NOVAGOLD Advances Permitting Process for Donlin Gold Project, Alaska

Published: May 2, 2016 |

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NOVAGOLD Resources Inc. has provided an update on its permitting activities regarding the Donlin Gold project. Permitting of the Donlin Gold project and associated key infrastructure commenced in 2012, a process well advanced into the expected time frame of approximately five years under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Donlin Gold continues to work closely with Alaska regulators to advance the numerous state permits required for the project. Donlin Gold’s two-decade long constructive engagement with the Calista Corporation, The Kuskokwim Corporation (owners of the mineral and surface rights, respectively) and local communities continues to be a core asset for the company, and strong source of support, as the project progresses through permitting toward a construction decision.

Since commencement of the public comment period in November 2015, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the lead agency for the Donlin Gold environmental impact statement (EIS), has conducted 17 meetings in communities across the Yukon-Kuskokwim (Y-K) region and in Anchorage. At each meeting, the corps presented an overview of the draft EIS, which evaluates the potential environmental, social and economic impacts of the proposed project and alternatives, and has encouraged local residents to communicate what the project means to them and their families. The company continues to urge as many stakeholders as possible to present their views and suggestions on the Donlin Gold draft EIS to the corps, as it seeks to build what will be one of the most important new gold mines in the world.

In this regard, NOVAGOLD endorses the corps’ extension of the public comment period for the draft EIS by one month until May 31, 2016, as this will provide additional time for the residents of the Y-K region and other interested parties to review and submit comments on the draft EIS. NOVAGOLD strongly encourages stakeholder engagement in the permitting process and believes the extension should further enhance appreciation of the multiple benefits that the Donlin Gold project would bring to local communities and the State of Alaska for decades to come.

“We are encouraged by the level of engagement we received from various stakeholders during the public comment period to-date. Our company strongly believes that the best outcome is always achieved in the atmosphere of openness, constructive discussion and mutual respect from all the interested parties. That’s why we support the corps’ decision to give the process some extra time to achieve an orderly completion of this important stage in the permitting process,” said Greg Lang, NOVAGOLD’s president and chief executive officer.

About NOVAGOLD
NOVAGOLD is a well-financed precious metals company engaged in the exploration and development of mineral properties in North America. Its flagship asset is the 50 percent-owned Donlin Gold project in Alaska, one of the safest jurisdictions in the world. Donlin Gold is regarded to be one of the largest, highest grade, and most prospective known gold deposits in the world. NOVAGOLD also owns 50 percent of the Galore Creek copper-gold-silver project located in northern British Columbia. Once in production, Galore Creek is expected to be the largest copper mine in Canada, a tier-one jurisdiction. NOVAGOLD is currently evaluating opportunities to sell all or a portion of its interest in Galore Creek and would apply the proceeds toward the development of Donlin Gold. NOVAGOLD is well positioned to stay the course and take Donlin Gold through permitting.

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