Northern Dynasty Leadership Team Expands with Appointment of Senior Mining Industry Executive Mike Westerlund to The Post of Vice President, Investor Relations

Rhea-AI Summary

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. announces the appointment of Mike Westerlund as the new Vice President of Investor Relations. Westerlund brings over 20 years of experience from the North American mining sector, including his recent tenure at Hecla Mining Company. This leadership change coincides with critical developments in the Pebble Project, as the company expects to secure key federal permits soon, potentially attracting new investors. The project is positioned to become a significant copper, gold, and molybdenum producer if all necessary approvals are obtained.

Positive

• Appointment of Mike Westerlund as Vice President of Investor Relations, bringing valuable industry experience.
• Expected federal Record of Decision for the Pebble Project, enhancing investor interest.

Negative

• Potential risks associated with securing necessary permits and financing for the Pebble Project.

VANCOUVER / ACCESSWIRE / September 3, 2020 / Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. (TSX:NDM)(NYSE American:NAK) ("Northern Dynasty" or the "Company") welcomes Mike Westerlund, a seasoned Investor Relations executive with more than 20 years' experience in the North American mining and metals industry, to its senior management team as Vice President, Investor Relations.

Most recently, Mr. Westerlund served as Vice President, Investor Relations for Hecla Mining Company, a US$3 billion NYSE-listed precious metals mining company with five operating mines in Canada, the U.S. and Mexico, where he directed the Investor Relations department for the past eight years. Previously, Mr. Westerlund worked with a series of mineral exploration and mining firms with development-stage and operating assets throughout North America, in both precious and base metals.

"We are very pleased to have an Investor Relations executive of Mike's caliber and experience join our team," said Ron Thiessen, Northern Dynasty President and CEO. "His experience working with investors of all sizes and levels of sophistication, coupled with a deep knowledge of the North American and global mining and metals sector, are a great fit for Northern Dynasty as we complete the federal permitting process for Pebble, and initiate the next stage of detailed engineering design, final permitting and project construction."

With a favourable Final Environmental Impact Statement received July 2020, and a federal Record of Decision expected this fall, the Pebble Project stands at the threshold of the next stage of its development. Once Pebble's key federal permits are in place (a critical milestone and de-risking event expected within weeks), Thiessen said Northern Dynasty has the potential to appeal to an entirely new class of growth and value-focused investors.

"I'm extremely excited to bring my experience and passion for the transformative power of responsible mineral development to help a whole new class of investors understand the tremendous value and growth potential that an investment in Northern Dynasty represents," Westerlund said. "Pebble is a unique and special project that has the potential to materially reward shareholders and project stakeholders alike, especially Alaskans and, for that matter, all Americans."

"It's a very exciting time to join the Northern Dynasty and Pebble Partnership teams."

About Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.
Northern Dynasty is a mineral exploration and development company based in Vancouver, Canada. Northern Dynasty's principal asset, owned through its wholly owned Alaska-based U.S. subsidiary, Pebble Limited Partnership ("PLP"), is a 100% interest in a contiguous block of 2,402 mineral claims in southwest Alaska, including the Pebble deposit. PLP is the proponent of the Pebble Project, an initiative to develop one of the world's most important mineral resources.

For further details on Northern Dynasty and the Pebble Project, please visit the Company's website at www.northerndynastyminerals.com or contact Investor services at (604) 684-6365 or within North America at 1-800-667-2114. Review Canadian public filings at www.sedar.com and US public filings at www.sec.gov.

Ronald W. Thiessen
President & CEO

Forward-Looking Information and other Cautionary Factors
This release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address exploration drilling, exploitation activities and events or developments that the Company expects are forward-looking statements. These statements include statements regarding (i) the mine plan for the Pebble Project, (ii) the social integration of the Pebble Project into the Bristol Bay region and benefits for Alaska, (iii) the political and public support for the permitting process, (iv) the issuance of a positive Record of Decision by the US Army Corps of Engineers and the ability of the Pebble Project to secure state permits, (v) the right-sizing and de-risking of the Pebble Project, (vi) the design and operating parameters for the Pebble Project mine plan, (vii) exploration potential of the Pebble Project, (viii) future demand for copper and gold, (ix) the potential partnering of the Pebble Project, and (x) the ability and timetable of NDM to develop the Pebble Project and become a leading copper, gold and molybdenum producer. Although NDM believes the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements should not be in any way be construed as guarantees that the Pebble Project will secure all required government permits, establish the commercial feasibility of the Pebble Project or develop the Pebble Project. Assumptions used by NDM to develop forward-looking statements include the assumptions that (i) the Pebble Project will obtain all required environmental and other permits and all land use and other licenses without undue delay, (ii) studies for the development of the Pebble Project will be positive, (iii) NDM's estimates of mineral resources will not change, (iv) NDM will be able to establish the commercial feasibility of the Pebble Project, and (v) NDM will be able to secure the financing required to develop the Pebble Project. The likelihood of future mining at the Pebble Project is subject to a large number of risks and will require achievement of a number of technical, economic and legal objectives, including (i) obtaining necessary mining and construction permits, licenses and approvals without undue delay, including without delay due to third party opposition or changes in government policies, (ii) finalization of the mine plan for the Pebble Project, (iii) the completion of feasibility studies demonstrating that any Pebble Project mineral resources that can be economically mined, (iv) completion of all necessary engineering for mining and processing facilities, (v) the inability of NMD to secure a partner for the development of the Pebble Project, and (vi) receipt by NDM of significant additional financing to fund these objectives as well as funding mine construction, which financing may not be available to NDM on acceptable terms or on any terms at all. NDM is also subject to the specific risks inherent in the mining business as well as general economic and business conditions, such as the current uncertainties with regard to COVID-19.

The National Environment Policy Act Environmental Impact Statement process requires a comprehensive "alternatives assessment" be undertaken to consider a broad range of development alternatives, the final project design and operating parameters for the Pebble Project and associated infrastructure may vary significantly from that contemplated in this presentation. As a result, the Company will continue to consider various development options and no final project design has been selected at this time.

For more information on the Company, Investors should review the Company's filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and its home jurisdiction filings that are available at www.sedar.com

SOURCE: Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.

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FAQ

Who is Mike Westerlund and what is his role at Northern Dynasty Minerals?

Mike Westerlund is appointed as the Vice President of Investor Relations at Northern Dynasty, bringing over 20 years of experience in the mining industry.

What is the Pebble Project and why is it important for Northern Dynasty?

The Pebble Project is Northern Dynasty's principal asset, expected to be a significant source of copper, gold, and molybdenum, with key federal permits anticipated.

What impact does the leadership change have on Northern Dynasty's future?

The leadership change aims to strengthen investor relations and attract a new class of investors as the Pebble Project progresses.

What are the upcoming milestones for the Pebble Project?

The company expects to receive a federal Record of Decision which would be critical for the Pebble Project's next development stage.

What challenges could impact the Pebble Project's development?

Challenges include securing necessary permits and financing, which are crucial for the project's advancement.