Form 51-102F3
MATERIAL CHANGE REPORT
Item 1. | Name and Address of Reporting Issuer |
NovaGold Resources Inc. (“NovaGold” or the “Company”) | |
Suite 2300 | |
200 Granville Street | |
Vancouver, BC V6C 1S4 | |
Item 2. | Date of Material Change |
January 5, 2010 | |
Item 3. | News Release |
A news release relating to the material change described in this report was issued on January 5, 2010. | |
Item 4. | Summary of Material Changes |
On January 5, 2010, NovaGold announced that it had appointed a senior advisor to the president, provided an update on its projects, and published a table showing its updated reserve/resource estimates. | |
Item 5. | Full Description of Material Change |
Item 5.1 | Full Description of the Material Change |
NovaGold has appointed Mr. Gil Leathley as Senior Advisor to the President. Mr. Leathley will advise NovaGold on mining, technical and operation matters related to the Company’s advanced projects. | |
At its 50%-owned Donlin Creek project, NovaGold and its partner Barrick Gold are assessing optimization scenarios with the goal of reducing power and processing costs and further improving project economics. | |
NovaGold and Teck Resources are considering a more aggressive program for 2010 to advance the Galore Creek project toward a construction decision. NovaGold expects to release a new mine plan for the project in early 2010 that will include updated economics using higher copper and gold prices and an optimized project design. | |
At the 100%-owned Rock Creek project NovaGold has made improvements to worker management, plant design and the overall condition of the property. | |
As a result of NovaGold’s agreement to purchase 100% of the Ambler project, NovaGold’s resource base has increased. An updated reserve/resource table is attached as an Appendix to this material change report. |
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Kevin Francis, P.Geo., Vice President Technical Services and a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and accepts responsibility for the technical information contained in this report. | |
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Item 5.2 | Disclosure for Restructuring Transactions |
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Not applicable. | |
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Item 6. | Reliance on subsection 7.1(2) and (3) of National Instrument 51-102 |
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Not applicable. | |
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Item 7. | Omitted Information |
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Not applicable. | |
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Item 8. | Executive Officer |
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The following senior officer of NovaGold is knowledgeable about the material change described in this report and may be contacted by any of the Securities Commissions with respect to the change: | |
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Don MacDonald | |
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | |
Telephone: (604) 669-6227 | |
Fax: (604) 669-6272 | |
Item 9. | Date of Report |
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January 7, 2010 |
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Appendix
NovaGoldReserve &ResourceEstimates
NovaGoldResources Inc.
Proven andProbableReserves,Measured,Indicated andInferredResources for Gold (Au),Silver (Ag),Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn) and Lead (Pb)
As atDecember 22, 2009
Reserves
Property | Resource | Tonnes | In Situ Grade | Total Contained Metal | NovaGold Share Net After Earn-Ins | |||||||||||||
% Ownership | Category | Millions | Au g/t | Ag g/t | Cu % | Zn % | Pb % | Moz Au | Moz Ag | Mlbs Cu | Mlbs Zn | Mlbs Pb | Moz Au | Moz Ag | Moz AuEq | Mlbs Cu | Mlbs Zn | Mlbs Pb |
Donlin Creek (1) approximately 0.87 g/t Au Cutoff | Proven | 8.4 | 2.59 | 0.70 | 0.35 | 0.35 | ||||||||||||
50% Ownership - 50% Owned by Barrick Gold U.S. Inc. | Probable | 375.4 | 2.37 | 28.57 | 14.29 | 14.29 | ||||||||||||
Total P&P | 383.8 | 2.37 | 29.27 | 14.64 | 14.64 | |||||||||||||
Rock Creek (2) 0.6 g/t Au Cutoff | Proven | |||||||||||||||||
100% Ownership | Probable | 7.8 | 1.30 | 0.32 | 0.32 | 0.32 | ||||||||||||
Big Hurrah (2) 1.33 g/t Au Cutoff | Proven | |||||||||||||||||
100% Ownership | Probable | 1.2 | 4.82 | 0.19 | 0.19 | 0.19 | ||||||||||||
Total Proven Reserves | 8.4 | 2.59 | 0.70 | 0.35 | 0.35 | |||||||||||||
Total Probable Reserves | 384.4 | 2.35 | 29.08 | 14.80 | 14.80 | |||||||||||||
Total Proven and Probable Reserves | 392.8 | 2.36 | 29.78 | 15.15 | 15.15 |
Resources (exclusive of Reserves)
