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NOVAGOLD reports third quarter 2019 results
1. 2019 Third Quarter
& Project Update
TSX, NYSE American: NG | novagold.com | October 2019
2. Conference Call Attendees
2
Introduction
MĂŠlanie Hennessey (Vice President Corporate Communications)
Corporate Update
Greg Lang (President & Chief Executive Officer)
Third Quarter Financials & 2019 Budget
David Ottewell (Vice President & Chief Financial Officer)
Closing Remarks
Dr. Thomas Kaplan (Chairman)
Question & Answer Session
3. REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This presentation includes certain âforward-looking informationâ and âforward-looking statementsâ (collectively âforward-looking statementsâ) 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, statements regarding the permitting, potential development, exploration, construction and
operation of Donlin Gold and statements relating to NOVAGOLDâs future operating and financial performance and production estimates are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always,
identified by words such as âexpectsâ, âanticipatesâ, âbelievesâ, âintendsâ, âestimatesâ, âpotentialâ, âpossibleâ, âpoisedâ, and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results âwillâ, âmayâ, âcouldâ, âwouldâ or
âshouldâ occur or be achieved. These forward-looking statements may also include statements regarding the exploration potential of Donlin Gold; anticipated mine life; perceived merit of properties; anticipated permitting timeframes;
exploration and drilling results and budgets; mineral reserve and resource estimates; work programs; capital expenditures; timelines; strategic plans; benefits of the project; market prices for precious metals; whether the final $75
million promissory note from the sale of Galore Creek will mature and be payable; potential shareholder returns; 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 NOVAGOLDâs expectations include the uncertainties involving unexpected cost increases, which could include significant increases in estimated capital and operating costs; 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 Gold Corporation for the continued exploration and development of the Donlin Gold property; 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; the need to obtain permits and governmental approvals; fluctuations in metal prices and currency exchange rates; whether a positive construction decision will be made regarding Donlin Gold or Galore Creek; and other
risks and uncertainties disclosed in NOVAGOLDâs annual report filed on Form 10-K for the year-ended November 30, 2018 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. NOVAGOLDâs forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections of management 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.
Forward-looking statements are based on a number of material assumptions, including but not limited to the following, which could prove to be significantly incorrect: our ability to achieve production at any of our mineral exploration
and development properties; estimated capital costs, operating costs, production and economic returns; estimated metal pricing, metallurgy, mineability, marketability and operating and capital costs, together with other assumptions
underlying our resource and reserve estimates; our expected ability to develop adequate infrastructure and that the cost of doing so will be reasonable; assumptions that all necessary permits and governmental approvals will be
obtained and the timing of such approvals; assumptions made in the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of our mineral deposits; our expectations regarding demand for equipment, skilled labor and services
needed for exploration and development of mineral properties; and that our activities will not be adversely disrupted or impeded by development, operating or regulatory risks.
CAUTIONARY NOTE CONCERNING RESERVE & RESOURCE ESTIMATES
This presentation uses the terms âmineral resourcesâ, âmeasured mineral resourcesâ, âindicated mineral resourcesâ and âinferred mineral resourcesâ. 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 âSECâ) Industry Guide 7 (âIndustry Guide 7â) does not recognize them. Under Industry Guide 7, mineralization may not be classified as a
âreserveâ 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. United States investors are cautioned that they should not assume that all or any part of measured or indicated mineral resources will ever be converted into mineral reserves. Further, inferred
mineral resources have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and as to whether they can be mined legally or economically. Disclosure of âcontained ouncesâ is permitted disclosure under Canadian regulations, however,
Industry Guide 7 normally only permits issuers to report âresourcesâ as in place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures. Accordingly, information concerning descriptions of mineralization and mineral resources
contained in this presentation may not be comparable to information made public by United States companies subject to Industry Guide 7 reporting and disclosure requirements. The Company has no reserves, as that term is defined
under Industry Guide 7.
On October 31, 2018, the SEC adopted a final rule (âNew Final Ruleâ) that will replace Industry Guide 7 with new disclosure requirements that are more closely aligned with current industry and global regulatory practices and standards,
including NI 43-101. Companies must comply with the New Final Rule for the first fiscal year beginning on or after January 1, 2021, which for NOVAGOLD would be the fiscal year beginning December 1, 2021. While early voluntary
compliance with the New Final Rule is permitted, NOVAGOLD has not elected to comply with the New Final Rule at this time.
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 presentation have been prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 and the CIM Definition Standards.
Technical Reports and Qualified Persons
The documents referenced below provide supporting technical information for the Donlin Gold project.
Project Qualified Person(s) Most Recent Disclosure
Donlin Gold Gordon Seibel R.M. SME âDonlin Creek Gold Project Alaska, USA, NI 43-101 Technical Report on Second Updated Feasibility Studyâ prepared by AMEC, effective November 18, 2011, amended January 20, 2012
Kirk Hanson P.E. (the âSecond Updated Feasibility Studyâ).
Clifford Krall, P.E., who is the Mine Engineering Manager for NOVAGOLD and a âqualified personâ under NI 43-101, has approved the scientific and technical information contained in this presentation.
Cautionary Statements
ALL DOLLAR AMOUNTS QUOTED IN THIS REPORT ARE IN U.S. CURRENCY UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.
