Donlin Gold Initial 2021 Results Continue to Deliver
NOVAGOLD
The Donlin Gold project, owned jointly by NOVAGOLD and Barrick Gold, reported initial assay results from the 2021 drill program. Program results continue to advance the project in preparation for the feasibility study update, support mineral resources and report significant new high-grade intercepts.
Assay results have been received from approximately 7,500 meters of drilling:
- Significant new high-grade drill hole intercepts in ACMA and in areas between ACMA and Lewis deposits (Divide) point toward the potential feeder zones of this large system
- Collected data support the mineral resources, provides further information on local variability, and further increases confidence in recent geologic modeling concepts
The drill program, expanded by approximately 15 holes and 4,000 meters from the original 2021 plan, should provide important information on mineralization continuity that will support feasibility work. The 2021 drill program is expected to encompass approximately 80 holes for a total of 24,000 meters drilled and should wrap-up in the fall.
The primary objective of the 2021 drill program is to complete the work necessary to validate and increase the confidence in recent geologic modeling concepts. Initial results indicate variable controls on mineralization in different deposit areas, with more continuous mineralization hosted in ACMA intrusives and more discrete intervals occurring in the sediments and intrusives in Lewis.
The additional confirmation and extension drilling focuses on further testing of orebody continuity and structural control, and data collection for geotechnical and geometallurgical analysis. The drilling program was recently expanded to test an area of ACMA for mineralization continuity. The logging and assay results will then be incorporated into a geologic model update, followed by a shift in focus to feasibility study work, subject to a formal decision by the Donlin Gold Board.
Two of the top intervals received in the program to-date include:
- DC21-1970 intersected 92.02 m grading 7.8 g/t gold, starting at 69.70 m drilled depth, including sub intervals of 3.20 m grading 29.2 g/t gold, starting at 70.70 m drilled depth; 3.01 m grading 14.0 g/t gold, starting at 81.90 m drilled depth; 3.65 m grading 12.5 g/t gold, starting at 104.85 m drilled depth; and 5.18 m grading 33.7 g/t gold, starting at 146.03 m drilled depth; and
- DC21-1963A intersected 40.97 m grading 10.5 g/t gold, starting at 114.30 m drilled depth, including a sub interval of 14.96 m grading 22.2 g/t gold, starting at 117.24 m drilled depth.
Making History
The track of oil and gas development in Alaska shows the footprints of bold companies and hard-working individuals who shaped the industry in the past and continue to innovate today. The May 2024 issue of Alaska Business explores that history while looking forward to new product development, the energy transition for the fishing fleet, and the ethics of AI tools in business.