UNITED-UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

☒         QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the Quarterly Period Ended MayAugust 31, 2021

OR

 

☐         TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the Transition Period from         to

Commission File Number: 001-31913

 

 

NOVAGOLD RESOURCES INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

British Columbia	N/A
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
201 South Main Street, Suite 400 Salt Lake City, Utah, USA	84111
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)	(Zip Code)
(801) 639-0511 (Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

(801) 639-0511 (Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code) Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934:

 

Title of Each Class	Trading Symbol	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Shares, no par value	NG	NYSE American Toronto Stock Exchange

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

	Large accelerated filer ☒ Accelerated filer ☐	Non-accelerated filer ☐	Smaller reporting company ☐
Accelerated filer ☐		Emerging growth company ☐

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒

 

As of JuneSeptember 22, 2021, the Company had 331,651,314331,677,553 Common Shares, no par value, outstanding.

 

 

---

 

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements or information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 concerning anticipated results and developments in our operations in future periods, planned exploration activities, the adequacy of our financial resources and other events or conditions that may occur in the future. These forward-looking statements may include statements regarding perceived merit of properties, exploration results and budgets, mineral reserves and resource estimates, work programs, capital expenditures, operating costs, cash flow estimates, production estimates and similar statements relating to the economic viability of a project, timelines, strategic plans, including our plans and expectations relating to the Donlin Gold project, permitting and the timing thereof, timing relating to challenges to prior permitting decisions, market prices for precious metals, or other statements that are not statements of fact. These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management. Statements concerning mineral resource estimates may also be deemed to constitute “forward-looking statements” to the extent that they involve estimates of the mineralization that will be encountered if the property is developed.

Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, identified by words or phrases such as “expects”, “is expected”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “plans”, “projects”, “estimates”, “assumes”, “intends”, “strategy”, “goals”, “objectives”, “potential”, “possible” or variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events, conditions or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “should”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements are based on a number of material assumptions, including those listed below, which could prove to be significantly incorrect:

Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation:

This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of our forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements about the future and are inherently uncertain, and our actual achievements or other future events or conditions may differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements due to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors, including, without limitation, those referred to in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended November 30, 2020 and this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q under the heading “Risk Factors” and elsewhere.

Our forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are based on the beliefs, expectations and opinions of management as of the date of this report. We do not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management’s beliefs, expectations or opinions should change, except as required by law. For the reasons set forth above, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

PART I     - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

These condensed consolidated interim financial statements are authorized for issue by the Board of Directors on September 29, 2021. They are signed on the Company’s behalf by:

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

* Accumulated other comprehensive loss

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

NOTE 1 – NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

NOVAGOLD RESOURCES INC. and its affiliates and subsidiaries (collectively, “NOVAGOLD” or the “Company”) operate in the mining industry, focused on the exploration for and development of gold mineral properties. The Company has 0 realized revenues from its planned principal business purpose. The Company’s principal asset is a 50% interest in the Donlin Gold project in Alaska, USA. The Donlin Gold project is owned and operated by Donlin Gold LLC, a limited liability company that is owned equally by wholly-owned subsidiaries of NOVAGOLD and Barrick Gold Corporation (“Barrick”).

The Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements (“interim statements”) of NOVAGOLD are unaudited. In the opinion of management, all adjustments and disclosures necessary for a fair presentation of these interim statements have been included. The results reported in these interim statements are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be reported for the entire year. These interim statements should be read in conjunction with NOVAGOLD’s Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended November 30, 2020. The year-end balance sheet data was derived from the audited financial statements and certain information and footnote disclosures required by United States generally accepted accounting principles (US GAAP) have been condensed or omitted.

The functional currency for the Company’s Canadian operations is the Canadian dollar and the functional currency for the Company’s U.S. operations is the United States dollar. References in these Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements and Notes to $ refer to United States dollars and C$ to Canadian dollars. Dollar amounts are in thousands, except for per share amounts.

NOTE 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Recently adopted accounting pronouncements

Fair Value Disclosure Requirements

In August 2018, Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2018-13 was issued to modify and enhance the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. The Company adopted this standard on December 1, 2020. Adoption of this guidance did not impact the Company’s note disclosures.

NOTE 3 – SEGMENTED INFORMATION

Operating segments are reported in a manner consistent with the internal reporting provided to the chief operating decision-maker. The chief operating decision-maker, who is responsible for allocating resources and assessing performance of the operating segments, has been identified as the Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer considers the business as a asingle single segment considering the performance of our investment in the Donlin Gold project in Alaska, USA (Note 5).