Property | Resource | Tonnes | In Situ Grade | Total Contained Metal | NovaGold Share Net After Earn-Ins | |||||||||||||
% Ownership | Category | Millions | Au g/t | Ag g/t | Cu % | Zn % | Pb % | Moz Au | Moz Ag | Mlbs Cu | Mlbs Zn | Mlbs Pb | Moz Au | Moz Ag | Moz AuEq | Mlbs Cu | Mlbs Zn | Mlbs Pb |
Donlin Creek (3)(4) approximately 0.87 g/t Au Cutoff | Measured | 1.2 | 2.19 | 0.08 | 0.04 | 0.04 | ||||||||||||
50% Ownership - 50% Owned by Barrick Gold U.S. Inc. | Indicated | 93.4 | 1.97 | 5.92 | 2.96 | 2.96 | ||||||||||||
Total M&I | 94.6 | 1.97 | 6.01 | 3.00 | 3.00 | |||||||||||||
Inferred | 54.5 | 2.29 | 4.02 | 2.01 | 2.01 | |||||||||||||
Galore Creek (3)(5) 0.21% CuEq Cutoff | Measured | 4.7 | 0.37 | 4.41 | 0.52 | 0.06 | 0.67 | 54.1 | 0.03 | 0.34 | 0.04 | 27.0 | ||||||
50% Ownership - 50% Owned By Teck Cominco Limited | Indicated | 781.0 | 0.29 | 4.88 | 0.52 | 7.21 | 122.42 | 8,872.3 | 3.61 | 61.21 | 4.64 | 4,436.1 | ||||||
Total M&I | 785.7 | 0.29 | 4.87 | 0.52 | 7.27 | 123.09 | 8,926.3 | 3.64 | 61.55 | 4.68 | 4,463.2 | |||||||
Inferred | 357.7 | 0.18 | 3.69 | 0.36 | 2.06 | 42.49 | 2,858.3 | 1.03 | 21.24 | 1.39 | 1,429.1 | |||||||
Copper Canyon (3)(6) 0.35% CuEq Cutoff | Inferred | 164.8 | 0.54 | 7.15 | 0.35 | 2.86 | 37.91 | 1,160.0 | 1.72 | 22.75 | 2.10 | 696.0 | ||||||
60% Ownership - NovaGold interest held in trust for | ||||||||||||||||||
the Galore Creek Partnership | Total Inferred | 522.5 | 0.29 | 4.79 | 0.35 | 4.92 | 80.40 | 4,018.3 | 2.74 | 43.99 | 3.49 | 2,125.1 | ||||||
Rock Creek (3)(7) 0.6 g/t Au Cutoff | Measured | |||||||||||||||||
100% Ownership | Indicated | 7.7 | 1.21 | 0.29 | 0.29 | 0.29 | ||||||||||||
Total M&I | 7.7 | 1.21 | 0.29 | 0.29 | 0.29 | |||||||||||||
Inferred | 0.6 | 1.09 | 0.02 | 0.02 | 0.02 | |||||||||||||
Big Hurrah (3)(8) 1.0 g/t Au Cutoff | Measured | |||||||||||||||||
100% Ownership | Indicated | 0.9 | 2.68 | 0.08 | 0.08 | 0.08 | ||||||||||||
Total M&I | 0.9 | 2.68 | 0.08 | 0.08 | 0.08 | |||||||||||||
Inferred | 0.2 | 2.97 | 0.02 | 0.02 | 0.02 | |||||||||||||
m3 | g/m3 | |||||||||||||||||
Nome Gold (3)(9) 0.20 g/m3 Au Cutoff | Measured | 79.1 | 0.32 | 0.80 | 0.80 | 0.80 | ||||||||||||
100% Ownership | Indicated | 83.8 | 0.28 | 0.76 | 0.76 | 0.76 | ||||||||||||
Total M&I | 162.9 | 0.30 | 1.56 | 1.56 | 1.56 | |||||||||||||
Inferred | 30.6 | 0.27 | 0.25 | 0.25 | 0.25 | |||||||||||||
Ambler (3)(10) $100 Gross Metal Value / Tonne Cutoff | Measured | |||||||||||||||||
100% Ownership | Indicated | 16.8 | 0.83 | 59.63 | 4.14 | 6.03 | 0.94 | 0.45 | 32.29 | 1,538.2 | 2,237.1 | 350.3 | 0.45 | 32.29 | 0.99 | 1,538.2 | 2,237.1 | 350.3 |
Total M&I | 16.8 | 0.83 | 59.63 | 4.14 | 6.03 | 0.94 | 0.45 | 32.29 | 1,538.2 | 2,237.1 | 350.3 | 0.45 | 32.29 | 0.99 | 1,538.2 | 2,237.1 | 350.3 | |
Inferred | 11.9 | 0.67 | 48.37 | 3.56 | 4.99 | 0.80 | 0.26 | 18.57 | 936.9 | 1,313.1 | 210.0 | 0.26 | 18.57 | 0.57 | 936.9 | 1,313.1 | 210.0 | |
Total Proven & Probable Reserves Contained Metal | 29.78 | 15.15 | 15.15 | |||||||||||||||
Total Measured & Indicated Contained Metal (exclusive of Reserves) | 15.66 | 155.38 | 10,464.6 | 2,237.1 | 350.3 | 9.02 | 93.83 | 10.61 | 6,001.4 | 2,237.1 | 350.3 | |||||||
Total Inferred Contained Metal | 9.49 | 98.97 | 4,955.2 | 1,313.1 | 210.0 | 5.31 | 62.57 | 6.36 | 3,062.1 | 1,313.1 | 210.0 |
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Notes:
1. | These reserve and resource estimates have been prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 and the CIM Definition Standards, unless otherwise noted. See “Cautionary Note to United States Investors”. |
2. | See numbered footnotes below on reserve and resource information. Reserves and resources shown in the right-hand columns are reported as net values to NovaGold. |
3. | AuEq - gold equivalent is calculated using gold and silver in the ratio of gold + silver / (US$650 Au / US$11 Ag). |
4. | Sums may not agree due to rounding. |
Reserve andResourceFootnotes:
(1) | The basis for the cut-off grade was an assumed gold price of US$725/oz. The reserve and resource estimates for Donlin Creek are based on the technical report titled “Donlin Creek Gold Project, Alaska, USA, NI 43-101 Technical Report” dated April 1, 2009, a copy of which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov. |
(2) | The basis for the cut-off grade was an assumed gold price of US$500/oz. The reserve estimates for Rock Creek and Big Hurrah are based on the technical report titled “Technical Report, Rock Creek and Big Hurrah Project” dated February 21, 2008, a copy of which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov. |
