Toronto, Ontario, December 19, 2008 -- Kinross Gold Corporation ("Kinross") (TSX: K, NYSE: KGC) announced today that it has subscribed for 12,500,000 units of Victoria Gold Corp. ("Victoria") pursuant to a private placement. Each unit consists of one common share and one half of one share purchase warrant. Each warrant allows the holder to purchase one common share at an exercise price of CAD $0.25 during the 24 months following the closing of the private placement, subject to acceleration in certain circumstances. After giving effect to the private placement and the exercise of the warrants, Kinross will hold 18,750,000 common shares which, together with the 24,701,025 common shares and warrants exercisable into 2,567,850 common shares held by its wholly-owned subsidiary EastWest Gold Corp., constitutes 34.4% of Victoria's outstanding common shares. The subscription price for the units is CAD $0.20 per unit for an aggregate purchase price of CAD $ 2,500,000. The private placement is subject to approval by the TSX Venture Exchange.

The investment in Victoria is part of Kinross' strategy to increase its exposure to quality exploration opportunities by investing in high quality junior resource companies. Victoria is a gold-focused, growth-oriented exploration company with 17 exploration properties in Nevada.

Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information
All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained or incorporated by reference in this news release, including any information as to the future performance of Kinross, constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including the provisions of the Securities Act (Ontario) and the provisions for “safe harbour” 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 news release. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, possible events, statements with respect to possible events, the future price of gold and silver, the estimation of mineral reserves and resources and the realization of such estimates, the timing, amount and costs of estimated future production, expected capital expenditures, development and mining activities, permitting time lines, currency fluctuations, requirements for additional capital, government regulation, environmental risks, unanticipated reclamation expenses, title disputes or claims. The words “plans,” “expects,” or “does not expect,” “is expected,” “budget,” “scheduled,” “estimates,” “forecasts,” “intends,” “anticipates,” or “does not anticipate,” or “believes,” or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “may,” “could,” “would,” “might,” or “will be taken,” “occur” or “be achieved” and similar 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. Many of these uncertainties and contingencies can 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. 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. All of the forward-looking statements made in this news release are qualified by these cautionary statements, and those made in the “Risk Factors” section of our most recently filed Annual Information Form and our other filings with the securities regulators of Canada and the U.S. 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.