CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED

JUNE 30, 2020 AND 2019

(Expressed in thousands of Canadian Dollars)

(Unaudited)

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.

Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Financial Position

(Unaudited - Expressed in thousands of Canadian Dollars)

June 30

December 31

Notes

2020

2019

ASSETS

Non-current assets

Restricted Cash

5(b)

$

843

$

805

Mineral property, plant and equipment

3

144,826

138,867

Total non-current assets

145,669

139,672

Current assets

Amounts receivable from related parties

9

18

-

Amounts receivable and prepaid expenses

4

790

914

Cash and cash equivalents

5(a)

14,751

14,038

Total current assets

15,559

14,952

Total Assets

$

161,228

$

154,624

EQUITY

Capital and reserves

Share capital

6

$

615,565

$

587,448

Reserves

6

112,558

107,163

Deficit

(581,277)

(556,106)

Total equity

146,846

138,505

LIABILITIES

Non-current liabilities

Trade and other payables

10

840

934

Total non-current liabilities

840

934

Current liabilities

Warrant liabilities

7

-

43

Loans payable

8

-

1,360

Payables to related parties

9

92

1,095

Trade and other payables

10

13,450

12,687

Total current liabilities

13,542

15,185

Total liabilities

14,382

16,119

Total Equity and Liabilities

$

161,228

$

154,624

Nature and continuance of operations (note 1)

Commitments and contingencies (note 14)

Events after the reporting date (note 15)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

These condensed consolidated interim financial statements are signed on the Company's behalf by:

/s/ Ronald W. Thiessen

/s/ Christian Milau

Ronald W. Thiessen

Christian Milau

Director

Director

Page | 2

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.

Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Comprehensive Loss (Unaudited - Expressed in thousands of Canadian Dollars, except for share information)

Three months ended June 30

Six months ended June 30

Notes

2020

2019

2020

2019

Expenses

Exploration and evaluation expenses

3, 12

$

10,332

$

14,701

$

17,566

$

26,751

General and administrative expenses

3, 12

2,727

2,171

5,134

4,520

Legal, accounting and audit

638

790

1,625

1,681

Share-based compensation

6(d), (f)

615

662

1,062

1,366

Loss from operating activities

14,312

18,324

25,387

34,318

Foreign exchange (gain) loss

(95)

(38)

(428)

222

Interest income

(17)

(73)

(59)

(143)

Finance expense

28

27

67

54

Loss on revaluation of warrant liabilities

228

34

204

34

Loss before tax

14,456

18,274

25,171

34,485

Deferred income tax (recovery) expense

-

-

-

-

Net loss

$

14,456

$

18,274

$

25,171

$

34,485

Other comprehensive loss (income)

Items that may be subsequently reclassified to net loss

Foreign exchange translation difference

6(g)

4,949

2,477

(5,824)

5,349

Other comprehensive loss (income)

$

4,949

$

2,477

$

(5,824)

$

5,349

Total comprehensive loss

$

19,405

$

20,751

$

19,347

$

39,834

Basic and diluted loss per share

11

$

0.03

$

0.05

$

0.06

$

0.10

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

Page | 3

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.

Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited - Expressed in thousands of Canadian Dollars)

Six months ended June 30

Notes

2020

2019

Operating activities

Net loss

$

(25,171)

$

(34,485)

Non-cash or non operating items

Depreciation

3

300

328

Interest income

(59)

(143)

Interest on credit facility loans

8

9

-

Loss on revaluation of warrant liabilities

7

204

34

Share-based compensation

1,062

1,366

Unrealized exchange differences

(27)

58

Changes in working capital items

Amounts receivable and prepaid expenses

391

902

Trade and other payables

339

2,883

Amounts receivable from related parties

(18)

-

Payables to related parties

151

(315)

Net cash used in operating activities

(22,819)

(29,372)

Investing activities

Interest received on cash and cash equivalents

48

122

Net cash from investing activities

48

122

Financing activities

Proceeds from issuance of common shares

6(b)

10,063

21,951

Transaction costs in the issuance of common shares

6(b)

(955)

(2,183)

Proceeds from private placement financings

6(b)

13,259

5,217

Transaction costs for the private placement financings

6(b)

(105)

(112)

Proceeds from the exercise of share purchase options and warrants

6(c), (d)

3,859

162

Payments of principal portion of lease liabilities

(171)

(187)

Repayment of credit facility loans

8, 9(a)

(2,523)

-

Additional costs paid for issue of special warrants

-

(2)

Net cash from financing activities

23,427

24,846

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

656

(4,404)

Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash and cash equivalents

57

(70)

Cash and cash equivalents - beginning balance

14,038

14,872

Cash and cash equivalents - ending balance

5(a)

$

14,751

$

10,398

Supplementary cash flow information (note 5(a))

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

Page | 4

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.

Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Changes in Equity (Unaudited - Expressed in thousands of Canadian Dollars, except for share information)

Notes

Share capital

Reserves

Equity -

Foreign

settled

currency

Share

Subscriptions

Number of

share-based

translation

Investment

Purchase

received for

shares

compensation

reserve

revaluation

Warrants

shares

(note 6(a))

Amount

reserve

(note 6(g))

reserve

(note 6(c))

(note 6(b))

Deficit

Total equity

Balance at January 1, 2019

313,417,856

$

517,327

$

66,938

$

38,686

$

(17)

$

12,189

$

-

$

(486,913)

$

148,210

Shares issued on exercise of options per option plan

6(d)

194,000

95

-

-

-

95

Shares issued upon exercise of warrants and options not issued per option plan

6(c)

154,135

67

-

-

-

-

-

-

67

Shares issued pursuant to restricted share unit plan

6(f)

85,294

117

(56)

-

-

-

-

-

61

Fair value allocated to shares issued on exercise of options and warrants

-

116

(91)

-

-

(25)

-

-

-

Share issued, net of transactions costs

6(b)

30,168,750

19,718

-

-

-

-

-

-

19,718

Share issued on conversion of special warrants, net of transaction costs

6(b)

10,150,322

8,190

-

-

-

(8,190)

-

-

-

Share issued pursuant to private placement, net of transaction costs

6(b)

7,429,476

5,105

-

-

-

-

-

-

5,105

Share-based compensation

6(d) & (f)

-

-

1,323

-

-

-

-

-

1,323

Net loss

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(34,485)

(34,485)

Other comprehensive loss net of tax

-

-

-

(5,349)

-

-

-

-

(5,349)

Total comprehensive loss

(39,834)

Balance at June 30, 2019

361,599,833

$

550,735

$

68,114

$

33,337

$

(17)

$

3,974

$

-

$

(521,398)

$

134,745

Balance at January 1, 2020

422,942,680

$

587,448

$

70,150

$

32,365

$

(17)

$

3,972

$

693

$

(556,106)

$

138,505

Shares issued on exercise of options per option plan

6(d)

1,550,900

1,255

-

-

-

-

-

1,255

Shares issued upon exercise of warrants and options not issued per option plan

6(c)

4,804,393

2,862

-

-

-

-

-

-

2,862

Fair value allocated to shares issued on exercise of options and warrants

-

1,531

(799)

-

-

(732)

-

-

-

Fair value allocated to shares issued on exercise of broker warrants

-

247

-

-

-

-

-

-

247

Reclass of fair value on exercise of warrants

-

(733)

-

-

-

733

-

-

-

Share issued, net of transactions costs

6(b)

14,375,000

9,120

-

-

-

-

-

-

9,120

Share issued pursuant to private placements, net of transaction costs

6(b)

24,045,966

13,847

-

-

-

-

(693)

-

13,154

Additional transaction costs for public offering in December 2019

-

(12)

-

-

-

-

-

-

(12)

Share-based compensation

6(d)

-

-

1,062

-

-

-

-

-

1,062

Net loss

-

-

-

-

-

-

(25,171)

(25,171)

Other comprehensive income net of tax

-

-

-

5,824

-

-

-

-

5,824

Total comprehensive income

(19,347)

Balance at June 30, 2020

467,718,939

$

615,565

$

70,413

$

38,189

$

(17)

$

3,973

$

-

$

(581,277)

$

146,846

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

Page | 5

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019

(Unaudited - Expressed in thousands of Canadian Dollars, unless otherwise stated, except per share or option)

1. NATURE AND CONTINUANCE OF OPERATIONS

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. (the "Company") is incorporated under the laws of the Province of British Columbia, Canada, and its principal business activity is the exploration of mineral properties. The Company is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX") under the symbol "NDM" and on the NYSE American Exchange ("NYSE American") under the symbol "NAK". The Company's corporate office is located at 1040 West Georgia Street, 15th floor, Vancouver, British Columbia.

The condensed consolidated interim financial statements ("Financial Statements") of the Company as at and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, include financial information for the Company and its subsidiaries (together referred to as the "Group" and individually as "Group entities"). The Company is the ultimate parent. The Group's core mineral property interest is the Pebble Copper-Gold-Molybdenum Project (the "Pebble Project") located in Alaska, United States of America ("USA" or "US"). All US dollar amounts when presented are expressed in thousands, unless otherwise stated.

The Group is in the process of exploring and developing the Pebble Project and has not yet determined whether the Pebble Project contains mineral reserves that are economically recoverable. The Group's continuing operations and the underlying value and recoverability of the amounts shown for the Group's mineral property interests, is entirely dependent upon the existence of economically recoverable mineral reserves; the ability of the Group to obtain financing to complete the exploration and development of the Pebble Project; the Group obtaining the necessary permits to mine; and future profitable production or proceeds from the disposition of the Pebble Project.