3
4. DONLIN GOLD: Unique Project for the Times
A DEVELOPMENT-STAGE PROJECT OF EXCEPTIONAL SCALE,
QUALITY, AND JURISDICTIONAL SAFETY
⢠50/50 partnership with
Barrick Gold
⢠Positioned to become one
of the largest gold mines in
the world
⢠Unique, large-scale open pit
project with superior grade
in an environment of
declining gold reserves,
production and average
grades
⢠Most important permits are
in place
⢠Alaska has a time-tested
mining culture and respect
for socially and
environmentally responsible
mine development
Anchorage
Fairbanks
Juneau
Bethel
Crooked Creek
4
5. Alaska State permits received since January 2019 and those progressing
Reclamation and Closure Plan Approval issued January 18, 2019
Waste Management Permit issued January 18, 2019
Pipeline Right-of-Way Lease In progress
Mine/Transportation Facility Land Use Leases/Authorizations In progress
Dam Safety Certificates In progress
Geotechnical field program for Alaska Dam Safety Certificates
Donlin Gold safety training conducted and camp re-opened
Geotechnical field program In progress
Optimization effort
Complete scoping-level optimization work In progress
Solidify execution plan TBD
Ongoing external affairs & community investment
Backhaul projects to remove hazardous waste from 14 villages
Partnering on community engagement in environmental, safety, educational and cultural
initiatives
In progress
DONLIN GOLD: Orderly Advancement up the Value Chain
PROGRESSING IN AN EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE AND COST-EFFECTIVE MANNER
DONLIN GOLD 2019 BUDGET OF $26 MILLION FUNDED ON 50/50 BASIS BY NOVAGOLD & BARRICK
5
6. FOCUSED ON ADVANCING STATE PERMITS AND PROJECT OPTIMIZATION
DONLIN GOLD: Third Quarter Activity Highlights
6
o Site investigation and collection of additional geotechnical information for the advancement of the dam
engineering from a feasibility level to the final construction package
o Geotechnical drilling (core and direct push) and field testing with installation of monitoring instruments
o Pumping test program at the tailings storage facility
o Excavation of test pits
o Geophysical surveys (seismic refraction and downhole)
o Laboratory testing
Advanced the geotechnical field program for the Alaska Dam Safety Certificates
Continued to advance the State permits for transportation corridor and pipeline on State lands
o Alaska Department of Natural Resources (ADNR) Division of Mining, Land, and Water issued preliminary land use
decisions for the projectâs transportation corridor, including access road and related material sites, airstrip, and
Jungjuk Port. ADNR continues work on the final approvals, which are anticipated by the end of the year
o ADNR Division of Oil and Gas (DOG), State Pipeline Coordinatorâs Section issued a preliminary decision to
authorize the sections of the pipeline on State lands. DOG continues work on the final approval, which is
anticipated by the end of the year
Progressed with project optimization toward defining an updated development plan
7. DONLIN GOLD: Third Quarter Activity Highlights Continued
FOCUSED ON OUR LONG-TERM STRATEGY OF DELIVERING VALUE FOR ALL STAKEHOLDERS
7
Continued active external affairs and community engagement
o In July 2019, NOVAGOLD, Donlin Gold and the Delta Backhaul company
partnered with more than 20 organizations from the Yukon-Kuskokwim
(Y-K) region to collect, process and remove hazardous materials and e-
wastes from the remote City of Bethel:
⢠About 250 residents participated in the program, and
⢠80,000 pounds of materials were collected for transfer.
o Nearly 150,000 pounds of hazardous material have been removed from
14 remote villages on the Kuskokwim River and the City of Bethel in the
past year.
o Ongoing sponsorship, planning and execution of a maintenance program
for solid waste management for the Crooked Creek landfill, including
training sessions for community members.
o Sponsored the Tyonek Culvert/Habitat Restoration to benefit the
Matanuska-Susitna stakeholder community.
o Supported City of Aniak initiative for community-wide fire safety training
and equipment in partnership with The Kuskokwim Corporation (TKC), as
well as supporting the annual 2019 Aniak Fair.
Bethel, AK, hazardous waste backhaul event
July 2019
8. NOVAGOLD: Q3 2019 Operating Performance Analysis
8
1) Includes share-based compensation expense of $1.6M and $1.9M for the third quarter of 2019 and 2018, respectively; and $4.6M and $5.8M in the first nine months of 2019 and 2018, respectively.
2) Includes interest income, accretion of notes receivable, interest expense and foreign exchange gains and losses.
Three months ended
August 31,
Nine months ended
August 31,
(US$ millions) 2019 2018 2019 2018
General and administrative(1) $4.1 $4.4 $12.6 $14.0
Donlin Gold 3.1 2.5 6.7 7.2
Operating loss 7.2 6.9 19.3 21.2
Other (income) expense(2) 0.6 1.1 (0.4) 3.8
Income tax expense 0.3 â 1.0 0.2
Net loss from continuing operations 8.1 8.0 19.9 25.2
Galore Creek â discontinued operation â 80.6 â 81.2
Net loss $8.1 $88.6 $19.9 $106.4
9. NOVAGOLD: Q3 2019 Cash Flow Highlights
9
Three months ended
August 31,
Nine months ended
August 31,
(US$ millions) 2019 2018 2019 2018
General and administrative(1) $(2.5) $(2.5) $(8.0) $(8.2)
Donlin Gold (3.8) (2.3) (7.6) (7.8)
Working capital, interest and other 2.2 1.0 2.7 0.2
Withholding tax on share-based compensation â â (1.2) â
Cash used in continuing operations (4.1) (3.8) (14.1) (15.8)
Galore Creek â discontinued operation â 99.3 â 97.8
Increase (decrease) in cash and term deposits (4.1) 95.5 (14.1) 82.0
Cash and term deposits:
Beginning 157.0 70.5 167.0 84.0
Ending $152.9 $166.0 $152.9 $166.0
1) Excludes non-cash share-based compensation expense of $1.6M and $1.9M for the third quarter of 2019 and 2018, respectively; and $4.6M and $5.8M in the first nine months of 2019 and 2018,
respectively.
10. A HEALTHY TREASURY TO ADVANCE DONLIN GOLD TO THE NEXT STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT
NOVAGOLD: Well-Funded to Avoid Dilution
1) Formerly 50%-owned by NOVAGOLD. Deferred compensation on sale of NOVAGOLDâs 50% interest in Galore Creek totals $100M: including $75M on earlier of Pre-Feasibility Study or no later than July 27, 2021
and $25M on earlier of Feasibility Study or no later than July 27, 2023. An additional $75M is receivable upon approval of a Galore Creek construction plan by the owner(s).
2) Includes $13M Donlin Gold and $11M G&A.
treasury
$153M
Current cash
balance
cash and term deposit balance on
August 31, 2019
$100M
over the
next four
years
$ 75M
Contingent
upon
construction
approval
deferred proceeds from the sale of Galore
Creek1
planned spending
$ 24M
2019
total2
$15.6M spent in first nine months
10
11. 39.0
18.8
11.5
10.0 9.6
8.0
6.5
5.6 5.3 5.3 5.0 4.3 4.2 3.9 3.8
0.0
10.0
20.0
30.0
40.0
50.0
DONLIN GOLD: Largest Gold Development Project in its Category1
A RESOURCE MORE THAN FIVE TIMES THE SIZE OF THE PEER GROUP AVERAGE
1) Peer group data based on company documents, public filings and websites as of August 31, 2019. Comparison group of 14 projects based on large (2Moz P&P cut off), North/South American gold-focused development projects with >75% projected
revenues from gold.
2) Represents 100% of measured and indicated mineral resources, inclusive of mineral reserves, of which NOVAGOLDâs share is 50%. See âCautionary Note Concerning Reserve and Resource Estimatesâ and âMineral Reserve and Mineral Resourceâ
table on slides 2 and 35, respectively.
