In late 2005 Northgate Minerals Corporation acquired the Young - Davidson property located in the gold rich Abitibi greenstone belt of Northern Ontario, a few kilometers from the Township of Matachewan.
Since that time, Northgate has successfully executed an aggressive exploration program, more than doubling the previous gold resource estimate.The total measured and indicated resources have exceeded 3.3 million ounces.
The property is on the site of two past producing mines, both with track records of successful mining and simple metallurgy.
In 2008, the underground ramp development was completed after advancing a total of 3,039 meters to a total vertical depth of 483 meters. Rehabilitation of the existing No. 3 shaft was also completed and the water level is being maintained below the 13 level.
Targeting start up of production in 2012, Young Davidson is expected to produce an average of 175,000 ounces of gold for 14 years.
A pre-feasibility study is currently underway with the goal of reducing operating costs by applying low cost bulk mining methods to the dramatically larger resource base. Northgate expects to complete the pre-feasibility study by the end of the second quarter, followed by the feasibility study at the end of 2009.
For more information about Northgate Minerals, visit their website at www.northgateminerals.com.