During the six months ended June 30, 2020, the Company raised net cash proceeds of $22,262 from common share issuances and private placements of common shares (note 6(b)), and $3,859 from the exercise of share purchase options and warrants (notes 6(c) - (d)).

As of June 30, 2020, the Group had $14,751 (December 31, 2019 - $14,038) in cash and cash equivalents for its operating requirements and working capital of $2,017. These Financial Statements have been prepared on the basis of a going concern, which assumes that the Group will be able to raise sufficient funds to continue its exploration and development activities and satisfy its obligations as they come due. Subsequent to the reporting period, the Group completed two financings for gross proceeds of US$43,884 (note 15). During the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, the Group incurred a net loss of $25,171 and $34,485, respectively, and had a deficit of $581,277 as of June 30, 2020. The Group has prioritized the allocation of its financial resources in order to meet key corporate and Pebble Project expenditure requirements in the near term. Additional financing will be required in order to progress any material expenditures at the Pebble Project and for working capital requirements. Additional financing may include any of or a combination of debt, equity and/or contributions from possible new Pebble Project participants. There can be no assurances that the Group will be successful in obtaining additional financing. If the Group is unable to raise the necessary capital resources and generate sufficient cash flows to meet obligations as they come due, the Group may, at some point, consider reducing or curtailing its operations. As such, there is material uncertainty that raises substantial doubt about the Group's ability to continue as a going concern.

The Group through the Pebble Limited Partnership ("Pebble Partnership") initiated federal and state permitting for the Pebble Project under the National Environmental Protection Act ("NEPA"), by filing documentation for a Clean Water Act ("CWA") 404 permit with the US Army Corps of Engineers ("USACE") in December 2017. The USACE published a draft Environmental Impact Statement ("EIS") in February 2019 and completed a 120-day public comment period thereon on July 2, 2019. In late July 2019, the US Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") withdrew a Proposed Determination initiated under Section 404(c) of the CWA in 2014, which attempted to pre-emptively veto the Pebble Project before it received an objective, scientific regulatory review under NEPA. On July 24, 2020, the USACE published the final EIS.

Page | 6

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019

(Unaudited - Expressed in thousands of Canadian Dollars, unless otherwise stated, except per share or option)

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

  1. Statement of Compliance
    These Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34, Interim Financial Reporting, as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB") and interpretations issued by the IFRS Interpretations Committee ("IFRIC"s). They do not include all of the information required by IFRS for complete annual financial statements, and should be read in conjunction with the Group's consolidated financial statements as at and for the year ended December 31, 2019 ("2019 annual financial statements").
    These Financial Statements were authorized for issue by the Audit and Risk Committee on August 12, 2020.
  2. Use of Judgments and Estimates
    In preparing these Financial Statements, management has made judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, income and expense. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
    There was no change in the use of significant estimates and judgments during the current periods as compared to those described in Note 2 in the Group's 2019 annual financial statements, other than as follows:
    Response to COVID-19
    On March 26, 2020, in accordance with the order of the Governor of Alaska, the Group's 100% owned Pebble Partnership, along with all other nonessential offices in Alaska, closed its offices for the health and safety of its personnel. Notwithstanding the closure, the Group has maintained its staff and employees, and continues to support the NEPA EIS process remotely. Technical review meetings were completed before the implementation of the Governor's order. In July 2020, the USACE published the final EIS, with the Record of Decision ("ROD") anticipated early fall 2020.
    Although, the Group has not been notified of any delay, the Group's plans to advance the development of the Pebble Project are dependent upon the continued progress of the Group's approval and permitting process with the USACE, the EPA and Alaskan state agencies, as well as the Group's ability to continue the work required in connection with this process through its employees and its contractors. It is possible that government efforts to curtail the COVID-19 outbreak will result in delays in the Group's permitting process, including a possible delay in the progress through to a ROD. In addition, our personnel may be delayed in completing the required work that we are pursuing in connection with this process due to quarantine, self-isolation, social distancing, restrictions on travel, restrictions on meetings and work from home requirements. The extent to which the coronavirus impacts the Group's operations will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence, including the duration of the outbreak, new information that may emerge concerning the severity of the coronavirus and the actions taken to contain the coronavirus or treat its impact, among others. Moreover, the spread of the coronavirus globally is expected to have a material adverse effect on global and regional economies and to continue to negatively impact stock markets, including the trading price of the Company's shares. These adverse effects on the economy, the stock market and the Company's share price could adversely impact our ability to raise capital, with the result that our ability to pursue development of the Pebble Project could be adversely impacted, both through delays and through increased costs. Any of these developments, and others, could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations and could delay our plans for development of the Pebble Project.

Page | 7

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019

(Unaudited - Expressed in thousands of Canadian Dollars, unless otherwise stated, except per share or option)

3. MINERAL PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

The Group's exploration and evaluation assets are comprised of the following:

Six months ended June 30, 2020

Mineral Property

Plant and

interest 1

equipment 2

Total

Cost

Balance December 31, 2019 and Ending balance

$

112,541

$

3,018

$

115,559

Accumulated depreciation

Beginning balance

-

(1,615)

(1,615)

Depreciation 3

-

(300)

(300)

Ending balance

-

(1,915)

(1,915)

Foreign currency translation difference

30,955

227

31,182

Net carrying value -June 30, 2020

$

143,496

$

1,330

$

144,826

Notes to table:

  1. Comprises the Pebble Project, a contiguous block of 2,402 mineral claims covering approximately 417 square miles located in southwest Alaska, 17 miles (30 kilometers) from the villages of Iliamna and Newhalen, and approximately 200 miles (320 kilometers) southwest of the city of Anchorage.
  2. Includes ROU Assets, which relate to the use of office space, a copier, hangers, yard storage and one vehicle. The following comprises ROU Assets:

Six months ended June 30, 2020

Land and

Buildings

Equipment

Total

Balance December 31, 2019 and Ending balance

$

1,591

$

53

$

1,644

Accumulated depreciation

Beginning balance

(411)

(9)

(420)

Depreciation 4

(183)

(8)

(191)

Ending balance

(594)

(17)

(611)

Foreign currency translation difference

(11)

-

(11)

Net carrying value - June 30, 2020

$

986

$

36

$

1,022

  1. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, depreciation was $328. For the three months ended June 30, 2020, depreciation was $141 (2019 - $165).
  2. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, depreciation was $214. For the three months ended June 30, 2020, depreciation was $85 (2019 - $108), of which $61 (2019 - $57) and $119 (2019 - $112) respectively, is included in general and administrative expenses. The remainder is included in exploration and evaluation expenses.

Page | 8

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019

(Unaudited - Expressed in thousands of Canadian Dollars, unless otherwise stated, except per share or option)

4. AMOUNTS RECEIVABLE AND PREPAID EXPENSES

June 30

December 31

2020

2019

Sales tax receivable

$

88

$

177

Amounts receivable

390

239

Prepaid expenses

312

498

Total

$

790

$

914

5. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH

  1. Cash and cash equivalents
    The Group's cash and cash equivalents at June 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019, consisted of cash on hand and was invested in business and savings accounts.
    Supplementary cash flow information Non-cashinvesting and financing activities:
    In the six months ended June 30, 2020, the proceeds to the Group for the issuance of 345,180 common shares on the exercise of share purchase options and warrants in the amount of $258 was banked after the reporting period (note 6(a)).
    In the six months ended June 30, 2019, the Group issued common shares on settlement of equity-settled restricted share units (note 6(f))
  2. Restricted cash
    The Group has cash deposited with a United States financial institution that has been pledged as collateral to the surety provider for a US$2,000 surety bond that was placed with the Alaskan regulatory authorities for a performance guarantee related to any potential reclamation liability as a condition of the Miscellaneous Land Use Permit granted to the Pebble Partnership for its ongoing activities on the Pebble Project. The cash deposit will be released once any reclamation work required has been performed and assessed by the Alaskan regulatory authorities. The cash is invested in a money market fund. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, income of $nil (2019 - $4) and $2 (2019 - $8) respectively, has been recognized which has been re-invested.

6. CAPITAL AND RESERVES

  1. Authorized Share Capital
    At June 30, 2020, the authorized share capital comprised an unlimited (2019 - unlimited) number of common shares ("shares") with no par value. As of the reporting date, 467,373,759 shares were issued and fully paid. A further 345,180 shares were issued but the proceeds for these issuances were deposited subsequent to June 30, 2020 (note 5(a)).

