TSX Venture SYMBOL: NSM
OTCQX:NSMSF
January
27, 2010
NORTHERN STAR ANNOUNCES FIRST GOLD POUR IN THE COMPANY’S HISTORY
Val d’Or, Quebec, January 27, 2010 – Northern Star Mining
Corp. (TSX-V: NSM, OTCQX:NSMSF) (Northern Star Mining or the “Company”) is
pleased to announce that it has scheduled the first gold pour in the Company’s
history for the first week in February. Milling is being carried out at the
Company’s wholly owned Beacon Gold Mill, located 13km east of Val-d’Or. The
material being processed is mineralized rock mined from underground at the
Malartic-Midway project which the Company has been actively exploring and
developing since mid 2008 from its underground operations.
The Malartic-Midway
project, located 16km west of Val-d’Or,
Drilling by Northern
Star in 2006 demonstrated the presence and continuity of gold mineralization at
depth where it encountered 9.41g/t over 21 m at a vertical depth of some 5,200
feet (previously announced).
In mid 2008, the
Company contracted Dumas Ltd, to begin construction of a 5m x 4.7m Decline to
explore, access, and bulk sample previously discovered gold zones, as well as
explore for and discover new gold mineralized zones from underground.
Midway Decline
To date, the Company
has advanced the main haulage decline a total 2,370 meters from the surface
portal. The surface portal required the excavation of 7,500 m3 of
overburden and bedrock.
A total of 290 meters
of remuck bays have been completed.
The South Briar
branch of the Midway decline has advanced 332 meters for future exploration
drilling of the South South Briar extension and Mill Porphyry zones. It is also
planned as a second exit and haulage route.
A total of 236 meters
of development and exploration drifting was carried out in the Chabela Zone
where 3,000 tons of material were mined and transported to the Beacon Mill. The
Chabela Zone was used as an initial mining method (long hole) and bulk sample
test area.
753 meters of underground
development including the construction of 6 drawpoints below the bottom of the
South Briar area have been completed.
Finally, 105 meters
of raising for sampling, ventilation, and safety purposes have been carried out
to date.
South Briar
The initial large
planned bulk sample from the South Briar Zone (176,000 tonnes @ 6.03g/t, 43-101
report, Ovalbay Geological Services, 2008) is presently underway. 6 drawpoints
(4m x 4m) have been completed underneath the zone at 130m (425 level).
Development of the
upper level at 110 meter (360 level) consisting of a slot drift is underway.
Initially, excavation
of the zone occurs at the top of the drawpoints in an undercut slot of
approximately 6,000 tonnes prior to long hole drilling of the South Briar stope.
Underground Exploration
A number of exploration discoveries have been made from underground since
onset of the Decline construction.
Exploration work has been limited due to the construction phase of the Decline
and the need to access the gold mineralized zones as soon as possible.
However, underground drilling can now be accelerated on the numerous
targets under exploration.
These include the South South Briar Extension, the L and K zones and the
new porphyry/gabbro zone discovered in October 2009.
This latter zone was discovered during decline construction when a
mineralized porphyry was encountered. A cross drift some 108 meters long was
pushed into the porphyry, which resulted in the discovery of a new gabbro
mineralized zone. Grab and muck samples from the muck haulage trucks averaged a
cut grade of 14.8g/t over a true width of 4.5 meters. Approximately 1,000 tons
were sampled from this area prior to further definition drilling and drifting.
As the exploration drift progressed it encountered quartz veins in
porphyry with sections of significant visible gold.
This zone is located some 250 meters NNW of the South Briar zone,
presently under development.
Recently an underground drill hole located 70 meters north of the Briar
Zone intersected a 4 meter wide gabbro showing significant sulphide
mineralization, located some 100 meters below at 230 meter (750 level). Assays
are pending.
Finally, other underground exploration targets include the
Beacon Mill
The wholly owned Beacon Mill was started up on November 23, 2009. A
series of start up delays occurred while bedding and tuning the mill,
compounded by the very cold weather experienced in late December. At present
the mill is running more continuously and smoothly and should reach its
continuous rated capacity shortly.
The tonnage presently being processed at the mill consists of Chabela and
porphyry mineralization, development material, mineralization sampled from the
new discovery, and drawpoint mineralization.
McKenzie Break
At the McKenzie Break project, surface installation and mobilization is complete.
Portal construction, rock bolting, and screening was completed on January 6.
Underground Decline construction has begun and presently the decline has
advanced some 30 meters. The initial target zone for bulk sampling is located
some 100 meters from the portal entrance.
Surface diamond drilling is also currently underway.
Callahan
The 2009 surface drilling program on the Callahan project is now
complete. 14 holes for a total of 4,150 meters were drilled. Assay results are
pending.
Michel David, president states “The Company has now reached an important
milestone in its growth and development. A first gold pour is an important
historic event, and the management and personnel at Northern Star are proud to
have reached this point accident and injury free. The start up of a second
underground project at McKenzie Break, and the successful but difficult start
up of our mill all in the same period demonstrate the competence and devotion
of our employees, contractors, and associated personnel. The new discoveries
underground at Malartic-Midway clearly demonstrate the future potential of this
project, located as it is in the heart of the historic Val-d’Or gold camp and
immediately neighbour to the Osisko gold project, now under development with total
announced resources of some 11.2 million ounces”.
Eugene Gauthier,
Ing (OIQ), acts as the qualified person of the Company and has reviewed the
contents of the news release. The
diamond drilling and exploration programs are being carried out under the
direct supervision of Eugene Gauthier, Ing (OIQ). The Company is maintaining strict standards
for QA (quality assurance) and QC (quality control); by keeping under lock all
drill cores, rejects and pulps for further testing. Samples were sent to ALS Chemex and
Techni-Lab labs in
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
“Michel David”
Michel David, President
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Northern Star Mining Corp. TOLL FREE (800) 460-5031 or (819) 825-8088, (FAX) (819) 825-1199 Website: www.nsmgold.com
Or
Renmark Financial Communications
Inc.
Barry Mire: bmire@renmarkfinancial.com
christine stewart: cstewart@renmarkfinancial.com
www.renmarkfinancial.com
This
press release contains certain “Forward-Looking Statements” within the meaning
of Section 21E of the United States Security Exchange Act of 1934, and involves
a number of risks and uncertainties. Important factors that could cause
actual results to differ materially from the Company’s expectations are disclosed
in the Company’s documents filed from time to time with the TSX Venture
Exchange and the British Columbia Securities Commission. All statements,
other than of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking statements
that involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance
that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future
events could differ materially from those anticipated in such
statements. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services
Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange)
accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.