Drill Hole Intercepts Average Over 6.0 g/t Gold VANCOUVER, Oct. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Northgate Minerals Corporation (TSX: NGX, NYSE ALTERNEXT/AMEX: NXG) is pleased to announce significant assay results for nine diamond drill holes in the Harrier Underground zone (within the area previously referred to as the Wirrawilla zone), located just south of the existing reserves at the Fosterville Gold mine in Victoria, Australia. The results of the diamond drill program include the discovery of significant extensions to three north striking areas of gold mineralization: the Osprey; Raptor; and, Harrier Base Fault zones. These zones collectively extend over 500 metres (m) along strike and 300m in vertical height. The Raptor zone is open down dip and both the Osprey and Harrier Base zones are open to the north, south and down dip. Drilling Highlights - Three zones of mineralization located on the southern edge of the main Wirrawilla resource area have been significantly extended, but are still only partially defined. These zones are tightly grouped and have widths that are comparable to the main Phoenix ore body. - SPD493 intersected 4.9 g/t (grams per tonne) gold over 9.0m in the Osprey zone; a second interval returned 8.0 g/t gold over 15.0m in the Harrier Base zone. - SPD488 intersected 7.0 g/t gold over 7.7m (Osprey) and 8.7 g/t gold over 3.4m (Harrier Base). - SPD489 returned three intervals: the first two intervals (Osprey) assayed 3.7 g/t gold over 8.4m and 7.2 g/t gold over 6.3m; the third interval (Harrier Base) assayed 8.7 g/t gold over 7.0m. - SPD494A assayed 7.5 g/t gold over 8.0m (Osprey) and 6.9 g/t gold over 8.5m (Harrier Base). - SPD498B assayed 4.5 g/t gold over 11.0m (Osprey) and 5.3 g/t gold over 9.0m (Harrier Base). - SPD491 assayed 5.4 g/t gold over 7.0m (Raptor). Ken Stowe, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "We are excited by the very positive drill results in the new Harrier Underground zone, which confirm the exceptional exploration potential we saw within the Fosterville Mining Lease when we purchased the mine earlier this year. Drilling on the southern portion of the main Wirrawilla resource area intersected the Harrier Underground zone of mineralization. This zone appears to be continuous, with widths and grades similar to the best areas of the Phoenix ore body, which represents the majority of the current Fosterville reserve. Drilling is ongoing and an initial resource estimate for the area is scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2009." Geological Overview of the Fosterville Gold Mine The Fosterville Goldfield is located within the Bendigo Zone of the Lachlan Fold Belt. The mineral deposits are hosted by sedimentary rocks (interbedded sandstones, siltstones and shales) that have been folded into a set of upright folds subsequently broken apart by late brittle faulting, which provided pathways for gold mineralization. Mineralization is localized by the geometric relationship between bedding and faulting. The faults are generally moderately to steeply west dipping. Primary gold mineralization occurs within disseminated arsenopyrite and pyrite on the margins of veins in quartz - carbonate veinlet stockwork. Mineralized shoots are typically 4m to 15m thick, 50m to 150m up/down dip, and 300m to 1,500m+ down plunge. Mining is currently taking place on the Phoenix and Ellesmere splay faults and the main Fosterville Fault. Location and Structure of the Harrier Underground Zone The Harrier Underground zone is situated 1.7km south of the current Phoenix ore body (Figure 1) and is interpreted to be at a slightly higher stratigraphic level down plunge of the Harrier open-pit ore body, which was mined in 2007. The zone comprises three distinct westerly dipping mineralized structures (Figure 2), from west to east: the Osprey; Raptor; and Harrier Base zones. The current depth extents of the mineralization for the Harrier Underground zone are: - Osprey - 310m to 560m depth. - Raptor - 200m to 450m depth. - Harrier Base - 460m to 620m depth. The recent drilling confirms that grades and widths of the Harrier Underground zones are comparable to the majority of the Phoenix reserves. From a development perspective, the presence of the two zones, Osprey and Harrier Base, which are separated by only 80m, will reduce the amount of development required to access each zone and thus reduce overall mining and development costs. Figure 1: Fosterville Mine Lease Long Projection (North-South) of Harrier Underground Location (in relation to resources, underground development and mining) http://www.northgateminerals.com/Theme/Northgate/files/Releases/FGM_HUG_Fig1.jpg Figure 2: Harrier Underground Composite Geological Cross Section (East-West) http://www.northgateminerals.com/Theme/Northgate/files/Releases/FGM_HUG_Fig2.jpg Summary of Exploration Results The 2008 surface diamond drilling program was designed to test the characteristics and extend resources of the main Wirrawilla resource area. To date, 24 holes totalling 11,900 metres of diamond drilling have been completed in this program with 21 holes reaching the target depth and results returned for 14 holes. Two planned holes in the 2008 program have yet to be completed. Drilling into the northern portion of the existing Wirrawilla area has confirmed its structural complexity. The results from five drill holes are modest with only one hole, SPD490, returning a significant result ((greater than)20 gram-metre). This area requires close-spaced drilling to define the gold mineralization, which can be completed much more cost effectively from underground in the future, if a ramp decline is within the vicinity. Subsequent drilling into the southern portion of the project area has been highly encouraging with the discovery of significant extensions to the Osprey (Figure 3), Raptor (Figure 4), and Harrier Base (Figure 5) zones located within the Harrier Underground. The continuity of these zones, along with their broad widths and good grades, shifted exploration focus to this area, which can be cost effectively explored from surface. To date, results have been returned for nine holes, of which eight have significant assay results as reported in Tables 1, 2 and 3. Figure 3: Harrier Underground Long Projection: Osprey Gold Mineralization (North-South) http://www.northgateminerals.com/Theme/Northgate/files/Releases/FGM_HUG_Fig3.jpg Figure 4: Harrier Underground Long Projection: Raptor Gold Mineralization (North-South) http://www.northgateminerals.com/Theme/Northgate/files/Releases/FGM_HUG_Fig4.jpg Figure 5: Harrier Underground Long Projection: Harrier Base Gold Mineralization (North-South) http://www.northgateminerals.com/Theme/Northgate/files/Releases/FGM_HUG_Fig5.jpg Drilling Results in Harrier Underground Significant assay results received to date from the 2008 drill program are presented in Tables 1, 2 and 3. Significant results can be quantified by greater than 20 gram-metre intersections. A gram-metre intercept is the resultant product of gold grade (g/t) multiplied by the width (m). All drill hole locations are presented in Table 4. Table 1: 2008 Significant Assay Results from Harrier Underground Project - Osprey Fault ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Downhole Estimated True Hole ID From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Width (m) Gold (g/t) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPD488 433.3 441.0 7.7 6.4 7.0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 583.0 591.4 8.4 7.0 3.7 SPD489 --------------------------------------------------------------- 596.4 602.7 6.3 5.0 7.2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPD493 488.0 497.0 9.0 7.5 4.9 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPD494A 519.0 527.0 8.0 6.6 7.5 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPD498B 573.0 584.0 11.0 9.1 4.5 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Table 2: 2008 Significant Assay Results from Harrier Underground Project - Raptor Fault ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Downhole Estimated True Hole ID From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Width (m) Gold (g/t) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPD491 508.0 515.0 7.0 5.8 5.4 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPD492 473.7 475.9 2.2 1.8 11.1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Table 3: 2008 Significant Assay Results from Harrier Underground Project - Harrier Base Fault ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Downhole Estimated True Hole ID From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Width (m) Gold (g/t) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPD486 405.5 411.0 5.5 4.6 7.1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPD488 520.5 523.9 3.4 2.8 8.7 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPD489 664.3 671.3 7.0 5.8 8.7 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPD490 418.2 425.1 6.9 5.7 3.5 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPD493 562.0 577.0 15.0 12.4 8.0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPD494A 589.0 597.5 8.5 7.0 6.9 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPD498B 668.2 677.2 9.0 7.5 5.3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Future Exploration Further scoping drilling is planned for early 2009 to test for extensions to mineralization in the Harrier Underground zone. This drilling will focus on extending the most significant zones of Osprey and Harrier Base down dip and along strike and Raptor down dip. Quality Control - Analyses and Sample Location Details of quality assurance/quality control procedures for sample analysis and drill hole survey methodology are reported in detail in the National Instrument 43-101 (NI 43-101) Technical Report filed on SEDAR (http://www.sedar.com/) on March 28, 2008. Qualified Persons The program design, implementation, quality assurance/quality control and interpretation of the results is under the control of Northgate's geological staff that includes a number of individuals who are qualified persons as defined under NI 43-101. Supervision of the program is by Glenn Grayson (BSc Geology, MAusIMM), Northgate's Project Exploration Geologist and Simon Hitchman (BSc Geology (Hons), MAusIMM, MAIG), Northgate's District Exploration Geologist at Fosterville Gold Mine. Table 4: 2008 Harrier Underground Drill Hole Collar Locations (2008 Exploration Program, Fosterville Mine Grid) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Collar Hole ID Northing Easting Elevation Azimuth Collar Dip Depth (m) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPD485 5350.00 1727.00 5162.70 90 -74 549.1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPD486 5350.00 1790.00 5162.70 90 -70 434.7 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPD487 5650.00 1755.00 5163.85 90 -70 462.8 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPD488 5450.00 1680.00 5165.80 90 -71 548.7 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPD489 5400.00 1510.00 5167.30 90 -70 701.5 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPD490 6050.00 1660.00 5161.60 90 -70 447.2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPD491 5700.00 1655.00 5164.30 90 -70 588.5 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPD492 5600.00 1570.00 5164.80 90 -70 599.9 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPD493 5450.10 1609.91 5164.97 90 -70 620.8 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPD494(1) 5350.26 1600.01 5164.50 90 -71 374.7 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPD494A 5350.26 1600.01 5164.50 90 -71 632.7 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPD495 