Page | 9

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019

(Unaudited - Expressed in thousands of Canadian Dollars, unless otherwise stated, except per share or option)

  1. Financings May 2020 Bought Deal
    In May 2020, the Group completed an underwritten public offering of 14,375,000 shares at $0.70 per share for gross proceeds of approximately $10,063. The Group paid the underwriters a 5% cash commission. After transaction costs of $943, net proceeds to the Group were $9,120.
    Private Placement
    In May 2020, the Group also completed a non-brokered private placement of 10,357,143 common shares at $0.70 per share for gross proceeds of $7,250. No commission or finder's fee were payable. After transaction costs of $16, net proceeds to the Group were $7,234.
    January 2020 Private Placements
    In January 2020, the Group completed private placements of 13,688,823 shares for gross proceeds of approximately $6,708 (US$5,065). Of this, $6,009 was received in January 2020 on the placement of 12,262,323 shares as the Group received $699 in December 2019 for subscriptions to 1,426,500 shares. After transaction costs of $95 (of which $6 was incurred in 2019), net proceeds to the Group were $6,613 (of which $693 was received in December 2019).
    June 2019 Bought Deal
    The Group completed a bought deal offering of 12,200,000 common shares at US$0.41 per share for gross proceeds of US$5,002 ($6,594). The Group paid the underwriters a 6% cash commission and issued 244,000 non- transferable share purchase warrants ("Broker Warrants") to purchase common shares at US$0.41 per share until June 24, 2020. After transaction costs of $890, which includes the cost of the Warrants (see below), net proceeds to the Group was $5,704.
    As the Broker Warrants were denominated in US dollars, they were treated as cash-settled warrant liabilities (note 7). Upon initial recognition, the Brokers warrants were valued at $50 (estimated using the Black Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions: risk free rate of 1.45%, expected volatility of 72.9%, expected life of 1 year, share price of Cdn$0.61 and dividend yield of nil) with an equivalent amount recognized as a financing cost. The Broker Warrants were exercised in June 2020.
    Private Placement
    The Group also completed a non-brokered private placement of 3,660,000 common shares for gross proceeds of approximately US$1,500 ($1,975). No commission or finder's fee was payable.

Page | 10

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019

(Unaudited - Expressed in thousands of Canadian Dollars, unless otherwise stated, except per share or option)

March 2019

Bought Deal

The Group completed a bought deal offering of 17,968,750 shares at US$0.64 per share for gross proceeds of US$11,500 ($15,337). The Group paid the underwriters a 6% cash commission. After transaction costs of $1,323, net proceeds to the Group were $14,014.

Private Placement

The Group also completed a private placement of 3,769,476 shares at $0.86 (US$0.64) per share for gross proceeds of approximately $3,242 (US$2,412). After transaction costs of $112, net proceeds to the Group were $3,130.

February 2019 Conversion of Special Warrants

10,150,322 special warrants issued in a private placement in December 2018, were converted into shares on a one-for-one basis for no additional consideration to the Group. Additional transaction costs of $2 were incurred in the six months ended June 30, 2019.

  1. Share Purchase Warrants and Options not Issued under the Group's Incentive Plan
    The following reconciles outstanding warrants and non-employee options (options that were not issued under the Group's incentive plan (see below)), each exercisable to acquire one common share, for the six months ended June 30, 2020, and 2019 respectively:

Cannon

Mission

Point

Gold

Other

Special

Broker

options

warrants

warrants

warrants

warrants

Continuity

(note 1)

(note 1)

(note 2)

(note 3)

(note 4)

Total

Beg. Balance

327,700

3,964,701

27,074,399

10,150,322

-

41,517,122

Issued

-

-

-

-

244,000

244,000

Exercised

(104,450)

(49,685)

-

(10,150,322)

-

(10,304,457)

Bal. June 30, 2019

223,250

3,915,016

27,074,399

-

244,000

31,456,665

Issued

-

-

466,666

-

-

466,666

Exercised

-

(150,390)

-

-

-

(150,390)

Bal. Dec 31, 2019

223,250

3,764,626

27,541,065

-

244,000

31,772,941

Exercised

(11,750)

(2,385,943)

(2,162,700)

-

(244,000)

(4,804,393)

Bal. June 30, 2020

211,500

1,378,683

25,378,365

-

-

26,968,548

Page | 11

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019

(Unaudited - Expressed in thousands of Canadian Dollars, unless otherwise stated, except per share or option)

Weighted Averages per option/warrant

Cannon

Mission

Other

Point options

Gold warrants

warrants

Total

As at June 30 2020

Exercise price

$ 0.37

$ 0.55

$ 0.65

$ 0.64

Exercise price US dollars

-

-

-

US$ 0.41

Remaining life in years

1.97

0.02

0.95

0.91

As at December 31, 2019

Exercise price

$ 0.38

$ 0.55

$ 0.65

$ 0.64

Exercise price US dollars

-

-

-

US$ 0.41

Remaining life in years

2.40

0.52

1.45

1.33

Notes to tables:

    1. The Group exchanged options and warrants to purchase shares in the Company, which were outstanding in Cannon Point Resources Ltd. ("Cannon Point") and Mission Gold Ltd. ("Mission Gold") on the acquisition of these companies in October 2015 and December 2015 respectively. The Mission Gold warrants were due to expire on July 9, 2020 and all but 45,891 warrants were exercised subsequent to June 30, 2020.
    2. Warrants were issued pursuant to the June 2016 prospectus financing, July 2016 private placement and the 2019 non-revolving term loan credit facility agreement (note 8).
    3. The special warrants were issued in a private placement at an exercise price of $0.83 (US$0.62) per special warrant in December 2018.
    4. The Broker Warrants were issued to the underwriters pursuant to the June 2019 prospectus financing and were exercised prior to their expiry date of June 24, 2020.
  1. Share Purchase Option Compensation Plan
    The following reconciles the Group's share purchase options ("options") issued and outstanding pursuant to the Group's incentive plan for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019:

Page | 12

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019

(Unaudited - Expressed in thousands of Canadian Dollars, unless otherwise stated, except per share or option)

Weighted average

Number of

exercise price

Continuity of options

options

($/option)

Beginning Balance

24,606,732

1.03

Expired

(4,235,000)

1.54

Exercised

(194,000)

0.49

Forfeited

(10,700)

0.82

Balance June 30, 2019

20,167,032

0.93

Granted

6,610,500

0.99

Exercised

(991,666)

0.55

Cancelled

(33,600)

1.10

Balance December 31, 2019

25,752,266

0.96

Forfeited

(6,000)

0.99

Cancelled

(16,000)

0.85

Exercised

(1,550,900)

0.81

Balance June 30, 2020

24,179,366

0.97

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, the Group recognized share-based compensation of $615 (2019

  • $653) and $1,062 (2019 - $1,304) respectively, for options.

The following table summarizes information on options as at June 30, 2020:

Options outstanding

Options exercisable

Weighted average

Weighted average

remaining

remaining

Number of

contractual

contractual

life

Number of

life

Exercise prices ($)

options

(years)

options

(years)

0.48

200,000

0.71

200,000

0.71

0.49

4,730,000

1.03

4,730,000

1.03

0.50

2,076,666

0.31

2,076,666

0.31

0.76

5,209,000

2.45

5,209,000

2.45

0.99

6,528,000

4.25

3,228,750

4.25

1.75

5,435,700

1.69

5,435,700

1.69

Total and weighted average

contractual life per option

24,179,366

2.29

20,880,116

1.98

The weighted average exercise price for exercisable options as at June 30, 2020 was $0.96 (December 31, 2019 - $0.95) per option.

  1. Deferred Share Units ("DSUs")
    As at June 30, 2020, a total of 458,129 DSUs were issued and outstanding (June 30 and December 31, 2019 - 458,129). There have been no new grants of DSUs since 2017.

Page | 13

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019

(Unaudited - Expressed in thousands of Canadian Dollars, unless otherwise stated, except per share or option)

  1. Restricted Share Units ("RSUs")
    The following reconciles RSUs outstanding for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 respectively:

Weighted average

Number of

fair value

Continuity of RSUs

RSUs

($/RSU)

Beginning Balance

196,753

1.27

Shares issued

(85,294)

1.37

Withheld

(75,582)

1.14

Balance June 30, 2019

35,877

2.23

Shares issued

(25,792)

1.57

Withheld

(10,085)

1.27

Balance December 31, 2019 and June 30, 2020

-

-

(g)

Foreign Currency Translation Reserve

Continuity

Balance January 1, 2019

$

38,686

Loss on translation of foreign subsidiaries

(5,349)

Balance June 30, 2019

33,337

Loss on translation of foreign subsidiaries

(972)

Balance December 31, 2019

32,365

Gain on translation of foreign subsidiaries

5,823

Balance June 30, 2020

$

38,188

The foreign currency translation reserve represents accumulated exchange differences arising on the translation, into the Group's presentation currency (the Canadian dollar), of the results of operations and net assets of the Group's subsidiaries with a US dollar functional currency.

7. WARRANT LIABILITIES

The Broker Warrants (note 6(b)) which had a US dollar exercise price, were treated as cash-settled warrant liabilities. They were recognized at fair value on date of issue as a financing cost (note 6(b)) with subsequent changes in fair value being recognized in loss. The following table reconciles the change in fair value of the warrant liabilities until their exercise:

June 30

December 31

2020

2019

Beginning balance

$

43

$

-

Fair value on issue recognized as a financing cost

-

50

Fair value loss on revaluation recognized in loss for period

204

(7)

Fair value transferred to share capital on exercise

(247)

-

Ending balance

$

-

$

43

Page | 14

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019

(Unaudited - Expressed in thousands of Canadian Dollars, unless otherwise stated, except per share or option)

The fair value revaluation of the Broker Warrants on the date of exercise was estimated using the Black Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions: risk free rate of 0.28%, expected volatility of 93.4%, expected life of 0.06 of a year, share price of $1.58 and dividend yield of nil.

8.

LOANS PAYABLE

June 30

December 31

2020

2019

Beginning balance

$

1,360

$

-

Loans provided during the period

183

2,317

Accrued interest

9

14

Repayment of loans

(1,364)

-

Loans transferred to payables to related parties (note 9)

(188)

(971)

Total

$

-

$

1,360

In November 2019, the Group entered into an unsecured non-revolving term loan credit facility agreement (the "Credit Facility") with a syndicate of lenders (the "Lenders"), two of whom are related parties, of up to $3,500. Loans provided by the Lenders earned interest at 10% per annum and were paid on repayment of the loans (see below). Pursuant to the Credit Facility, the repayment of the loans and accrued interest was to occur on a date that is the earlier of i) May 25, 2020 and ii) the date the Group has completed one or more equity or debt financings raising an aggregate of US$20,000.

