NovaGold Resources Inc. released its 2020 year-end financial results and an update on its Tier One gold development project Donlin Gold, which NOVAGOLD owns equally with Barrick. In 2020, NOVAGOLD achieved the following milestones: NOVAGOLD and Barrick successfully completed the 2020 drill program at Donlin Gold: The Donlin Gold team exceeded the work plan by completing a total of 85 core holes drilled in the proposed ACMA and Lewis pit areas encompassing approximately 23,400 meters, With extensive communication and the application of health and safety protocols, there were zero COVID-19 cases on site and no Lost-Time Incidents, With results released to the public from 16,680 meters or over 70% of the length drilled, the assays continue to demonstrate higher grade-thicknesses than predicted by previous modeling, Five of the top intervals highlighted in the January 19, 2021 Donlin Gold joint media release include: DC20-1937 intersected 103.88 m grading 6.1 g/t gold, starting at 390.19 m drilled depth, including a sub-interval of 22.15 m grading 12.5 g/t, starting at 459.17 m drilled depth; DC20-1903 intersected 8.14 m grading 45.3 g/t gold, starting at 99.39 m drilled depth, including a sub-interval of 6.84 m grading 52.1 g/t gold, starting at 99.39 m drilled depth; DC20-1912 intersected 37.30 m grading 7.0 g/t gold, starting at 249.70 m drilled depth, including a sub-interval of 3.30 m grading 24.5 g/t gold, starting at 251.70 m drilled depth; DC20-1930 intersected 39.15 m grading 4.3 g/t gold, starting at 148.85 m drilled depth, including a sub-interval of 5.60 m grading 12.5 g/t gold, starting at 182.40 m drilled depth; and DC20-1895 intersected 23.80 m grading 6.5 g/t gold, starting at 218.28 m drilled depth, including a sub-interval of 7.12 m grading 12.7 g/t gold, starting at 220.28 m drilled depth. Remaining assay results from the 2020 drill program are expected in the coming months. Excellent Grades At Donlin Gold: The Donlin Gold 2020 drill program commenced in February and was paused temporarily in early April due to COVID-19. Activities resumed in May following the reopening of certain aspects of the State’s economy by Alaska’s Governor, and after consultation with employees, contractors and regional villages regarding COVID-19 protocols and other safety measures. In a year when many exploration drill programs were cancelled due to the pandemic, Donlin Gold was fortunate to have top drilling professionals on site that exceeded expectations by completing drilling ahead of schedule and under budget, including surpassing the number of planned drill holes. The primary objective of the 2020 drill program was to validate recently developed geologic and resource modeling concepts. Suffice to say that the company is thrilled with the results of the drilling thus far. To date, results in both the proposed ACMA and Lewis pit areas continue to exceed modeled expectations, with higher grades observed over narrower intervals, particularly in sedimentary rocks. Once all assay results are received and incorporated into the model, the results are expected to drive an update of mining schedules and life of mine business plans. As of January 2021, assays have been reported for over 70% of the planned program. Final assay results for the 2020 drill program are expected to be reported in the coming months. Results are some of the best in the gold industry for a large open pit deposit. The numbers tell the story. Here are the top ten assay results received to-date from the 2020 drill program: DC20-1937 intersected 103.88 m grading 6.1 g/t gold, starting at 390.19 m drilled depth, including a sub-interval of 22.15 m grading 12.5 g/t, starting at 459.17 m drilled depth; DC20-1871 intersected 41.91 m grading 11.6 g/t gold, starting at 30.35 m drilled depth, including sub-intervals of 4.00 m grading 17.0 g/t, starting at 38.24 m drilled depth, and 6.48 m grading 38.8 g/t gold, starting at 55.78 m drilled depth; DC20-1903 intersected 8.14 m grading 45.3 g/t gold, starting at 99.39 m drilled depth, including a sub-interval of 6.84 m grading 52.1 g/t, starting at 99.39 m drilled depth; DC20-1877 intersected 4.17 m grading 80.6 g/t gold, starting at 123.48 m drilled depth, including a sub-interval of 3.15 m grading 106.2 g/t, 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 sub-interval of 3.25 m grading 90.5 g/t, starting at 180.26 m drilled depth; DC20-1912 intersected 37.30 m grading 7.0 g/t gold, starting at 249.70 m drilled depth, including a sub-interval of 3.30 m grading 24.5 g/t, starting at 251.70 m drilled depth; DC20-1866 intersected 45.91 m grading 5.0 g/t gold, starting at 35.39 m drilled depth, including a sub-interval of 11.95 m grading 10.4 g/t, starting at 63.35 m drilled depth; DC20-1878 intersected 19.77 m grading 11.3 g/t gold, starting at 48.86 m drilled depth, including a sub-interval of 7.00 m grading 25.2 g/t, 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 sub-interval of 7.94 m grading 11.3 g/t, starting at 224.20 m drilled depth; and DC20-1930 intersected 39.15 m grading 4.3 g/t gold, starting at 148.85 m drilled depth, including a sub-interval of 5.60 m grading 12.5 g/t, starting at 182.40 m drilled depth. Building on the outstanding work to date, and now these exciting new results, NOVAGOLD is working with Barrick’s management and technical team to advance the project in a financially disciplined manner, with a strong focus on engineering excellence, environmental stewardship, safety, and community engagement.