NOTE 4 – NOTES RECEIVABLE

TheOn July 27, 2018, the Company has notes receivable fromsold its interest in the Galore Creek project to a subsidiary of Newmont includingCorporation (“Newmont”) for cash proceeds of $100,000, a $75,000 note receivable upon the earlier of the completion of a new Galore Creek project pre-feasibility study or July 27, 2021, and a $25,000 note receivable upondue on the earlier of the completion of a Galore Creek projectpre-feasibility study or July 27, 2021, a $25,000 note receivable due on the earlier of the completion of a Galore Creek feasibility study or July 27, 2023.31, 2023, On closingand a contingent note for $75,000 upon approval of thea Galore Creek sale,project construction plan by the owner(s). The Company estimated received $75,000 from Newmont on July 27, 2021.

As of August 31, 2021, the faircarrying value of the $75,000 and $25,000 notesnote receivable at $88,398, assuming payments in three andwas $23,363 including $2,415 of accumulated accretion. The carrying value of the note receivable is being accreted to $25,000 over five years respectively, at a discount rate of 3.6% based on quoted market values for Newmont debt with a similar term. The carrying values of the notes receivable are being accreted to $75,000 and $25,000 over three and five years, respectively. As of May 31, 2021, the carrying value of the notes receivable was $97,724 including $9,326 of accumulated accretion.

A contingent note for $75,000$75,000 is receivable upon approval of a Galore Creek project construction plan by the owner(s). NaN value was assigned to the final $75,000$75,000 contingent note receivable. The Company determined that Galore Creek project construction approval was not probable as of the closing of the Galore Creek sale. The Company’s assessment did not change as of MayAugust 31, 2021.

NOTE 5 – INVESTMENT IN DONLIN GOLD

The Donlin Gold project is owned and operated by Donlin Gold LLC, a limited liability company in which wholly-owned subsidiaries of NOVAGOLD and Barrick each own a 50% interest. Donlin Gold LLC has a board of 4 directors,four members, with 2 directorstwo members selected by Barrick and 2 directorstwo members selected by the Company. All significant decisions related to Donlin Gold LLC require the approval of at least a majority of the Donlin Gold LLC board members.

Changes in the Company’s investment in Donlin Gold LLC are summarized as follows:

The following amounts represent the Company’s 50% share of the assets and liabilities of Donlin Gold LLC. Donlin Gold LLC capitalized the initial contribution of the Donlin Gold property as Non-current assets: Mineral property with a carrying value of $64,000, resulting in a higher carrying value of the mineral property for Donlin Gold LLC than that of the Company.

NOTE 6 – OTHER ASSETS

NOTE 7 – PROMISSORY NOTE

The Company has a promissory note payable to Barrick of $112,715,$114,221, comprised of $51,576 in principal, and $61,139$62,645 in accrued interest at U.S. prime plus 2%. The promissory note resulted from the agreement that led to the formation of Donlin Gold LLC, where the Company agreed to reimburse Barrick for a portion of their expenditures incurred from April 1, 2006 to November 30, 2007. The promissory note and accrued interest are payable from 85% of the Company’s share of revenue from future mine production or from any net proceeds resulting from a reduction of the Company’s interest in Donlin Gold LLC. The carrying value of the promissory note approximates fair value.

NOTE 8 – FAIR VALUE ACCOUNTING

Financial instruments measured at fair value are classified into one of three levels in the fair value hierarchy according to the significance of the inputs used in making the measurement.  The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

Level 1 — Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities;

Level 2 — Quoted prices in markets that are not active, or inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability; and

Level 3 — Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (supported by little or no market activity).

The Company’s marketable equity securities are valued using quoted market prices in active markets and as such are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of the marketable equity securities was $2,010$1,755 at MayAugust 31, 2021 ($1,402 at November 30, 2020), calculated as the quoted market price of the marketable equity security multiplied by the quantity of shares held by the Company.

NOTE 9 – GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

NOTE 10 – OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE), NET

NOTE 11 – SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

Stock options

A summary of stock options outstanding as of MayAugust 31, 2021 and activity during the sixnine months ended MayAugust 31, 2021 are as follows:

The following table summarizes other stock option-related information:

As of MayAugust 31, 2021, the Company had $5,031$3,630 of unrecognized compensation cost related to 3,336,0003,325,000 non-vested stock options expected to be recognized and vest over a period of approximately 2.52.25 years.

Performance share units

A summary of PSU awards outstanding as of MayAugust 31, 2021 and activity during the sixnine months ended MayAugust 31, 2021 are as follows:

As of MayAugust 31, 2021, the Company had $5,253$4,201 of unrecognized compensation cost related to 1,583,000 non-vested PSU awards expected to be recognized and vest over a period of approximately 2.52.25 years.