As consideration for entering into the Credit Facility, the Group issued to the Lenders, on a pro rata basis, 466,666 share purchase warrants, each warrant exercisable into one share at the exercise price of $0.75 per share until December 2, 2021, of which 153,333 warrants were issued to the two related parties.

In January and February 2020, the loans including accrued interest were repaid to the Lenders. For the six months ended June 30, 2020, the Group incurred interest of $9, of which $5 (December 2019 - $4) related to the two related parties, and has been included in the finance expense in the loss for the period.

9. RELATED PARTY BALANCES AND TRANSACTIONS

The components of transactions to related parties is as follows:

June 30

December 31

Amounts receivable from related parties

2020

2019

Advance payment to independent directors (a)

$

18

$

-

Total amounts receivable from related parties

$

18

$

-

Page | 15

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019

(Unaudited - Expressed in thousands of Canadian Dollars, unless otherwise stated, except per share or option)

June 30

December 31

Payables to related parties

2020

2019

Key management personnel (a)

Loans payable

$

-

$

971

Loans payable beginning balance

971

-

Provided by key management personnel

183

967

Accrued interest

5

4

Repayment of loans

(1,159)

-

Other

74

-

Hunter Dickinson Services Inc. (b)

18

124

Total payables to related parties

$

92

$

1,095

Balances and transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries, which are related parties of the Company, have been eliminated on consolidation. Details between the Group and other related parties are disclosed below:

  1. Transactions and Balances with Key Management Personnel ("KMP")
    The aggregate value of transactions with KMP, being the Group's directors, Chief Executive Officer ("CEO"), Chief Financial Officer ("CFO"), Company Secretary, Executive Vice President ("EVP"), Environment and Sustainability, Vice President ("VP"), Corporate Communications, VP, Engineering and VP, Public Affairs, and Pebble Partnership ("PLP") senior management including the PLP CEO, Executive VP ("EVP"), Public Affairs, Senior VP ("SVP"), Corporate Affairs, SVP Engineering, VP, Permitting, Chief of Staff and Chair of Pebble Mines Corp ("PMC Chair"), was as follows for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019:

Three months

Six months

Transaction

2020

2019

2020

2019

Compensation

Amounts paid and payable to HDSI for

593

609

1,207

services of KMP employed by HDSI 1

$

$

$

$

1,241

Amounts paid and payable to KMP 2

1,246

1,083

2,463

2,259

Bonuses paid to KMP 3

269

-

533

310

Interest payable on loans received from

KMP

-

-

5

-

2,108

1,692

4,208

3,810

Share-based compensation 4

298

500

595

1,038

Total compensation

$

2,406

$

2,192

$

4,803

$

4,848

Notes to previous table:

  1. The Group's CEO, CFO, Board Chair and senior management, other than disclosed in note 2 below, are employed by the Group through Hunter Dickinson Services Inc. ("HDSI") (refer (b)).
  2. Represents short-term employee benefits, including director's fees paid to the Group's independent directors, and salaries paid and payable to the PLP CEO, PMC Chair and PLP EVP, SVPs, VP and Chief of Staff. The SVP Engineering is employed by the Group through a wholly-owned US subsidiary of HDSI ("HDUS"). The Group reimburses HDUS for costs incurred.

Page | 16

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019

(Unaudited - Expressed in thousands of Canadian Dollars, unless otherwise stated, except per share or option)

  1. In 2020, incentive and performance bonuses were paid to the PLP CEO, PLP SVP Corporate Affairs and PLP Chief of Staff. In 2019, incentive bonuses were paid to the CFO, EVP, Environment and Sustainability, VP, Corporate Communications, SVP, Engineering, VP, Permitting, and to the Company Secretary.
  2. Includes cost of RSUs and share purchase options issued and/or vesting during the respective periods.
  3. The Group's Board Chair and CEO advanced a total of $1,150 to the Group pursuant to the Credit Facility (note 8), $967 in December 2019, and $183 in January 2020. The Group repaid the loans including interest accrued in January 2020.

Options Exercised

During the six months ended June 30, 2020, 865,000 KMP incentive options (2019 -125,000) were exercised at a weighted average exercise price of $0.49 (2019 - $0.49) and weighted average market price on exercise of $1.69 (2019 - $0.87) for proceeds to the Group of $424 (2019 - $61).

  1. Transactions and Balances with other Related Parties
    HDSI is a private company that provides geological, engineering, environmental, corporate development, financial, administrative and management services to the Group and its subsidiaries at annually set rates pursuant to a management services agreement. The annually set rates also include a component of overhead costs such as office rent, information technology services and general administrative support services. HDSI also incurs third party costs on behalf of the Group, which are reimbursed by the Group at cost. Several directors and other key management personnel of HDSI, who are close business associates, are also key management personnel of the Group.
    For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, and 2019, transactions with HDSI were as follows:

Page | 17

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019

(Unaudited - Expressed in thousands of Canadian Dollars, unless otherwise stated, except per share or option)

Three months

Six months

Transactions

2020

2019

2020

2019

Services rendered by HDSI:

Technical

Engineering

$

232

$

225

$

466

$

594

Environmental

40

99

135

270

Socioeconomic

130

124

221

239

Other technical services

17

19

49

80

419

467

871

1,183

General and administrative

Management, corporate

communications, secretarial,

financial and administration

581

561

1,120

1,220

Shareholder communication

144

109

312

274

725

670

1,432

1,494

Total for services rendered

1,144

1,137

2,303

2,677

Reimbursement of third party expenses

Conferences and travel

25

76

101

142

Insurance

2

51

53

51

Office supplies and information

technology

110

114

220

210

Total reimbursed

137

241

374

403

Total

$

1,281

$

1,378

$

2,677

$

3,080

10. TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES

June 30

December 31

Current liabilities

2020

2019

Falling due within the year

Trade 1

$

13,186

$

12,401

Lease liabilities 2

264

286

Total

$

13,450

$

12,687

Non-current liabilities

Lease liabilities 2

$

840

$

934

Total

$

840

$

934

Notes:

1. At June 30, 2020 and December 31,2019, trade payables in current liabilities includes legal fees due to legal counsel of US$5,155, due December 24, 2020, and US$635 payable on completion of a partnering transaction. Effective February 1, 2020, the former amount accrues interest at 3.5% per annum. As of June 30, 2020, accrued interest included in trade payables is US$75.

Page | 18

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019

(Unaudited - Expressed in thousands of Canadian Dollars, unless otherwise stated, except per share or option)

2. Lease liabilities relate to lease of offices, a copier, site hangers, yard storage and one vehicle, which have remaining lease terms of 10 to 119 months and interest rates of 7.5% - 10.5% over the term of the leases. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, the Group recognized $28 (2019 - $27) and $58 (2019

- $54) respectively, in interest expense on lease liabilities.

The following table provides the schedule of undiscounted lease liabilities as at June 30, 2020:

Total

Less than one year

$

361

One to five years

783

Later than 5 years

320

Total undiscounted lease liabilities

$

1,464

The Group had short-term lease commitments of less than a year relating to property leases totaling $93 as of January 1, 2020. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, the Group incurred short-term lease commitments of $196 (2019 - $206) and $258 (2019 - $206) respectively, and expensed $65 (2019 - $68) and $130 (2019 - $129), respectively.

11. BASIC AND DILUTED LOSS PER SHARE

The calculation of basic and diluted loss per share for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 was based on the following:

Three months

Six months

2020

2019

2020

2019

Loss attributable to shareholders

$

14,456

$

18,274

$

25,171

$

34,485

(000s)

Weighted average number of shares

outstanding

451,788

346,717

442,900

336,858

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, basic and diluted loss per share does not include the effect of employee share purchase options outstanding (2020 - 24,179,366, 2019 - 20,167,032), non-employee share purchase options and warrants (2020 - 26,968,548, 2019 - 31,456,665), DSUs (2020 - 458,129, 2019 - 458,129), and RSUs (2020 - nil, 2019 - 35,877), as they were anti-dilutive.

