NOVAGOLD RELEASES 2025 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT Delivering a comprehensive overview of NOVAGOLD’s environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance, underscoring its strong health and safety record, ongoing commitment to
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NOVAGOLD RELEASES 2025 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
Delivering a comprehensive overview of NOVAGOLD’s environmental, social, and governance (ESG)
performance, underscoring its strong health and safety record, ongoing commitment to
environmental stewardship, sustained community investment, active stakeholder engagement, and
robust corporate governance practices.
Highlighting NOVAGOLD’s investment in Donlin Gold LLC (“Donlin Gold”) and its engagement with
stakeholders, with an emphasis on meaningful community dialogue and utmost consideration of
local priorities and concerns.
Demonstrating ongoing and enhanced alignment with globally recognized sustainability disclosure
frameworks, including the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) and Task
Force on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), alongside continued adherence to the Global
Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards.
May 13, 2026 – Vancouver, British Columbia – NOVAGOLD RESOURCES INC. (“NOVAGOLD” or the
“Company”) (NYSE American, TSX: NG) is pleased to announce the publication of its 2025 Sustainability
Report which provides an overview of the Company’s performance in the areas of environmental
responsibility, health and safety, social engagement, and corporate governance in alignment with the
recommendations of the TCFD, the TNFD and GRI standards.
“Our vision is to create a lasting positive impact, while strengthening partnerships and safeguarding the
environment for future generations”, said Greg Lang, NOVAGOLD’s President and CEO. “At NOVAGOLD, our
ESG practices continue to evolve as we advance the responsible development of Donlin Gold and deepen
our commitment to the people of the Yukon-Kuskokwim region. We prioritize close collaboration with local
communities, drawing on their knowledge and perspectives to minimize environmental impacts, support
sustainable economic opportunities, and guide responsible project advancement.”
Highlights of NOVAGOLD’s 2025 Sustainability Report
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As a development-stage mining company primarily focused on the Donlin Gold project, we adopt a long -
term approach to developing, implementing, and reporting our sustainability practices. Our efforts center
on collaboration with key stakeholders to protect the environment and invest in the local communities
and businesses of Southwestern Alaska.
At NOVAGOLD, our business is grounded in the belief that strong ESG performance is fundamental to
long-term success. Integrating ESG principles into how we operate supports the achievement of our
strategic objectives, fosters enduring value for local communities, and aligns with the financial
expectations of our shareholders as we responsibly advance our business.
The 2025 Sustainability Report is available on NOVAGOLD’s website here.
About NOVAGOLD
NOVAGOLD is a well-financed precious metals company focused on the development of the Donlin Gold
project in Alaska, one of the safest mining jurisdictions in the world. With approximately 40 million ounces
of gold in the Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource categories (560 million tonnes at an average
grade of approximately 2.22 grams per tonne, in the Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource categories
on a 100% basis)1, inclusive of Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves, the Donlin Gold project is regarded
to be one of the largest, highest-grade, and most prospective known open-pit gold deposits in the world.
According to the 2025 Technical Report and the 2025 Technical Report Summary (as defined below), the
Donlin Gold project is expected to produce an average of more than one million ounces per year over a
27-year mine life on a 100% basis once in production. 2
About Donlin Gold Holdings
Donlin Gold Holdings, 100% wholly-owned by Paulson Advisers LLC and its affiliates, is the 40% owner of
the Donlin Gold project. Donlin Gold Holdings, together with NOVAGOLD, owns 100% of Donlin Gold and
shares equal voting and operating control with NOVAGOLD through its operating agreement.
NOVAGOLD Contacts:
Mélanie Hennessey
Vice President, Corporate Communications
Frank Gagnon
Manager, Investor Relations
604-669-6227 or 1-866-669-6227
www.novagold.com
1 Donlin Gold data as per the report titled “NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Donlin Gold project, Alaska, USA” with an effective date of November 30,
2025 (the “2025 Technical Report”) and the report titled “S -K 1300 Technical Report Summary on the Donlin Gold Project, Ala ska, USA” (the “2025
Technical Report Summary”), dated November 30, 2025. Donlin Gold possesses Measured Resources of approximately 9 Mt grading 2.67 g/t and
Indicated Resources of approximately 551 Mt grading 2.21 g/t, each on a 100% basis and inclusive of Mineral Reserves, of which approximately 6 Mt of
Measured Resources and approximately 330 Mt of Indicated Resources inclusive of Mineral Reserves is currently attributable to NOVAGOLD through its
60% ownership interest in Donlin Gold LLC. Exclusive of Mineral Reserves, Donlin Gold possesses Measured Resources of approxi mately 1.4 Mt grading
1.18 g/t and Indicated Resources of approximately 175 Mt grading 1.32 g/t, of which approximately 0.9 Mt of Measured Resources and approximately
105 Mt of Indicated Resources exclusive of Mineral Reserves is currently attributable to NOVAGOLD. Donlin Gold possesses Prov en Reserves of
approximately 9 Mt grading 2.29 g/t and Probable Reserves of approximately 495 Mt grading 2.02 g/t, each on a 100% basis, of which approximately 6
Mt of Proven Reserves and approximately 297 Mt of Probable Reserves is attributable to NOVAGOLD. Mineral Reserve and Resource s have been
estimated in accordance with NI 43-101 and S-K 1300.
2 Anticipated average annual gold production during full life of mine if put into production as contemplated in the 2025 Techni cal Report and the 2025
Technical Report Summary.
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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 include future-oriented financial information or financial outlook within the meaning of securities
laws, including information regarding NOVAGOLD’s anticipated expenditures. Such information is intended to assist readers in
understanding NOVAGOLD’s current expectations and plans relating to the future. Such information may not be appropriate for other
purposes. 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 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 our goals and planned activities for 2026; ongoing support provided to key stakeholders including Alaska
Native Corporation landowners and local communities and businesses of Southwestern Alaska; the potential development and
construction of the Donlin Gold project; the sufficiency of funds to continue to advance development of Donlin Gold; mineral reserve
and mineral resource estimates; plans to continue to advance the Donlin Gold project safely, socially and environmentally responsibly
and to sustainably generate value for our stakeholders; continued cooperation between the owners of Donlin Gold LLC to advance the
project; and the Company’s ability to deliver on its strategy with the Donlin Gold project, increasing the value of the project. In addition,
any statement that refers 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 the expectations of NOVAGOLD
management’s 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 obtaining and maintaining permits necessary to construct and operate; the need
for additional financing to complete an updated Bankable Feasibility Study and to explore and develop properties; availability of
financing in the debt and capital markets; the disparity between the economic and governance level at Donlin Gold and the Company;
disease pandemics; 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 the owners of Donlin Gold LLC to advance the project; 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; unexpected cost increases, which could include significant increases in estimated
capital and operating costs; fluctuations in metal prices and currency exchange rates; whether or when a positive construction decision
will be made regarding the Donlin Gold project; and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in 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 NOVAGOLD with applicable
securities regulatory authorities from time to time. Copies of these filings may be obtained by visiting NOVAGOLD’s website at
www.novagold.com, or the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov, or on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. The forward-looking statements
contained herein reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections of NOVAGOLD 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.