Mr. Greg Lang of Novagold reports

NOVAGOLD ANNOUNCES THE RECEIPT OF KEY STATE OF ALASKA APPROVALS FOR THE DONLIN GOLD PROJECT

Novagold Resources Inc.'s flagship Donlin gold project, which Novagold owns equally with Barrick Gold Corp., has received the final state right-of-way (ROW) authorization for the buried natural gas pipeline, issued by the Alaska Department of Natural Resources (ADNR) on Jan. 17, 2020. The ADNR also issued final authorization of the easement, land leases, land use permits and material site authorizations for the proposed transportation facilities, and easement for the fibre optic cable on state lands on Jan. 2, 2020. Additionally, ADNR denied an appeal and affirmed the Division of Mining, Land and Water's original Jan. 18, 2019, approval of Donlin Gold LLC's reclamation plan and its accompanied permit.

"We are very pleased to see the issuance of key transportation and energy infrastructure approvals for Donlin gold," said Greg Lang, president and chief executive officer. "These final state land authorizations are important for the advancement of Donlin gold. These achievements would not have been possible without the dedication of the professionals at the Alaska Department of Natural Resources to advance permits and approvals for the project in a transparent as well as environmentally and socially responsible manner with strong adherence to governance best practices. We are proud of the work supporting the issuance of these permits carried out by the teams at Donlin gold, Barrick and Novagold and appreciate the support and contributions from our native corporation partners, Calista Corp. and The Kuskokwim Corp."

The receipt of the ROW authorization and other land leases and permits for the transportation and pipeline facilities is the latest in a growing list of Donlin gold's permitting approvals, including the jointly issued federal record of decision received in August, 2018. A number of other key state permits have also been finalized for the project, including the Alaska pollutant discharge elimination system (APDES) water discharge permit, prevention of significant deterioration (PSD) major source air quality permit, waste management permit, reclamation plan approval permit and fish habitat permits for the mine site and transportation corridor.

A buried natural gas pipeline delivers environmental benefits, cost-efficiency and capability to transport large quantities of natural gas to power the remote project site. The proposed 316-mile pipeline would be 14 inches in diameter, typically buried at three to six feet deep, providing a reliable natural gas supply regardless of weather or season to support power generation at the Donlin gold site.

About Novagold Resources Inc.

Novagold is a well-financed precious metals company focused on the development of its 50-per-cent-owned Donlin gold project in Alaska, one of the safest mining jurisdictions in the world. With approximately 39 million ounces of gold in the measured and indicated mineral resource categories, inclusive of proven and probable mineral reserves (541 million tonnes at an average grade of approximately 2.24 grams per tonne in the measured and indicated resource categories on a 100-per-cent basis) (1), Donlin Gold is regarded to be one of the largest, highest-grade and most prospective known open-pit gold deposits in the world.

(1) Donlin gold data as per the second updated feasibility study (as defined herein). Donlin gold measured resources of approximately eight million tonnes grading 2.52 grams per tonne and indicated resources of approximately 534 million t grading 2.24 g/t, each on a 100-per-cent basis. Mineral resources have been estimated in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 -- Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

Scientific and technical information

Some 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 is an independent qualified person as defined by NI 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 Donlin gold project contained in this press release.

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