M&IGoldResource(millionsofounces)
peer group average1Donlin Gold1
39.0Moz 7.3Moz
11
2
12. 1) Represents average grade of measured and indicated mineral resources, inclusive of mineral reserves. See âCautionary Note Concerning Reserve and Resource Estimatesâ and âMineral Reserve and Mineral Resourceâ table on slides 2 and 35,
respectively.
2) 2018 average grade of open-pit and underground deposits with gold as primary commodity and over 1 Moz in measured and indicated resources, sourced from S&P Global Market Intelligence.
1.10g/t2.24g/t
DONLIN GOLD: Double the Industry Average Grade
AMONG THE WORLDâS HIGHEST-GRADE KNOWN OPEN-PIT GOLD DEPOSITS
Donlin Gold average grade1 world average grade2
While industry average grades are declining, Donlin Goldâs grade provides
resilience through commodity price cycles
12
13. 1.101
0.45
0.41
0.39 0.38 0.37
0.34
0.29 0.28
0.25
0.21 0.21 0.20
0.17
0.12
1.502
0.00
0.20
0.40
0.60
0.80
1.00
1.20
1.40
1.60
DONLIN GOLD: Positioned to be One of the Worldâs Largest Gold Mines
PROJECTED TO BECOME A MILLION-OUNCE GOLD PRODUCER1
ProjectedAnnualGoldProduction(millionsofounces)
1) Anticipated annual gold production during full life of mine if put into production as contemplated in the Second Updated Feasibility Study. See âCautionary note concerning Reserve & Resource Estimatesâ and âMineral Reserve and Mineral Resourceâ
table on slides 2 and 35, respectively.
2) Anticipated annual gold production during first five full years of mine life if put into production as contemplated in the Second Updated Feasibility Study. See âCautionary note concerning Reserve & Resource Estimatesâ and âMineral Reserve and
Mineral Resourceâ table on slides 2 and 35, respectively.
3) Average of comparison group data of 14 projects based on large (2Moz P&P cut off), North/South American gold-focused development projects with >75% projected revenues from gold, as per latest company documents, public filings and websites
as of August 31, 2019.
Donlin Goldâs size,
grade, and projected
production profile
clearly distinguish it
from its peers
1.1Moz1
Donlin Goldâs
27-year mine life
0.3Moz3
North and South
American gold-focused
development projects
13
14. DONLIN GOLD: One of Very Few Large Federally Permitted Projects
TOP TEN GOLD PRODUCING OPERATIONS COMPARISON1
ONLY FOUR OPERATIONS IN THE WORLD PRODUCED >1MOZ IN 2018
39.0Moz2
Donlin Gold
12.7Moz
Kibali
24.3Moz
Pueblo Viejo
48.2Moz
Muruntau
97.7Moz
Grasberg
18.5Moz
Boddington
75.7Moz
Nevada Gold
Mines complex3
29.8Moz
Olimpiada
45.6Moz
Lihir Island
Operations in blue produced more than 1 Moz of gold in 2018
1) Estimates provided by S&P Global Intelligence. Slide shows the latest reported measured & indicated resources (inclusive of reserves) of the top 10 gold producing operations from 2018 as per SNL Metals & Mining, an offering of S&P Global Market
Intelligence.
2) Represents 100% of measured and indicated mineral resources, inclusive of mineral reserves, of which NOVAGOLDâs share is 50%. Donlin Gold is not in production and a construction decision has not been made at this time. See âCautionary Note
Concerning Reserve and Resource Estimatesâ and âMineral Reserve and Mineral Resourceâ table on slides 2 and 35, respectively.
3) Joint venture of Barrick Gold (61.5%) and Newmont Goldcorp (38.5%), comprised of the Carlin, Cortez, Turquoise Ridge/Twin Creeks, Phoenix and Long Canyon mines plus exploration properties.
11.7Moz
Kazzinc
7.3Moz
Canadian Malartic
14
15. DONLIN GOLD: Well Drilled Out
ROBUST DRILL DATABASE
1,400
WAS DEFINED WITH APPROXIMATELY
DONLIN GOLDâS 39MOZ1 GOLD RESOURCE
OVER
DRILL
339,000m
TOTALING
HOLES
1) Represents 100% of measured and indicated mineral resources, inclusive of mineral reserves, of which NOVAGOLDâs share is 50%. See âCautionary Note Concerning Reserve and Resource Estimatesâ and âMineral Reserve and Mineral
Resourceâ table on slides 2 and 35, respectively. 15
16. DONLIN GOLD: Private Land Designated for Mining
TOPOGRAPHY AMENABLE TO SITE DEVELOPMENT WITH YEAR-ROUND OPERATIONS
Lewis Deposit
ACMA Deposit
140m
125m
425m
16
17. DONLIN GOLD: Excellent Exploration Potential
SUBSTANTIAL EXPLORATION UPSIDE POTENTIAL ALONG THE 8 KM-LONG MINERALIZED
TREND â THE NEXT BIG GOLD DISCOVERY COULD BE AT DONLIN GOLD
1) Represents measured and indicated mineral resources previously reported by NOVAGOLD and supported by a past technical report, âPreliminary Assessment, Donlin Creek Gold Project, Alaska, USAâ, effective September 20, 2006. Represents 100% of measured and
indicated mineral resources reported, of which NOVAGOLDâs share was 70% in September 2006. Measured resources totaled 20 million tonnes grading 2.56 grams per tonne, and indicated resources totaled 196 million tonnes grading 2.39 grams per tonne. This
estimate has been superseded by the estimate contained in the Second Updated Feasibility Study effective November 18, 2011 and amended January 20, 2012. For current mineral reserves and resources, refer to âCautionary Note Concerning Reserve & Resource
Estimatesâ and âMineral Reserve and Mineral Resourceâ table on slides 2 and 35, respectively.
2) Represents 100% of measured and indicated mineral resources, inclusive of mineral reserves, of which NOVAGOLDâs share is 50%. See âCautionary Note Concerning Reserve and Resource Estimatesâ and âMineral Reserve and Mineral Resourceâ table on slides 2 and 35.
3) Represents 100% of inferred mineral resources, of which NOVAGOLDâs share is 50%. See âCautionary Note Concerning Reserve and Resource Estimatesâ and âMineral Reserve and Mineral Resourceâ table on slides 2 and 35. Inferred resources have a great amount of
uncertainty as to their existence and as to whether they can be mined legally or economically.
⢠From 2006 to 2011, M&I
resources increased 135%
(16.6Moz1 to 39.0Moz2) through
a well-executed exploration
program
⢠Reserves and resources are
contained within just 3 km of an
8 km-long mineralized trend
⢠Inferred mineral resource: 6Moz
of gold (92M tonnes grading 2.02
g/t Au) mainly inside the reserve
pit3
⢠Future exploration potential
exists to expand current resource
along strike and at depth
ACMA and Lewis, as shown above, represent the reserve pit from the Second Updated Feasibility Study.
