Drill Hole in the Phoenix Deeps intersects 17.6 Grams per Tonne
Over 3.6 Metres VANCOUVER, Sept. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
Northgate Minerals Corporation (TSX: NGX, NYSE Amex: NXG) is
pleased to announce continued exploration success at its
Fosterville Gold mine in Victoria, Australia. A large step out
targetting the Phoenix Deeps 300 metres (m) south of any previous
drilling and 800m south of the current reserves intersected
significant gold mineralization, confirming that the Phoenix fault
system continues down plunge. In addition to this discovery,
Northgate is also pleased to report significant assay results from
six diamond drill holes in the Phoenix Extension area, located just
south of existing reserves. Drilling Highlights - Exploration step
out drilling in the Phoenix Deeps has intersected 10.1 grams per
tonne (g/t) gold over 6.6 metres (m) in drill hole SPD514E,
including 17.6 g/t gold over 3.6m (estimated true width). - Infill
resource definition drilling in the Phoenix Extension has confirmed
continuity of gold mineralization and structural settings.
Significant drill results from the ongoing infill drill program
include (estimated true width): - SPD510A intersected 5.5 g/t gold
over 17.9m - SPD517 intersected 5.2 g/t gold over 8.0m - SPD517B
intersected 7.3 g/t gold over 4.1m - SPD517A intersected 6.6 g/t
gold over 4.4m - SPD510B intersected 3.3 g/t gold over 7.9m -
SPD510 intersected 2.5 g/t gold over 8.9m Ken Stowe, President and
Chief Executive Officer, stated, "Our exploration efforts at
Fosterville continue to deliver excellent results. In the Phoenix
Deeps, our 300m step out has hit an excellent intercept and
reaffirms the exceptional exploration potential that is present at
the mine. In addition, the continuity of mineralization in the
Phoenix Extension down plunge from existing reserves is
significant, as it indicates the potential to extend reserves that
can be mined using the existing infrastructure from the current
production zone."
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Drilling Results for Phoenix Deeps and Phoenix Extension Drilling
in the Phoenix Deeps (6500N) was designed to test for gold
mineralization along strike and down plunge of the currently mined
Phoenix deposit and comprised of eight drill holes in a fan
totalling 3,850m. Although the upper three holes on the section
encountered only moderate grades and widths, hole SPD514E drilled
beneath these holes returned an intersection of 10.1 g/t gold over
6.7m, including 17.6 g/t gold over 3.7m. Two further holes, SPD514F
and SPD514G, were drilled below this intersection and are being
logged and sampled. Geological interpretation of the Phoenix Deeps
will be undertaken on receipt of all drilling information and
follow-up work will be planned to test the size and grade of this
system. The key objective for the drill program conducted on the
Phoenix Extension was to upgrade existing inferred mineral
resources to reserve classification. This work commenced in section
7200N and was highlighted by hole SPD510A, which intersected 5.5
g/t gold over 17.9m with support from other drill holes in this
section. Drilling progressed to section 7250N, which resulted in
four significant assay intercepts (SPD517A, B, C and D). The
Phoenix zone is still open down dip on this drill section. Drill
holes from the 2009 drill program will be incorporated into an
updated year-end reserve statement. Geological knowledge gained
from the Phoenix Deeps and Phoenix Extension drill programs will
also be used when reviewing and targeting mineralization south of
both areas. Table 1: Assay Results for Phoenix Deeps
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Downhole Estimated True Gold Hole ID From (m) To (m) Interval (m)
Width (m) (g/t Au)
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SPD514 861.0 862.2 1.2 1.2 1.4
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SPD514A 849.0 859.0 10.0 10.0 1.9
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SPD514B 893.5 898.0 4.5 4.5 1.5
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SPD514E 903.0 909.7 6.7 6.6 10.1
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Incl. 906.0 909.7 3.7 3.6 17.6
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Note: SPD514C and SPD514D were abandoned and did not reach the
Phoenix target. Logging and sampling for holes SPD514F and SPD514G
are in progress. Table 2: Assay Results for Phoenix Extension
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Downhole Estimated True Gold Hole ID From (m) To (m) Interval (m)
Width (m) (g/t Au)
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SPD510 675.0 684.0 9.0 8.9 2.5
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SPD510A 683.0 701.5 18.5 17.9 5.5
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Incl. 683.0 694.0 11 10.6 6.9
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and 698.0 701.5 3.5 3.4 7.1
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SPD510B 754.0 762.4 8.4 7.9 3.3
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SPD510C 782.2 785.0 2.8 2.4 4.3
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SPD510D 812.0 814.7 2.7 2.2 7.8
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SPD517 693.2 701.2 8.0 8.0 5.2
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SPD517A 703.0 707.5 4.5 4.4 6.6
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SPD517B 736.0 741.0 5.0 4.1 7.3
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SPD517C 793.0 798.5 5.5 4.2 4.2
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Figure 1: Fosterville Gold Mine Long Projection (North-South) of
Phoenix Deeps and Phoenix Extension Location (in relation to
resources, underground development and mining) To view Figure 1,
please click:
http://www.northgateminerals.com/Theme/Northgate/files/Releases/FMG_Phx_Sep09.gif
Appendix 1: Phoenix Project Drill Hole Collar Locations
(Exploration Program up to August 2009, Fosterville Mine Grid)
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Collar Collar Depth Hole ID Northing Easting Elevation Azimuth Dip
(m)
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SPD510 7,199.3 1,402.5 5,169.7 93.8 -74.4 729.1
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SPD510A 7,199.3 1,402.5 5,169.7 93.8 -74.4 763.2
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SPD510B 7,199.3 1,402.5 5,169.7 93.8 -74.4 783.2
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SPD510C 7,199.3 1,402.5 5,169.7 93.8 -74.4 885.6
