Mr. Mark Bristow of Barrick Gold reports
DONLIN GOLD 2020 Q3 UPDATE: DRILLING CONTINUES TO YIELD HIGH GRADE INTERCEPTS AND IMPROVE GEOLOGICAL MODELING
Donlin Gold
LLC,
owned
50/50
by
Barrick Gold Corp. and
Novagold
Resources Inc., has successfully completed its
2020 85-hole
drilling
program
totalling
approximately
23,400 metres.
The holes were drilled in both the ACMA and Lewis deposit areas
of the Donlin gold project.
Assay results for the first 25 holes (representing 30 per cent of the length drilled) have been received to date, of which nine were previously released to the market on Aug. 6.
Assay results show higher grades over thinner intervals compared with those predicted by previous modelling, particularly in sedimentary rocks.
The Donlin gold team is wrapping up site activities with the drill core being logged, cut, sampled and shipped to assay laboratories. Site activities are now completed.
Objectives of the 2020 drill program
and results
to
date
The primary objective of the 2020 drill program, the largest such campaign at Donlin gold since 2008, has been to validate and increase the confidence in recent geologic modelling concepts. Once complete, it is expected to drive an update of mining schedules and life-of-mine business plans.
Results to date continue to exceed modelled grade thickness, with higher grades observed over narrower intervals, particularly in sedimentary rocks. Additional assay results will be reported as they become available.
Five of the top intervals identified since the results announced on Aug. 6, 2020, include:
-
DC20-1877 intersected 4.17 metres grading 80.6 grams per tonne gold, starting at 123.48 m drilled depth, including a subinterval of 3.15 m grading 106.2 g/t gold, starting at 124.50 m drilled depth.
-
DC20-1888 intersected 6.93 m grading 43.1 g/t gold, starting at 178.58 m drilled depth, including a subinterval of 3.25 m grading 90.5 g/t gold, starting at 180.26 m drilled depth.
-
DC20-1878 intersected 19.77 m grading 11.3 g/t gold, starting at 48.86 m drilled depth, including a subinterval of 7.00 m grading 25.2 g/t gold, starting at 54.86 m drilled depth.
-
DC20-1886 intersected 33.88 m grading 6.5 g/t gold, starting at 218.20 m drilled depth, including a subinterval of 7.94 m grading 11.3 g/t gold, starting at 224.20 m drilled depth.
-
DC20-1886 intersected 22.12 m grading 4.7 g/t gold, starting at 158.78 m drilled depth, including a subinterval of 4.00 m grading 12.3 g/t gold, starting at 172.90 m drilled depth.
Additional significant intervals are shown in the attached table.
Statements by the owners
With the receipt of the latest drill results, the 2020 drill program continues to advance Donlin gold up the value chain.
"A comprehensive geological understanding of any orebody is a foundational step that few companies in the gold industry do well. With an orebody the size, scale and quality of Donlin gold it is of even greater importance in order for the project to successfully deliver maximum value for all our stakeholders," said Mark Bristow, president and chief executive officer of Barrick. "Building on the last two decades of exploration, the results continue to highlight Donlin's world-class potential." Mr. Bristow added, "I'd like to congratulate the joint venture team, as well as thank our native corporation partners, Calista Corp. and The Kuskokwim Corp. (TKC), on successfully completing drilling despite the enormous challenges associated with operating during the COVID-19 pandemic."
Greg Lang, Novagold's president and CEO, said: "With the latest set of assay results, we continue to encounter intersections of higher-grade mineralization than previously modelled. With the industry burning through reserves, and grades continuing to decline, great drill results with even higher than modelled grades are exciting for any mining company -- and we believe that to be particularly true for Donlin gold at this late stage of development. The data from the 2020 drill program will be incorporated into an updated model, which could be further verified with additional drilling in 2021. Understanding the optimized geological model will form the basis for determining the best approach for the development of Donlin gold."
Mr. Lang added: "We are proud to work in Alaska, a state where the rule of law is well established, and socially responsible and environmentally sound mine development is welcomed. As we wrap up activities at the site for the winter, I want to thank the Donlin Gold team, that, despite the unprecedented challenges posed by COVID-19, actually completed the drilling earlier than forecast, thereby allowing us an opportunity to drill additional holes."
