Significant Extension of Mineralization Discovered at Northgate Minerals' Fosterville Gold Mine

    Drill Hole in the Phoenix Deeps intersects 17.6 Grams per Tonne Over
    3.6 Metres

VANCOUVER, Sept. 14 /CNW/ - Northgate Minerals Corporation (TSX: NGX, NYSE Amex: NXG) is pleased to announce continued exploration success at its Fosterville Gold mine in Victoria, Australia. A large step out targetting the Phoenix Deeps 300 metres (m) south of any previous drilling and 800m south of the current reserves intersected significant gold mineralization, confirming that the Phoenix fault system continues down plunge. In addition to this discovery, Northgate is also pleased to report significant assay results from six diamond drill holes in the Phoenix Extension area, located just south of existing reserves.

                             Drilling Highlights
    
    -   Exploration step out drilling in the Phoenix Deeps has intersected
        10.1 grams per tonne (g/t) gold over 6.6 metres (m) in drill hole
        SPD514E, including 17.6 g/t gold over 3.6m (estimated true width).
    
    -   Infill resource definition drilling in the Phoenix Extension has
        confirmed continuity of gold mineralization and structural settings.
        Significant drill results from the ongoing infill drill program
        include (estimated true width):
    
        -  SPD510A intersected 5.5 g/t gold over 17.9m
        -  SPD517 intersected 5.2 g/t gold over 8.0m
        -  SPD517B intersected 7.3 g/t gold over 4.1m
        -  SPD517A intersected 6.6 g/t gold over 4.4m
        -  SPD510B intersected 3.3 g/t gold over 7.9m
        -  SPD510 intersected 2.5 g/t gold over 8.9m

Ken Stowe, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "Our exploration efforts at Fosterville continue to deliver excellent results. In the Phoenix Deeps, our 300m step out has hit an excellent intercept and reaffirms the exceptional exploration potential that is present at the mine. In addition, the continuity of mineralization in the Phoenix Extension down plunge from existing reserves is significant, as it indicates the potential to extend reserves that can be mined using the existing infrastructure from the current production zone."

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Drilling Results for Phoenix Deeps and Phoenix Extension

Drilling in the Phoenix Deeps (6500N) was designed to test for gold mineralization along strike and down plunge of the currently mined Phoenix deposit and comprised of eight drill holes in a fan totalling 3,850m. Although the upper three holes on the section encountered only moderate grades and widths, hole SPD514E drilled beneath these holes returned an intersection of 10.1 g/t gold over 6.7m, including 17.6 g/t gold over 3.7m. Two further holes, SPD514F and SPD514G, were drilled below this intersection and are being logged and sampled.

Geological interpretation of the Phoenix Deeps will be undertaken on receipt of all drilling information and follow-up work will be planned to test the size and grade of this system.

The key objective for the drill program conducted on the Phoenix Extension was to upgrade existing inferred mineral resources to reserve classification. This work commenced in section 7200N and was highlighted by hole SPD510A, which intersected 5.5 g/t gold over 17.9m with support from other drill holes in this section.

Drilling progressed to section 7250N, which resulted in four significant assay intercepts (SPD517A, B, C and D). The Phoenix zone is still open down dip on this drill section.

Drill holes from the 2009 drill program will be incorporated into an updated year-end reserve statement. Geological knowledge gained from the Phoenix Deeps and Phoenix Extension drill programs will also be used when reviewing and targeting mineralization south of both areas.

    Table 1: Assay Results for Phoenix Deeps
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          Downhole    Estimated True   Gold
    Hole ID    From (m)       To (m)    Interval (m)     Width (m)   (g/t Au)
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    SPD514       861.0        862.2          1.2            1.2          1.4
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    SPD514A      849.0        859.0         10.0           10.0          1.9
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    SPD514B      893.5        898.0          4.5            4.5          1.5
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    SPD514E      903.0        909.7          6.7            6.6         10.1
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Incl.      906.0        909.7          3.7            3.6         17.6
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    Note:  SPD514C and SPD514D were abandoned and did not reach the Phoenix
           target.
           Logging and sampling for holes SPD514F and SPD514G are in
           progress.
    
