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Form 8-K

sec.gov

8-K — NOVAGOLD RESOURCES INC

Accession: 0001171843-26-006528

Filed: 2026-10-08

Period: 2026-10-08

CIK: 0001173420

SIC: 1040 (GOLD & SILVER ORES)

Item: Results of Operations and Financial Condition

Item: Financial Statements and Exhibits

Documents

8-K — f8k_100726.htm (Primary)

EX-99.1 — EXHIBIT 99.1 (exh_991.htm)

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Filename: f8k_100726.htm · Sequence: 1

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2026-10-08

2026-10-08

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report: October 8, 2026 (Date of earliest event reported)

NOVAGOLD RESOURCES INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

British Columbia

001-31913

N/A

(State of Incorporation)

(Commission File Number)

(I.R.S. Employer Identification)

201 South Main Street, Suite 400, Salt Lake City, Utah 84111

(Address

of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(801) 639-0511

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area

Code)

N/A

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously

satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the

Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the

Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a -12)

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b)

under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d -2(b))

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c)

under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e -4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Shares

NG

NYSE American

Toronto Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined

in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2).

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. ☐

Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition

On October 8, 2026, NOVAGOLD Resources Inc. (“we” or the “Company”)

issued a press release announcing its financial results for the fiscal quarter ended August 31, 2026. A copy of the press release is furnished

as Exhibit 99.1 to this report and incorporated herein by reference.

In accordance with General Instruction B.2 of Form 8-K, the information

in this Current Report on Form 8-K, including Exhibit 99.1, shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) or otherwise subject to the liability of that section,

and shall not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document filed under Securities Act of 1933, as amended,

or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Exhibits

Exhibit Number

Description

99.1

Press release, dated October 8, 2026, issued by NOVAGOLD RESOURCES INC. entitled “NOVAGOLD Files Third Quarter 2026 Report Unlocking Donlin Gold’s Full Potential and Advancing the Path to Development”

104

Cover Page Interactive Data File – The cover page interactive data file does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the

registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Dated: October 8, 2026

NOVAGOLD RESOURCES INC.

By:

/s/ Peter Adamek

Peter Adamek

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

EX-99.1 — EXHIBIT 99.1

EX-99.1

Filename: exh_991.htm · Sequence: 2

Exhibit 99.1

NEWS

RELEASE

NOVAGOLD Files

THIRD Quarter 2026 Report UNLOCKING DONLIN GOLD’S full POTENTIAL and ADVANCING THE

PATH TO DEVELOPMENT

Donlin Gold Transaction announced: NOVAGOLD and Paulson Advisers LLC and its affiliates entered into a series of definitive

agreements on July 21, 2026, pursuant to which NOVAGOLD’s ownership interest in Donlin Gold LLC will increase from 60% to 100% by

acquiring Paulson’s 40% ownership interest in an all-share transaction that is expected to close by year-end.

Financial Advisors selected: Donlin Gold appointed Endeavour Financial and Macquarie Capital to provide financial advisory

services for the development of the Donlin Gold project in Alaska and to support the arrangement of project and infrastructure financing.

Robust treasury: Ended the quarter with approximately $343.4 million in cash and term deposits — a strong financial position

to advance the Donlin Gold project.

October 8, 2026 – Vancouver, British Columbia – NOVAGOLD RESOURCES INC. (“NOVAGOLD”

or the “Company”) (NYSE American, TSX: NG) today filed its 2026 third quarter report and provided an update on its Tier One[1]

gold development project held by Donlin Gold LLC (“Donlin Gold”), which is owned 60% by NOVAGOLD through NOVAGOLD Resources

Alaska, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and 40% by Paulson Advisers LLC and certain of its affiliates (collectively “Paulson”)

through Donlin Gold Holdings LLC (“Donlin Gold Holdings”).

Details of the financial results for the quarter

ended August 31, 2026 are presented in the consolidated financial statements and quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed on October 8, 2026,

that is available on the Company’s website at www.novagold.com, on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca,

and on EDGAR, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“the SEC”) website, at www.sec.gov.

All amounts are in thousands of U.S. dollars unless otherwise stated.

As detailed in the above-mentioned filings, NOVAGOLD held approximately $343.4 million in cash

and term deposits as of August 31, 2026, and reported net third quarter operational cash expenditures of $28.1 million — reflecting

$24.8 million to fund NOVAGOLD’s share of the Donlin Gold project and $3.3 million in corporate general and administrative

costs.