COVID-19 response and community engagement
To date, no employees or contractors at the Donlin gold site have tested positive for COVID-19. With dedicated community partners in Alaska and in the Yukon-Kuskokwim (Y-K) region, which share the objective of protecting the health of Donlin Gold's employees and contractors, a wide-ranging set of policies have been implemented at the Donlin gold project site this year designed to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
Donlin Gold continues to work with Calista, TKC and other key representatives in the region to respond to community needs resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this year's challenges, Donlin Gold has maintained community engagement programs related to environmental management, safety, training, educational, health and cultural initiatives. A few noteworthy and recent initiatives included partnering with the Association of Village Council Presidents, Orutsararmiut Native Council and the Native Village of Napaimute for the backhaul hazardous waste removal from remote villages in the Y-K region, where a total of approximately 45,000 pounds of household hazardous materials, such as large appliances, fluorescent tubes, lead acid batteries and electronic waste was collected and shipped out of the area for proper disposal; and Donlin Gold conducted the Campfire Alaska summer program with support staff in 23 Y-K communities to provide distanced activities and meal programs for youth and elders.
About
Donlin Gold
LLC
Donlin Gold is an Alaska-based company owned equally by Barrick Gold U.S. Inc. and NovaGold Resources Alaska Inc., which are wholly owned subsidiaries of Barrick and Novagold, respectively.
Donlin gold is located in Alaska, the second largest gold-producing state in the U.S. With approximately 39 million ounces of gold grading 2.24 grams per tonne in the measured and indicated resource categories (100-per-cent basis) (1), Donlin gold hosts one of the largest and highest-grade undeveloped open-pit gold endowments in the world. The planned pits in which the existing resources are sited occupy only three kilometres of an eight-kilometre mineralized belt, which itself is located on less than 5 per cent of Donlin Gold's land position. Current activities at Donlin gold are focused on the drill program, optimization efforts and community outreach.
2020 DONLIN GOLD SIGNIFICANT ASSAY INTERVALS
From To Length Au grade
Hole ID Area (m) (m) (m) (g/t)
DC20-1865 ACMA 136.75 149.16 12.41 4.91 Reported Aug. 6
DC20-1865 155.50 174.21 18.71 2.03 Reported Aug. 6
DC20-1865 200.22 213.57 13.35 2.97 Reported Aug. 6
DC20-1865 total 44.47 3.12
DC20-1866 ACMA 14.00 17.82 3.82 3.48 Reported Aug. 6
DC20-1866 35.39 81.30 45.91 5.03 Reported Aug. 6
including 63.35 75.30 11.95 10.44 Reported Aug. 6
DC20-1866 98.25 103.42 5.17 7.01 Reported Aug. 6
DC20-1866 108.30 131.66 23.36 4.15 Reported Aug. 6
DC20-1866 208.44 221.61 13.17 4.69 Reported Aug. 6
DC20-1866 226.53 256.81 30.28 4.20 Reported Aug. 6
DC20-1866 266.00 276.76 10.76 4.72 Reported Aug. 6
DC20-1866 281.33 285.57 4.24 1.83 Reported Aug. 6
DC20-1866 291.00 296.86 5.86 5.61 Reported Aug. 6
DC20-1866 total 142.57 4.61
DC20-1867 ACMA 23.20 28.04 4.84 7.37 Reported Aug. 6
DC20-1867 66.14 70.74 4.60 5.90 Reported Aug. 6
DC20-1867 92.68 104.00 11.32 6.17 Reported Aug. 6
DC20-1867 total 20.76 6.39
DC20-1868 ACMA 115.51 125.74 10.23 4.13 Reported Aug. 6
DC20-1868 243.48 247.19 3.71 1.92 Reported Aug. 6
DC20-1868 total 13.94 3.54
DC20-1869 ACMA 10.80 16.15 5.35 3.22 Reported Aug. 6
DC20-1869 33.30 43.30 10.00 2.68 Reported Aug. 6
DC20-1869 49.30 58.83 9.53 3.86 Reported Aug. 6
DC20-1869 128.19 137.60 9.41 3.08 Reported Aug. 6
DC20-1869 total 34.29 3.20
DC20-1870 ACMA 156.66 164.60 7.94 4.24 Reported Aug. 6
DC20-1870 173.10 180.80 7.70 7.53 Reported Aug. 6
DC20-1870 total 15.64 5.86
DC20-1871 ACMA 12.80 20.80 8.00 4.01 Reported Aug. 6