  1. EMPLOYMENT COSTS
    During the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, the Group recorded $3,463 (2019 - $3,285) and $7,058 (2019 - $7,013) in salaries and benefits, including share-based payments of $615 (2019 - $663) and $1,062 (2019 - $1,366) and amounts paid to HDSI for services provided to the Group by HDSI personnel (note 9(b)).
  2. FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT
    The Group is exposed in varying degrees to a variety of financial instrument related risks. The Board approves and monitors the risk management processes, inclusive of documented investment policies, counterparty limits, and controlling and reporting structures. The type of risk exposure and the way in which such exposure is managed is provided as follows:

Page | 19

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019

(Unaudited - Expressed in thousands of Canadian Dollars, unless otherwise stated, except per share or option)

  1. Credit Risk
    Credit risk is the risk of potential loss to the Group if a counterparty to a financial instrument fails to meet its contractual obligations. The Group's credit risk is primarily attributable to its liquid financial assets, including cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and amounts receivable. The Group limits the exposure to credit risk by only investing its cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash with high-credit quality financial institutions in business and saving accounts, guaranteed investment certificates, in government treasury bills, low risk corporate bonds and money market funds which are available on demand by the Group when required. Amounts receivable (note 4) exclude receivable balances with government agencies and refundable deposits. The Group's maximum exposure at the following reported dates was:

June 30

December 31

Exposure

2020

2019

Amounts receivable

$

390

$

239

Restricted cash

843

805

Cash and cash equivalents

14,751

14,038

Total exposure

$

15,984

$

15,082

  1. Liquidity Risk
    Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group will not be able to meet its financial obligations when they become due. The Group ensures, as far as reasonably possible, it will have sufficient capital in order to meet short to medium term business requirements, after taking into account cash flows from operations and the Group's holdings of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, where applicable. The Group however, has noted material uncertainty that raises substantial doubt about the Group's ability to continue as a going concern (note 1) notwithstanding that it has been successful in the past in raising funds when needed. The Group's cash and cash equivalents at the reporting date were invested in business and savings accounts (note 5(a)).
    The Group's financial liabilities are comprised of current trade and other payables (note 10) and payables to related parties (note 9), which are due for payment within 12 months from the reporting date, and non-current trade payables, which are due for payment more than 12 months from the reporting date. The carrying amounts of the Group's financial liabilities represent the Group's contractual obligations.
  2. Foreign Exchange Risk
    The Company is subject to both currency transaction risk and currency translation risk: the Pebble Partnership, Pebble Services Inc. and U5 Resources Inc. have the US dollar as functional currency, and certain of the Company's corporate expenses are incurred in US dollars. The operating results and financial position of the Group are reported in Canadian dollars in the Group's consolidated financial statements. As a result, the fluctuation of the US dollar in relation to the Canadian dollar will have an impact upon the losses incurred by the Group as well as the value of the Group's assets and the amount of shareholders' equity. The Group has not entered into any agreements or purchased any instruments to hedge possible currency risks.
    The exposure of the Group's US dollar-denominated financial assets and liabilities to foreign exchange risk at the following reported dates was:

Page | 20

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019

(Unaudited - Expressed in thousands of Canadian Dollars, unless otherwise stated, except per share or option)

June 30

December 31

2020

2019

Financial assets:

Amounts receivable

$

268

$

263

Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash

2,299

14,090

2,567

14,353

Financial liabilities:

Non-current trade payables

(840)

(932)

Warrant liabilities

-

(43)

Current trade and other payables

(12,339)

(12,426)

Payables to related parties

(99)

(24)

(13,278)

(13,425)

Net financial liabilities exposed to foreign currency risk

$

(10,711)

$

(928)

Based on the above net exposures and assuming that all other variables remain constant, a 10% change in the value of the Canadian dollar relative to the US dollar would result in a gain or loss of $1,071 (December 31, 2019

  1. - $93) in the reported period. This sensitivity analysis includes only outstanding foreign currency denominated monetary items.

  2. Interest Rate Risk
    The Group is subject to interest rate cash flow risk with respect to its investments in cash and cash equivalents.
    The Group's policy is to invest cash at fixed rates of interest and cash reserves are to be maintained in cash and cash equivalents or short-term low risk investments in order to maintain liquidity, while achieving a satisfactory return for shareholders. Fluctuations in interest rates when cash and cash equivalents mature impact interest income earned.
    Assuming that all other variables remain constant, a 100 basis points change representing a 1% increase or decrease in interest rates would have resulted in a decrease or increase in loss of $72 (2019 - $63) for the six month period.
  3. Capital Management
    The Group's policy is to maintain a strong capital base to maintain investor and creditor confidence and to sustain future development of the business. The capital structure of the Group consists of equity, comprising share capital and reserves, net of accumulated deficit. There were no changes in the Group's approach to capital management during the period. The Group is not subject to any externally imposed capital requirements.
  4. Fair Value
    The fair value of the Group's financial assets and liabilities approximates the carrying amount.
    Financial instruments measured at fair value are classified into one of three levels in the fair value hierarchy according to the relative reliability of the inputs used to estimate the fair values. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are:
  • Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
  • Level 2 - Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability either directly or indirectly; and
  • Level 3 - Inputs that are not based on observable market data.

Page | 21

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019

(Unaudited - Expressed in thousands of Canadian Dollars, unless otherwise stated, except per share or option)

The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to Level 1 inputs and the lowest priority to Level 3 inputs. Fair value measurements, which are determined by using valuation techniques, are classified in their entirety as either Level 2 or Level 3 based on the lowest level input that is significant to the measurement.

The fair value measurement of the warrant liabilities (note 7) was categorized within Level 2 of the hierarchy as it was exposed to market risk as they employed the quoted market price of shares and foreign exchange rates.

14. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

  1. Legal Proceedings
    On February 14, 2017, short seller investment firm Kerrisdale Capital Management LLC published a negative piece (the "Kerrisdale Report") regarding the Pebble Project. Three putative shareholder class actions were filed against the Company and certain of its current officers and directors in US federal courts, specifically the Central District of California (Los Angeles) and the Southern District of New York (New York City). The cases are captioned: Diaz v. Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. et al, Case No. 17-cv-01241(C.D. Cal.), Kirwin v. Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. et al, Case No. 17-cv-01238(S.D.N.Y.) and Schubert v. Northern Dynasty Minerals, Ltd., et al., Case No. 1:17-CV-02437(S.D.N.Y.). The complaints relied on the claims made in the Kerrisdale Report and alleged damages to a class of investors who purchased shares of the Company prior to the publication of the Kerrisdale Report and allege liability for losses pursuant to Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act of 1934 and SEC Rule 10b-5 thereunder, as well as control person liability against the individual defendants pursuant to Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act.
    The plaintiffs in both the Kirwin and Schubert actions voluntarily dismissed their claims without prejudice. The plaintiffs in the Diaz action continued to litigate and filed an amended complaint. The Company filed a motion to dismiss the amended complaint in the Diaz action, which the plaintiffs opposed. On April 30, 2018, the US District Court for the Central District of California (the "California District Court") dismissed the plaintiffs' amended complaint in full, noting that its reliance on the sources in the Kerrisdale Report was an insufficient basis to allege securities fraud. The Court allowed the plaintiffs an opportunity to amend their complaint, which they did in June 2018. The Company again moved to dismiss the new complaint, and briefing on the motion concluded in November 2018.
    On February 22, 2019, the California District Court again dismissed all of the securities class action claims brought against the Company and certain of its officers and directors in the Diaz action, captioned Victor Diaz v. Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd., et al., Case No. CV 17-1241PSG (SSx), this time without leave to amend. The Court ruled in favor of the Company and its officers and directors on all claims and ordered the case closed.
    In March 2019, the Diaz plaintiffs filed a notice of an appeal of the district court's dismissal order, and their appeal was filed with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, in California, in June 2019. The Company filed its response in August 2019 and the plaintiffs submitted their reply in October 2019, closing the briefing before the appellate court. In April 2020, the appellate court decided that a hearing was unnecessary and, on May 8, 2020, the three appellate judge panel issued a memorandum decision affirming the district court's dismissal of the plaintiffs' claims in full. The plaintiffs did not request a rehearing before the Ninth Circuit, but may still appeal to the US Supreme Court in the coming months. If a further appeal is made, the Company will continue to defend itself vigorously in this action.
  2. Short-termlease commitments
    As of June 30, 2020, the Group has $227 in short-term lease commitments. These leases have fixed monthly payments for the remaining term.

Page | 22

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019

(Unaudited - Expressed in thousands of Canadian Dollars, unless otherwise stated, except per share or option)

  1. Pipeline Right-of-Way Bond Commitment
    The Group has a bond of US$300 with the Alaskan regulatory authorities for a performance guarantee related to any potential reclamation liability as a condition for a pipeline right-of-way to a subsidiary of the Pebble Partnership, the Pebble Pipeline Corporation. The Group is liable to the surety provider for any funds drawn by the Alaskan regulatory authorities.
  2. Pebble Performance Dividend Commitment
    The Group has a announced a future commitment beginning at the outset of project construction at the Pebble Project to distribute cash generated from a 3% net profits royalty interest in the Pebble Project to adult residents of Bristol Bay villages that have subscribed as participants, with a guaranteed minimum aggregate annual payment of US$3,000 each year the Pebble mine operates.

15. EVENTS AFTER THE REPORTING DATE

  1. Market Offering
    On July 15, 2020, the Group completed a bought deal offering of 24,150,000 shares at a price of US$1.46 per share for gross proceeds of approximately US$35,259. The offering was completed pursuant to an underwriting agreement dated July 10, 2020, among the Company and Cantor Fitzgerald Canada Corporation, as lead underwriter and bookrunner, and a syndicate of underwriters including BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc., Canaccord Genuity Corp, H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC, Paradigm Capital Inc., TD Securities Inc., Roth Capital Partners, LLC and Velocity Trade Capital Ltd. (collectively, the "Underwriters"). The Underwriters were paid a 5% cash commission.
  2. Grant of Options
    On July 17, 2020, the Group's Compensation Committee granted 6,405,000 options with a five-year term and exercise price of $2.01 per share. The options vest 50% on grant date and 50% 12 months after grant date.
  3. Private Placement
    The Group completed a non-brokered private placement in two tranches of 5,807,534 shares and 100,000 shares on July 30, 2020, and August 6, 2020, respectively, at a price of US$1.46 per share for gross proceeds of US$8,625. These shares will be subject to applicable resale restrictions, including a four-month hold period under Canadian securities legislation.

Page | 23

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2020

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.