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SPD510D 7,199.3 1,402.5 5,169.7 93.8 -74.4 957.4
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SPD514 6,500.7 1,379.9 5,165.4 87.3 -76.9 908.4
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SPD514A 6,500.5 1,379.4 5,165.7 87.3 -76.9 965.7
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SPD514B 6,500.5 1,379.4 5,165.7 87.3 -76.9 984.1
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SPD514C(1) 6,500.5 1,379.4 5,165.7 87.3 -76.9 462.7
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SPD514D(1) 6,500.5 1,379.4 5,165.7 87.3 -76.9 570.7
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SPD514E 6,500.5 1,379.4 5,165.7 87.3 -76.9 1009.6
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SPD514F(2) 6,500.5 1,379.4 5,165.7 87.3 -76.9 1102.7
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SPD514G(2) 6,500.5 1,379.4 5,165.7 87.3 -76.9 1212.5
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SPD517 7,247.6 1,393.7 5,169.5 94.0 -73.1 733.3
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SPD517A 7,247.6 1,393.7 5,169.5 94.0 -73.1 762.3
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SPD517B 7,247.6 1,393.7 5,169.5 94.0 -73.1 799.2
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SPD517C 7,247.6 1,393.7 5,169.5 94.0 -73.1 957.1
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Note 1: Hole abandoned Note 2: Hole drilled. Logging and sampling
in progress. Quality Control - Analyses and Sample Location Details
of quality assurance/quality control procedures for sample analysis
and drill hole survey methodology are reported in detail in the
National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report on the Fosterville Gold
Mine filed on SEDAR (http://www.sedar.com/) on March 26, 2008.
Qualified Persons The program design, implementation, quality
assurance/quality control and interpretation of the results is
under the control of Northgate's geological staff that includes a
number of individuals who are qualified persons as defined under NI
43-101. Supervision of the program is by Glenn Grayson (BSc
Geology, MAusIMM), Northgate's Project Exploration Geologist and
Simon Hitchman (BSc Geology (Hons), MAusIMM, MAIG), Northgate's
District Exploration Geologist at the Fosterville Gold Mine. Note
to Investors: The terms "Qualified Person", "Mineral Reserve",
"Proven Mineral Reserve", "Probable Mineral Reserve", "Mineral
Resource", "Measured Mineral Resource", "Indicated Mineral
Resource", and "Inferred Mineral Resource" used in this news
release are defined in accordance with NI 43-101-Standards of
Disclosure for Mineral Projects of the Canadian Securities
Administrators. Northgate Minerals Corporation is a gold and copper
producer with mining operations, development projects and
exploration properties in Canada and Australia. The company is
forecasting record gold production of over 380,000 ounces in 2009
and is targeting growth through further acquisition opportunities
in stable mining jurisdictions around the world. Northgate is
listed on the TSX under the symbol NGX and on the NYSE Amex under
the symbol NXG. Forward-Looking Statements: This Northgate press
release contains "forward-looking information", as such term is
defined in applicable Canadian securities legislation, concerning
Northgate's future financial or operating performance and other
statements that express management's expectations or estimates of
future developments, circumstances or results. Generally,
forward-looking information can be identified by the use of
forward-looking terminology such as "expects", "believes",
"anticipates", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts",
"intends", "plans" and variations of such words and phrases, or by
statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "will",
"could", "would" or "might" "be taken", "occur" or "be achieved".
Forward-looking information is based on a number of assumptions and
estimates that, while considered reasonable by management based on
the business and markets in which Northgate operates, are
inherently subject to significant operational, economic and
competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Northgate cautions
that forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors that may cause Northgate's actual
results, performance or achievements to be materially different
from those expressed or implied by such information, including, but
not limited to gold and copper price volatility; fluctuations in
foreign exchange rates and interest rates; the impact of any
hedging activities; discrepancies between actual and estimated
production, between actual and estimated reserves and resources or
between actual and estimated metallurgical recoveries; costs of
production; capital expenditure requirements; the costs and timing
of construction and development of new deposits; and the success of
exploration and permitting activities. In addition, the factors
described or referred to in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in
Northgate's Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31,
2008 or under the heading "Risks and Uncertainties" in Northgate's
2008 Annual Report, both of which are available on the SEDAR
website at http://www.sedar.com/, should be reviewed in conjunction
with the information found in this press release. Although
Northgate has attempted to identify important factors that could
cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ
materially from those contained in forward-looking information,
there can be other factors that cause results, performance or
achievements not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There
can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate
or that management's expectations or estimates of future
developments, circumstances or results will materialize.
Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on
forward-looking information. The forward-looking information in
this press release is made as of the date of this press release,
and Northgate disclaims any intention or obligation to update or
revise such information, except as required by applicable law.
DATASOURCE: Northgate Minerals Corporation CONTACT: Ms. Keren R.
Yun, Director, Investor Relations, Tel: (416) 363-1701 ext. 233,
Email: , Website: http://www.northgateminerals.com/
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