ACMA Pit
Lewis Pit
Queen Snow
Quartz
Dome
OphirFar Side
17
18. DONLIN GOLD: Strong Support for Responsible Mining & Development
MINING IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF ALASKAâS ECONOMY WITH SIX PRODUCING
MINES AND SIX ADVANCED EXPLORATION PROJECTS
Source: Alaska Miners Association, âThe Economic Benefits of Alaskaâs Mining Industryâ March 2019.
Usibelli
Family-owned
Fort Knox
Kinross Gold Corp
Red Dog
Teck Resources Limited
Greens Creek
Hecla Mining Company
Kensington
Coeur Mining Inc
Northern Star Pogo
Northern Star Resources
Producing Mines:
18
19. AT A TIME OF EXTREME GEOPOLITICAL UNCERTAINTY, ALASKA WELCOMES
NEW RESPONSIBLE DEVELOPMENT
DONLIN GOLD: Leverage in a Place Where You Can Keep the Rewards
ALASKAâS JURISDICTIONAL APPEAL:
⢠Mineral potential
⢠Established mining industry
⢠Political and social stability
⢠Excellent local partnerships
⢠A full embrace of the rule of law
19
20. TIME-HONORED RELATIONSHIPS WITH STAKEHOLDERS
DONLIN GOLD: Agreements with Alaska Native Corporations
o Donlin Gold is located on private land
specifically selected for its resource
development potential
⢠ANCSA1 established 48 years ago;
resolved Alaska Native land claims
⢠Lands valuable for resource potential
selected by Regional Corporations
under ANCSA
o Calista Corporation and The Kuskokwim
Corporation (TKC) are the two Native
Corporations with an ownerâs interest in
the development of the selected lands to
support the economic prosperity of their
shareholders
o Donlin Gold has been in partnership with
Calista and TKC since 1995
o Benefits include royalties, shareholder
employment opportunities, scholarships
and preferential contract considerations
1) Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, 43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq. Calista Corporation Region
The above represents the 10 villages of The Kuskokwim Corporation
20
21. JOINT RECORD OF DECISION AND MAJOR FEDERAL PERMITS ISSUED1
DONLIN GOLD: A Federally Permitted Project in Alaska
⢠First time that two Federal agencies issued a joint ROD
⢠The Corps issued a combined Clean Water Act Section 404 & Rivers and Harbors Act Section 10 permit
⢠BLM issued the Offer to Lease for pipeline right of way
Col. Michael Brooks, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Alaska District former
Commander, and Joe Balash, U.S. Department of the Interiorâs former
Assistant Secretary of Land and Minerals Management sign the joint
Record of Decision for the Donlin Gold project.
âThe Corps and BLM in Alaska are pioneering this joint
decision to show the public that their federal government
can work together and make sound decisions on
environmental reviews.â
Col. Michael Brooks, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Alaska District former Commander
1) Media release from August 13, 2018 21
22. POSITIONING THE PROJECT FOR GREATER SUCCESS INTO THE FUTURE
DONLIN GOLD: Upcoming Milestones in the Value Chain
solidify execution plan
federal permitting
& optimization
completed federal
permitting
integrated drill
program results into
resource model
technical
studies
update Donlin Gold
feasibility study to
reflect optimized
development plan
construction
decision
determine path
forward based on
updated feasibility
study and prevailing
market conditions
third-party
owner/operators
financing
options
equity/debt
leasing equipment
advance State
permitting, including
Dam Safety Certification,
site investigation and
geotechnical program
22
23. Continued proactive
communication with Calista and
TKC shareholders as their
perspectives help deepen our
understanding of their priorities.
DONLIN GOLD: Culture of Safety and Social Responsibility
Through Donlin Gold we implement our social responsibility
programs and commitments in a number of important areas:
the health and
welfare of our people
(employees and
stakeholders)
the well-being of
the communities in
the Y-K region
environmental
stewardship of land,
water, air, and biological
resources communities
our commitment to
integrity in all aspects
of our corporate
governance
Supported City of Aniak fire safety
training with TKC partner.
Distributed safety gear
throughout the Yukon-Kuskokwim
(Y-K) region.
Village visits in the Y-K region with
our Native Corporation partners.
Planning and execution of
Crooked Creek landfill solid waste
management.
Community Backhaul Projects â in
the past year, removed more than
100,000 pounds of hazardous and
electronic waste from 14 villages
and Bethel on the Kuskokwim
River.
23
24. $0.0 $5.0 $10.0 $15.0 $20.0 $25.0 $30.0
$1,300
$1,500
$1,700
$2,000
$2,500
DONLIN GOLD: Significant Value Upside with Higher Gold Prices
DONLIN GOLD NPV1 INCREASES ~20X WITH ~2X INCREASE IN GOLD PRICE
1) Donlin Gold estimates as per the Second Updated Feasibility Study. All dollar figures are in USD, represent 100% of the project of which NOVAGOLDâs share is 50%, and reflect after-tax net present value (at 0% and 5% discount rates) of the
Donlin Gold project using the feasibility study reference date of 1/1/2014 (start of Year -05) as the first year of discounting. Estimated project development costs of approximately $172M to be spent prior to the reference date are treated as sunk
costs. At a 5% discount rate, the net present value is: $1,465M @ $1,300 gold; $3,147M @ $1,500 gold; $4,581M @ $1,700 gold; $6,722M @ $2,000 gold; and $10,243M @ $2,500 gold. The project requires a gold price of approximately $902 per
ounce to break even on a cash flow basis.