Management's Discussion And Analysis

Three and six months ended June 30, 2020

Table of Contents

1.1

DATE

...................................................................................................................................................

3

1.2

OVERVIEW

...................................................................................................................................................

6

1.2.1

PEBBLE PROJECT..............................................................................................................................

8

1.2.1.1 PROJECT BACKGROUND AND STATUS ....................................................................................

8

1.2.1.2 CURRENT TECHNICAL PROGRAMS ......................................................................................

11

1.2.2

LEGAL MATTERS ............................................................................................................................

13

1.2.3

FINANCINGS .................................................................................................................................

14

1.2.4

MARKET TRENDS ...........................................................................................................................

15

1.3

SELECTED ANNUAL INFORMATION....................................................................................................................

17

1.4

SUMMARY AND DISCUSSION OF QUARTERLY RESULTS ...........................................................................................

17

1.5

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS...............................................................................................................................

18

1.6

LIQUIDITY

.................................................................................................................................................

19

1.7

CAPITAL RESOURCES.....................................................................................................................................

20

1.8

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS..............................................................................................................

20

1.9

TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES.............................................................................................................

21

1.10

FOURTH QUARTER .......................................................................................................................................

22

1.11

PROPOSED TRANSACTIONS .............................................................................................................................

22

1.12

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES...................................................................................................................

22

1.13

CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING POLICIES INCLUDING INITIAL ADOPTION ..........................................................................

22

1.14

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND OTHER INSTRUMENTS............................................................................................

22

1.15

OTHER MD&A REQUIREMENTS ......................................................................................................................

24

1.15.1 DISCLOSURE OF OUTSTANDING SHARE DATA............................................................................................

24

1.15.2 DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES ..............................................................................................

24

1.15.3 MANAGEMENT'SREPORT ONINTERNALCONTROL OVERFINANCIALREPORTING("ICFR") ..................................

24

1.15.4 LIMITATIONS OF CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES .........................................................................................

25

1.15.5 RISK FACTORS ..................................................................................................................................

25

Page | 2

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.

Management's Discussion And Analysis

Three and six months ended June 30, 2020

1.1 Date

This Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") should be read in conjunction with the unaudited consolidated interim financial statements (the "Interim Financial Statements") of Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. ("Northern Dynasty" or the "Company") for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, and the Company's audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019 (the "2019 Financial Statements") and the annual MD&A for the same period, as publicly filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

The Company reports in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB") and interpretations of the IFRS Interpretations Committee (together, "IFRS"). The following disclosure and associated Financial Statements are presented in accordance with IFRS. This MD&A is prepared as of August 12, 2020.

All dollar amounts herein are expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, unless otherwise specified.

This MD&A contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws and forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements describe our future plans, strategies, expectations and objectives, and are generally, but not always, identifiable by use of the words "may", "will", "should", "continue", "expect", "anticipate", "estimate", "believe", "intend", "plan" or "project" or the negative of these words or other variations on these words or comparable terminology.

Forward-looking statements contained or incorporated by reference into this MD&A include, without limitation, statements regarding:

  • the uncertainties with respect to the effects of COVID-19;
  • our expectations regarding the potential for securing the necessary permitting of a mine at the Pebble Project and our ability to establish that such a permitted mine can be economically developed;
  • the issuance of the Record of Decision by the US Army Corps of Engineers ("USACE");
  • our ability to successfully apply for and obtain the federal and state permits that will be required to develop the Pebble Project, including under the Clean Water Act ("CWA"), the National Environmental Policy Act ("NEPA"), and relevant legislation;
  • our plan of operations, including our plans to carry out and finance exploration and development activities and for working capital purposes and our expectations regarding our cash and working capital requirements;
  • our ability to raise capital for the exploration, permitting and development activities and meet our working capital purposes;
  • our expected financial performance in future periods;
  • our expectations regarding the exploration and development potential of the Pebble Project;
  • the outcome of the legal proceedings in which we are engaged; and
  • factors relating to our investment decisions.

Forward-looking information is based on the reasonable assumptions, estimates, analysis and opinions of management made in light of its experience and its perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date that such statements are made, but which may prove to be incorrect. We believe that the assumptions and expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable.

Key assumptions upon which the Company's forward-looking information are based include:

Page | 3

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.

Management's Discussion And Analysis

Three and six months ended June 30, 2020

  • that we will be able to secure sufficient capital necessary for continued environmental assessment and permitting activities and engineering work which must be completed prior to any potential development of the Pebble Project which would then require engineering and financing in order to advance to ultimate construction;
  • that we will ultimately be able to demonstrate that a mine at the Pebble Project can be developed and operated in an environmentally sound and socially responsible manner, meeting all relevant federal, state and local regulatory requirements so that we will be ultimately able to obtain permits authorizing construction of a mine at the Pebble Project;
  • that the COVID-19 outbreak will not materially impact or delay our ability to obtain permitting for a mine at the Pebble Project;
  • that the market prices of copper, gold, molybdenum and silver will not significantly decline or stay depressed for a lengthy period of time;
  • that our key personnel will continue their employment with us; and
  • that we will continue to be able to secure minimal adequate financing on acceptable terms.

Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive of all factors and assumptions that may have been used. Forward-looking statements are also subject to risks and uncertainties facing our business, any of which could have a material impact on our outlook.

Some of the risks we face and the uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements include:

  • an inability to ultimately obtain permitting for a mine at the Pebble Project;
  • an inability to establish that the Pebble Project may be economically developed and mined or contain commercially viable deposits of ore based on a mine plan for which government authorities are prepared to grant permits;
  • the USACE may be delayed in issuing its Record of Decision;
  • government efforts to curtail the COVID-19 pandemic may delay the release by the USACE of the issuance of its Record of Decision, and may delay the Company in completion of its work relating to this permitting process;
  • our ability to obtain funding for working capital and other corporate purposes associated with advancement of the Pebble Project;
  • an inability to complete a partnering transaction on terms satisfactory to the Company;
  • an inability to continue to fund exploration and development activities and other operating costs;
  • the highly cyclical and speculative nature of the mineral resource exploration business;
  • the pre-development stage economic viability and technical uncertainties of the Pebble Project and the lack of known reserves on the Pebble Project;
  • an inability to recover even the financial statement carrying values of the Pebble Project if we cease to continue on a going concern basis;
  • the potential for loss of the services of key executive officers;
  • a history of, and expectation of further, financial losses from operations impacting our ability to continue on a going concern basis;
  • the volatility of copper, gold, molybdenum and silver prices and share prices of mining companies;

Page | 4

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.

Management's Discussion And Analysis

Three and six months ended June 30, 2020

  • the inherent risk involved in the exploration, development and production of minerals, and the presence of unknown geological and other physical and environmental hazards at the Pebble Project;
  • the potential for changes in, or the introduction of new, government regulations relating to mining, including laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment and project legal titles;
  • potential claims by third parties to titles or rights involving the Pebble Project;
  • the uncertainty of the outcome of current or future litigation;
  • the possible inability to insure our operations against all risks;
  • the highly competitive nature of the mining business;
  • our ability to obtain funding for working capital and other purposes;
  • the potential equity dilution to current shareholders from future equity financings; and
  • that we have never paid dividends and will not do so in the foreseeable future.

While the effort was made to list the primary risk factors, this list should not be considered exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of our forward-looking statements or information. Forward-looking statements or information are statements about the future and are inherently uncertain, and actual achievements of the Company or other future events or conditions may differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements or information due to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors, including, without limitation, the risks and uncertainties described above and otherwise contained herein.

Our forward-looking statements and risk factors are based on the reasonable beliefs, expectations and opinions of management on the date of this MD&A. Although we have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There is no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, readers should appreciate the inherent uncertainty of, and not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. We do not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except as, and to the extent required by, applicable securities laws.

For more information on the Company, investors should review the Company's annual information form and home jurisdiction filings that are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

The Company reviews its forward-looking statements on an ongoing basis and updates this information when circumstances require it.

Cautionary Note to Investors Concerning Estimates of Measured, Indicated and Inferred Resources

The following section uses the terms "Measured Resources", "Indicated Resources" and "Inferred Resources". The Company advises investors that these terms are recognized and required by Canadian regulations under National Instrument 43-101,Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Properties ("43-101"). The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") has adopted amendments to its disclosure rules to modernize the mineral property disclosure required for issuers whose securities are registered with the SEC under the US Securities Exchange Act of 1934, effective February 25, 2019 ("The SEC Modernization Rules"). The SEC Modernization Rules include the adoption of definitions of the terms and categories of resources which are "substantially similar" to the corresponding terms under Canadian Regulations in 43-101. Accordingly, there is no assurance any mineral resources that we may report as Measured Resources, Indicated Resources and Inferred Resources under 43-101 would be the same had we prepared the resource estimates under the standards adopted under the SEC Modernization Rules. Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of mineral deposits in these categories will ever be converted into reserves.

Page | 5

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.

Management's Discussion And Analysis

Three and six months ended June 30, 2020

In addition, Inferred Resources have a great amount of uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. Under Canadian rules, estimates of Inferred Resources may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies, or economic studies except for a Preliminary Economic Assessment as defined under 43-101.

1.2 Overview

Northern Dynasty is a mineral exploration company which, through its wholly-owned Alaskan registered limited partnership, the Pebble Limited Partnership (the "Pebble Partnership"), holds a 100% interest in mining claims that are part of or in the vicinity of the Pebble Copper-Gold-Molybdenum-Silver Project (the "Pebble Project" or "Pebble") in southwest Alaska, USA ("US"). The Company's business in Alaska is operated through the Pebble Partnership.

