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Notes:
a. These reserve and resource estimates have been prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 and the CIM Definition Standard, unless otherwise noted.
b. See numbered footnotes below on resource information.
c. Rounding and significant figures may result in apparent summation differences between tonnes, grade and contained metal.
d. Tonnage and grade measurements are in metric units. Contained gold and silver ounces are reported as troy ounces, contained copper pounds as imperial pounds.
Reserves & Resources Footnotes:
1) Mineral reserves are contained within measured and indicated pit designs, and supported by a mine plan, featuring variable throughput rates, stockpiling and cut-off optimization. The pit designs and mine plan were optimized on diluted grades using the following economic and technical parameters: Metal price for gold of US$975/oz; reference mining cost of US$1.67/t incremented US$0.0031/t/m with depth from the 220 m elevation (equates to an average mining cost of US$2.14/t), variable processing cost based on the formula 2.1874 x (S%) + 10.65 for each US$/t processed; general and administrative cost of US$2.27/t processed; stockpile rehandle costs of US$0.19/t processed assuming that 45% of mill feed is rehandled; variable recoveries by rock type, ranging from 86.66% in shale to 94.17% in intrusive rocks in the Akivik domain; refining and freight charges of US$1.78/oz gold; royalty considerations of 4.5%; and variable pit slope angles, ranging from 23o to 43o. Mineral reserves are reported using an optimized net sales return value based on the following equation: Net Sales Return = Au grade * Recovery * (US$975/oz – (1.78 + (US$975/oz – 1.78) * 0.045)) – (10.65 + 2.1874 * (S%) + 2.27 + 0.19) and reported in US$/tonne. Assuming an average recovery of 89.54% and an average S% grade of 1.07%, the marginal gold cut-off grade would be approximately 0.57 g/t, or the gold grade that would equate to a $0.001 net sales return cut-off at these same values. The life of mine strip ratio is 5.48. The assumed life-of- mine throughput rate is 53.5 kt/d.
2) Mineral reserves are contained within measured and indicated pit designs using metal prices for copper, gold and silver of US$2.50/lb, US$1,050/oz, and US$16.85/oz, respectively. Appropriate mining costs, processing costs, metal recoveries and inter ramp pit slope angles varying from 42o to 55o were used to generate the pit phase designs. Mineral reserves have been calculated using a ‘cashflow grade’ ($NSR/SAG mill hr) cut-off which was varied from year to year to optimize NPV. The net smelter return (NSR) was calculated as follows: NSR = Recoverable Revenue – TCRC (on a per tonne basis), where: NSR = Net Smelter Return; TCRC = Transportation and Refining Costs; Recoverable Revenue = Revenue in Canadian dollars for recoverable copper, recoverable gold, and recoverable silver using metal prices of US$2.50/lb, US$1,050/oz, and US$16.85/oz for copper, gold, and silver, respectively, at an exchange rate of CDN$1.10 to US$1.00; Cu Recovery = Recovery for copper based on mineral zone and total copper grade; for mineral reserves this NSR calculation includes mining dilution. SAG throughputs were modeled by correlation with alteration types. Cash flow grades were calculated as the product of NSR value in $/t and throughput in t/hr. The life of mine strip ratio is 2.16.
3) Mineral resources are contained within a conceptual measured, indicated and inferred optimized pit shell using the following assumptions: gold price of US$1,200/oz; variable process cost based on 2.1874 * (sulphur grade) + 10.6485; administration cost of US$2.29/t; refining, freight & marketing (selling costs) of US$1.85/oz recovered; stockpile rehandle costs of US$0.20/t processed assuming that 45% of mill feed is rehandled; variable royalty rate, based on royalty of 4.5% * (Au price – selling cost). Mineral resources have been estimated using a constant net sales return cut-off of US$0.001/t milled. The net sales return was calculated using the formula: Net Sales Return = Au grade * Recovery * (US$1,200/oz – (1.85 + ((US$1,200/oz – 1.85) * 0.045)) – (10.65 + 2.1874 * (S%) + 2.29 + 0.20)) and reported in US$/tonne. Assuming an average recovery of 89.54% and an average S% grade of 1.07%, the marginal gold cutoff grade would be approximately 0.46 g/t, or the gold grade that would equate to a $0.001 net sales return cutoff at these same values. Mineral resources are inclusive of mineral reserves. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Inferred resources are in addition to measured and indicated resources. Inferred resources have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and whether they can be mined legally or economically. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of the inferred resources will ever be upgraded to a higher category. See following “Cautionary Note Concerning Reserve & Resource Estimates”.