Net Present Value (NPV) (US$ in Billions)
NPV at 0% NPV at 5%
⢠Project return increases substantially with
higher gold prices
⢠Good payback at a broad range of gold
prices
⢠Long mine life offers high likelihood of
enjoying one or more cyclical bull markets
over the period of the mineâs operation
$8.2B
$11.6B
$14.6B
$19.2B
$27.0B
GoldPrice
Net Present Value (NPV) (US$ in Billions)
24
25. GOLD: History is Repeating a Bull Market Pattern
WEâVE ONLY JUST BEGUN: PARALLEL STRUCTURE OF 1970-1977 BULL MARKET
Sources: Federal Reserve St. Louis, Incrementum AG, Bloomberg. 25
%ChangeinGoldPrice
Since 2011, gold has mostly followed the same structure,
including the mid-cycle correction from 1975 to 1977
1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979
(200%)
-
200%
400%
600%
800%
1,000%
1,200%
1,400%
1,600%
2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022 2024
2000's 1970's
26. GOLD: Bullish Conviction is no Longer a Rarity with Leading Investors
26
ââŚthere is a good case to be made that a shift in emerging markets towards accumulating gold would help the international financial system
function more smoothly and benefit everyoneâ
âIt makes a great deal of sense to own gold. Other investors may be finally starting to agree⌠Investors have increasingly started processing the
fact that the worldâs central bankers are completely focused on debasing their currencies...â
âI wanted to own some currency and no country wants its currency to strengthen. Gold was down a lot, so I bought it.â
âCentral banks are continuing their greatest experiment in monetary policy in the history of the world⌠nearly all classes of investment have been
boosted by the rising monetary tide. Meanwhile, growth remains anemic, with weak demand and deflation in many parts of the developed worldâŚ
we saw interesting opportunities in other currencies as well as gold, the latter reflecting our concerns about monetary policy and every declining real
yieldsâŚâ
Based on classic chart reading, Gundlach said an âexplosive, potential energyâ of a huge âhead-and-shoulders bottomâ base was signaling a move of
$1,000 in gold prices. âItâs getting almost excitingâŚsomething big is happening.â
âMy favorite trade in the next 12 to 24 months is gold.ââŚâIf the price can break through $1,400 it will push to $1,700 an ounce rather
quickly.ââŚâWeâve had 75 years of expanding globalization and trade⌠and now all of a sudden itâs stopped. That would make one think that itâs
possible we go into a recession; it would make one think that rates in the United States go back down to the zero bound level; gold in that situation
is going to scream. [Gold] will be the antidote for people with equity portfolios.â
âIf the above things [North Korea, U.S. Debt ceiling] go badly, it would seem that gold (more than other save-haven assets like the dollar, yen and
treasuries) would benefit, so if you donât have 5%-10% of your assets in gold as a hedge, weâd suggest you relook at this. Donât let traditional biases,
rather than an excellent analysis, stand in the way of you doing this.â
âWe have thought, and still think, that confidence in central banks and policymakers has been unjustified and thus could erode or collapse at any
timeâŚ.Investors should come to grips, intellectually and viscerally, with the likelihood that most financial and monetary policymakersâ knowledge of
the world is somewhere between âclose to nothingâ and âway less than zero.â
ââŚWe regard gold as a currency and it remains our largest currency allocationâŚThe Fed has borrowed from future consumption more than ever
before. It is the least data dependent Fed in history. This is the longest deviation from historical norms in terms of Fed dovishness than I have ever
seen in my career âŚThis kind of myopia causes reckless behavior.â
âIâm certainly long gold.â
âGold is a currency. We have dollars, we have euros, we have yen and we have gold. If you donât have [10% of your assets in] gold, there is no
sensible reason other than that you donât know history or you donât know the economics of it.â
Jacob Rothschild, RIT Capital Partners, August 2016
Ray Dalio, Bridgewater Associates, May 2015
Stanley Druckenmiller, Duquesne Capital, May 2016
Stanley Druckenmiller, Duquesne Capital, February 2017
Paul Singer, Elliot Management, April 2016
Paul Singer, Elliot Management, August 2017
Kenneth Rogoff, Professor of Economics and Public Policy at Harvard University, Former Chief Economist of the IMF, May 2016
Jeffrey Gundlach, Founder, DoubleLine Capital, June 2019
Paul Tudor Jones, Tudor Investment Corp., June 2019
Jeffrey Gundlach, Founder, DoubleLine Capital, April 2018
Ray Dalio, Bridgewater Associates, August 2017
27. GOLD: Both a Diversifier and a Hedge for this Economic Cycle
27
âThe U.S. is beginning to sport a debt-to-GDP ratio worthy of any banana republic. Therefore, we believe that exposure to gold is both timely and
potentially rewardingâ
âWeâre constructive on gold. We think itâs going to be a valuable portfolio hedge. Weâre multi-asset investors: we think about its effect on the
entire portfolio, and what we see value in right now is goldâs value as a diversifierâ
âMany central banks are stepping up gold purchases as they scramble to find reserve currencies they like. Nobodyâs crying when
gold goes up, so thereâs really no anchor on how high it can go.â
âFor the first time in my life, I bought gold because it is a good hedgeâŚSupply is shrinking and that is going to have a positive impact on the
priceâŚ.The amount of capital being put into new gold mines is almost nonexistentâ
âWe havenât seen flows like this since the first half of 2016 â when the gold market really took off. There seems to be a change in sentiment and
investor psychology. People are waking up to the fact that we are late in the economic cycle and we could be ending [it] in the next year or two.
That brings more risk into the system; thatâs why gold is moving upâ
âWeâve seen this monetary âU-Turnâ coming for a while now, since the start of the fourth quarter of last year. The first central bank to act was the
Peopleâs Bank of China that lowered reserve requirements in October. The Federal Reserve is just the latest to join other banks. Itâs no coincidence
that gold prices started to pick up momentum in the fourth quarter of last year⌠Central banks have tried to get out of this zero-interest-rate trap
but they arenât able to. The market is addicted to cheap liquidity and I donât think that is going to change anytime soon. There is no way out for
central banks caught in this trap. Gold does very well in this environment.â
âGoldâs long-term prospect is up, up and up, and the reason why I say that is money supply is up, up and up,â Mobius, who set-up Mobius Capital
Partners LLP last year after three decades at Franklin Templeton Investments, told Bloomberg TV. He added: âI think you have to be buying at any
level, frankly.â
Russ Koesterich, Portfolio Manager at BlackRock Global Allocation Fund, in Bloomberg interview January 6, 2019
Mark Mobius, Mobius Capital Partners LLP, August 2019
Ronald-Peter Stoeferle, Fund Manager at Incrementum AG, January 29, 2019
Joe Foster, Portfolio Manager and Strategist, VanEck, in Financial Times interview, January 15, 2019