DC20-1871 30.35 72.26 41.91 11.61 Reported Aug. 6
including 38.24 42.24 4.00 17.00 Reported Aug. 6
including 55.78 62.26 6.48 38.77 Reported Aug. 6
DC20-1871 341.67 347.44 5.77 1.00 Reported Aug. 6
DC20-1871 425.97 435.71 9.74 1.60
DC20-1871 total 65.42 8.25
DC20-1872 Lewis 47.30 73.46 26.16 3.40
DC20-1872 82.80 86.60 3.80 4.74
DC20-1872 163.82 167.70 3.88 4.39 Reported Aug. 6
DC20-1872 290.62 294.58 3.96 3.17 Reported Aug. 6
DC20-1872 544.34 555.00 10.66 1.80
DC20-1872 603.23 609.23 6.00 2.33
DC20-1872 total 54.46 3.11
DC20-1873 Lewis 42.90 53.74 10.84 4.36 Reported Aug. 6
DC20-1873 60.88 68.54 7.66 18.40 Reported Aug. 6
including 63.16 68.54 5.38 25.26 Reported Aug. 6
DC20-1873 total 18.50 10.17
DC20-1874 ACMA 159.39 169.59 10.20 7.24
DC20-1874 174.65 177.97 3.32 3.51
DC20-1874 236.83 239.88 3.05 5.52
DC20-1874 total 16.57 6.18
DC20-1875 Lewis 18.75 22.64 3.89 1.50
DC20-1875 43.17 47.09 3.92 1.95
DC20-1875 100.06 105.68 5.62 6.09
DC20-1875 total 13.43 3.55
DC20-1876 Lewis 5.62 18.35 12.73 5.35
DC20-1876 total 12.73 5.35
DC20-1877 ACMA 123.48 127.65 4.17 80.58
including 124.50 127.65 3.15 106.24
DC20-1877 total 4.17 80.58
DC20-1878 Lewis 27.47 34.05 6.58 2.83
DC20-1878 48.86 68.63 19.77 11.34
including 54.86 61.86 7.00 25.24
DC20-1878 74.63 79.74 5.11 15.79
including 74.63 77.74 3.11 21.10
DC20-1878 96.92 105.70 8.78 1.23
DC20-1878 120.32 124.31 3.99 1.83
DC20-1878 132.14 135.94 3.80 1.21
DC20-1878 140.90 154.70 13.80 3.10
DC20-1878 175.34 186.70 11.36 2.00
DC20-1878 198.40 240.70 42.30 2.03
DC20-1878 244.75 247.92 3.17 4.27
DC20-1878 total 118.66 4.31
DC20-1879 Lewis 62.30 68.44 6.14 1.85
DC20-1879 118.57 149.20 30.63 2.40
DC20-1879 total 36.77 2.31
DC20-1880 ACMA 40.70 44.80 4.10 10.67
DC20-1880 136.30 139.80 3.50 10.23
DC20-1880 total 7.60 10.47
DC20-1881 ACMA 50.75 55.25 4.50 3.03
DC20-1881 total 4.50 3.03
DC20-1882 Lewis 5.00 9.00 4.00 4.52
DC20-1882 15.00 21.00 6.00 6.54
DC20-1882 27.00 43.00 16.00 2.81
DC20-1882 67.00 71.00 4.00 1.51
DC20-1882 113.11 121.27 8.16 4.28
DC20-1882 160.18 167.55 7.37 2.11
DC20-1882 200.80 219.63 18.83 1.75
DC20-1882 233.97 245.15 11.18 4.73
DC20-1882 251.03 255.03 4.00 3.90
DC20-1882 302.03 328.53 26.50 2.24
DC20-1882 336.49 349.54 13.05 2.32
DC20-1882 392.24 402.03 9.79 2.99
DC20-1882 total 128.88 2.94
DC20-1883 Lewis 49.38 62.00 12.62 2.19
DC20-1883 137.16 157.45 20.29 1.21
DC20-1883 172.70 178.97 6.27 2.54
DC20-1883 214.50 222.50 8.00 2.58
DC20-1883 230.00 234.00 4.00 9.12
DC20-1883 258.50 264.50 6.00 15.45
DC20-1883 total 57.18 3.81
DC20-1884 ACMA 142.50 152.25 9.75 5.07
DC20-1884 163.25 167.10 3.85 2.17
DC20-1884 total 13.60 4.25
DC20-1885 ACMA 268.96 274.75 5.79 12.96
including 268.96 272.87 3.91 16.11
DC20-1885 total 5.79 12.96
DC20-1886 Lewis 43.76 49.67 5.91 2.17
DC20-1886 125.88 139.80 13.92 3.47
DC20-1886 147.00 151.00 4.00 3.95
DC20-1886 158.78 180.90 22.12 4.65
including 172.90 176.90 4.00 12.30
DC20-1886 196.80 212.20 15.40 3.37
DC20-1886 218.20 252.08 33.88 6.52
including 224.20 232.14 7.94 11.27
DC20-1886 total 95.23 4.75
DC20-1887 Lewis 5.10 10.50 5.40 1.78
DC20-1887 132.00 145.50 13.50 4.32
including 134.00 138.00 4.00 10.02
DC20-1887 150.45 160.00 9.55 4.65
DC20-1887 177.38 185.00 7.62 1.65
DC20-1887 212.50 218.50 6.00 1.73
DC20-1887 total 42.07 3.22
DC20-1888 ACMA 178.58 185.51 6.93 43.12
including 180.26 183.51 3.25 90.49
DC20-1888 191.45 203.33 11.88 1.77
DC20-1888 total 18.81 17.00
DC20-1891 Lewis 8.08 15.39 7.31 1.65
DC20-1891 52.99 76.37 23.38 2.58
DC20-1891 107.69 121.70 14.01 2.20
DC20-1891 total 44.70 2.31
Significant intervals represent drilled intervals and not necessarily true
thickness of mineralization. Mineralized intervals meet or exceed three metres
in length above one g/t. A maximum of four metres of continuous dilution (less
than one g/t) is permitted. Any drill intervals not depicted in this table did
not meet the significant interval criteria. Assay data are not yet available
