Novagold Reports High-Grade Drill Results and Receives Positive Decision From Alaska Supreme Court

Core Insights - NOVAGOLD Resources Inc. announced significant advancements in the Donlin Gold project, including final assay results from the 2025 drill program and key permitting milestones [1][2] - The 2025 drill program has exceeded expectations, providing critical data for the upcoming Bankable Feasibility Study (BFS) expected to start in Q1 2026 [2][3] - The project has achieved acceptance into the FAST-41 program, enhancing the transparency and predictability of the federal permitting process [1][11] - A favorable ruling from the Alaska Supreme Court has affirmed the project's water rights and the approval of the State Right-Of-Way lease for a proposed natural gas pipeline [1][14] Drilling Program Results - The 2025 Donlin Gold drill program focused on refining mine-planning inputs, enhancing geological modeling, and conducting geotechnical assessments [3][4] - High-grade gold intercepts were reported, with standout intervals including 26.22 g/t gold, reinforcing the project's status as one of the largest and highest-quality gold projects globally [4][5] - The program included 19 infill holes and 24 in-pit exploration holes, totaling over 15,000 meters drilled, aimed at improving resource confidence and mine planning [9][10] Permitting Milestones - The acceptance into the FAST-41 program is expected to streamline the permitting process, ensuring defined timelines and coordination among federal agencies [11][12] - The Alaska Supreme Court's ruling supports the project's water rights and the natural gas pipeline lease, validating the thorough review process by the State of Alaska [14][15] - The project has been engaged in permitting for over a decade and has received most of its state and federal permits, positioning it as a key economic development project in Alaska [13][14] Future Developments - The BFS Request for Proposals was issued in Q3 2025, with plans to select a top-tier engineering firm to lead the BFS in the coming months [16] - The comprehensive data from the 2025 drill program will strengthen the foundation for mine planning and resource modeling [16] - The strategic alliance between Glenfarne Alaska LNG and Baker Hughes is expected to enhance Alaska's energy infrastructure, potentially benefiting the Donlin Gold project [17] Company Overview - NOVAGOLD is focused on developing the Donlin Gold project, which contains approximately 39 million ounces of gold in the Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource categories [24] - The project is anticipated to produce over one million ounces of gold annually over a 27-year mine life once in production [24]