NOVAGOLD's APPROACH
As a development-stage mining company whose primary asset is its 50 percent interest in the Donlin Gold project, we have taken a long-term approach to developing, implementing, and reporting on our sustainability practices and measurements. Our focus has been on conveying information and data on our efforts working with our Alaska Native Corporation partners to protect the environment and invest in the indigenous communities and businesses of southwestern Alaska.
“We are the caretakers of these lands. TKC’s priorities are, and always have been, supporting our Alaska Native Shareholders and protecting our land. We support development of our natural resources when it can be done in a responsible way and we feel TKC’s oversight of the proposed Donlin Gold project through our contracts and agreements with the project partners will protect our people and the resources of the region. I firmly believe that responsible development can coexist with our Shareholders’ subsistence way of life, now and for generations to come.”
Andrea Gusty
President and CEO
The Kuskokwim Corporation
ABOUT NOVAGOLD
NOVAGOLD is a well-financed precious metals company focused on the responsible and sustainable development of its 50 percent-owned Donlin Gold project in Alaska, one of the safest mining jurisdictions in the world. Donlin Gold LLC, the company tasked with the development and operation of the Donlin Gold project, is owned equally by NOVAGOLD and Barrick Gold Corporation. A distinguishing factor about the Donlin Gold project is that it’s located on private land that was designated for mining activities five decades ago. Donlin Gold LLC has life-of-mine agreements with Calista, the regional Alaska Native Corporation which owns the subsurface mineral rights and some of the surface land rights, and TKC, a collection of 10 village corporations which owns most of the surface land rights. These rights were conveyed to both Calista and TKC by the United States Congress through the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA). Donlin Gold LLC partners with and provides support to Alaska Native communities surrounding the project.
With approximately 39 million ounces of gold in the measured and indicated mineral resource categories, inclusive of proven and probable mineral reserves (541 million tonnes at an average grade of approximately 2.24 grams per tonne in the measured and indicated resource categories on a 100 percent basis*), Donlin Gold is considered one of the largest, highest-grade, and most prospective known open-pit gold deposits in the world. According to the 2021 Technical Report and the S-K 1300 Technical Report Summary, once in production Donlin Gold is expected to produce an average of more than one million ounces per year over a 27-year mine life on a 100 percent basis**. Current activities are focused on securing remaining state permits, updating the geological resource model, engineering trade-off studies, community outreach, government engagement and workforce development in preparation for the eventual construction and operation of the project.
One of NOVAGOLD’s core values is to deliver long-term benefits to our shareholders and project stakeholders through responsible mining. The Donlin Gold project is being developed with input from our Alaska Native Corporation partners and local stakeholders who have knowledge of the region and understand the importance of a subsistence lifestyle, which helps us manage and minimize environmental impacts and assists us in setting and meeting high standards for ESG performance.
* Donlin Gold data as per the NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Donlin Gold Project, Alaska, USA with an effective date of June 1, 2021 (the “2021 Technical Report”) and the S-K 1300 Technical Report Summary on the Donlin Gold Project, Alaska, USA dated November 30, 2021 (the “S-K 1300 Technical Report Summary”). Donlin Gold possesses Measured Resources of approximately 8 Mt grading 2.52 g/t and Indicated Resources of approximately 534 Mt grading 2.24 g/t, each on a 100% basis and inclusive of Mineral Reserves, of which approximately 4 Mt of Measured Resources and approximately 267 Mt of Indicated Resources inclusive of Reserves is attributable to NOVAGOLD through its 50% ownership interest in Donlin Gold LLC. Exclusive of Mineral Reserves, Donlin Gold possesses Measured Resources of approximately 1 Mt grading 2.23 g/t and Indicated Resources of approximately 69 Mt grading 2.44 g/t, of which approximately 0.5 Mt of Measured Resources and approximately 35 Mt of Indicated Resources exclusive of Mineral Reserves is attributable to NOVAGOLD. Mineral resources have been estimated in accordance with NI 43-101 and S-K 1300.
** Donlin Gold data as per the 2021 Technical Report and the S-K 1300 Technical Report Summary. Donlin Gold possesses Proven Reserves of approximately 8 Mt grading 2.32 g/t and Probable Reserves of approximately 497 Mt grading 2.08 g/t, each on a 100% basis, of which approximately 4 Mt of Proven Reserves and approximately 249 Mt of Probable Reserves is attributable to NOVAGOLD. Mineral Reserves have been estimated in accordance with NI 43-101 and SK-1300.