Donlin Gold reports assay results for 2021 drilling
2022 project budget is largest in more than a decade Donlin Gold LLC’s partners Barrick Gold Corporation and NovaGold Re - sources Inc. have reported very pos- itive assay results from the project’s 2021 drill program. From a release provided by the partners, here is a summary of results of the 2021 drill program, as well as a look at what’s planned for 2022 as the project continues to make progress: n Comprehensive 79-hole, 24,264-meter 2021 drill program pro- duced multiple high-grade gold inter- cepts. The results support the existing global resource estimate, the recent modelling concepts, and strategic mine planning work n With extensive communication and the application of health and safe- ty protocols, COVID-19 cases at site during 2021 were minimal and there were no lost-time incidents n With the largest project bud- get in more than a decade, the own- ers have a plan in place to advance the Donlin Gold project up the value chain in 2022 and position the project to be able to proceed with the preparation of an updated feasibility study, subject to Donlin Gold LLC Board approval n Donlin Gold partnered with lo- cal communities in 2021 to provide support and resources in health and safety, environmental management, training and education, as well as cul- tural initiatives in the Yukon-Kuskok - wim (Y-K) region n Additional State permits for the project were received at the end of 2021 – the Alaska Department of Fish and Game issued two Special Area Permits required for pipeline facilities. In De- cember 2021, the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation approved a third extension of the air quality per- mit Barrick President and Chief Execu- tive Mark Bristow said, “It is encour-
Photo Courtesy Donlin Gold Donlin employee Daryl McKindy, of McGrath, examines equipment at the project.
aging to see a significant drill program for 2022 to further increase our under- standing of the ore body, driven by our knowledge gained from the 2021 drill program. This year’s drilling cam- paign will focus on the potential upside of the Acma pit at depth, where there is still limited drilling, focusing on the upside for the pit. We will also focus on grid drilling on Lewis and Divide as we also look to un constrain the pit with additional at depth targets. This significant program for 2022 will help guide us on future drill targets and the path forward with the project.” Greg Lang, NOVAGOLD’s President and CEO, said, “The 2021 drill cam- paign finished strong with some high- grade intercepts and some of the best drill results for an open-pit gold proj-
ect industrywide. The increased lev- el of activity, with approximately 65 people on site for the 2022 field season and three of four drill rigs operating at Donlin Gold, continues to build mo- mentum and excitement for the future of the project. It is invigorating to have drills turning for the first winter pro - gram in years. We are grateful to our Native Corporation partners at Calista Corporation (“Calista”) and The Kus - kokwim Corporation (TKC), as well as to our contractors, suppliers, local and State partners, who have supported the project and worked with us to reach these important milestones. With ac- tivities well laid out for the year ahead, our combined experienced team will continue to advance Donlin Gold up the value chain.”
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The Alaska Miner
Spring 2022
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