(3) | Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Inferred resources are in addition to measured and indicated resources. Inferred resources have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and whether they can be mined legally or economically. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of the inferred resources will ever be upgraded to a higher category. |
(4) | A variable cut-off grade has been estimated based on recent estimates of mining costs, processing costs (dependent upon sulfur content), selling costs and royalties. Resources are constrained within a Lerchs- Grossman (LG) open-pit shell using the long-term metal price assumption of US$850/oz of gold. Assumptions for the LG shell included pit slopes variable by sector and pit area: mining cost is variable with depth, averaging US$2.08/t mined; process cost is calculated as the percent sulfur grade x US$2.7948 + US$12.82; general and administrative costs, gold selling cost and sustaining capital are reflected on a per tonne basis. Based on metallurgical testing, gold recovery is assumed to be 89.5%. The reserve and resource estimates for Donlin Creek are based on the technical report titled “Donlin Creek Gold Project, Alaska, USA, NI 43-101 Technical Report” dated April 1, 2009, a copy of which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov. |
(5) | The copper-equivalent grade was calculated as follows: CuEq = Recoverable Revenue ÷ 2204.62 ÷ US$1.55 ÷ Cu Recovery. Where: CuEq = Copper equivalent grade; Recoverable Revenue = Revenue in US dollars for recoverable copper, recoverable gold, and recoverable silver using metal prices of Cu US$/lb = 1.550, Au US$/oz = 650, Ag US$/oz = 11. Cu Recovery = Recovery for copper based on mineral zone and total copper grade. The cut-off grade is based on assumptions of offsite concentrate and smelter charges and onsite plant recovery and is used for break-even mill feed/waste selection. The resource estimate for Galore Creek is based on the technical report titled “Galore Creek Property NI 43-101 Technical Report” dated January 25, 2008, a copy of which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov. |
(6) | The copper equivalent (CuEq) calculations use metal prices of US$375/oz for gold, US$5.50/oz for silver and US$0.90/lb for copper. CuEq calculations reflect gross metal content that have been adjusted for metallurgical recoveries based on the following criteria: copper recovery = (%Cu - 0.06)/%Cu with a minimum of 50% and maximum of 95%; gold recovery = (Au g/t – 0.14)/Au g/t with a minimum of 30% and maximum of 80%; and silver recovery = 80%. The resource estimate for Copper Canyon is based on the technical report titled “Geology and Resource Potential of the Copper Canyon Property” dated February 9, 2005, a copy of which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov. |
(7) | The basis for the cut-off grade was an assumed gold price of US$500/oz. The resource estimate for Rock Creek was completed by Kevin Francis, P.Geo., a qualified person as defined by NI 43-101 and an employee of the Company. This resource estimate was disclosed in a NovaGold press release dated April 15, 2009, a copy of which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov. |
(8) | The basis for the cut-off grade was an assumed gold price of US$500/oz. The resource estimate for Big Hurrah is based on the technical report titled “Technical Report, Rock Creek and Big Hurrah Project” dated February 21, 2008, a copy of which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov. |
(9) | Nome Gold resource is an alluvial deposit, which is reported in cubic meters rather than tonnes, and grams/cubic meter rather than grams/tonne. 85,000 ounces contained within the reported resources may be subject to a royalty. The resource estimate for Nome Gold is based on the technical report titled “Technical Report, Nome Placer Property” dated September 12, 2006, a copy of which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov. |
(10) | Ownership subject to successful closing of a purchase agreement with Kennecott Exploration Company and Kennecott Arctic Company, scheduled to close by January 8, 2010. There can be no assurance that the closing will occur or that the purchase will be completed. US$100 gross metal value/tonne cutoff. Gross metal value was calculated based on metal prices of Cu US$2.25/lb, Zn US$1.05/lb, Au US$525/oz, Ag US$9.5/oz and Pb US$0.55/lb applied to each individual grade. The gross metal value is equal to the sum of each grade multiplied by the value of the metal unit. No metallurgical recovery has been applied. The resource estimate for the Arctic deposit is based on the technical report titled “NI 43-101 Technical Report on Resources, Ambler Project, Arctic Deposit” dated February 12, 2008 with an effective date of January 31, 2008, a copy of which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov. |