Kinross provides update on Lobo-Marte project
Original announcement by tmx on
- Company
- Kinross Gold Corporation
- Ticker
- K
- Exchange
- TSX
- Region
- Chile
- Primary commodity
- Gold
- Secondary commodities
- Copper
- Document categories
- Resource update, Metallurgy
- Extracted
- 2026-09-16 06:39:31 UTC
Analysis by Minestarters Atlas
Minestarters Atlas analysis
Summary
Kinross Gold Corporation has provided an update on its Lobo-Marte project in Chile, highlighting robust economics with an estimated NPV of $4.3 billion and an IRR of 26% at a $4,100/oz gold price. The project outlines a 15-year operating life with average annual production of 350,000 gold ounces at a low all-in sustaining cost of approximately $1,000/oz. The update confirms 6.7 million ounces of Probable gold reserves, with permitting advancing and first gold production targeted for the early 2030s, requiring an initial capital investment of $1.8 billion.
Reasoning: The update confirms strong project economics, a substantial gold reserve base, and progress on permitting for a long-life, low-cost operation, despite a high initial capital outlay and long development timeline.
Positive factors
- Robust economics (NPV $4.3B, IRR 26%, AISC ~$1,000/oz)
- Large Proven & Probable Reserves (6.7 Moz Au)
- Significant resource optionality for mine life extension
- Permitting advancing on track
- Long mine life (15 years)
- Low strip ratio (2.0:1)
- Established heap leach processing with strong recovery (69%)
- Project to be self-funded from operating cash flow
Negative factors
- High initial capital expenditure ($1.8 billion)
- Long lead time to first production (early 2030s)
Low confidence — this extraction should be reviewed alongside the original source.
Facts used in scoring: 4
Classification and evidence
NI 43-101 Compliantpositive
Resource estimate prepared in compliance with NI 43-101 (Canada) — high reporting standard.
Why it applies: The mineral reserve and resource estimates are classified in accordance with NI 43-101.
Evidence · text
“classified in accordance with the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (“CIM”) “CIM Definition Standards For Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves” adopted by the CIM Council (as amended, the “CIM Definition Standards”) in accordance with the requirements of National Instrument 43-101 “Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects” (“NI 43-101”).”
QP/CP Signedpositive
Qualified Person (QP) or Competent Person (CP) named and signed off — a member of a recognized professional association (e.g., AusIMM, SME, AIG, P.Geo) with relevant experience.
Why it applies: Mr. Nicos Pfeiffer is named as the Qualified Person who supervised and verified the mineral resource and reserve estimates.
Evidence · text
“The Company’s mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates were prepared under the supervision of and verified by Mr. Nicos Pfeiffer, who is a qualified person as defined by NI 43-101.”
Probable Reservepositive
Indicated Resource with demonstrated economic viability after applying modifying factors.
Why it applies: The document reports 6.73 million ounces of Probable Reserves.
Evidence · table
“6,733”
Context: 160,702
Indicated Resourcepositive
Reasonable geological confidence based on adequate drilling; continuity can be assumed. Basis for Probable Reserves.
Why it applies: The document reports 2.75 million ounces of Indicated Resources.
Evidence · table
“2,752”
Context: 120,762
Inferred Resourcenegative
Speculative category — limited drilling, geological continuity assumed but not confirmed. Cannot support economic studies alone.
Why it applies: The document reports 0.67 million ounces of Inferred Resources.
Evidence · table
“670”
Context: 32,911
Resource Updateneutral
Revised estimate for an existing resource — compare to prior to assess progress.
Why it applies: The news release provides a high-level update of the 2021 feasibility study economics for the project.
Evidence · text
“Kinross today provided a high-level update of the 2021 feasibility study (“FS”) economics for its Lobo-Marte project in Chile”
DFS-Supportingneutral
Resource estimate prepared to support a Definitive Feasibility Study — requires high M&I confidence.
Why it applies: The resource update is part of an update to a Feasibility Study (FS).
Evidence · text
“high-level update of the 2021 feasibility study (“FS”) economics”
High Recoverypositive
Recovery at or above the exceptional band for the commodity and processing route.
Why it applies: The project reports an average heap leach recovery rate of 69% for gold, which is strong for this processing route.
