have acquired such attributes through one or more of the following means:

1. education and experience as a principal financial officer, principal accounting officer, controller, public accountant or auditor, or experience in one or more positions that involve the performance of similar function;

2. experience actively supervising a principal financial officer, principal accounting officer, controller, public accountant, auditor or person performing similar functions;

3. experience overseeing or assessing the performance of companies or public accountants with respect to the preparation, auditing or evaluation of financial statements; or

4. other relevant experience.