The following table summarizes other PSU-related information:

NOTE 12 – NET CHANGE IN OPERATING ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

In Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, “NOVAGOLD”, the “Company”, “we,” “us” and “our” refer to NOVAGOLD RESOURCES INC. and its consolidated subsidiaries. The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations constitutes management’s review of the factors that affected our financial and operating performance for the three- and six-monthnine-month periods ended MayAugust 31, 2021 and MayAugust 31, 2020. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained elsewhere in this report and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended November 30, 2020, as well as other information we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission on EDGAR at www.sec.gov and with Canadian Securities Administrators on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. References herein to $ refer to United States dollars and C$ to Canadian dollars.

Overview

Our operations primarily relate to the delivery of project milestones, including the achievement of various technical, environmental, sustainable development, economic and legal objectives, obtaining necessary permits, completion of feasibility studies, preparation of engineering designs and the financing to fund these objectives.

Our goals for 2021 include:

SecondThird quarter highlights

COVID-19 response

The Company has implemented policies at its offices in Salt Lake City and Vancouver designed to ensure the safety and well-being of all employees and the people associated with them. In that regard, to reduce risk, our employees have been encouraged to get fully vaccinated against COVID-19, asked to work remotely, avoid all non-essential business travel, adhere to good hygiene practices, and engage in physical distancing. Donlin Gold continues to provide COVID relief support in collaboration with Calista Corporation (“Calista”), The Kuskokwim Corporation (TKC), Calista Corporation (“Calista”) and many tribal governments.

Prior to opening the camp this year, Donlin Gold consulted with its partners Calista and TKC, as well as the home communities of Donlin Gold employees regarding COVID-19 health and safety precautions to protect the workforce and the people of the Yukon-Kuskokwim (Y-K) region. Following a successful 2020 season with zero COVID-19 cases on site, employees and contractors will again have mandatory testing for the 2021 season prior to traveling to the Donlin Gold project camp and upon arrival must follow social distancing and other protective requirements. The Donlin Gold office in Anchorage has recently been closed in response to two positive cases discovered in employees there. All Donlin Gold employees who may have been exposed have been tested, are quarantining, and are currently working remotely in accordance with the Donlin Gold COVID-19 Mitigation Plan protocols.

Continuation of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021 and beyond could impact employee health, workforce productivity, insurance premiums, ability to travel, the availability of industry experts, personnel and equipment, restrictions or delays to field work, studies, and studies,assay results, and other factors that will depend on future developments that may be beyond our control.

Community engagement

To date, Donlin Gold LLC has signed seven Friendship Agreementsmade progress in formalizing its community relationships with Shared Value Statements covering eight villages infrom the Y-K region (Akiak, Sleetmute, Napaimute, Crooked Creek, Napaskiak, Nikolai, Tuluksak and Tuluksak)Kalskag) that formalize current engagement with key local communities. These agreements include educational, environmental, and social initiatives to help provide support thefor these villages.

For the 2021 season, Donlin Gold LLC hired employees from 1820 Y-K communities. In an area with high unemployment and fewer job choices than in urban environments, the work experience and skills training that Donlin Gold provides is attractive and employees are encouraged to bring their safety knowledge into their home village. Local community involvement in the project is core to both Barrick’s and NOVAGOLD’s philosophy, and approximately 70% of Donlin Gold direct hires for this year’s drill program are Alaska Natives.

As a neighbor to others in the Y-K region and as a team largely made up of people from the area, Donlin Gold strives to aid communities with support and resources, particularly when health and safety are of concern. Donlin Gold is committed to support the needs of its community partners. In March, the Thomas Lodge in Crooked Creek, which is the only lodging option in the village and in proximity to the project site, had a major fire resulting in substantial damage. The Company andAugust, Donlin Gold LLC assistedheld the fourth annual “In It For The Long Haul” backhaul project with laborapproximately 180,000 pounds of hazardous and materials to help completeelectronic waste removed from 26 villages throughout the repairs and re-open the lodge.Y-K region.

Permitting

The State’s Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 401 certification (the “401 Certification”) of the Federal CWA Section 404 permit was formally appealed to the Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation in June 2020, and the ADEC Commissioner referred the appeal to an Administrative Law Judge for review. The appeal focused on three narrow issues related to compliance with the State’s water quality standards near the mine site. On April 12, 2021, the Administrative Law Judge issued his opinion for the Commissioner’s consideration recommending the 401 Certification be vacated. The Commissioner issued his decision to uphold the 401 Certification on May 27, 2021. As expected, thatThe decision was appealed on June 28, 2021 in Alaska’s Superior Court by Earthjustice, a San Francisco-based activist law firm, on behalf of Orutsararmiut Native Council.Council (ONC).

