TSX Venture SYMBOL:
NSM
April
28, 2009
NORTHERN
STAR ANNOUNCES NEGOTIATION OF STRATEGIC ALLIANCE WITH DUMAS CONTRACTING
Val
d’Or, Quebec, April 28, 2009 – Northern Star Mining Corporation (TSX:NSM) (Northern Star Mining or the “Company”) is pleased to
announce that it has entered into negotiation with Dumas Contracting Ltd.,
towards the creation of a strategic alliance.
Dumas will become the sole contractor for
Northern Star’s present and future underground construction and mining activities.
Dumas will be available on an exclusive basis to Northern Star.
Dumas is a well known and experienced mine
contracting and engineering company that has been in operation since 1994. Dumas is headquartered in Timmins, Ontario and has conducted
mining projects on over 5 continents.
It has notably carried out work for
Agnico-Eagle at the Goldex and Lapa
gold projects, and for Xstrata at its Raglan Nickel project.
Northern Star is presently continuing its Malartic-Midway decline construction (the Gauthier decline),
to access the Chabela, L-Zone and Briar zones during
2009, and along with the expertise of Dumas, is presently planning the
engineering and feasibility of a second decline at the Malartic-Midway
project to explore and sample a large porphyry intrusive, located near the Osisko Canadian Malartic
boundary. In addition, along with Dumas, the Company is presently planning the
continuation of the engineering towards the successful access and use of the
3,000 foot deep Shaft #1 located on the project.
Finally, the Company recently acquired 60% of
the McKenzie-Break gold project in a joint venture with Britannica Resources (see
press release of February 23, 2009). Detailed drilling by Wesdome
Gold Mines in 2004 outlined the economic potential for gold mineralization
easily accessible by decline. Northern Star believes minimal additional work
would be required to expand these gold bearing structures at depth.
The Company, along with the services and
expertise of Dumas is presently planning the engineering and feasibility of
decline construction on the McKenzie Break project.
Presently, the Gauthier decline at Malartic-Midway project has advanced a total of 1,112 meters
towards the South Briar Zone (Briar branch), the Chabela
branch of the decline has advanced 210 meters to Chabela
and has crosscut 66 meters of drift on Chabela East
and 110 meters of crosscut drift in Chabela West. Longhole drilling for bulk sampling is now ongoing in Chabela West.
Finally, the Chabela
decline has continued north from Chabela an additional
200 meters to access and explore the new L-Zone discovery area, and will
continue and access to the North Briar Zone.
Construction of the Vent Raise access (from
surface) at Briar will also begin shortly.
In all, the Company, with the services of
Dumas has carried out over 1,550 meters of decline and 120 meters of drifting
in the Chabela Zones.
The Company has also begun sending to and
stock piling gold bearing rock at its wholly owned mill facilities.
To date, the Company has also drilled 20
holes from surface and underground as part of its 2009 drill program.
Evaluation of results from its 2008 program at Malartic-Midway,
Callahan and McKenzie Break is still underway, with further results expected.
Michel David, president, states that “the Company
is very excited about this planned alliance with Dumas, as it will allow access
to the services of a dynamic experienced mine contractor company, allowing
Northern Star to continue and accelerate its exploration and development plans.”
ON BEHALF
OF THE BOARD
“Jonathan Awde”
Jonathan Awde, Vice-president,
Corporate Finance
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Northern
Star Mining Corporation TOLL FREE (800) 460-5031 or (819) 825-8088, (FAX) (819)
825-1199 Website: www.nsmgold.com
THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY
OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.”