Name of the Project
Kettle River–Curlew (Curlew) project.

Location
Washington state, US.

Project Owner/s
Kinross Gold Corporation.

Project Description
The project is a high-grade, underground gold mine, located about 40 km north-west of Kinross’ 100%-owned Kettle River mill and tailings facilities. 

The mill has, historically, produced 2.8-million ounces of gold. In 2017, the operation was moved to care and maintenance.

Curlew is designed to leverage existing regional infrastructure by restarting the 1 800 t/d Kettle River mill to process Curlew mineralisation. 

The project includes the refurbishment of the processing plant and the installation of a new tailings dewatering plant to convert to dry stack tailings.

Kinross expects Curlew to produce an estimated 938 000 oz of gold over an initial 11-year mine life from 2028 to 2038, averaging an estimated 100 000 oz/y of gold for the first five full years and 85 000 oz/y of gold over the life-of-mine.

Methods will include longitudinal and transverse longhole open stoping with cemented and uncemented rockfill (bottom-up).

Initially, Kinross expects to use a mining contractor for capital. 

Scope includes mill refurbishment and dry-stack tailings conversion through a dewatering plant.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated in the press release.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
At $4 300/oz gold, the project has an after-tax net present value, at a 5% discount rate, of $1.2-billion and an internal rate of return of 44%, with a payback of two years.

Capital Expenditure
Initial project capital costs are estimated at $485-million over three years.

Planned Start/End Date
First production expected in 2028.

Latest Developments
On January 15, 2026, Kinross announced that it is proceeding with construction. 

The company stated that early works were complete and expected to award major mining and construction contracts in early 2026.

All significant permits have been received, except a state-level permit pertaining to tailings height increase, expected in 2026.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
None disclosed.

Contact Details for Project Information
Kinross Gold Corporation, tel +1 416 365 5123 or email info@kinross.com