    
    
    Table 2: Assay Results for Phoenix Extension
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          Downhole    Estimated True   Gold
    Hole ID    From (m)       To (m)    Interval (m)     Width (m)   (g/t Au)
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    SPD510       675.0        684.0          9.0            8.9          2.5
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    SPD510A      683.0        701.5         18.5           17.9          5.5
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Incl.      683.0        694.0           11           10.6          6.9
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
      and        698.0        701.5          3.5            3.4          7.1
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    SPD510B      754.0        762.4          8.4            7.9          3.3
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    SPD510C      782.2        785.0          2.8            2.4          4.3
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    SPD510D      812.0        814.7          2.7            2.2          7.8
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    SPD517       693.2        701.2          8.0            8.0          5.2
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    SPD517A      703.0        707.5          4.5            4.4          6.6
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    SPD517B      736.0        741.0          5.0            4.1          7.3
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    SPD517C      793.0        798.5          5.5            4.2          4.2
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    
    Figure 1: Fosterville Gold Mine Long Projection (North-South) of
    Phoenix Deeps and Phoenix Extension Location
    (in relation to resources, underground development and mining)
    
    To view Figure 1, please click:
www.northgateminerals.com/Theme/Northgate/files/Releases/FMG_Phx_Sep09.gif
    
    
    Appendix 1: Phoenix Project Drill Hole Collar Locations
    (Exploration Program up to August 2009, Fosterville Mine Grid)
    
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   Collar   Collar     Depth
    Hole ID    Northing    Easting    Elevation   Azimuth      Dip      (m)
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    SPD510      7,199.3    1,402.5     5,169.7      93.8     -74.4     729.1
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    SPD510A     7,199.3    1,402.5     5,169.7      93.8     -74.4     763.2
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    SPD510B     7,199.3    1,402.5     5,169.7      93.8     -74.4     783.2
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    SPD510C     7,199.3    1,402.5     5,169.7      93.8     -74.4     885.6
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    SPD510D     7,199.3    1,402.5     5,169.7      93.8     -74.4     957.4
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    SPD514      6,500.7    1,379.9     5,165.4      87.3     -76.9     908.4
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    SPD514A     6,500.5    1,379.4     5,165.7      87.3     -76.9     965.7
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    SPD514B     6,500.5    1,379.4     5,165.7      87.3     -76.9     984.1
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    SPD514C(1)  6,500.5    1,379.4     5,165.7      87.3     -76.9     462.7
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    SPD514D(1)  6,500.5    1,379.4     5,165.7      87.3     -76.9     570.7
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    SPD514E     6,500.5    1,379.4     5,165.7      87.3     -76.9    1009.6
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    SPD514F(2)  6,500.5    1,379.4     5,165.7      87.3     -76.9    1102.7
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    SPD514G(2)  6,500.5    1,379.4     5,165.7      87.3     -76.9    1212.5
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    SPD517      7,247.6    1,393.7     5,169.5      94.0     -73.1     733.3
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    SPD517A     7,247.6    1,393.7     5,169.5      94.0     -73.1     762.3
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    SPD517B     7,247.6    1,393.7     5,169.5      94.0     -73.1     799.2
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    SPD517C     7,247.6    1,393.7     5,169.5      94.0     -73.1     957.1
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    Note 1: Hole abandoned
    Note 2: Hole drilled. Logging and sampling in progress.

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 Technical Report on the Fosterville Gold Mine filed on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) on March 26, 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 the Fosterville Gold Mine.

Note to Investors:

The terms "Qualified Person", "Mineral Reserve", "Proven Mineral Reserve", "Probable Mineral Reserve", "Mineral Resource", "Measured Mineral Resource", "Indicated Mineral Resource", and "Inferred Mineral Resource" used in this news release are defined in accordance with NI 43-101-Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects of the Canadian Securities Administrators.

Northgate Minerals Corporation is a gold and copper producer with mining operations, development projects and exploration properties in Canada and Australia. The company is forecasting record gold production of over 380,000 ounces in 2009 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 Amex under the symbol NXG.

Forward-Looking Statements:

This Northgate press release contains "forward-looking information", as such term is defined in applicable Canadian securities legislation, concerning Northgate's future financial or operating performance and other statements that express management's expectations or estimates of future developments, circumstances or results. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "expects", "believes", "anticipates", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "plans" and variations of such words and phrases, or by statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "will", "could", "would" or "might" "be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking information is based on a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by management based on the business and markets in which Northgate operates, are inherently subject to significant operational, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Northgate cautions that forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause Northgate's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such information, including, but not limited to gold and copper price volatility; fluctuations in foreign exchange rates and interest rates; the impact of any hedging activities; discrepancies between actual and estimated production, between actual and estimated reserves and resources or between actual and estimated metallurgical recoveries; costs of production; capital expenditure requirements; the costs and timing of construction and development of new deposits; and the success of exploration and permitting activities. In addition, the factors described or referred to in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in Northgate's Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2008 or under the heading "Risks and Uncertainties" in Northgate's 2008 Annual Report, both of which are available on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com, should be reviewed in conjunction with the information found in this press release. Although Northgate has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there can be other factors that cause results, performance or achievements not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate or that management's expectations or estimates of future developments, circumstances or results will materialize. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The forward-looking information in this press release is made as of the date of this press release, and Northgate disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise such information, except as required by applicable law.