As NOVAGOLD is a development-stage company with no

production, the Company reported earnings of ($36.0) million and earnings per share of ($0.08) for the third quarter of 2026. NOVAGOLD’s

results for this quarter reflect incremental expenditures at Donlin Gold due to ongoing Bankable Feasibility Study (BFS) activities and

higher general and administrative expenses at NOVAGOLD primarily driven by ongoing professional fees related to the pending transactions

announced on July 22, 2026 (the “Transactions”), partially offset by higher interest income. Professional fees are expected

to remain elevated for the remainder of fiscal 2026 and into the early part of fiscal 2027 as we

work toward the completion of the Transactions, currently expected to occur in the fourth calendar quarter

of 2026.

1 NOVAGOLD defines a Tier One gold development

project as one with a projected production life of at least 10 years, annual projected production of at least 500,000 ounces of gold,

and average projected cash costs over the production life that are in the lower half of the industry cost curve.

www.novagold.com

Page | 1

NEWS RELEASE

President’s Message

Unlocking Donlin Gold’s Full Potential Through Strategic Ownership and Development

NOVAGOLD is strengthening its position as a “go-to” U.S. gold development company,

having entered into a series of definitive agreements on July 21, 2026 with Paulson and NovaGold Corporation (“New NOVAGOLD”),

pursuant to which, subject to the satisfaction of certain closing conditions and upon the completion of the Transactions, New NOVAGOLD

would become the ultimate parent company of NOVAGOLD and its subsidiaries and would own, directly and indirectly, 100% of Donlin Gold.

As per the release titled “NOVAGOLD Enters into Definitive Agreements to Acquire 100% of Donlin Gold”, the all-share

transaction to acquire Paulson’s 40% interest would give NOVAGOLD shareholders equity participation in a well-capitalized gold developer

with 100% ownership of a differentiated, strategic asset projected to be the largest single gold mine in the United States, with an expected

market capitalization of approximately $4.9 billion.[2] With projected average annual production of 1.3 million ounces during

its first 10 full years of production[3] and 1.1 million ounces annually over the 27-year mine life,[4] Donlin Gold

has the potential to become America’s largest single gold mine and a cornerstone asset of the U.S. gold industry.

These transformative Transactions will deliver substantial benefits to NOVAGOLD stakeholders,

including generating immediate accretion across net asset value per share as well as gold reserves and resources per share through the

addition of approximately 16 million ounces of Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources (inclusive of 13 million ounces in Proven and

Probable Mineral Reserves within a safe, stable, and supportive jurisdiction). Furthermore, the Transactions increase projected attributable

production metrics by over 520,000 ounces of annual gold production during the first 10 full years.[5] Beyond these metrics,

the Transactions streamline corporate decision-making and increase operational and capital efficiency by consolidating 100% ownership

of Donlin Gold under a single corporate parent, while preserving NOVAGOLD’s independent governance through specific lock-up, standstill,

and voting restrictions. The Transactions will also establish a single point of contact for engagement with key stakeholders, including

longstanding Donlin Gold landowners, Calista Corporation (“Calista”) and The Kuskokwim Corporation (TKC), and create a better-aligned

structure via a new U.S.-domiciled parent company, that will be listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

The Notice of Meeting and the Management Information Circular and Proxy Statement for the Special

Meeting of Shareholders were filed with Canadian securities regulatory authorities and with the SEC and first mailed to shareholders on

or about October 5, 2026. The Special Meeting of Shareholders will be held on November 3, 2026. The Transactions are expected to close

by year-end, subject to shareholder approval, court approval, regulatory and stock exchange approval and the satisfaction of customary

closing conditions.

Bankable Feasibility Study Engineering Integration Advances & Financial Advisors Appointed

to Support the Arrangement of Project and Infrastructure Financing

Parallel to this strategic development, the Company continues to advance the Donlin Gold BFS,

which remains on schedule for completion in 2027. A team led by Fluor Corporation (“Fluor”) continues to integrate major work

packages and coordinate technical workstreams with specialist contractors WSP USA, Inc. (WSP), Worley Alaska, Inc. (“Worley”),

and Hatch Ltd. (“Hatch”). This season’s geotechnical work for the BFS will conclude this fall with drill holes and test

pits at Jungjuk Port and access corridor, borrow sites and plant site, and for Engineering, Procurement, and Construction Management (EPCM)

infrastructure. Resource modelling, mine planning, and Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) activities are progressing as planned, while

EPCM coordination on a Class 3 estimate is well under way. This disciplined approach to key infrastructure and unit operations is designed

to support a high-quality BFS.