The Pebble Project is an initiative to develop one of the world's most important mineral resources. The current estimate of these mineral resources1 at a 0.30% copper equivalent cut-off grade comprise:

  • 6.5 billion tonnes in the combined Measured and Indicated2 categories at a grade of 0.40% copper, 0.34 g/t gold, 240 ppm molybdenum and 1.7 g/t silver, containing 57 billion pounds of copper, 71 million ounces of gold, 3.4 billion pounds of molybdenum and 345 million ounces of silver; and
  • 4.5 billion tonnes in the Inferred category at a grade of 0.25% copper, 0.25 g/t gold, 226 ppm molybdenum and 1.2 g/t silver, containing 25 billion pounds of copper, 36 million ounces of gold, 2.2 billion pounds of molybdenum and 170 million ounces of silver.

A significant milestone was reached by the Pebble Partnership on July 24, 2020, when the USACE published the Final Environmental Impact Statement ("Final EIS") for the Pebble Project. The Final EIS is the culmination of a 2.5 year long, intensive review process under the National Environmental Policy Act. Led by the USACE, the Pebble EIS also involved eight federal cooperating agencies (including the US Environmental Protection Agency and US Fish & Wildlife Service), three state cooperating agencies (including Alaska Department of Natural Resources and Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation), the Lake & Peninsula Borough and federally recognized tribes.

The USACE is expected to issue a Record of Decision ("ROD") on the Final EIS and several key federal permits within 30-60 days from the release of the Final EIS.

Northern Dynasty, through the Pebble Partnership, submitted a 404 wetlands permit application under the CWA for the Pebble Project to the USACE on December 22, 2017, initiating federal permitting under the NEPA and the development of the EIS. Much of the work by the Company through the Pebble Partnership since that time has focused on providing support to the federal EIS permitting process that led to the release of the Final

  1. Mineral resources at December 2017 as estimated by David Gaunt, PGeo., a qualified person who is not independent of Northern Dynasty. The resource estimate is constrained by a conceptual pit that was developed using a Lerchs-Grossman algorithm using metal prices (USD) of $1,540/oz for gold, $3.63/lb for copper, $12.36/lb for molybdenum and $20/oz for silver. A 0.30% copper equivalent ("CuEQ") cut-off is considered to be comparable to those used for porphyry deposit open pit mining operations in the Americas. CuEQ calculations use metal prices (USD) of $1.85/lb for copper, $902/oz for gold and $12.50/lb for molybdenum, and recoveries of 85% for copper 69.6% for gold, and 77.8% for molybdenum in the Pebble West zone and 89.3% for copper, 76.8% for gold, and 83.7% for molybdenum in the Pebble East zone. Contained metal values are based on 100% recoveries. All mineral resource estimates, cut-offs and metallurgical recoveries are subject to change as a consequence of more detailed analyses that would be required in pre-feasibility and feasibility studies. For additional details, see the Company's 2019 Annual Information Form and 2018 Technical Report, both of which are filed under Northern Dynasty's profile at www.sedar.com.
  2. Measured and Indicated Resources include 0.527 billion tonnes in the Measured category at a grade of 0.33% copper, 0.35 g/t gold, 178 ppm molybdenum and 1.7 g/t silver, and 5.929 billion tonnes in the Indicated category at a grade of 0.41% copper, 0.34 g/t gold, 246 ppm molybdenum and 1.7 g/t silver.

Page | 6

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.

Management's Discussion And Analysis

Three and six months ended June 30, 2020

EIS. In parallel with this process, the Company has continued to actively engage and consult with project stakeholders to share information and gather feedback on the Pebble Project, its potential effects and proposed mitigation.

In 2018 and 2019, right-of-way agreements were secured with Alaska Native village corporation landowners that cover portions of several proposed transportation and infrastructure routes for the Pebble Project. Opportunities for additional community benefits from development of the project are also being explored. Recent announcements include the Pebble Performance Dividend revenue sharing program for full-time adult residents of Bristol Bay communities, and a Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") with Alaska Peninsula Corporation ("APC"), as further described below.

  • On June 16, 2020, the Company announced the Pebble Partnership has established the Pebble Performance Dividend LLP to provide a local revenue sharing program with the objective of ensuring that full-time residents of communities in southwest Alaska will benefit directly from the future operation of the proposed Pebble Project. The intention is for the Pebble Performance Dividend LLP to distribute cash generated from a 3% net profits royalty interest in the Pebble Project to adult residents of Bristol Bay villages that have subscribed as participants, with a guaranteed minimum aggregate annual payment of US$3 million each year the Pebble mine operates beginning at the outset of project construction and with future payments following capital payback expected to increase beyond this initial amount.
  • An MOU between the Pebble Partnership and APC was announced on July 6, 2020. APC is an Alaska Native village corporation with extensive land holdings proximal to the Pebble site. The MOU envisages that APC will lead the development of a consortium of Alaska Native village corporations with land holdings along the northern route ("Northern Transportation Route", see section 1.2.1). It is contemplated that the consortium would provide road maintenance, truck transport, port operations and other logistical services to the Pebble Project should the development of the mine proceed. The MOU is consistent with the Company's strategy of ensuring the development of the Pebble Project will benefit local Alaska communities and people. The MOU is not a binding final contract. Any final contracts with APC or other Alaska Native village corporations will require further negotiation of commercial terms and negotiation of definitive contracts. There is no assurance that these contracts will be concluded or that the Alaska Native village corporations will support the Pebble Project.

Corporate activities have been directed toward raising capital to support the EIS process and discussions directed toward securing a partner with which to advance the overall development of the project. Financings with gross proceeds of approximately $17.3 million were completed during the quarter and financings with gross proceeds of approximately US$43.9 million ($59.5 million) were completed subsequent to the end of the quarter (see section 1.2.3Financings). As of the date of this MD&A, the Company's cash balance is approximately $70.0 million (US$52.9 million, using the closing rate of C$1.3249).

On the strength of the Final EIS and ROD expected this summer, Northern Dynasty's goal is to secure a major mining company (or consortium of companies) to become a partner(s) in the Pebble enterprise, and participate in the final stages of project evaluation, design and permitting. In the meantime, the Pebble Partnership will continue to advance programs and partnerships to enhance public and political support for the Pebble Project in Alaska, and prepare for state permitting.

From 2001, when Northern Dynasty's involvement at the Pebble Project began, to June 30, 2020, a total of $958 million (US$867 million) has been invested to advance the project.3

3 Of this, approximately $595 million (US$573 million) was provided by a wholly-owned subsidiary of Anglo American plc, which participated in the Pebble Partnership from 2007 to 2013, and the remainder was financed by Northern Dynasty. A major part of the 2007-2013 expenditures were on exploration, resource estimation, environmental data collection and technical studies, with a significant portion spent on engineering of possible mine development models, as well as related infrastructure, power and transportation systems. The mine-site and infrastructure studies completed are not necessarily

Page | 7

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.

Management's Discussion And Analysis

Three and six months ended June 30, 2020

Corporate

As at June 30, 2020, the Company had $14.8 million in cash and cash equivalents and had working capital of $2.0 million. During the six months ended June 30, 2020, the Company completed financings for gross proceeds of approximately $24 million and repaid $2.5 million of funds drawn pursuant to the unsecured non-revolving term credit facility agreement that it had entered into with certain parties including two related parties, in November 2019 (the "Credit Facility"). The Company has prioritized the allocation of the available financial resources in order to meet key corporate and Pebble Project expenditure requirements in the near term through the issuance of the ROD however, in order to meet its business objectives post ROD and continue to meet working capital requirements, the Company completed further financings subsequent to the quarter for gross proceeds of approximately US$43.9 million ($59.5 million). Additional financing will be required beyond the twelve-month period for the development of the project. The Company will seek the necessary financing through any of or a combination of debt and equity and/or contributions from possible new Pebble Project participants however, there can be no assurances that it will be successful in obtaining additional financing. If the Company is unable to raise the necessary capital resources to meet obligations as they come due, the Company will at some point have to reduce or curtail its operations.

1.2.1 Pebble Project

The Pebble Project is located in southwest Alaska, approximately 17 miles from the villages of Iliamna and Newhalen, and approximately 200 miles southwest of the city of Anchorage. Situated in an area of rolling hills approximately 1,000 feet above sea-level and 60 miles from tidewater on Cook Inlet, the site conditions are favorable for successful mine site and infrastructure development.

1.2.1.1 Project Background and Status

The Pebble deposit was discovered in 1989 by a prior operator, which by 1997 had developed an initial outline of the deposit.

Northern Dynasty acquired the right to earn an interest in Pebble in 2001. Exploration since that time has led to significant expansion of the mineral resources in the Pebble deposit, including a substantial volume of higher grade mineralization in its eastern part. The deposit also remains open to further expansion at depth and to the east. A number of other occurrences of copper, gold and molybdenum have also been identified along the extensive northeast-trending mineralized system that underlies the property. The potential of these earlier- stage prospects has not yet been fully explored.

Comprehensive deposit delineation, environmental, socioeconomic and engineering studies of the Pebble deposit began in 2004. A Preliminary Assessment of the Pebble Project completed in 2011, provided initial insights into the size and scale of project that the Pebble resource might support. The Pebble Partnership continued to undertake detailed engineering, environmental and socioeconomic studies over the next two years.

