With intercepts such as 19 meters averaging 18.23 grams per metric ton gold, the final batch of drill results from the 2021 program at Donlin Gold continue to show the strength of mineralization of the 39-million-ounce gold deposit and set the stage for the largest program at the world-class mine project in more than a decade.

Being advanced toward a production decision by Donlin Gold LLC – a joint venture owned equally by Novagold Resources Inc. and Barrick Gold Corp. – this enormous mine project in Southwest Alaska hosts 504.81 million metric tons of proven and probable reserves averaging 2.09 grams per metric ton (33.9 million oz) gold.

Optimization drilling carried out over the previous two years has focused on validating recent geologic modeling concepts in preparation and testing high-grade zone in preparation for updating the feasibility study that details the plan for mining this world-class gold deposit.

This includes roughly 24,264 meters of drilling completed last year in 79 holes.

Highlights from previously reported results from this drilling include:

• 40.97 meters averaging 10.5 g/t gold from a depth of 114.2 meters in DC21-1963A.

• 47.78 meters averaging 9 g/t gold from a depth of 400.51 meters in DC21-1969.

• 92.02 meters averaging 7.8 g/t gold from a depth of 69.7 meters in hole DC21-1970.

• 19.15 meters averaging 12.57 g/t gold from a depth of 173.19 meters in hole DC21-1970.

• 57.25 meters averaging 6.87 g/t gold from a depth of 270.35 meters in hole DC21-1976.

• 12.18 meters averaging 19.02 g/t gold from a depth of 293.4 meters in hole DC21-1980.

Assays from the final 2021 holes, plus 22 partial holes previously reported, also cut strong gold mineralization. Highlights include:

• 77.56 meters averaging 3.51 g/t gold from a depth of 262.56 meters in hole DC21-1994.

• 45.83 meters averaging 3.04 g/t gold from a depth of 103.55 meters in hole DC21-1998.

• 43.01 meters averaging 5.04 g/t gold from a depth of 27.16 meters in hole DC21-2015.

• 19 meters averaging 18.23 g/t gold from a depth of 144.53 meters in hole DC21-2017.

• 28.23 meters averaging 4.4 g/t gold from a depth of 156.26 meters in hole DC21-2019.

"The 2021 drill campaign finished strong with some high-grade intercepts and some of the best drill results for an open-pit gold project industrywide," said Novagold Resources President and CEO Greg Lang. "The increased level 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 momentum and excitement for the future of the project."

Earlier this year, Donlin Gold approved a $60 million budget for a 2022 program that includes roughly 34,000 meters of drilling to collect the final data for an updated feasibility study for the extraordinary gold mine project.

The previous Donlin Gold Mine feasibility study, completed in 2011, detailed plans for a mine that would produce more than 1 million oz of gold annually over an initial 25 years of mining.

"It is encouraging to see a significant drill program for 2022 to further increase our understanding of the ore body, driven by our knowledge gained from the 2021 drill program," said Barrick Gold President and CEO Mark Bristow. "This year's drilling campaign 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 unconstrain 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."

As impressive as the 2021 drill results were and as large as the 2022 program is slated to be, the safety and local hire record at Donlin Gold is equally remarkable.

Out of roughly 171,310 hours worked during 2021, only four cases of COVID-19 were recorded at the Donlin Gold project site – all of which fully recovered.

Donlin attributes this achievement and the successful execution of the expanded 2021 drill program to its efficient and effective onsite team and the dedication of its partners in the region, particularly Calista Corp., The Kuskokwim Corporation, and other tribal groups in the Yukon-Kuskokwim area of Southwest Alaska where the gold mine project is located.

"The expanded 2021 drill program was a success because of the incredible work by the Donlin Gold team, Calista and TKC, and our collective dedication to the highest standards of safety, social responsibility, and environmental stewardship," said Donlin Gold General Manager Dan Graham. "We are grateful that, even while expanding the 2021 drill program mid-summer, COVID-19 cases at site were minimal and there were no lost-time incidents."

During the 2021 drill program, 70% of the workers directly hired by Donlin Gold were Alaska Natives from 20 communities in the Yukon-Kuskokwim area.

Novagold Resources Inc.

A cross-section of the Donlin Gold deposit showing deeper expansion areas.

As they prepare for the $60 million program slated for 2022, the Donlin Gold partners say they will continue to advance the world-class gold project as they have for many years – in a financially disciplined manner with a strong focus on engineering excellence, environmental stewardship, robust safety culture, and active community engagement.

Author Bio

Shane Lasley, Publisher

Over his more than 16 years of covering mining and mineral exploration, Shane has become renowned for his ability to report on the sector in a way that is technically sound enough to inform industry insiders while being easy to understand by a wider audience.

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