John Hathaway, Senior Portfolio Manager, Tocqueville Asset Management, January 10, 2019
Sam Zell, Founder of Equity Group Investments, Bloomberg TV interview, January 18, 2019
Jens Nordvig, Exan Data, September 2019
28. -
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
$1,800
$2,000
GOLD: Supply Decreases as Demand Pressure Increases
⢠Asset diversification
⢠Historic safe haven appeal
⢠Currency debasement protection
⢠Central bank purchasing
⢠Inflation/deflation protection
⢠Emerging market demand
⢠Dwindling discovery rates
⢠Inadequate exploration budgets
⢠Decreasing ore grades
⢠Rising production costs
⢠Jurisdictional risk
⢠Central banks (record) buyers, not
sellers
DIVERSE DEMAND DRIVERS SUPPLY PRESSURES
Gold has established a
solid base following its
2011 to 2015 bear market
28Source: Bloomberg
29. GOLD: Major Discoveries are Rare
LIMITED DISCOVERIES EXACERBATE THE NEED FOR HIGH-QUALITY LARGE-SCALE PROJECTS
Source: S&P Global Market Intelligence
Time from discovery to production can take 20+ years due to complex permitting
requirements and more remote mineral deposits, which make for more complicated projects
29
-
$2,000
$4,000
$6,000
$8,000
$10,000
$12,000
-
50
100
150
200
250
1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018
Gold in reserves, resources & past production (Moz)
Projected new gold in discoveries (Moz)
Gold exploration budgets (US$M)
GoldinMajorDiscoveries(Moz)
GoldExplorationBudgets(US$M)
30. GOLD: Industrywide Decline in Production, Discoveries and Grade
MINE SUPPLY IS SET TO DECLINE AFTER YEARS OF INCREASES
30
⢠Existing mines are being depleted and grades are declining, while few new discoveries have been identified to replace them
⢠Existing mine production is forecasted to decline 13% by 2022 and 47% by 2027*
⢠$130 billion in cumulative capex is forecasted to sustain current gold output to 2026*
Gold production from major existing mines could fall sharply post 2020 onwards1
1) Tickers in order from top to bottom: MML, RRL, NST, SBM, BDR, SAR, PRU, EVN, RRS, PVG, ABX, NEM, KGC, ACAA, RSG, AEM, OGC, PLZLq, POLYP, SGL, NCM, GG, HAR, FRES, GFI, ANG
Source: Citi Research, Global Gold Project Book â$130bn capex needed to sustain productionâ, May 16, 2018
Based on current reserve and production profiles of the 26 companies under Citi coverage, which represent ~38% of global mine production
31. GOLD: Central Banks Reduce Sales and Increase Purchases
Central Bank Gold Purchases: 50-Year High in 2018 Emerging Markets: Room to Grow Gold Reserves
Source: World Gold Council
(800.0)
(600.0)
(400.0)
(200.0)
-
200.0
400.0
600.0
800.0
1971 1976 1981 1986 1991 1996 2001 2006 2011 2016
Net Sales Net Purchases
1) Source: Metals Focus, Refinitiv GFMS, World Gold Council
DIVERSIFY FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES, PROTECT AGAINST SYSTEMIC RISK
⢠In an important paradigm shift that had a substantial impact on gold supply, central banks became net purchasers of gold in 2009, led
by emerging markets looking to diversify away from U.S. dollar-denominated assets.
⢠China, Russia and Kazakhstan have boosted central bank gold holdings substantially since 2007, namely by 214% (China), 442%
(Russia), and 432% (Kazakhstan).1
⢠Central banks purchased a 50-year high 651.5 tonnes of gold in 2018, as a larger pool of central banks sought the risk-diversifying
benefits of gold, according to the World Gold Council. Russia, Kazakhstan, and Turkey share of demand fell to 58%, from 94% in 2017,
as other central banks chose to significantly increase their gold reserves. Notably, European central banks, including Hungary and
Poland, were also buyers.
⢠The desire to diversify central bank foreign exchange portfolios from the U.S. dollar, which still represents over 60% of global forex
reserves, is one of the key reasons to buy gold. Overall, given that gold currently makes up ~10% of total global reserves, there is a lot
of room to grow in order to reach levels prior to the big central bank sales.
-
25.0%
50.0%
75.0%
100.0%
Gold as a % of Total Reserves
31
Tonnes
32. NOVAGOLD: Strong Institutional Shareholder Support
53% OF SHARES ISSUED & OUTSTANDING HELD BY SEVEN LARGEST SHAREHOLDERS2
1) Market Capitalization based on 326.9 million shares issued and outstanding and NG closing share price of $6.24 as of September 26, 2019.
2) Shareholder positions are based on the latest 13-D, 13-F or 13-G filings as of June 30, 2019.
Electrum Strategic
Resources LP & affiliates
25.9%
Van Eck Associates
Corporation
7.5% Fidelity Management &
Research Company
6.7% Paulson & Co. Inc.
4.3%
3.9%
First Eagle Investment
Management
2.5%
Other47.0%
$2.0B
Market Cap1
2.2% The Vanguard Group
BlackRock Institutional
Trust & affiliates
32
33. The NOVAGOLD Opportunity
SAFE GEOPOLITICAL
ENVIRONMENT
Alaska, top-rated mining jurisdiction
ACCOMPLISHED
LEADERSHIP TEAM
Extensive experience with
large-scale operations
PROLIFIC
PRODUCTION PROFILE
Donlin Gold expected to be
one of industryâs top
producing assets; strong
leverage to gold price
SUPPORTIVE STAKEHOLDERS
Long standing shareholders and engaged partners
STRONG BALANCE SHEET
$152.9M cash + term deposits
as of August 31, 2019
TIER ONE ASSET
Large, high-grade gold
deposit with major
permits received
OPTIMIZATION
Current optimization work
creates unique value
enhancing opportunity
Focused on execution
and delivery of our
business plan.
33
35. NOVAGOLD: Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource
Donlin Gold (100% basis)* Tonnage Grade Metal content
GOLD kt g/t Au koz Au
Reserves(1)
Proven 7,683 2.32 573
Probable 497,128 2.08 33,276
P&P 504,811 2.09 33,849
Resources(2), inclusive of Reserves
Measured 7,731 2.52 626
Indicated 533,607 2.24 38,380
M&I 541,337 2.24 39,007
Inferred 92,216 2.02 5,993
a) This resource estimate has 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 as required by reporting guidelines may result in apparent summation differences between tonnes, grade and contained metal content
d) Tonnage and grade measurements are in metric units. Contained gold is reported as troy ounces.
* Mineral reserves and
resources are reported
on a 100% basis.
NOVAGOLD and Barrick
each own 50% of the
Donlin Gold project.
t = metric tonne
g/t = grams/tonne
oz = ounce
k = thousand
M = million
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 23Âş to 43Âş. 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 â (1.78 + (US$975/oz â 1.78) * 0.045)) â (10.65 + 2.1874 * (S%) + 2.27 + 0.19) and reported in US$/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 NSR 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 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 â 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 â (1.85 + ((US$1,200/oz â 1.85) *
0.045)) â (10.65 + 2.1874 * (S%) + 2.29 + 0.20)) and reported in US$/tonne. 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 great uncertainty as to their existence and whether they can be mined legally or economically. See âCautionary Note Concerning Reserve & Resource Estimatesâ on slide 2.
Technical Reports and Qualified Persons
The documents referenced below provide supporting technical information for the Donlin Gold project.
