NovaGold appoints new director to board

NovaGold Resources Inc. has announced the appointment of a new director to its Board.

NovaGold shareholders voted Mr. Tony Giardini to the Board of Directors at NovaGold’s Annual General Meeting held this week in Vancouver.

Mr. Giardini was subsequently appointed to the Audit Committee to replace Mr. Mike Halvorson, who is retiring from the Board.

Mr. Giardini is Chief Financial Officer of Ivanhoe Mines Ltd., an international mining company listed on the TSX and the NYSE, with operations focused in Central Asia and the Asia Pacific region.

Prior to joining Ivanhoe, Mr. Giardini spent more than 10 years with Placer Dome Inc. as Vice-President and Treasurer, responsible for managing and overseeing the company’s debt and capital market activities, including managing banking relationships with US, Canadian and international banks.

During his time at Placer Dome, Mr. Giardini led the financing team that raised in excess of US$1 billion in debt and equity financings.

Mr. Giardini is a CA and CPA and spent 12 years with accounting firm KPMG prior to joining Placer Dome.

Mr. Giardini’s finance and accounting experience will be invaluable as NovaGold advances Donlin Creek and Galore Creek through feasibility and toward operations. Mr. Giardini replaces Mr. Mike Halvorson on NovaGold’s Board of Directors.

Since joining NovaGold’s Board in 2004, Mr. Halvorson’s financial expertise and his knowledge of the junior mining sector has been instrumental in guiding NovaGold’s transition from explorer to producer, said Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse, NovaGold’s President and CEO.

I would like to personally thank Mr. Halvorson for his contributions to NovaGold’s Board, and wish him well in his future endeavors, concluded Mr. Van Nieuwenhuyse.

NovaGold’s Board of Directors comprises eight individuals with expertise in a variety of disciplines, including accounting, finance, legal, business and the resource industry.