Buckhorn will contribute to production increases

All dollar amounts are expressed in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise statedAll dollar amounts are expressed in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated

Toronto - Kinross Gold Corporation (TSX-K; NYSE-KGC) ("Kinross") has agreed to extend the termination date to acquire Crown Resources Corporation (OTCBB-CRCE) ("Crown") to December 31, 2006. When completed, this acquisition will allow Kinross to restart its Kettle River facilities which, along with the development of Crown's Buckhorn Mountain project will contribute to Kinross' growing production profile.

Kinross has signed an amendment (the "Amendment") with Crown to extend the termination date of the definitive acquisition agreement (the "Agreement") to December 31, 2006 and adjust the price that Kinross will pay to acquire Crown and its 100 per cent-owned Buckhorn Mountain gold deposit located in north central Washington State, USA, just 67 kilometres from the Company's Kettle River mine.

Under the terms of the Amendment, shareholders of Crown will receive 0.32 shares of Kinross for each share of Crown, a decrease of 0.02 over the previous exchange ratio of 0.34, although the valuation collar has been removed. Assuming all of the outstanding Crown warrants and options are converted, a total of approximately 14.7 million common shares of Kinross will be issued upon the completion of the transaction.

"The acquisition of Crown and its Buckhorn Mountain deposit is an excellent fit with our growth plan," said Tye Burt, President and Chief Executive Officer of Kinross Gold Corporation. "Buckhorn's reserves will represent an important addition to our portfolio. Our existing Kettle River facilities and experience in the region will allow us to move forward as an important contributor in the area."

Kinross has also agreed to loan Crown $2 million if the transaction is not closed by July 1, 2006. The $2 million would be used to buy out the only existing net smelter return royalty from a third party covering the ore body at the Buckhorn Mountain property. The loan will have a three-year term and bear interest at the published (Wall Street Journal) prime rate at the time of borrowing, plus 3 per cent.

Production Growth Outlook

Assuming the completion of this transaction, Kinross has also released forecast production numbers for the years 2006 - 2009 as follows:

• As previously disclosed in the 2005 third quarter results, in 2006, Kinross expects to produce approximately 1.44 million gold equivalent ounces

• In 2007, Kinross expects to produce between 1.5 million and 1.6 million gold equivalent ounces.

• In 2008, total production is expected to grow to between 1.6 million and 1.7 million gold equivalent ounces.

• In 2009, total production is expected to grow to between 1.65 million and 1.75 million gold equivalent ounces.

"Kinross' exciting growth profile is evidence of our strategic objective of increasing cash flow and net asset value for shareholders," said Burt. "Kinross is driving forward with growth through the expansion of existing facilities. We will then use strategic acquisitions to upgrade our portfolio of mines."

Background to the Crown Transaction

The agreement to acquire Crown was originally announced in November 2003. Now that Kinross is up-to-date in its financial filings, it has renewed the agreement on a new timetable. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals, a minimum two-thirds approval at a special meeting of Crown shareholders and other customary closing conditions. Both parties are working to close the transaction as rapidly as possible.

As at December 31, 2003, Crown had reported total proven and probable reserves at Buckhorn of approximately 2.8 million tonnes grading 11.1 grams per tonne gold and inferred mineral resources of approximately 0.3 million tonnes grading 15.0 grams per tonne gold as reported in the technical report prepared by SRK Consulting dated December 2003. The technical report containing information about reserves and resources is compliant with Canadian National Instrument 43-101, was filed on SEDAR on December 5, 2003 and can be found under Kinross' profile at www.sedar.com. Please refer to the technical report for details of the assumptions and qualifications relating to the above mineral reserve and resource estimates. With the assistance of an independent consulting engineering firm, Kinross is currently updating the Buckhorn Mountain reserve and mineralized material estimates.

Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information
This press release includes certain “Forward-Looking Statements” within the meaning of section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, including without limitation, production forecasts, statements regarding potential mineralization and reserves, exploration results and future plans and objectives of Kinross and Crown, are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. Forward looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the day they are made. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Development of Buckhorn Mountain is subject to the successful completion of the acquisition of Crown by Kinross, the completion and implementation of an economically viable mining plan, obtaining the necessary permits and approvals from various regulatory authorities, and compliance with operating parameters established by such authorities. There are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Kinross’ and Crown’s expectations, such as: uncertainties related to expected production rates, timing of production and costs of production and milling; uncertainties relating to mineral reserve estimates, uncertainties related to unexpected judicial or regulatory proceedings, changes in laws and regulations relating to mining, environmental protection and health and safety of mine workers; changes in the price of gold and supplies such as fuel, diesel, tires, energy, mining equipment and spare parts; fluctuation in exchange rates in the Canadian dollars, Chilean Peso, Brazilian Real versus the US dollar; unexpected environmental issues; geopolitical uncertainties and labour strikes, work stoppages or other employment related issues. Additional factors are disclosed under the heading “Risk Factors” in its Annual Information Form and elsewhere in Kinross’ and Crown’s documents filed from time to time with the Ontario Securities Commission, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and other regulatory authorities.