Donlin GOLD Announces Assay Results from Remaining 30 Percent of the 2020 Drill Program, Consistent with Previously Reported Results of Higher Than Predicted Grade-Thickness Strong Outcome Confirms Follow-up Drill Program Planned FOR 2021

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DONLIN GOLD ANNOUNCES ASSAY RESULTS

FROM REMAINING 30 PERCENT OF THE 2020 DRILL PROGRAM, CONSISTENT WITH

PREVIOUSLY REPORTED RESULTS OF HIGHER THAN PREDICTED GRADE-THICKNESS

STRONG OUTCOME CONFIRMS FOLLOW-UP DRILL PROGRAM PLANNED FOR 2021

March 25, 2021 – Anchorage, AK – Donlin Gold LLC (“Donlin Gold”), owned 50/50 by Barrick Gold Corporation

(“Barrick”) (TSX: ABX) (NYSE: GOLD) and NOVAGOLD RESOURCES INC. (“NOVAGOLD”) (TSX, NYSE American:

NG), is pleased to share the last set of assay results from the successful 2020 85-hole, 23,361-meter drill

program.

 Assay results for all 85 completed holes now reported, representing a final total of 23,361 meters drilled

 Assay results demonstrate higher drilled grade-thickness than predicted by previous modelling

 Data collected has resulted in an improved appreciation of the controls on mineralization

 Drill program results will be integrated into the geologic model

The Board of Donlin Gold is considering additional confirmation and extension drilling to expand upon recent

successes and fresh insights into the continuity and structural controls of the higher-grade mineralization.

Exceeding Expectations, Safely

The primary objective of the 2020 drill program, the largest such campaign at Donlin Gold since 2008, was to validate

and increase the confidence in recent geologic modeling concepts.

Results in both the ACMA and Lewis deposit areas exceeded grade-thickness predicted by previous modeling, with

higher grades observed over narrower intervals, particularly in sedimentary rocks.

Additional confirmation and extension drilling are being planned for the 2021 field season with a focus on further

testing, orebody continuity, structural control, and geotechnical and geometallurgical data collection and analysis.

The drilling program specifics will be finalized once all assay results have been integrated into an interim model

update. It is anticipated that on the completion of the 2021 drilling program and a final geologic model update, the

focus will then shift to updating the feasibility study subject to a formal decision by the Board.

Five of the top intervals received or updated since the January 19, 2021 media release include:

 DC20-1930 intersected 51.15 m grading 4.6 g/t gold, starting at 148.85 m drilled depth, including a sub

interval of 7.60 m grading 12.4 g/t gold, starting at 182.40 m drilled depth;

 DC20-1932 intersected 47.66 m grading 4.8 g/t gold, starting at 101.62 m drilled depth, including a sub

interval of 4.00 m grading 19.5 g/t gold, starting at 143.28 m drilled depth;

 DC20-1948 intersected 22.61 m grading 8.7 g/t gold, starting at 161.50 m drilled depth, including a sub

interval of 10.08 m grading 15.5 g/t gold, starting at 167.50 m drilled depth;

 DC20-1938 intersected 17.96 m grading 10.5 g/t gold, starting at 1.83 m drilled depth, including a sub

interval of 3.96 m grading 28.0 g/t gold, starting at 1.83 m drilled depth; and

 DC20-1946 intersected 35.80 m grading 4.5 g/t gold, starting at 96.20 m drilled depth.

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 Drill hole collar locations and five of the top intervals since the January 19, 2021 release are shown in Figure 1

 Drill hole orientations and depths and significant intervals are shown in Tables 1 and 2, respectively, in the

Appendix at the end of this release.

These results were accomplished between March and October 2020 with zero COVID -19 cases on site and no Lost-

Time Incidents.

Statements by the Owners

Barrick President and Chief Executive Mark Bristow said, “The highly successful and COVID-free conclusion of the

2020 drill program, and in particular the strong results Barrick and NOVAGOLD have been sharing over the past eight

months, represent a major step forward in improving the geological confidence in the Donlin project, a necessary

step to advancing Donlin up the value chain.” He extended his thanks to the Donlin Gold team.