from 244.5 m to 251.8 m in DC20-1884, from 234.5 m to 255.4 m in DC20-1887, all
of DC20-1889, and from 188.7 m to 377.3 m in DC20-1891.
Quality assurance/quality control procedures
The QA/QC procedures for the 2020 Donlin gold drill program and sampling protocol were developed and managed by Donlin Gold LLC and overseen by Barrick and Novagold. The chain of custody from the drill site to the sample preparation facility was continuously monitored. All samples are HQ-diameter core. Approximately 93-per-cent core recovery has been achieved to date. Core was logged, cut and sampled at site by Donlin Gold employees. Samples were primarily collected on two-metre lengths, with a minimum length of 0.3 metre and maximum length of approximately 3.5 metres. Sampled half-core was crushed and pulverized in ALS Ltd.'s Fairbanks, Alaska, or Whitehorse, Yukon, sample preparation facilities. Pulp samples were sent to the ALS lab in Vancouver, B.C., for gold assays and multielement analysis. At least 14 quality control samples (four standards, four coarse blanks, two pulp blanks, two coarse duplicates and two pulp duplicates) were inserted into each batch of 80 samples. The review of the quality control samples did not indicate any bias or error. There are no known factors that would materially affect the accuracy or reliability of the drill program data referred to in this media release.
Downhole directional surveys were completed on all reported completed holes by both Boart Longyear drill operators and on all but one reported completed hole by DGI Geoscience Inc. technicians, and collar surveys were completed on all holes by either Rowland Engineering Consultants or Brice Engineering LLC.
Each of ALS Ltd., Boart Longyear, DGI Geoscience Inc., Rowland Engineering Consultants and Brice Engineering LLC is independent of Donlin Gold, Barrick and Novagold.
Scientific and technical information
Certain scientific and technical information contained herein with respect to the Donlin gold project is derived from the "Donlin Creek Gold Project Alaska, USA NI 43-101 Technical Report on Second Updated Feasibility Study" prepared by AMEC with an effective date of Nov. 18, 2011, as amended Jan. 20, 2012. Kirk Hanson, PE, technical director, open-pit mining, North America, (AMEC, Reno), and Gordon Seibel, RM, SME, principal geologist (AMEC, Reno) are the qualified persons responsible for the preparation of the independent technical report, each of whom are independent qualified persons as defined by National Instrument 43-101.
Clifford Krall, PE, who is the mine engineering manager for Novagold and a qualified person under NI 43-101, has approved and verified the scientific and technical information related to the 2020 Donlin gold drill program contained in this media release. To verify the information related to the drilling program, he has visited the project site several times during the field season; discussed and observed logging, sampling and sample shipping processes with responsible site staff; discussed and reviewed assay and QA/QC results with responsible personnel; and reviewed supporting documentation, including drill hole location and orientation and significant assay interval calculations.
Jay Olcott, SME registered member, who is a Barrick project manager and a qualified person under NI 43-101, has reviewed and approved the assay results for the Donlin gold project contained in this media release.
(1) Donlin Gold data as per the second updated feasibility study. Donlin Gold measured resources of approximately eight million tonnes grading 2.52 g/t and indicated resources of approximately 534 million t grading 2.24 g/t, each on a 100-per-cent basis, of which Barrick and Novagold each own 50 per cent. Mineral resources have been estimated in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 -- Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.
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