2 Based on a per share closing price of NOVAGOLD of $7.25 on September 15, 2026,

as reported in the Definitive Management Information Circular and Proxy Statement filed on October 5, 2026.

3 Anticipated average annual gold production during the first ten full years of

the mine if put into production as contemplated in 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, Alaska, USA” (the “2025 Technical Report Summary”), dated November

30, 2025.

4 Anticipated average annual gold production during the full life of mine if put

into production as contemplated in the 2025 Technical Report and the 2025 Technical Report Summary.

5Donlin Gold data as per the 2025 Technical Report and the 2025 Technical Report

Summary.

www.novagold.com

Page | 2

NEWS RELEASE

Additionally, Donlin Gold appointed Endeavour Financial and Macquarie Capital as financial advisors

to provide advisory services for the development of the project in Alaska. Under this mandate, the advisors will assist Donlin Gold in

evaluating funding alternatives — including conventional project finance, infrastructure financing, and potential support from governmental

agencies and/or sovereign wealth funds — and executing a structured project financing strategy. By coordinating engagement with

financiers and advancing due diligence in tandem with the BFS, NOVAGOLD aims to optimize its funding mix while preserving long-term shareholder

value. The advisors will provide tailored guidance as the project progresses toward a final investment decision, following the completion

of the BFS and related workstreams.

To further support the BFS and prepare for subsequent phases of development and eventual commercial

operation, Donlin Gold has continued to build its team across key technical, operational, workforce development, and support functions.

Since the beginning of 2026, the team has grown from approximately 35 to 77 employees, currently based in Anchorage and Vancouver, to

support ongoing site, BFS, and contractor activities. Management continues to assess organizational requirements and recruit for critical

positions as project activities advance.

Looking ahead, Donlin Gold’s combination of scale, grade, and exploration potential provides

a strong foundation as the project advances through the BFS and subsequent stages of development. With approximately 40 million ounces

of Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources (inclusive of Mineral Reserves), comprising 560 million tonnes grading 2.22 grams per tonne[6]

— more than twice the global industry average grade[7] — Donlin Gold combines large-scale, high-grade open-pit

mineralization with a long mine life and low estimated operating costs[8]. Expected average annual gold production of more

than one million ounces further underscores the project’s sheer scale, while less than 7.5% of the broader land package has been

systematically explored, providing significant potential for further exploration.

A Legacy of Collaboration Supports the Project’s Continued Advancement

Engagement with local communities, stakeholders and government representatives remains an important

part of Donlin Gold’s approach. Built over decades of dialogue with more than 60 communities across the region, these relationships

provide an ongoing forum for sharing information, understanding local perspectives, and incorporating community input as the project progresses.

This sustained engagement and collaboration continues to reinforce the long-standing relationships that Donlin Gold has established throughout

the region and in Alaska more broadly.

6 Donlin Gold data as per the 2025 Technical Report and the 2025 Technical Report

Summary. 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. Exclusive of Mineral Reserves, Donlin Gold possesses Measured Resources of approximately 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 Proven 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 Reserves and Resources have been

estimated in accordance with NI 43-101 and S-K 1300.

7 As of October 2026, S&P Global Market Intelligence reports that the global

industry average grade for open-pit and underground gold deposits with over 1 million ounces in Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources,

inclusive of Mineral Reserves, is 1.05 g/t. In comparison, Donlin Gold’s grade is 2.22 g/t, more than double the industry average.

8 Donlin Gold data as per the 2025 Technical Report and the 2025 Technical Report

Summary.

www.novagold.com

Page | 3

NEWS RELEASE

During the third quarter, in coordination with Calista, the Company conducted a series of community

visits to six villages, alongside a dedicated community meeting in Crooked Creek — the village closest to the Donlin Gold project.

These efforts focused specifically on the Subsistence Plan and a general project update, and fostered ongoing dialogue on subsistence-related

matters and project activities. This commitment to regional partnership was further reinforced through participation in Calista’s

Annual Meeting in Bethel, TKC’s Annual Meeting in Crooked Creek, and the Calista Shareholder Relations Committee meeting in Anchorage,

ensuring sustained engagement with Alaska Native Corporation leadership and shareholders.

