The $6 billion question

Novagold Resources Inc. and Barrick Gold Corp. – equal co-owners of the Donlin Gold project – have both said they are unwilling to develop the 40-million-ounce gold deposit in a weak gold price environment. So, with Donlin entering the final phase of a five-year permitting process, are the partners ready to build a world-class gold mine in Southwest Alaska?

With gold prices up roughly 16 percent s...