Evidence · table
“69”
Context: Average recovery rate (% Au)
Heap Leach Routeneutral
Processing via heap leach — lower CAPEX and OPEX, lower recovery expected.
Why it applies: The project is described as a long-life, low-cost heap leach project utilizing heap leach processing facilities.
Evidence · text
“Long-life, low-cost heap leach project”
Extracted facts
Stored fact records: 4. Some facts used in scoring do not have a stored record.
Resource Estimates (3)
probableLobo-Marte · goldTonnes: 160702000Grade: 1.3Grade Unit: g/tContained Metal: 6733Contained Unit: kozView all detailsHide details
Identity
- Project
- Lobo-Marte
- Commodity
- gold
- Region
- chile
- Reported Region
- Chile
- Ticker
- K
Resource scope
- Estimate type
- reserve
- Reporting standards
- ni_43_101
- QP Signed
- Yes
- Qualified person names
- Mr. Nicos Pfeiffer
- Resource group id
- resource:814557e44aeb81f3a64f
- Deposit or zone
- Lobo-Marte
- Mining method
- open_pit
- Ownership percent
- 100 %
Resource Data
- Category
- probable
- Tonnes
- 160702000
- Grade
- 1.3
- Grade Unit
- g/t
- Contained Metal
- 6733
- Contained Unit
- koz
Prior Estimate
- Resource Date
- 2025-12-31
Review
- Needs Review
- No
- Historical
- No
Dates
- Event date
- 2026-07-29T00:00:00.000Z
Reasoning: The project has a substantial Probable Reserve base of 6.73 million ounces of gold at a good grade, forming the foundation for a long-life operation.
Positive factors
- Large Probable Reserve (6.73 Moz Au)
- High grade for open pit (1.3 g/t Au)
Evidence · table
“1.3”
Context: 160,702
Tags used in scoring
Probable Reservepositive
Indicated Resource with demonstrated economic viability after applying modifying factors.
Why it applies: category is "probable"
Cut-off Undisclosednegative
High-grade interval reported without stating the cut-off grade used for compositing.
Why it applies: no cutoff_grade was stated
QP/CP Signedpositive
Qualified Person (QP) or Competent Person (CP) named and signed off — a member of a recognized professional association (e.g., AusIMM, SME, AIG, P.Geo) with relevant experience.
Why it applies: qp_signed is true
NI 43-101 Compliantpositive
Resource estimate prepared in compliance with NI 43-101 (Canada) — high reporting standard.
Why it applies: reporting_standards includes ni_43_101
DFS-Supportingneutral
Resource estimate prepared to support a Definitive Feasibility Study — requires high M&I confidence.
Why it applies: the release names the study this estimate supports
indicatedLobo-Marte · goldTonnes: 120762000Grade: 0.7Grade Unit: g/tContained Metal: 2752Contained Unit: kozView all detailsHide details
Identity
- Project
- Lobo-Marte
- Commodity
- gold
- Region
- chile
- Reported Region
- Chile
- Ticker
- K
Resource scope
- Estimate type
- resource
- Reporting standards
- ni_43_101
- QP Signed
- Yes
- Qualified person names
- Mr. Nicos Pfeiffer
- Resource group id
- resource:404dcec171a9c0e52e09
- Deposit or zone
- Lobo-Marte
- Mining method
- open_pit
- Ownership percent
- 100 %
Resource Data
- Category
- indicated
- Tonnes
- 120762000
- Grade
- 0.7
- Grade Unit
- g/t
- Contained Metal
- 2752
- Contained Unit
- koz
Prior Estimate
- Resource Date
- 2025-12-31
Review
- Needs Review
- No
- Historical
- No
Dates
- Event date
- 2026-07-29T00:00:00.000Z
Reasoning: A substantial Indicated Resource base offers potential for future reserve conversion and mine life extension.
Positive factors
- Significant Indicated Resource (2.75 Moz Au) provides future optionality
Evidence · table
“0.7”
Context: 120,762
Tags used in scoring
Indicated Resourcepositive
Reasonable geological confidence based on adequate drilling; continuity can be assumed. Basis for Probable Reserves.
Why it applies: category is "indicated"
Cut-off Undisclosednegative
High-grade interval reported without stating the cut-off grade used for compositing.
Why it applies: no cutoff_grade was stated
QP/CP Signedpositive
Qualified Person (QP) or Competent Person (CP) named and signed off — a member of a recognized professional association (e.g., AusIMM, SME, AIG, P.Geo) with relevant experience.