Donlin Gold also facilitated several key initiatives for the Subsistence Community Advisory

Committee (SCAC), including in-person and virtual meetings to gather feedback on the Subsistence Plan and Barge Communication Plan. SCAC

members also toured the Red Dog Mine, providing an opportunity to observe a large-scale mining operation firsthand and discuss considerations

relevant to communities in the region. At Donlin Gold, site tours provided Alaska Native Corporation landowners Calista and TKC with further

insight into ongoing fieldwork and project activities. Additional tours were hosted for representatives of the Alaska Native Village Corporation

Association, Congressman Nick Begich’s resource staff, and trade association leaders from the Alaska Chamber, the Alaska Support

Industry Alliance, the Alaska Oil and Gas Association, the Resource Development Council, and the Alaska Miners Association.

The Company is also advancing its infrastructure planning through targeted stakeholder engagement

along the proposed pipeline corridor. Having developed a comprehensive stakeholder tracking system, Donlin Gold has initiated outreach

to over 190 individuals and entities in the region. This effort is complemented by ongoing coordination with legislators and the Matanuska-Susitna

Borough via site tours and project updates to ensure a clear understanding of regional interests and proposed field activities.

In addition, Donlin Gold continues to engage with key government representatives and decisionmakers

at both the state and federal levels. Recent activities include project briefings with Senator Dan Sullivan, Alaska State Senator Matt

Claman, and U.S. Senate candidate Mary Peltola. Donlin Gold also continues to engage with senior leadership at the U.S. Department of

Energy and recently participated in a roundtable with the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration to discuss critical Donlin

Gold permitting considerations and infrastructure associated with the project.

A Long-Term Commitment to the Region and its People

NOVAGOLD’s approach to responsible development extends across education, community wellness,

cultural preservation and environmental stewardship — with initiatives designed to contribute to the economic, health and social

well-being of our employees, Donlin Gold employees and contractors, as well as communities throughout the Yukon-Kuskokwim (Y-K) region.

Donlin Gold supports these efforts through fisheries studies, environmental activities, subsistence initiatives and grants, while recognizing

the importance of the region’s traditions and subsistence way of life, where environmental health is paramount. Year to date, Donlin

Gold has conducted over 25 community visits and briefings throughout the Y-K region, made ongoing social investments through financial

and in-kind contributions as well as significant employee involvement, and participated in more than 150 engagements with government representatives,

agencies, and candidates.

www.novagold.com

Page | 4

NEWS RELEASE

During the third quarter, Donlin Gold participated in educational and community initiatives

across the Y-K region, including student engagement in local communities and continued support for Alaska EXCEL, which provides educational

and professional opportunities for rural Alaska students and young adults. Donlin Gold also continued to support regional safety initiatives,

including the distribution of life vests in communities along the Kuskokwim River and its sponsorship of the Iron Dog helmet safety program

through Alaska Safe Riders.

Environmental monitoring and stewardship activities also carried on during the quarter, including

aquatic monitoring near the proposed mine site and at Snow Gulch, where monitoring of fish populations and newly developed habitat continued

to demonstrate species diversity consistent with previous surveys, including the presence of salmon. The 2026 George River salmon smolt

monitoring program was also completed in coordination with the Native Village of Napaimute, with more than 7,000 fish sampled over 30

days. These activities contribute to Donlin Gold’s ongoing environmental baseline data collection and broader understanding of conditions

in and around the project area.

Preserving Donlin Gold’s Regulatory Approvals and Permitting Position

Donlin Gold is a federally permitted project. The permitting framework in Alaska involves extensive

review and coordination among federal and state agencies, regional stakeholders, and communities throughout the Y-K region.

Permitting activities in the third quarter of 2026 advanced

as expected. Work continues on the dam safety permitting process for the project’s seven dams, with submission of Detailed Design

Packages anticipated by end of 2026 or early 2027 as previously expected and with potential issuance of the Dam Safety Certificates expected

in 2028.

After the quarter end, on September 23, 2026, the U.S.

Army Corps of Engineers, in consultation with the Bureau of Land Management, published Donlin Gold’s Supplemental Environmental

Impact Statement (SEIS), which analyzes a larger theoretical tailings dam release, while leaving Donlin Gold’s federal permits in

place. The SEIS is open for public comment until October 23, 2026, with the Final SEIS anticipated in April 2027.

All federal and state permits and approvals granted to Donlin Gold remain in effect as the legal

appeals proceed. Donlin Gold and its owners continue to support the federal and state agencies in defending the extensive permitting process

undertaken for the project, while working with the relevant federal agencies and stakeholders toward an appropriate remedy in response

to the Federal District Court’s remand decision. Donlin Gold continues to advance permitting activities in a diligent and responsible

manner, and to engage with communities and stakeholders as the project progresses.