Project Qualified Person(s) Most Recent Disclosure
Donlin Gold Gordon Seibel R.M. SME âDonlin Creek Gold Project Alaska, USA, NI 43-101 Technical Report on Second Updated Feasibility Studyâ prepared by AMEC, effective November 18, 2011, amended January 20, 2012 (the âSecond
Kirk Hanson P.E. Updated Feasibility Studyâ).
Clifford Krall, P.E., who is the Mine Engineering Manager for NOVAGOLD and a âqualified personâ under NI 43-101, has approved the scientific and technical information contained in this presentation.
Donlin Gold approximate
cut-off grades
(see Resources
Footnotes):
Reserves 1 : 0.57 g/t gold
Resources 2 : 0.46 g/t
gold
35
36. NOVAGOLD RESOURCES INC.
Suite 720 â 789 West Pender Street
Vancouver, BC, Canada V6C 1H2
T: 604 669 6227
TF: 1 866 669 6227
F: 604 669 6272
www.novagold.com
info@novagold.com
MĂŠlanie Hennessey
VP, Corporate Communications
melanie.hennessey@novagold.com
Jason Mercier
Manager, Investor Relations
jason.mercier@novagold.com
36
Editor's Notes
Thank you operator. Good morning everyone. We are pleased that you have joined us for NOVAGOLDâs third quarter financial results and for an update on the Donlin Gold project.
On todayâs call we have Dr. Thomas Kaplan, NOVAGOLDâs Chairman; Greg Lang, NOVAGOLDâs President and CEO; and David Ottewell, NOVAGOLDâs Vice President and CFO.
At the end of the webcast we will take questions â both by phone and by text.
Before we get started, I would like to remind our listeners that, as stated on Slide 3, any statements made today may contain forward-looking information such as projections and goals which are likely to involve risks detailed in our various EDGAR and SEDAR filings and forward-looking disclaimers included in this presentation.
With that, I have the pleasure of introducing Greg Lang, NOVAGOLDâs President and CEO.
GregâŚ
Thank you, Melanie, and good morning everyone.
Our primary asset is the federally permitted Donlin Gold project in western Alaska that is 50%-owned by NOVAGOLD and 50% by our long-term partner Barrick Gold. Donlin is located approximately 280 miles west of Anchorage (as shown on Slide 4).
Slide 5 provides an overview of the vast amount of achievements the NOVAGOLDâs team has accomplished this year. Federal permitting is largely complete and State permitting for the Pipeline Right-of-Way Lease, the Transportation corridor leases and Dam Safety Certificates are progressing nicely.
The Donlin camp was re-opened in May and safety training was concluded earlier in the quarter. During July, Donlin Gold commenced a site investigation and collection of additional geotechnical information for the advancement of the engineering from a feasibility level to the final construction package.
We are also making good progress on our project optimization work and continue to invest an incredible amount of time and resources in our outreach efforts and on various initiatives with our Native Corporation partners, Calista and TKC.
On Slide 6, looking a little deeper into our third quarter activities, we are in the final stage of integrating scoping-level optimization work into a study that will serve as the basis for an updated project development plan for when the time is right, and we are working with our partner Barrick on solidifying an execution plan to move forward.
With Federal permitting largely complete, our operational focus in the quarter centered on furthering our geological understanding and integrating scoping-level optimization analyses into a study that should serve as the basis for an updated project development plan. NOVAGOLD is working with Barrickâs new management and technical team to advance the project in a financially disciplined manner with a strong focus on engineering excellence, environmental stewardship, a strong safety culture and continued community engagement.
ADNRâs approval of the Alaska Dam Safety Certificates for the tailings storage facility and water retention and diversion structures requires a thorough stepwise process to deliver a final dam construction package to the State.
This program consists of geotechnical core drilling, test pits, overburden drilling, packer tests, hydrogeologic test well installation and pumping tests, and geophysical surveys.
The geotechnical field program that commenced in May 2019 was temporarily suspended in July for a period of five weeks, as all personnel were safely moved as a precautionary measure and to accommodate firefighting operations for the wildfires that affected the project area. There was no damage to Donlin Gold structures and equipment and the camp reopened in September.
Final approvals are expected by year-end for ADNR preliminary land use decisions, proposing to authorize facilities associated with the projectâs transportation corridor; and preliminary decision to authorize the sections of the gas pipeline on State lands.
We are dedicated to keeping our community partnerships strong and engage in environmental, safety, educational and cultural initiatives. We invest in our communities.
To that end, in the third quarter, NOVAGOLD and Donlin Gold participated in numerous community activities, including those highlighted on Slide 7:
NOVAGOLD and Donlin Gold partnered with more than 20 key Y-K region stakeholders, including the Association of Village Council Presidents on hazardous waste collection and management projects: We were key sponsors and participants working with the Delta Backhaul company to successfully collect, process and remove household hazardous material and e-wastes at the City of Bethel on July 24. A total of 250 residents participated in the program collecting about 80,000 pounds of material.
Nearly 150,000 pounds of hazardous material were removed from 14 villages on the Kuskokwim River and the City of Bethel in the past year. Materials removed include waste oil, electronics and household chemicals, which are packed safely and shipped in containers on barges to established hazardous waste disposal locations in Alaska and Washington State.
NOVAGOLD and Donlin Gold continued their outreach activities with our Native Corporation partner, Calista Corporation via meetings with tribal councils and key stakeholders in the Yukon-Kuskokwim region during the quarter.
We believe that our community engagement and support can act as catalysts for sustainable improvements in the quality of life for many affected by poverty and lack of opportunities for young people. Itâs one of our core responsibilities to engage and support locally for the benefit of all stakeholders.
And with that, Iâll turn the call over to our Chief Financial Officer, David Ottewell... Dave?
Slide 8 highlights our operating performance.
For the third quarter, we reported an $8.1 million net loss from continuing operations, similar to the prior year.
Higher costs at Donlin Gold, due to the commencement of fieldwork to support the applications for Alaska Dam Safety Certificates, increased interest expense on the promissory note payable to Barrick, and foreign exchange losses, were offset by lower share-based compensation costs, and increased interest income and accretion of notes receivable.
In the third quarter of 2018 we sold our interest in the Galore Creek project and recorded a loss of $80.6 million.
NOVAGOLDâs cash flow highlights are outlined on Slide 9.
In the third quarter we spent $4.1 million, $0.3 million higher than the prior year quarter.
Total net spending increased primarily due to:
higher costs at Donlin Gold related to the commencement of fieldwork, partially offset by
increased interest income on term deposits.
In the prior year quarter we received net proceeds of $99.3 million from the sale of our interest in Galore Creek.
We ended the current quarter with $152.9 million in cash and term deposits.