Greg Lang, NOVAGOLD’s President and CEO, said, “On every level, the results of the largest drill program at Donlin

Gold in 12 years have been incredibly rewarding for the partnership and all stakeholders. Since we released the initial

results in August last year, the assays have consistently revealed higher -grade gold intersections. These have only

served to elevate Donlin Gold’s confidence in the recent geologic modeling concepts developed by the Barrick and

NOVAGOLD teams, while confirming multiple high-grade extensions in both the intrusive (igneous) and sedimentary

rocks, including near surface. One such near surface hit in drill hole DC20-1938, revealed today in this final set of

results, intersected 17.96 m grading 10.5 g/t gold including 3.96 m grading 28.0 g/t gold starting at 1.83 m drilled

depth. Needless to say, the assay results from the 2020 drill program further strengthen our resolve and belief in the

extraordinary nature of Donlin Gold and provide us with a wealth of new knowledge to integrate into an updated

geologic model.”

Dan Graham, General Manager of the Donlin Gold JV added, “By far, our most important objective in 2020 was to

protect the health and safety of our workforce, contractors, and the residents of the Yukon-Kuskokwim (Y-K) region.

Despite the added challenge of navigating a pandemic, all 2020 drill program objectives were transcended and

accomplished with zero COVID-19 cases on site and no Lost-Time Incidents. This is a testament to the

professionalism and teamwork of all involved. It is an honor to work directly with our Alaska Native Corporation

partners, Calista Corporation (“Calista”) and The Kuskokwim Corporation (“TKC”), as well as the communities in the Y-

K region. Thanks to the Donlin Gold team, as well as to Calista and TKC for their dedication to the highest standards

of safety, social responsibility, and environmental stewardship. We are all proud to be bringing a federally permitted

project up the value chain in one of the world’s most stable jurisdictions, the great State of Alaska, where there are

numerous examples of socially and environmentally responsible mining projects , we as an industry can be proud of,

and which can provide long-lasting benefits to future generations.”

About Donlin Gold

Donlin Gold LLC 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 percent 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 kilometers of an eight-kilometer mineralized

belt, which itself is located on less than 5% of Donlin Gold’s land position. Current activities at Donlin Gold are

focused on the drill program, optimization efforts, community outreach , and advancing the remaining State

permitting actions.

Donlin Gold is a committed partner to the Alaska Native Communities both surrounding the project and within the

State as a whole. This commitment underpins our approach and is also reflected in the way in which the asset itself is

structured. An important factor that distinguishes Donlin Gold from most other mining assets in Alaska is that the

1 Donlin Gold data as per the Second Updated Feasibility Study (as defined below). Donlin Gold measured resources of approximately 8 Mt grading

2.52 g/t and indicated resources of approximately 534 Mt grading 2.24 g/t, each on a 100% basis, of which Barrick and NOVAGOLD each own 50%.

Mineral resources have been estimated in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”).

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project is located on private land designated for mining activities five decades ago. Donlin Gold has entered into life-

of-mine agreements with Calista, which owns the subsurface mineral rights, and TKC, a collection of 10 village

corporations, which owns the surface land rights, and is committed to providing employment opportunities,

scholarships, and preferential contract considerations to Calista and TKC shareholders. These agreements include a

revenue-sharing structure, established by the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANSCA) of 1971, which resolved

Alaska Native land claims, allotting 44 million acres of land for use by Alaska Native Corporations. Additionally, our

long-term commitment to economic development is exemplified by Donlin Gold’s support of TKC’s initiative to

launch energy and infrastructure projects in middle Kuskokwim villages. These partnerships, activities, and programs

are illustrative of the commitment to the sustainable and responsible development of the Donlin Gold project for the

benefit of all stakeholders.

FIGURE 1 Drill Hole Collar Locations

Depicted grid system is based on NAD83 UTM zone 4N coordinates.