NOVAGOLD Outlook

NOVAGOLD’s immediate priority is completing the acquisition of Paulson’s 40% interest

in Donlin Gold, which would result in New NOVAGOLD, directly and indirectly, owning 100% of Donlin Gold. Announced on July 22, 2026,

the Transactions are expected to close by year-end, subject to NOVAGOLD shareholder approval, court approval, regulatory and stock exchange

approvals, and the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

www.novagold.com

Page | 5

NEWS RELEASE

In parallel, Donlin Gold remains focused on advancing the BFS, targeted for completion in 2027,

and evaluating and securing funding alternatives for the project with the recently appointed financial advisors. Engineering efforts led

by Fluor continue to advance key workstreams and integrate the work of specialist contractors into the overall engineering, cost, and

schedule framework. Supporting technical and site activities are also progressing, including geotechnical drilling and materials assessments

along the planned upriver port and access road, plant site, and proposed dam locations.

Sincerely,

Gregory A. Lang

President and CEO

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of August 31, 2026, the Company had cash resources comprising cash and cash equivalents and

term deposits totaling approximately $343.4 million, which management believes are sufficient to complete the Donlin Gold BFS, exercise

the Company’s option to prepay the Barrick Mining Corporation (“Barrick”) promissory note in the fourth calendar quarter

of 2026, and cover corporate general and administrative costs for at least the next twelve months.

Cash used in operating activities during the third quarter of 2026 was $2.4 million higher than

the comparative prior year period. Cash provided by investing activities during the third quarter of 2026 increased by $331.6 million

from the comparative prior year period primarily due to NOVAGOLD’s prior year payment of $210.1 million to complete the June 2025

Barrick transaction,[9] $137.0 million in net proceeds from maturing term deposits and $1.2 million in net proceeds from the

sale of marketable securities, partially offset by $16.7 million of incremental Donlin Gold funding versus the prior year. Funding of

Donlin Gold was higher in the third quarter of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025 due to the commencement of the Donlin Gold BFS

in early 2026.

Cash provided by financing activities during the third quarter of 2026 decreased by $25.5 million

from the comparative prior year period, primarily due to $25.5 million in net proceeds from the exercise of an underwriter’s overallotment

option related to the May 2025 equity offering received last year versus no financing activity during the third quarter of 2026.

As of

August 31,

2026

$

As of

May 31,

2026

$

As of

August 31,

2025

$

Cash and term deposits

343,386

370,216

125,169

Total assets

573,286

598,744

345,385

Total liabilities

186,031

177,727

168,273

9In June 2025, NOVAGOLD and Paulson acquired Barrick’s 50% interest in Donlin

Gold. As part of that transaction, NOVAGOLD increased its ownership interest in Donlin Gold from 50% to 60%.

www.novagold.com

Page | 6

NEWS RELEASE

2026 Outlook

NOVAGOLD’s operating expenditures for fiscal year 2026 reflect additional incurred legal

and other professional fees associated with the Transactions.

NOVAGOLD is increasing its fiscal 2026 operating expenditure guidance by $11.5 million to approximately

$110.0 million, reflecting higher corporate general and administrative costs of approximately $31.2 million, excluding share-based

compensation, and unchanged Donlin Gold funding guidance of approximately $78.8 million, reflecting the Company’s 60% share of the

Donlin Gold project expenditures for 2026. The $11.5 million increase includes additional legal and professional fees of $7.7 million

up to the third quarter and $3.8 million of anticipated expenses in the fourth quarter in support of the Transactions.

The Company anticipates incurring additional professional fees and other transaction-related

costs in early 2027 in connection with the closing of the Transactions. Due to the pre-funding of December 2026 Donlin Gold activities

(first fiscal month of 2027) in November 2026, a portion of 2026 funding will relate to Donlin Gold’s 2027 budget.

With the acceleration of Donlin Gold BFS activities since commencing in early 2026, NOVAGOLD’s

share of Donlin Gold expenditures is expected to remain elevated over the next 12 to 18 months compared to historical levels and will

increase further assuming the closing of the Transactions occurs by year-end 2026. The Company’s management believes it is fully

funded to complete the Donlin Gold BFS and exercise its option to prepay the Barrick promissory note in the fourth quarter of 2026. NOVAGOLD

expects to raise additional capital in the future to support subsequent project activities, including the commencement of detailed engineering.