5851.70 1790.45 5161.34 90 -70 468.8 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPD496 5954.51 1728.68 5160.81 90 -70 430 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPD497 5750.00 1800.00 5163.70 90 -70 407.5 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPD498(1) 5300.00 1550.00 5166.30 90 -70 23 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPD498A(1) 5300.00 1550.00 5166.30 90 -70 348 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPD498B 5300.00 1550.00 5166.30 90 -70 699 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPD499(2) 5550.00 1670.00 5164.40 90 -70 567 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPD500(2) 5550.00 1826.00 5162.70 90 -70 369 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPD501(2) 5233.00 1630.00 5165.30 90 -70 600 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPD502(2) 5650.00 1860.00 5163.10 90 -70 361 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPD503(2) 5750.00 1865.00 5164.70 90 -70 307 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPD504(2) 5597.00 1555.00 5165.80 90 -73 633.1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPD505(2) 5250.00 1540.00 5167.00 90 -73 728.6 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPD507(3) 5450.00 1510.00 5165.80 90 -70 Current ------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPD508(3) 5350.00 1625.00 5165.30 90 -67 Planned ------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) Holes did not reach target depth. (2) Assay results for these holes are pending (3) Holes not yet completed Note to US Investors: The terms "Mineral Reserve", "Proven Mineral Reserve" and "Probable Mineral Reserve" are Canadian mining terms as defined in accordance with NI 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects under the guidelines set out in the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (the "CIM") Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves Definitions and Guidelines adopted by the CIM Council on August 20, 2000. The terms "Mineral Resource", "Measured Mineral Resource", "Indicated Mineral Resource", and "Inferred Mineral Resource" used in this news release are Canadian mining terms as defined in accordance with NI 43-101-Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects under the guidelines set out in the CIM Standards. Northgate Minerals Corporation is a mid-tier gold and copper producer with mining operations, development projects and exploration properties in Canada and Australia. The company is forecasting approximately 385,000 ounces of unhedged gold production in 2008 and is targeting growth through further acquisition opportunities in stable mining jurisdictions around the world. Northgate is listed on the TSX under the symbol NGX and on the NYSE Alternext US (formerly AMEX) under the symbol NXG. Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "will," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe," or "continue" or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on a number of estimates and assumptions that are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Certain of the statements made herein, including any information as to the future activities of and developments related to the business activities of Northgate Minerals Corporation (Northgate) and its subsidiaries, the market position, and future financial or operating performance of Northgate, are forward-looking and subject to important risk factors and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the corporation's ability to control or predict. Known and unknown factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others: gold price volatility; impact of any hedging activities, including margin limits and margin calls; discrepancies between actual and estimated production, between actual and estimated reserves and resources and between actual and estimated metallurgical recoveries; costs of production, capital expenditures, costs and timing of construction and the development of new deposits, success of exploration activities and permitting time lines; changes in national and local government legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments in any of the countries in which the corporation does or may carry out business in the future; risks of sovereign investment; the speculative nature of gold exploration, development and mining, including the risks of obtaining necessary licenses and permits; dilution; competition; loss of key employees; additional funding requirements; and defective title to mineral claims or property. In addition, there are risks and hazards associated with the business of gold exploration, development and mining, including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formations, pressures, cave-ins, flooding and gold bullion losses (and the risk of inadequate insurance or inability to obtain insurance, to cover these risks), as well as the factors described or referred to in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in Northgate's Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2007 or under the heading "Risks and Uncertainties" in Northgate's 2007 Annual Report, both of which are available on SEDAR at http://www.sedar.com/, and which should be reviewed in conjunction with this document. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The corporation does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or release any revisions to forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this document or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except in each case as required by law. DATASOURCE: Northgate Minerals Corporation CONTACT: Ms. Keren R. Yun, Director, Investor Relations, Tel: (416) 216-2781, Email: , Website: http://www.northgateminerals.com/

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