The owners provided previous updates on assay results in the August 6, 2020 media release “Donlin Gold Project

Provides Update on Recent Drilling and Ongoing Community Support in Alaska Amid C OVID-19 Pandemic” , the

October 26, 2020 media release “ Donlin Gold 2020 Q3 Update: Drilling Continues to Yield High Grade Intercepts

and Improve Geological Modeling”, and the January 19, 2021 media release “Donlin Gold 2020 Q4 Drilling Program

Assay Results Continue to Exceed Modeled Projection s While Partners Deliver a Safe and COVID -Free Year.” These

previously disclosed results are referenced in Table 2 and marked with their disclosure date.

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QA/QC 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% core

recovery was achieved. Core was logged, cut, and sampled at site by Donlin Gold employees. Samples were primarily

collected on two-meter lengths, with a minimum length of 0.3 meters and maximum length of approximately 3.5

meters. Sampled half-core was crushed and pulverized in ALS Limited’s Fairbanks, Alaska; Whitehorse, Yukon; or

Vancouver, British Columbia sample preparation facilities. Pulp samples were sent to the ALS labs in Vancouver,

British Columbia; Lima, Peru; or Reno, Nevada for gold assays and to labs in Vancouver, British Columbia or Lima, Peru

for multi-element 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 96% of reported completed holes by DGI Geoscience Inc. technicians, and collar surveys were

completed on all holes by Professional Licensed Surveyors from either Rowland Engineering Consultants or Brice

Engineering LLC.

Each of ALS Limited, Boart Longyear, DGI Geoscience Inc., Rowland Engineering Consultants, and Brice Engineering

LLC are 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 November 18, 2011, as amended January 20, 2012 (the “Second Updated Feasibility

Study”). Kirk Hanson, P.E., Technical Director, Open Pit Mining, North America, (AMEC, Reno) is the Qualified Person

responsible for the preparation of the independent technical report, and an independent “qualified person” as defined

by NI 43-101. Wood Canada Limited (“Wood” formerly AMEC Americas Limited) is currently updating all sections of the

Second Updated Feasibility Study with updated costs, economic assessment, permitting information, and technical

information related to permitting, generated on the Donlin Gold project since 2011, which is anticipated to be finalized

and filed during 2021. Based on that cost review, Wood determined that updating the Second Updated Feasibility

Study using 2020 costs and new gold price guidance results in no material change to the mineral resources or mineral

reserves. The economic assessment in the updated study may be materially different than in the 2011 study.

Clifford Krall, P.E., 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 visited the project site

twice during the 2020 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 sign ificant assay interval calculations.

Octavia Bath, P.Geo., 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.

Barrick Contacts:

Kathy du Plessis

Investor and Media Relations

+44 20 7557 7738

Email: [email protected]

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Catherine Raw

COO, North America

Tel: +1 416-307-5157

www.barrick.com

NOVAGOLD Contacts:

Mélanie Hennessey

Vice President, Corporate Communications

Jason Mercier

Manager, Investor Relations

Tel: +1 604-669-6227 or 1-866-669-6227

www.novagold.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This media release includes certain “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” (collectively “forward-looking statements”) within

the meaning of applicable securities legislation, including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements

are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as “expects”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “intends”, “estimates”, “potential”, “possible”, and similar

expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results “will”, “may”, “could”, “would” or “should” occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements

are necessarily based on several opinions, estimates and assumptions that management of Barrick and NOVAGOLD considered appropriate and

reasonable as of the date such statements are made, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may

cause the actual results, activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking

statements. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements

include statements regarding anticipated benefits from the 2020 drill program including an improved geological model for Donlin Gold; the update to the

Second Updated Feasibility Study and the results thereof, ongoing support provided to key stakeholders including Native Corporation partners; the

potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the development of Donlin Gold; the potential development and construction of Donlin Gold; the

sufficiency of funds to continue to advance development of Donlin Gold; perceived merit of properties; mineral reserve and resource estimates; and future

share price performance of Barrick and NOVAGOLD. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, intentions, projections or other

characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts but instead

represent Barrick’s and NOVAGOLD’s management expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events or circumstances on the date the

statements are made.

Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations include the need to obtain additional permits and governmental

approvals; the timing and likelihood of permits including the right-of-way lease offer for the project’s buried natural gas pipeline; the need for additional

financing to explore and develop properties and availability of financing in the debt and capital markets; the outbreak of the coronavirus global pandemic

(COVID-19); uncertainties involved in the interpretation of drill results and geological tests and the estimation of reserves and resources; changes in mineral

production performance, exploitation and exploration successes; changes in national and local government legislation, taxation, controls or regulations

and/or changes in the administration of laws, policies and practices, expropriation or nationalization of property and political or economic developments in

the United States or Canada; the need for continued cooperation between Barrick and NOVAGOLD for the continued exploration, and development and

eventual construction 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, disease pandemics, non-compliance with

environmental and permit requirements, unanticipated variation in geological structures, ore grades or recovery rates; unexpected cost increases, which

could include significant increases in estimated capital and operating costs; fluctuations in metal prices and currency exchange rates; whether a positive

construction decision will be made regarding Donlin Gold; and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in Barrick’s most recent Form 40-F/Annual Information

Form on file with the SEC and Canadian provincial securities regulatory authorities and NOVAGOLD’s most recent reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q,

particularly the "Risk Factors" sections of those reports and other documents filed by Barrick and NOVAGOLD with applicable securities regulatory authorities

from time to time. Copies of these filings may be obtained by visiting Barrick’s and NOVAGOLD’s Investor Relations website at www.barrick.com and

www.novagold.com, respectively, or the SEC's website at www.sec.gov, or at www.sedar.com. The forward-looking statements contained herein reflect the

beliefs, opinions and projections of Barrick and NOVAGOLD on the date the statements are made. Barrick and NOVAGOLD assume no obligation to update

the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law.

Cautionary Note to United States Investors

NOVAGOLD cautions that this media release has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the securities laws in effect in Canada, which differ

from the requirements of U.S. securities laws. Unless otherwise indicated, all resource and reserve estimates included in this media release have been

prepared in accordance with Canadian National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”) and the Canadian Institute of

Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM)—CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, adopted by the CIM Council, as amended

(“CIM Definition Standards”). NI 43-101 is a rule developed by the Canadian Securities Administrators which establishes standards for all public disclosure an

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issuer makes of scientific and technical information concerning mineral projects. Canadian standards, including NI 43-101, differ significantly from the

requirements of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Industry Guide 7 (“SEC Industry Guide 7”), and resource and reserve information

contained herein may not be comparable to similar information disclosed by U.S. companies. NOVAGOLD’s disclosure concerning Reserve & Resources

Estimates remains consistent with NI 43-101. Under SEC Industry Guide 7, mineralization may not be classified as a "reserve” 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. SEC Industry

Guide 7 normally does not permit the inclusion of information concerning "measured mineral resources”, "indicated mineral resources” or "inferred mineral

resources” or other descriptions of the amount of mineralization in mineral deposits that do not constitute "reserves” under SEC Industry Guide 7 in

documents filed with the SEC. Investors should also understand that "inferred mineral resources” have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence

and great uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. Under Canadian rules, estimated "inferred mineral resources” may not form the basis of

feasibility or pre-feasibility studies except in rare cases. Disclosure of "contained ounces” in a resource is permitted disclosure under Canadian regulations;

however, the SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute "reserves” under SEC Industry Guide 7 as in-place tonnage

and grade without reference to unit measures. The requirements of NI 43-101 for identification of "reserves” are also not the same as those of SEC Industry

Guide 7, and reserves reported by NOVAGOLD in compliance with NI 43-101 may not qualify as "reserves” under SEC Industry Guide 7. Donlin Gold does not

have known reserves, as defined under SEC Industry Guide 7. Accordingly, information concerning mineral deposits set forth herein may not be comparable

with information made public by companies that report in accordance with SEC Industry Guide 7.

