Toronto, Ontario, December 22, 2009 - Kinross
Gold Corporation announced today that its Kupol mine in the Far
East Region of the Russian Federation has been fully certified
under the International Cyanide Management Code. Kupol is the first
mine in Russia to obtain this certification, which was received
based on a thorough independent third-party audit of the mine
operations.
In November 2009, Kupol's transportation group was also certified
as fully compliant with the International Cyanide Management Code,
making it the first mine-operated transportation group in the world
to be certified. That certification covers the storage and
transportation of cyanide from Port of Pevek facilities to Kupol
via a 430-kilometre ice road. The ice road is built annually to
transport supplies to the Kupol site.
The Cyanide Management Code is a voluntary code that focuses on the
safe manufacture, transportation, storage, use and decommissioning
of cyanide and associated facilities used for the production of
gold. It was developed by a multi-stakeholder group under the
guidance of the United Nations Environment Program, with the goal
of responsible management of cyanide used in gold mining to enhance
the protection of human health and the environment.
Consistent with Kinross' commitment to world-class
environmental stewardship and corporate responsibility, the Company
was one of the original signatory companies of the Code.
"Kupol's full certification is a testament to the hard work,
dedication and commitment of our team at the mine," said James
Crossland, Kinross Gold Executive Vice-President External Relations
and Corporate Responsibility. "We are fully committed to the goals
of the Cyanide Management Code, and safe, environmentally
responsible operating standards for all our Kinross
operations."
Certification for Kinross' La Coipa mine in Chile will commence in
2010. All other Kinross operations - including Maricunga in Chile;
Paracatu and Crixás in Brazil; and Round Mountain, Fort Knox and
Kettle River-Buckhorn in the US - are now certified under the
Cyanide Management Code.