Kinross Gold Corporation (TSX: K) is looking to pack up its Russian things and go as the mining firm announced its plans to divest its assets in the country, supposedly including the Kupol mine and the Udinsk development project.
“Kinross has received a number of unsolicited proposals regarding its Russian business and is now in exclusive negotiations with a third-party mining company regarding a potential sale of 100% of its assets in the country,” said the company in its statement.
Any change of control would still be subject to Russian government approval, the company said.
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Earlier this month, the firm suspended its operations in Kupol mine, located in the Chukotka region of the Russian Far East, following the escalation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The mine was the company’s biggest operating income generator and is the second-largest contributor to metal sales.
Following this, BMO Capital Markets lowered the 12-month price target on Kinross from $12 to $11, then to $10.50, also noting that they are “expecting that these assets stay permanently closed.”
The move is far from the statement offered by CEO J. Paul Rollinson during the company’s Q4 2021 earnings call, saying the mine is far from the actual conflict and it “has not been impacted today and… [will] continue operating.”
As the company work on the divestiture plan, the Russian assets will continue to operate with Kinross overseeing monitoring systems and transporting industrial materials. It also reiterated its commitment to prioritize the well-being of its more than 2,000 employees.
The firm added that the parent company “will not benefit financially from the operations” as current activities will be funded by resources within the country, in the hopes to dispel any concerns about international sanctions and foreign investments entering Russia.
The assets will be treated held for sale in the company’s books until the change of control.
Kinross Gold Corporation last traded at $7.19 on the TSX.
Information for this briefing was found via Sedar and the companies mentioned. The author has no securities or affiliations related to this organization. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.