4) Mineral resources are contained within a conceptual measured, indicated and inferred optimized pit shell using the same economic and technical parameters as used for mineral reserves. Tonnages are assigned based on proportion of the block below topography. The overburden/bedrock boundary has been assigned on a whole block basis. Commodity prices used to constrain the mineral resources are US$2.50/lb copper, US$1,050/oz gold, and US$16.85/oz silver. Mineral resources have been estimated using a constant NSR cut-off of C$10.08/t milled. The Net Smelter Return (NSR) was calculated as follows: NSR = Recoverable Revenue – TCRC (on a per tonne basis), where: NSR = Diluted Net Smelter Return; TCRC = Transportation and Refining Costs; Recoverable Revenue = Revenue in Canadian dollars for recoverable copper, recoverable gold, and recoverable silver using the economic and technical parameters mentioned above. Mineral resources are inclusive of mineral reserves. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Inferred resources are in addition to measured and Indicated resources. Inferred resources have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and whether they can be mined legally or economically. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of the inferred resources will ever be upgraded to a higher category. See following “Cautionary Note Concerning Reserve & Resource Estimates”.
Cautionary Note Concerning Reserves & Resources Estimates
This summary table uses the term “resources”, “measured resources”, “indicated resources” and “inferred resources”. United States investors are advised that, while such terms are recognized and required by Canadian securities laws, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) does not recognize them. Under United States standards, mineralization may not be classified as a “reserve” unless the determination has been made that the mineralization could be economically and legally produced or extracted at the time the reserve determination is made. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of measured or indicated resources will ever be converted into reserves. Further, inferred resources have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and as to whether they can be mined legally or economically. Therefore, investors are also cautioned not to assume that all or any part of the inferred resources exist, or that they can be mined legally or economically. Disclosure of “contained ounces” is permitted disclosure under Canadian regulations, however, the SEC normally only permits issuers to report “resources” as in place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures. Accordingly, information concerning descriptions of mineralization and resources contained in this release may not be comparable to information made public by United States companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements of the SEC.
NI 43-101 is a rule developed by the Canadian Securities Administrators, which established standards for all public disclosure an issuer makes of scientific and technical information concerning mineral projects. Unless otherwise indicated, all resource estimates contained in this annual report have been prepared in accordance with Canadian National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”) and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) – CIM Definition Standards on Mineral resources and Mineral reserves, adopted by the CIM Council, as amended (“CIM Definition Standards”). The requirements of NI 43-101 for identification of “reserves” are also not the same as those of the SEC, and reserves reported by NOVAGOLD in compliance with NI 43-101 may not qualify as “reserves” under SEC standards. Neither Donlin Gold nor Galore Creek have known reserves, as defined under SEC Industry Guide 7.
Forward-Looking Statements
This annual report includes certain “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” (collectively “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation, the timing of permitting and potential development of Donlin Gold, mine life and production estimates, statements as to the potential exploration upside at Donlin Gold, statements relating to NOVAGOLD’s future operating and financial performance, outlook, production estimates, and the potential sale of all or part of NOVAGOLD’s interest in Galore Creek are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as “expects”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “intends”, “estimates”, “potential”, “possible”, and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results “will”, “may”, “could”, or “should” occur or be achieved. These forward-looking statements may also include statements regarding the perceived merit of properties; anticipated permitting timeframes; exploration results and budgets; mineral reserve and resource estimates; work programs; capital expenditures; timelines; strategic plans; completion of transactions; market prices for precious and base metals; or other statements that are not statements of fact. Forward-looking statements involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements.
Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from NOVAGOLD’s expectations include the uncertainties involving the need to obtain permits and governmental approvals; the need for additional financing to explore and develop properties and availability of financing in the debt and capital markets; uncertainties involved in the interpretation of drilling results and geological tests and the estimation of reserves and resources; the need for continued cooperation with Barrick Corporation and Teck Resources Limited for the continued exploration and development of the Donlin Gold and Galore Creek properties, respectively; the need for cooperation of government agencies and native groups in the development and operation of properties; risks of construction and mining projects such as accidents, equipment breakdowns, bad weather, non-compliance with environmental and permit requirements, unanticipated variation in geological structures, ore grades or recovery rates; unexpected cost increases, which could include significant increases in estimated capital and operating costs; fluctuations in metal prices and currency exchange rates; and other risk and uncertainties disclosed in NOVAGOLD’s annual report filed on Form 10-K for the year-ended November 30, 2017 with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, Canadian securities regulators, and in other NOVAGOLD reports and documents filed with applicable securities regulatory authorities from time to time. NOVAGOLD’s forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made. NOVAGOLD assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law.
Technical Reports and Qualified Persons
The documents referenced below provide supporting technical information for each of NOVAGOLD’s projects.
Project
Donlin Gold Galore Creek
Qualified Person(s)
Gordon Seibel, R.M. SME Kirk Hanson, P.E.
Jay Melnyk, P.Eng. Greg Kulla, P.Geo.
Most Recent Disclosures & Filing Date
“Donlin Creek Gold Project Alaska, USA, NI 43-101 Technical Report on Second Updated Feasibility Study” prepared by AMEC effective November 18, 2011, amended January 20, 2012.
“Galore Creek Copper-Gold Project NI 43-101 Technical Report on Pre-Feasibility Study, British Columbia – Canada” prepared by AMEC effective July 27, 2011.
Clifford Krall, P.E., who is the Mine Engineering Manager for NOVAGOLD and a qualified person under NI 43-101, has approved the scientific and technical information related to the Donlin Gold and Galore Creek projects contained in this annual report.
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