In 2019, we continue to expect to spend a total of $24 million including $13 million for our share of Donlin Gold and $11 million for corporate general and administrative costs as highlighted on Slide 10.
At Donlin Gold, 2019 spending is expected to increase in the fourth quarter with the ramp-up of fieldwork and detailed engineering to support the applications for Alaska Dam Safety Certificates.
As a result of our Galore Creek sale last year to Newmont, we have $100 million receivable, with an additional $75 million contingent on a Galore Creek construction decision.
And with that, Iâll turn the call back over to GregâŚ
Thank you, Dave. These are exciting times to be in the gold space and particularly invested in a unique project like Donlin Gold: a federally permitted, with strong, long-term partnership in the communities of Western Alaska, and in a jurisdiction where the rule of law is not a novelty.
And, on Slide 11 we compare Donlin Goldâs almost 40 million ounces in resources to 14 other development stage projects in the industry.
If you look at the peer group average, Donlin is better than twice the size of the nearest comparable - and more than 5-fold bigger than the average.
The scale of the resource is a key attribute. Another is the grade as shown on Slide 12. The average grade of Donlin sets it apart from other large open-pit deposits. Donlin Goldâs grade at 2.24 g/t is double the industry average.
With scale and excellent grades, if it was built today, Donlin Gold would be the largest gold mine in the industry.
While those are strengths of this unique deposit, for an investor, thereâs additional value that comes with a mine life with a multi-decade lifespan and the envisioned substantial gold output.
As currently envisioned, in its first five years, Donlin Gold would average 1.5 million ounces per year for the first five years, followed by 1.1 million ounces per year for the life of mine, as shown on Slide 13.
There are few mines existing or proposed with that level of output.
Looking at comparable-scale mining operations globally today, Donlin would rank among the top operations.
Slide 14 shows the world map with the scale of the project and how it compares to the top 10 largest producing mining operations globally.
Only four operations are expected to produce more than one million ounces in 2019, including the new Nevada Gold Mines Complex joint venture between our partner Barrick and Newmont Goldcorp, further illustrating that projects like Donlin are scarce and needed to replenish the industryâs diminishing reserves.
With years of study and engineering work already achieved through the permitting process, and roughly 1,400 holes in this deposit as shown on Slide 15, we have a deep understanding of the deposit and the resource as we prepare for the next stage of development.
The ACMA and Lewis Deposits can be seen on Slide 16. The nature of the topography at Donlin is also favorable for development. These lands have been set aside specifically for mining exploration and development.
It is a rare distinguishing feature in mining projects today that both the mineral and surface rights to the project land are privately owned, in this case by our long-term partners, Calista Corporation and The Kuskokwim Corporation.
As shown on Slide 17, the ACMA and Lewis Deposits , which are marked in the blue area, contain the 39-million-ounce resource but occupy only 3 km of an 8 km gold-bearing mineralized trend that has been indicated by past drilling.
Our focus is on continuing the optimization program based on the existing drill database, however, there are clearly future opportunities for substantial expansion of the resource through additional drilling.
When the time is right, we will resume exploration drilling.
Mining is an important part of the Alaska landscape, as can be seen in Slide 18, with numerous exploration and development projects like Donlin Gold advancing.
With other resource industries experiencing low or no growth, the opportunities in mining present good-paying jobs closer to home for Alaskans living in remote regions of the State. The depopulation of smaller communities is a serious concern for many residents of western Alaska and Donlin Gold offers a different future with training and opportunities for young people to live closer to home.
As highlighted on Slide 19, being in a geopolitically safe jurisdiction is another key attribute of the Donlin Gold project. Alaska supports and welcomes responsible development and, as the second-largest gold producing State in the United States, itâs arguably one of the safest legal jurisdiction in the world.
The Fraser Institute ranked Alaska fifth globally using itsâ Investment Attractiveness Index to measure mining-friendly jurisdictions, something that many other gold development projects do not have in their favor. The Great State of Alaska is a great place to do business.
Thereâs tremendous value in having a project like Donlin Gold located on private land. As seen in blue on Slide 20, Calista owns the mineral rights; and locally, TKC owns the surface rights.
Donlin has long-standing Life of Mine Agreements with both partners who have been deeply involved and supportive from the start. Weâve been partners since 1995 and we are thankful for Calista and TKCâs long-term support and commitment to Donlin Gold and for the projectâs continued success. We support their mandate through ANCSA to help them develop their land for the economic benefit of the regions and all stakeholders involved.
They have an ownersâ interest in seeing the project go forward.
The positive Record of Decision in August last year and completion of the Federal permitting process were significant milestones in the advancement of the Donlin Gold project. This was the first ever joint Record of Decision that was signed by two Federal agencies. As shown on Slide 21, the lead for the Corps and BLM at the time were present for the signing ceremony.
We were very pleased with the ROD, as the project was approved in itâs entirety with no unusual stipulations attached.
The NOVAGOLD team has reached some significant milestones, particularly with the receipt of key Federal permits, and while we have been working through the State permitting process, the timeline for development, as shown on Slide 22, is now within the ownersâ control.
We at NOVAGOLD have been working with our partner Barrick at Donlin Gold to study ways to further improve the projectâs value and to reduce initial capital outlays through enhanced project design and execution, engagement of third-party operators for certain activities, and potential for financing of some capital-intensive infrastructure.
Weâve taken the next step with the start of an extensive field program this quarter, including collecting additional geotechnical information through drilling and field testing and other work, to advance the engineering and further our technical knowledge and geological understanding of the project.
We will continue to advance Donlin in a financially disciplined manner with a strong focus on environmental stewardship and social responsibility.
As shown on Slide 23, we implement our social responsibility programs and commitments in four important areas on an ongoing basis with recent examples that include
promoting the health and safety of our people on site and throughout the region on the river during the various seasons,
supporting the well-being of communities and assisting youth in their education,
partnering to improve the environment through proper disposal of hazardous materials, and
recognizing the importance of preserving traditional lifestyles while bringing tangible, long-lasting benefits to our community partners.
We are committed to being an integral part of western Alaska.
With that, I will now turn the call over to Dr. Kaplan who will give us his insight into gold. TomâŚ
We have moved Donlin Gold up the value chain and look forward to the next chapter as we advance the project. It is our belief that the Company is truly well positioned to create value for its shareholders.
To conclude, with prudent cash management of a strong balance sheet of $153M in cash on hand and another $100M in receivables from Newmont Goldcorp, a unique asset in one of the safest jurisdictions in the world where rule of law is not a novelty, plus the right partnerships and people to take this project forward, Donlin has the potential to become one of the most coveted precious metals assets in the world.
Operator, we can now open the lines for questions.