In April 2020, the Alaska Department of Natural Resources’ (ADNR) Division of Oil and Gas agreed to reconsider its decision on the State Right-of-Way (ROW) agreement and lease authorization for the buried natural gas pipeline. Under the reconsideration, on September 10, 2020, the ADNR issued for additional public comment a revised Consideration of Comments document. This document describes how the ADNR considered public input that was solicited in the ROW review, including how cumulative effects are addressed in the decision. The comment period on the document ended on November 9, 2020. TheOn July 19, 2021, the ADNR is expected to re-issue its decision onCommissioner completed the reconsideration and upheld the ROW agreement and lease authorizationauthorization. On August 9, 2021, two parties requested that the Commissioner conduct a further reconsideration. The first party was Earthjustice representing ONC, Cook Inletkeeper, and three villages. The second party was an individual who operates an outdoor guiding business around the pipeline route. The Commissioner rejected both further reconsideration requests on August 19, 2021. On September 20, 2021, Earthjustice, representing ONC, Cook Inletkeeper, and three villages, filed an appeal of the State ROW in Alaska Superior Court. An appeal was also filed by the second party on September 20, 2021.

In November 2020, the ADNR published an initial public notice for comment on Donlin Gold’s 12 applications for water rights for the mine site and transportation facilities, which closed on December 15, 2020. Water rights are for local surface water sources and groundwater to be used for process water, dust control, fire protection, and potable water. In March 2021, the ADNR held a second two-week public notice period, which closed on March 26, 2021. TheAll the final Water Rights were issued on June 29, 2021 by ADNR’s Division of Mining Land and Water. In July, they were administratively appealed to the ADNR is expected to issue its final decisionsCommissioner by Earthjustice, ONC, and five villages. We anticipate a decision on the appeal by the Commissioner in 2021.2022.  

Donlin Gold, working with its Native Corporation partners, continues to support the State of Alaska to advance other permits and certificates needed for the project. The field work related to the issuance of the Alaska Dam Safety certificates, which is a multi-year commitment, was temporarily paused to concentrate on the 2020 and 2021 geological drill programs.

Donlin Gold is fortunate to have strong partnerships with Calista and TKC, owners of the mineral and surface rights, respectively. The project’s location on private land specially designated for mining activities through the 1971 Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, is a key attribute that distinguishes it from most other mining assets in Alaska.Act. Donlin Gold’s commitment to meaningful tribal consultation throughout project development and permitting has been proven over decades of reliable and dependable engagement with the community.

Donlin Gold project

AdditionalThe 2021 drilling program includes additional confirmation and extension drilling, are underway, focusing on further testing, orebody continuity, structural control, and geotechnical and geometallurgical data collection and analysis. There are four drill rigs currently operatingIn September, 2021, the drilling portion of the program was completed at the Donlin Gold project site in both the ACMA and Lewis deposit areas, with 28areas. A total of 79 holes were drilled for a total of approximately 24,200 meters, including an additional 15 holes and 4,000 meters above the original 2021 plan. Assays are anticipated to date of a planned 64-hole program.be completed by early 2022. The newly obtained data will be incorporated into the geologic and resource model and should lead the owners to determine updated mining schedules and life of mine business plans. Ultimately, the information should assist in determining the next stepsThe focus will then shift to feasibility study work, subject to a finalformal decision by the Donlin Gold feasibility studyBoard, and ultimately, to initiate the engineering work necessary to advance the project design before reaching a construction decision. The owners will advance the Donlin Gold project in a financially disciplined manner with a strong focus on engineering excellence, environmental stewardship, a strong safety culture and continued community engagement.

Our share of funding for the Donlin Gold project in the first sixnine months of 2021 was $8.1$15 million. We continue to expect our total 2021 share of Donlin Gold LLC funding to be $18 to $22$19 million, including: $11$12 million for follow-up drilling, camp improvements, and studies;studies and $7 million for permitting, community engagement and administration; and an additional $4 million for other studies contingent upon approval by both owners.administration.

The Donlin Gold LLC board must approve a construction program and budget before the Donlin Gold project can be developed. The timing of the required engineering work and the Donlin Gold LLC board’s approval of a construction program and budget, the receipt of all required governmental permits and approvals, and the availability of financing, commodity price fluctuations, risks related to market events and general economic conditions among other factors, will affect the timing of and whether to develop the Donlin Gold project. Among other reasons, project delays could occur as a result of public opposition, litigation challenging permit decisions, requests for additional information or analysis, limitations in agency staff resources during regulatory review and permitting, project changes made by Donlin Gold LLC, or any impact on operations from COVID-19.

