Alaska Miner Magazine, Spring 2021

NOVAGOLD reports results from 1Q, its 2021 outlook

In the first quarter 2021, the following milestones also were achieved: Donlin Gold, together with Calista and TKC, continued their long-standing community engagement during the quarter: n In partnership with TKC, the Village of Crooked Creek, and Napaimute Tribe, Donlin Gold was again the lead sponsor of a project to construct and maintain the upper portions of a 200-mile ice road on the Kuskokwim River. n In mid-January, the Middle Kuskokwim village of Tuluksak with a population of approximately 370 had its water supply plant destroyed by fire, creating a health and safety crisis for the community. In the days following, Donlin Gold and several other community organizations, companies and individuals stepped in to assist in the ef- fort, providing drinking water, buckets for carrying and storing water, sanitary wipes, diapers and other health supplies. n As part of Donlin Gold’s ongoing community en- gagement efforts, Friendship Agreements have been ap - proved and signed by six communities (Akiak, Sleetmute, Napaimute, Crooked Creek, Napaskiak, and Nikolai) in the project’s region. These agreements with Donlin Gold ex- pand upon the long-term relationships already established with these communities and address specific community needs such as water, sewer, and landfill projects; the ice road that connects remote villages in the Yukon-Kuskok- wim (Y-K) region during winter; salmon studies; and sui - cide prevention programs. With key Federal and State permits in hand, Donlin Gold also advanced additional State permits: n In November, the Alaska Department of Natural Re- sources (ADNR) published an initial public notice for com- ment on Donlin Gold’s 12 applications for water rights for the mine site and transportation facilities, which closed Dec. 15. Water rights are for local surface water sources and groundwater to be used for process water, dust con- trol, fire protection, and potable water. In March, ADNR introduced a second two-week public notice period, which closed March 26. It is anticipated that the ADNR will issue final decisions on the water rights applications in the first half of 2021. n In April 2020, the ADNR’s Division of Oil and Gas agreed to reconsider its decision on the State Right-of- Way (ROW) agreement and lease authorization for the buried natural gas pipeline. Under the reconsideration, on Sept. 10, 2020, the ADNR issued for additional public comment a revised Consideration of Comments document. This document further describes how the ADNR is consid- ering previous public input that was solicited in the ROW review, including how cumulative effects are addressed in the decision. The comment period on the document ended Nov. 9. It is expected that the ADNR will re-issue the ROW agreement and lease authorization in the first half of 2021. n Donlin Gold, working with its Native Corporation

NOVAGOLD RESOURCES INC. recently released its 2021 first-quarter financial results and an update on its Tier One2 gold development project Donlin Gold, which NOVA- GOLD owns equally with Barrick Gold. NOVAGOLD and Barrick, through a joint release issued in March 25, reported the last set of assay results from the successful 2020 drill program at Donlin Gold: n The 85-hole drill program, totaling 23,361 meters in the proposed ACMA and Lewis pit areas, was successfully carried out in order to further increase confidence in re - cent geologic modeling concepts. n Results in both the ACMA and Lewis deposit areas exceeded the previously modeled grade-thickness, with higher grades observed over narrower intervals, particu- larly in sedimentary rocks. n Data collected has resulted in an improved appreci- ation of the controls on mineralization. n Also of note, with extensive communication and the application of health and safety protocols, there were zero COVID-19 cases at the project site and no Lost-Time Incidents.

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The Alaska Miner

April 2021

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