6-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC  20549

FORM 6-K

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER

PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16

UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the month of March, 2012

Commission File Number:  001-13382

KINROSS GOLD CORPORATION

(Translation of registrant's name into English)

17th Floor, 25 York Street,

Toronto, Ontario  M5J 2V5

(Address of principal executive offices)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40F:

Form 20-F o                                Form 40-F x

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): o

Note:  Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1) only permits the submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted solely to provide an attached annual report to security holders.

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): o

Note:  Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7) only permits the submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted to furnish a report or other document that the registrant foreign private issuer must furnish and make public under the laws of the jurisdiction in which the registrant is incorporated, domiciled or legally organized (the registrant's "home country"), or under the rules of the home country exchange on which the registrant's securities are traded, as long as the report or other document is not a press release, is not required to be and has not been distributed to the registrant's security holders, and, if discussing a material event, has already been the subject of a Form 6-K submission or other Commission filing on EDGAR.

Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information contained in this Form, the registrant is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Yes o                      No x

If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2b:

Page 2

This report on Form 6-K is being furnished for the sole purpose of providing a copy of the Press Release announcing funds for professorship in mining health and safety at Queen’s University .

INDEX

Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

EXHIBIT INDEX

99.1   Press Release dated March 9, 2012.

Page 3

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

KINROSS GOLD CORPORATION

Signed: Shelley M. Riley

Vice President, Office Services and

Corporate Secretary

March 9, 2012

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

Kinross Gold Corporation 25 York Street, 17th Floor Toronto, ON Canada  M5J 2V5

NEWS RELEASE

Kinross funds professorship

in mining health and safety at Queen’s University

Toronto, Ontario, March 9, 2012 – Kinross Gold Corporation (TSX: K; NYSE: KGC) today announced that the Kinross Professorship in Mining and Sustainability at Queen’s University, which was originally established in 2007, has been extended for five years and will be re-named the Kinross Professorship in Mining Health and Safety.

The focus of the professorship will include, among other aspects: the delivery of courses on mining health and safety at an undergraduate and graduate level; development and delivery of short courses on mining health and safety for industrial practitioners; and development of educational materials in identified areas of focus within mining health and safety.

“Health and safety is a foundation of responsible mining and is central to a successful mining culture. We believe this professorship will help to reinforce the critical importance of safety with a new generation of mining graduates, and will provide a valuable safety resource for the industry,” said James Crossland, Executive Vice-President of External Relations and Corporate Responsibility at Kinross Gold.

To support the professorship Kinross will contribute $625,000 to Queen’s University over a five year period, commencing May 1st 2012.

About Kinross Gold Corporation

Kinross is a Canadian-based gold mining company with mines and projects in Brazil, Canada, Chile, Ecuador, Ghana, Mauritania, Russia and United States, employing approximately 8,000 people worldwide.

Kinross’ strategic focus is to maximize net asset value and cash flow per share through a four-point plan built on: delivering mine and financial performance; attracting and retaining the best people in the industry; achieving operating excellence through the “Kinross Way”; and delivering future value through profitable growth opportunities.

Kinross maintains listings on the Toronto Stock Exchange (symbol:K) and the New York Stock Exchange (symbol:KGC).

Media Contact

Steve Mitchell

Vice-President, Corporate Communications

phone: 416-365-2726

steve.mitchell@kinross.com

Investor Relations Contact

Erwyn Naidoo

Vice-President, Investor Relations

phone: 416-365-2744

erwyn.naidoo@kinross.com

www.kinross.com