NOVAGOLD’s key catalysts in the coming year include completing the BFS and moving toward

a subsequent construction decision. The Company’s ongoing priorities include maintaining a favorable reputation among shareholders

and stakeholders, promoting strong community outreach and a sustainability culture, maintaining robust safety and environmental performance,

and managing the Company’s treasury effectively and efficiently.

Conference Call & Webcast Details

NOVAGOLD’s conference call and webcast to discuss these results will take place October

8, 2026, at 8:00 am PT (11:00 am ET). The webcast and conference call-in details are provided below.

Video Webcast:

www.novagold.com/investors/events

North American callers:

1-833-752-3655

International callers:

1-647-846-8520

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 Measured

and Indicated Mineral Resources (approximately 560 million tonnes at an average grade of 2.22 grams per tonne on a 100% basis)[10]

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, 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.[11]

10 Donlin Gold data as per the 2025 Technical Report and the 2025 Technical Report

Summary. 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. Exclusive of Mineral Reserves, Donlin Gold possesses Measured Resources of approximately 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 Proven 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 Reserves and Resources have been

estimated in accordance with NI 43-101 and S-K 1300.

www.novagold.com

Page | 7

NEWS RELEASE

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

info@novagold.com

www.novagold.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This communication 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”, “continue”, “ongoing”, “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. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking statements. These

forward-looking statements include statements regarding the expected outcomes of the Transactions; the ability of NOVAGOLD, New NOVAGOLD

and Paulson to complete the Transactions on the terms described herein, or at all, including receipt of required regulatory approvals,

shareholder approvals, court approvals, stock exchange approvals and satisfaction of other customary closing conditions; the expected

synergies related to the Transactions in respect of strategy, operations and other matters; projections related to expansion; and the

impact of the Transactions on New NOVAGOLD and its stakeholders. Forward-looking statements contained herein are based on a number of

material assumptions, including but not limited to the following, which could prove to be inaccurate: the expected outcomes of the Transactions,

the ability of NOVAGOLD, New NOVAGOLD and Paulson to complete the Transactions on the terms described herein, or at all, including receipt

of required regulatory approvals, shareholder approvals, court approvals, stock exchange approvals and satisfaction of other customary

closing conditions, the expected synergies related to the Transactions in respect of strategy, operations and other matters, projections

related to expansion, our ability to achieve production at Donlin Gold; the cost estimates and assumptions contained in the 2025 Technical

Report and the 2025 Technical Report Summary; anticipated timing of updated reports and/or studies including the Donlin Gold BFS and draft

SEIS; repayment of the Barrick promissory note and the timing thereof; sufficiency of working capital; future capital raising activities

and potential sources of funding; estimated metal pricing, metallurgy, mineability, marketability and operating and capital costs, together

with other assumptions underlying our resource and reserve estimates; our expected ability to develop adequate infrastructure and that

the cost of

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NEWS RELEASE

doing so will be reasonable; assumptions that all necessary permits and governmental approvals will be obtained and the timing

of such approvals; assumptions made in the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of our mineral deposits;

our expectations regarding demand for equipment, skilled labor and services needed for exploration and development of mineral properties;

and operating or regulatory risks. 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, and 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. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts but

instead represent NOVAGOLD management’s 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 obtaining and maintaining permits necessary to construct

and operate; the need for additional financing to complete an updated feasibility study and to explore and develop properties; availability

of financing in the debt and capital markets; 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 to advance the Donlin Gold 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.

Important Information and Where to Find It

NOVAGOLD has filed relevant materials with the SEC and applicable Canadian securities regulators,

including, among other filings, a management information circular and definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A on October 5, 2026. The

management information circular and proxy statement has been mailed or otherwise disseminated to shareholders of NOVAGOLD seeking their

approval of the proposals related to the Transactions. INVESTORS AND SHAREHOLDERS OF NOVAGOLD ARE URGED TO READ THE MANAGEMENT INFORMATION

CIRCULAR AND DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN FILED OR WILL BE FILED WITH THE SEC AND APPLICABLE

CANADIAN SECURITIES REGULATORS IN CONNECTION WITH THE TRANSACTIONS (INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) CAREFULLY AND IN

THEIR ENTIRETY BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN OR WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTIONS, THE PARTIES TO THE PROPOSED

TRANSACTIONS AND RELATED MATTERS. Investors and shareholders may obtain free copies of the management information circular and definitive

proxy statement and other documents filed by NOVAGOLD with the SEC at www.sec.gov , the SEC’s website, under NOVAGOLD’s

profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca, or from NOVAGOLD’s website www.novagold.com.

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