NOVAGOLD(NG) - 2024 Q4 - Annual Results

Financial Performance and Expenditures - NOVAGOLD held a strong treasury of approximately $101 million in cash and term deposits as of November 30, 2024, with net annual cash expenditures of$ 24.5 million, below the 2024 expenditure guidance of $31.2 million[3] - NOVAGOLD's 2025 expenditure is anticipated to be approximately$ 37.5 million, including $21.5 million for Donlin Gold and$ 16.0 million for corporate general and administrative costs[27] - NOVAGOLD reported earnings of ( $45.6) million and earnings per share of ($ 0.14) for the 2024 fiscal year, reflecting expenditures in line with budget[3] - NOVAGOLD has a robust balance sheet to finance its share of current activities at Donlin Gold[31] Donlin Gold Project Development - Donlin Gold's 2025 budget was approved at $43 million (100% basis), focusing on key areas such as camp operations, grid drilling, and mine planning[5] - Donlin Gold submitted preliminary design packages for Dam Safety Certification to ADNR in 2024, with potential issuance expected in 2026/2027[14] - Donlin Gold received an 18-month extension on its air quality permit through July 2026, with other permits administratively extended until renewal[15] - Donlin Gold's resource model was advanced in 2024, with metallurgical test work completed to confirm optimizations to the flowsheet[6][9] - Current activities at Donlin Gold focus on state permitting, engineering studies, and community engagement in preparation for construction and operation[31] - The 2025 outlook includes potential commencement of a new feasibility study for Donlin Gold[33] - NOVAGOLD anticipates expenditures and goals for 2025, including support for key stakeholders and permitting processes[33] - The company is focused on advancing Donlin Gold safely, responsibly, and sustainably to generate value for stakeholders[33] - NOVAGOLD's strategy includes increasing shareholder and stakeholder wealth through the Donlin Gold project[33] - The success of the Donlin Gold community relations plan and exploration drilling outcomes are key forward-looking statements[33] Donlin Gold Resource and Production Estimates - Donlin Gold possesses Measured Resources of approximately 8 Mt grading 2.52 g/t and Indicated Resources of approximately 534 Mt grading 2.24 g/t, with an anticipated life of mine operating cash cost of$ 635 per gold ounce[21][22] - Donlin Gold is projected to produce over 1.1 million ounces of gold annually over a 27-year mine life, ranking it among the largest gold assets globally[18][22] - Donlin Gold project has approximately 39 million ounces of gold in Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource categories, with 541 million tonnes at an average grade of 2.24 grams per tonne[31] - Donlin Gold is expected to produce an average of approximately 1 million ounces of gold annually over a 27-year mine life[31] - The Donlin Gold open pit currently covers 3 kilometers of an approximately 8-kilometer-long gold-bearing trend[31] Environmental and Community Engagement - Donlin Gold launched a salmon smolt monitoring program in 2024, partnering with local communities to assess smolt health and migration patterns[10]