On October 31, 2018, the SEC adopted a final rule (“New Final Rule”) that will replace SEC 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 Company’s first fiscal year beginning on or after January 1, 2021, which for NOVAGOLD would be the fiscal year beginning December 1, 2021. The

New Final Rule provides that SEC Industry Guide 7 will remain effective until all registrants are required to comply with the New Final Rule, at which time

SEC Industry Guide 7 will be rescinded. 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.

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APPENDIX

TABLE 1

Drill Hole Orientations* and Depths

Hole Azimuth (°) Inclination (°) Depth (m)

DC20-1865 237 79 227.0

DC20-1866 45 67 302.7

DC20-1867 28 73 217.5

DC20-1868 358 67 247.2

DC20-1869 330 72 175.9

DC20-1870 307 71 249.9

DC20-1871 303 63 458.4

DC20-1872 312 53 632.8

DC20-1873 250 49 274.9

DC20-1874 300 76 253.0

DC20-1875 304 53 218.5

DC20-1876 288 69 235.0

DC20-1877 303 73 249.9

DC20-1878 304 55 459.9

DC20-1879 302 58 231.0

DC20-1880 300 71 249.9

DC20-1881 301 52 256.0

DC20-1882 327 56 524.9

DC20-1883 308 54 266.4

DC20-1884 306 72 251.8

DC20-1885 278 63 296.6

DC20-1886 304 56 255.4

DC20-1887 305 60 255.4

DC20-1888 312 72 266.5

DC20-1889 328 56 406.6

DC20-1890 abandoned before completion, re-drilled as 1891

DC20-1891 331 55 377.3

DC20-1892 184 63 300.2

DC20-1893 312 75 260.9

DC20-1894 230 67 620.6

DC20-1895 329 53 362.1

DC20-1896 abandoned before completion, re-drilled as 1898

DC20-1897 325 59 335.0

DC20-1898 302 77 250.9

DC20-1899 358 63 201.0

DC20-1900 302 71 235.0

DC20-1901 306 65 464.8

DC20-1902 287 61 176.2

DC20-1903 259 64 150.7

DC20-1904 0 69 200.0

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Hole Azimuth (°) Inclination (°) Depth (m)

DC20-1905 290 58 212.5

DC20-1906 181 77 347.8

DC20-1907 305 63 431.6

DC20-1908 305 60 351.4

DC20-1909 5 75 239.3

DC20-1910 288 51 235.0

DC20-1911 1 78 150.3

DC20-1912 302 65 474.3

DC20-1913 296 63 224.9

DC20-1914 290 66 200.3

DC20-1915 309 67 325.5

DC20-1916 295 69 218.2

DC20-1917 50 65 175.3

DC20-1918 305 67 252.4

DC20-1919 272 57 249.0

DC20-1920 313 49 253.3

DC20-1921 235 54 607.2

DC20-1922 318 68 254.5

DC20-1923 301 69 211.5

DC20-1924 297 63 228.0

DC20-1925 290 54 210.0

DC20-1926 291 70 150.3

DC20-1927 296 68 299.9

DC20-1928 299 65 226.2

DC20-1929 289 58 214.9

DC20-1930 208 64 233.2

DC20-1931 295 65 152.7

DC20-1932 289 56 175.3

DC20-1933 295 59 200.0

DC20-1934 289 54 250.2

DC20-1935 282 69 150.0

DC20-1936 1 68 231.0

DC20-1937 256 68 531.9

DC20-1938 307 67 150.0

DC20-1939 171 79 151.8

DC20-1940 292 62 200.0

DC20-1941 104 85 175.0

DC20-1942 273 60 175.3

DC20-1943 326 78 215.5

DC20-1944 279 61 320.0

DC20-1945 305 77 283.8

DC20-1946 17 52 263.0

DC20-1947 304 76 240.2

DC20-1948 306 59 305.1