Why it applies: qp_signed is true
NI 43-101 Compliantpositive
Resource estimate prepared in compliance with NI 43-101 (Canada) — high reporting standard.
Why it applies: reporting_standards includes ni_43_101
DFS-Supportingneutral
Resource estimate prepared to support a Definitive Feasibility Study — requires high M&I confidence.
Why it applies: the release names the study this estimate supports
inferredLobo-Marte · goldTonnes: 32911000Grade: 0.6Grade Unit: g/tContained Metal: 670Contained Unit: kozView all detailsHide details
Identity
- Project
- Lobo-Marte
- Commodity
- gold
- Region
- chile
- Reported Region
- Chile
- Ticker
- K
Resource scope
- Estimate type
- resource
- Reporting standards
- ni_43_101
- QP Signed
- Yes
- Qualified person names
- Mr. Nicos Pfeiffer
- Resource group id
- resource:513ba0ac1c705d320cee
- Deposit or zone
- Lobo-Marte
- Mining method
- open_pit
- Ownership percent
- 100 %
Resource Data
- Category
- inferred
- Tonnes
- 32911000
- Grade
- 0.6
- Grade Unit
- g/t
- Contained Metal
- 670
- Contained Unit
- koz
Prior Estimate
- Resource Date
- 2025-12-31
Review
- Needs Review
- No
- Historical
- No
Dates
- Event date
- 2026-07-29T00:00:00.000Z
Reasoning: The Inferred Resource provides further upside for future growth and exploration.
Positive factors
- Additional Inferred Resource (0.67 Moz Au) for long-term potential
Evidence · table
“0.6”
Context: 32,911
Tags used in scoring
Inferred Resourcenegative
Speculative category — limited drilling, geological continuity assumed but not confirmed. Cannot support economic studies alone.
Why it applies: category is "inferred"
Cut-off Undisclosednegative
High-grade interval reported without stating the cut-off grade used for compositing.
Why it applies: no cutoff_grade was stated
QP/CP Signedpositive
Qualified Person (QP) or Competent Person (CP) named and signed off — a member of a recognized professional association (e.g., AusIMM, SME, AIG, P.Geo) with relevant experience.
Why it applies: qp_signed is true
NI 43-101 Compliantpositive
Resource estimate prepared in compliance with NI 43-101 (Canada) — high reporting standard.
Why it applies: reporting_standards includes ni_43_101
DFS-Supportingneutral
Resource estimate prepared to support a Definitive Feasibility Study — requires high M&I confidence.
Why it applies: the release names the study this estimate supports
Metallurgical Results (1)
Fact 1Lobo-Marte · goldRecovery: 69 %Head Grade: 1.3Head Grade Unit: g/tView all detailsHide details
Identity
- Project
- Lobo-Marte
- Commodity
- gold
- Region
- chile
- Reported Region
- Chile
- Ticker
- K
Test Work
- Program Status
- detailed
- Processing Route
- heap leach
Recovery
- Recovery
- 69 %
- Recovery Basis
- actual_test
- Head Grade
- 1.3
- Head Grade Unit
- g/t
Review
- Needs Review
- No
- Historical
- No
Dates
- Event date
- 2026-07-29T00:00:00.000Z
Reasoning: The project utilizes a conventional heap leach process achieving a strong gold recovery rate of 69%, supporting low operating costs.
Positive factors
- Strong gold recovery for heap leach (69%)
- Conventional and proven processing route
Evidence · table
“69”
Context: Average recovery rate (% Au)
Tags used in scoring
Heap Leach Routeneutral
Processing via heap leach — lower CAPEX and OPEX, lower recovery expected.
Why it applies: processing_route matches the heap_leach signal
Byproduct Commodityneutral
The tested commodity is a byproduct rather than the primary economic driver.
Why it applies: the release describes a byproduct credit
How Atlas produces this analysis
Minestarters Atlas uses automated extraction to summarize mining announcements, identify reported measurements, and classify supporting evidence. Sentiment reflects the extracted narrative and classification rules; it is an interpretation, not a reported measurement. Evidence quotes and context are provided where available. Missing data, low-confidence results, and review flags indicate limitations. Check the original publisher announcement before relying on an interpretation.