Northgate Confirms the Presence of a Substantial New Mineralized System 300 Meters East of Kemess North.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- Northgate Minerals Corporation (TSX:NGX)(AMEX:NXG) is pleased to announce that the two follow-up exploration drill holes to KN-05-24 (press release September 26, 2005) on the Kemess North Offset target both intersected substantial thicknesses of similar gold and copper mineralization.

Ken Stowe CEO of Northgate commented: "These intersections confirm the continuity and scale of the mineralized system we discovered earlier this year and suggest that it is a robust system that has considerable size potential. The structural information provided by the drilling and the nature of the mineralization itself points to an area to the west of these three holes, within which we will explore for the fault offset of the high-grade core of Kemess North. The system is also open to the south and east and block faulting may have moved a portion of the system much closer to surface. This potential is clearly demonstrated in KN-05-28 where stronger gold-copper mineralization was intersected 200 metres and 400 metres closer to surface than in holes KN-05-24 and 27 respectively. As a result of this year's exploration success, we are planning a 30,000 metre - $US 2.5 million drill program for 2006 in the Kemess North Offset and Kemess East areas."

Summary of Kemess North Offset Exploration in 2005

During the August - October period, a total of five holes were drilled in the area to the east of the Kemess North deposit in search of the faulted off extension the deposit. Hole KN-05-24 intersected a new mineralized zone (announced on September 26, 2005) and subsequent to this discovery two follow up holes were drilled which also intersected substantial thicknesses of gold-copper mineralization. Interval results from these holes are shown in Table 1 and drill hole collar locations are listed in Table 2.

Table 1 - Assay results from KN-05-27 and KN-05-28

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                 From         To      Width          Gold    Copper
Hole No.      (metres)   (metres)   (metres) (Grams/tonne)       (%)
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KN-05-27          926    1,232.9      306.9          0.21      0.21
            -------------------------------------------------------
            Including    1,232.9      146.9          0.30      0.27
                 1086
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KN-05-28          576    1,083.6      507.6          0.21      0.18
            -------------------------------------------------------
            Including      1,046        256          0.30      0.23
                  790
            -------------------------------------------------------
            Including      1,040        126          0.41      0.27
                  914
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Table 2 - Table of Drill Hole Collar Co-Ordinates

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                            East-  North- Eleva-   Azi-
Hole_ID   Nad83E   Nad83N    ing     ing   tion   muth  Dip  T Depth
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KN-05-24  637076  6326427  11133   16093   1709     90  -85  1,029.6
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KN-05-27  637076  6326518  11136   16183   1702      0  -90  1,232.9
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KN-05-28  637076  6326518  11139   16183   1702    120  -80  1,083.6
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As illustrated in Figure 1, the holes are located east of the East Bounding Fault and south of the North Bounding Fault. The cross sectional view of the drill area (Figure 2) shows that the mineralization is at a lower elevation than the Kemess North deposit. The hole separation is approximately 50 metres east to west and 60 metres north to south. These separations are somewhat less than planned as a result of natural deviation of the drill string.

To view the maps accompanying this press release please click on the following links:

Figure 1: http://www.ccnmatthews.com/docs/NGXa1124.jpg

Figure 2: http://www.ccnmatthews.com/docs/NGXb1124.jpg

The results of Northgate's 2005 exploration program were reviewed, verified and compiled by Northgate's geological staff that includes a qualified person, Carl Edmunds, P. Geo. for the purpose of National Instrument 43-101. Northgate employs a rigorous quality control, quality assurance program. Assays for the program were completed at ALS Chemex in North Vancouver, BC. The copper analyses were completed by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), following a triple acid digestion. Gold analyses were completed by standard one assay ton fire assay with AAS finish.

Northgate Minerals Corporation is a gold and copper mining company focused on operations and opportunities in the Americas. The Corporation's principal assets are the 300,000-ounce per year Kemess South mine in north-central British Columbia, the adjacent Kemess North deposit, which contains a Proven and Probable Reserve of 4.1 million ounces of gold and the Young-Davidson property in northern Ontario with a total resource base of 1.5 million ounces of gold. Northgate is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol NGX and on the American Stock Exchange under the symbol NXG.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements include estimates, forecasts, and statements as to management's expectations with respect to, among other things, future metal production and production costs, potential mineralization and reserves, exploration results, progress in the development of mineral properties, demand and market outlook for commodities and future plans and objectives of Northgate Minerals Corporation (Northgate). 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 upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. 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. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Northgate's expectations are disclosed under the heading "Risk and Uncertainties" in Northgate's 2004 Annual Report and under the heading "Risk Factors" in Northgate's 2004 Annual Information Form (AIF) both of which are filed with Canadian regulators on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) and with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (www.sec.gov). Northgate expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Northgate Minerals Corporation (TSX:NGX) (AMEX:NXG)