We record our interest in the Donlin Gold project as an equity investment, which results in our 50% share of Donlin Gold’s expenses being recorded in the income statement as an operating loss. The investment amount recorded on the balance sheet primarily represents unused funds advanced to Donlin Gold.

Outlook

We do not currently generate operating cash flows. As of MayAugust 31, 2021, we had cash and cash equivalents of $51.8$117.8 million and term deposits of $55.8$55.5 million. In July 2021, we expect to receive $75 million from the first note receivable from Newmont resulting from the sale of our 50% interest in the Galore Creek project in 2018. Our anticipated expenditures in 2021 are $31 to $35$32 million, including $18 to $22$19 million to fund the Donlin Gold project and $13 million for corporate general and administrative costs. At present, we believe we have sufficient working capital available for the next twelve-month period to cover anticipated funding of the Donlin Gold project and corporate general and administrative costs.

Additional capital will be necessary if a decision to commence engineering and construction is reached for the Donlin Gold project. Future financings to fund construction are anticipated through debt, equity, project specific debt, and/or other means. Our continued operations are dependent on our ability to obtain additional financing or to generate future cash flows. However, there can be no assurance that we will be successful in our efforts to raise additional capital on terms favorable to us, or at all. For further information, see the risk factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended November 30, 2020, as filed with the SEC and the Canadian Securities Regulators on January 29, 2021.

Summary of Consolidated Financial Performance

Results of Operations

SecondThird quarter 2021 compared to 2020

Loss from operations increased from $8.1$10.9 million in 2020 to $9.2$11.6 million in 2021 due to higher permitting and legal costs at Donlin Gold LLC.

Net loss decreased from $12.7 million ($0.04 per share) in 2020 to $11.8 million ($0.04 per share) in 2021, primarily due to foreign exchange movements, partially offset by lower interest income and changes in the fair market value of marketable securities.

First nine months 2021 compared to 2020

Loss from operations increased from $25.3 million in 2020 to $28.1 million in 2021 due to higher general and administrative expense and higher costs at Donlin Gold LLC. General and administrative expense increased by $0.6$1.4 million primarily due to higher share-based compensation, salaries and benefits. At Donlin Gold, expenses increased by $1.5 million in 2021 due to higher permitting and legal costs. In the second quarter of 2020, Donlin Gold LLC temporarily paused the drill program for April through mid-May as a precautionary COVID measure.

Net loss increased from $7.2$26.6 million ($0.020.08 per share) in 2020 to $10.5$30.3 million ($0.030.09 per share) in 2021, primarily due to higher operating losses and lower interest income, and foreign exchange movements.

First six months 2021 compared to 2020

Loss from operations increased from $14.4 million in 2020 to $16.5 million in 2021 due to higher general and administrative expense and higher costs at Donlin Gold LLC. General and administrative expense increased by $1.2 million primarily due to higher share-based compensation and legal costs. At Donlin Gold, expenses increased by $0.9 million in 2021 due to the completion of the 2020 drill program assays in the first quarter of 2021 and the April through mid-May pause in the 2020 drill program.

Net loss increased from $13.8 million ($0.04 per share) in 2020 to $18.5 million ($0.06 per share) in 2021, primarily due to higher operating losses, lower interest income and foreign exchange movements, partially offset by lower interest expense on the promissory note payable to Barrick.

Liquidity, Capital Resources and Capital Requirements

In the first sixnine months of 2021, total Cash, cash equivalents and Term deposits decreasedincreased by $14.3$51.4 million due to the receipt of which $6.3$75 million wasfrom Newmont, partially offset by $15.0 million used to fund Donlin Gold, $8.4 million used in operating activities for administrative costs and working capital changes, $8.1 million was used to fund Donlin Gold and $0.7 million related to withholding taxes paid on vested performance share units (PSUs). Effects of exchange rate changes increased cash by $0.8$0.6 million. The term deposits are denominated in U.S. or Canadian dollars and are held at Canadian chartered banks.

Under the terms of the sale of the Galore Creek project to Newmont, NOVAGOLD received $100 million on July 27, 2018. An additional $75 million was received on July 27, 2021. A further $25 million is due upon the earlier of: (i) completion of a project feasibility study prepared by or for Galore Creek project, or (ii) July 27, 2023. Also, an additional $75 million payment is contingent upon Galore Creek project construction approval.