In February 2014, the US Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") announced a pre-emptive regulatory action under the CWA to consider restriction or a prohibition of mining activities associated with the Pebble deposit. From 2014-2017, Northern Dynasty and the Pebble Partnership focused on a multi-dimensional strategy, including legal and other initiatives to ward off this action. These efforts were successful, resulting in the joint settlement agreement announced on May 12, 2017, which enabled the project to move forward with

representative of management's current understanding of the most likely development scenario for the project, and accordingly, Northern Dynasty is uncertain whether it can realize significant value from this prior work. Environmental baseline studies and data, as well as geological and exploration information, remain important information available to the Company to advance the project.

Page | 8

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.

Management's Discussion And Analysis

Three and six months ended June 30, 2020

state and federal permitting. Also as part of the joint settlement agreement, the EPA agreed to initiate a process to propose to withdraw the Proposed Determination. That process was initiated in July 2017, suspended by former EPA Administrator, Scott Pruitt, in January 2018, and then re-initiated by the EPA in late June 2019. The Proposed Determination was ultimately withdrawn in July 2019.

Permitting

In the latter part of 2017, a project design based on a smaller mine concept was developed for the Pebble Project. The CWA 404 permit application was submitted to the USACE on December 22, 2017, initiating federal permitting for the Pebble Project under NEPA. Significant milestones in this permitting process are summarized below:

  • On February 5, 2018, USACE announced the appointment of AECOM, a leading global engineering firm, as third-party contractor for the USACE EIS process;
  • On March 19, 2018, USACE published guidelines and timelines for completing NEPA permitting, and the associated USACE EIS process;
  • Between April and August 2018, the Pebble Project was advanced through the Scoping Phase of the EIS process administered by the USACE:
  1. Scoping was initiated on April 1, 2018 with a 90-day public comment period concluded on June 29, 2018; and
    1. The USACE released the Scoping Document on August 31, 2018.
  • On February 20, 2019, USACE posted the draft EIS (the "Draft EIS") on its website, then initiated a public comment process on the Draft EIS, which was completed on July 2, 2019;
  • In February 2020, a preliminary version of the Final EIS was distributed for comment and review to cooperating agencies and to tribes participating in the process;
  • In March 2020, USACE announced it had decided on a Northern Transportation Route option as the draft Least Environmentally Damaging Practicable Alternative ("LEDPA") for accessing the proposed Pebble mine site, subsequent to which Pebble Partnership revised its Proposed Project Description to align with the USACE selection. The Northern Transportation Route includes adjustments to the port site (location at Diamond Point with off-shore lightering station) and a road and pipeline route (located further to the north with no lake crossings or ferry terminals;
  • In May 2020, the EPA issued a letter confirming the EIS process for the proposed Pebble mine led by the USACE is proceeding well, and effectively addressing all issues and concerns raised by EPA, the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and other cooperating agencies. The letter reflects the EPA's decision not to pursue so-called 3(b) elevation under the CWA 404(q) guidelines; and
  • On July 24, 2020, the USACE posted the Final EIS on its website.

Northern Dynasty, through Pebble Partnership, has continued to advance engineering studies to refine the mine design and to support the EIS process. The results of this work have been reported in updates to the Project Description.

The Project Description and other relevant documents are available on the USACE website at https://pebbleprojecteis.com.

The Final EIS analyzes the potential impacts of four action development alternatives, and a "No Action" alternative. The development option selected by USACE as the draft LEDPA is described in the June 2020 Project Description. It includes a proposed open-pit mining operation and associated ore processing facilities in southwest Alaska, an 82-mile road, pipeline and utilities corridor to a permanent, year-round port facility on Cook Inlet, a lightering location in Iniskin Bay, a 164-mile natural gas pipeline from existing energy

Page | 9

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.

Management's Discussion And Analysis

Three and six months ended June 30, 2020

infrastructure on the Kenai Peninsula to the Pebble mine site, a 270 MW natural gas-fired power plant at the mine site and smaller power generation facility at the port site.

Over 20 years of mining, the Pebble Project as proposed will extract ~70 million tons of mineralized material annually at the extremely low strip ratio of 0.12:1. A conventional blast-haul-crush and froth flotation milling process with nameplate capacity of 180,000 tons per day will be employed to produce, on average, 613,000 tons of copper-gold concentrate each year (containing 318 million lb Cu, 362,000 oz Au and 1.8 million oz Ag) and 15,000 tons of molybdenum concentrate (containing 14 million lb Mo). The current mine plan proposal encompasses the important environmental safeguards previously described, including:

  • a smaller footprint, consolidating major site infrastructure in a single drainage.
  • a more conservative Tailings Storage Facility ("TSF") design, including enhanced buttresses, flatter slope angles and an improved factor of safety;
  • separation of potentially acid generating ("PAG") tailings from non-PAG bulk tailings for storage in a fully-lined TSF;
  • co-storageof PAG waste rock within the PAG TSF and transfer of the PAG tailings and waste rock to the open pit at closure;
  • no permanent waste rock piles; and
  • no cyanide usage.

Topline findings from the Final EIS Executive Summary include:

  • On subsistence fish and wildlife resources: "Overall, impacts to fish and wildlife would not be expected to impact harvest levels. Resources would continue to be available because no population-level decrease in resources would be anticipated." (ES 51)
  • On commercial fishing: "There would be no measurable change in the number of returning salmon and the historical relationship between ex-vessel values and wholesale values. In addition, there would be no changes to wholesale values or processor operations expected…. Under normal operations, the Alternatives would not be expected to have a measurable effect on fish numbers and result in long-term changes to the health of the commercial fisheries in Bristol Bay." (ES-87)
  • On water quality: "An Alaska Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (APDES) permit stipulation requires treated water quality monitoring, to ensure discharged water meets applicable water quality criteria. Assuming these protections are adopted, direct and indirect impacts of treated contact waters to off-site surface water are not expected to occur." (ES-70)
  • On local communities and socioeconomic impacts: "The increase in job opportunities, year-roundor seasonal employment, steady income, and lower cost of living described above would have beneficial impacts on the EIS analysis area, especially for communities in the LPB, during construction and operations of the project." (ES- 54)
    "The project could reduce or eliminate the current local population decline because of the increase in employment opportunities and indirect effects on education and infrastructure; it could also lead some prior residents to return to communities." (ES-48)

The next step in the federal permitting process for Pebble is the ROD, which is expected to be issued by the USACE soon. The Pebble Partnership must also secure a number of permits issued by the State of Alaska, a process expected to take 2 - 3 years.

The proposed project uses a portion of the currently estimated Pebble mineral resources. This does not preclude development of additional resources in other phases of the project in the future, although any subsequent phases of development would require extensive regulatory and permitting review by federal, state and local regulatory agencies, including a comprehensive EIS review process under NEPA.

Page | 10

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.

Management's Discussion And Analysis

Three and six months ended June 30, 2020

Right-of-Way Agreements

The Pebble Partnership carries out an active program of engagement and consultation with stakeholders in the area of the Pebble Project in parallel with its technical work, and includes discussions to secure stakeholder agreements to support the project's development. Right-of-way ("ROW") agreements established to date are described below. These agreements cover land access routes for infrastructure alternatives proposed in the EIS documents.

Agreements with Alaska Native Village Corporations

In November 2018 and May 2019, the Pebble Partnership finalized ROW agreements with APC and Iliamna Natives Limited ("INL"), respectively, securing the right to use defined portions of each of the Native village corporations' lands for the construction and operation of transportation infrastructure associated with the Pebble Project.

The ROW agreements secure access to portions of several proposed transportation and infrastructure routes to the Pebble Project site for construction and operation of the proposed mine and represents a significant milestone in the developing relationship between Pebble and the Alaska Native people of the region.

The agreements with APC and INL include the following provisions:

  • The Pebble Partnership will make annual toll payments to the Alaska Native village corporation land upon whose lands Pebble-related transportation infrastructure is built and operated, and pay other fees prior to and during project construction and operation;
  • INL and APC will be granted 'Preferred Contractor' status at Pebble, which provides a preferential opportunity to bid on Pebble-related contracts located on their lands; and
  • PLP and the two Alaska Native village corporation parties have agreed to negotiate a profit sharing agreement that will ensure APC and its shareholders benefit directly from the profits generated by mining activity in the region.

Additionally, transportation and other infrastructure for a mine at Pebble is expected to benefit APC, INL and their shareholders and villages through access to lower cost power, equipment and supplies, as well as enhanced economic activity in the region. Spur roads connecting to the local villages will allow local residents to access jobs at the Pebble mine site and port site.

The USACE's identification of the Northern Transportation Route as the draft LEDPA for the Pebble Project requires that the Pebble Partnership secure additional ROW agreements with Alaska Native village corporations and other private landowners with land holdings along the northern route. The Pebble Partnership is in the process of securing these additional ROW agreements, and is confident it will ultimately achieve the access rights required to build and operate transportation and related infrastructure along the Northern Transportation Route.

1.2.1.2 Current Technical Programs

In 2020, technical programs will continue to be focused on support of the EIS process and federal permitting of the Pebble Project. Activities have included providing responses to Request for Information from the USACE, and planning and implementing engineering and environmental field studies and data collection programs. In addition, the Company has continued to engage and consult with project stakeholders to share information and gather feedback on the Pebble Project.

Engineering

Geophysical and geotechnical surveys and studies for a right-of way of the marine portion of the pipeline route to Amakedori were completed in 2019. Additional survey work was conducted during the period to provide

Page | 11

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.

Management's Discussion And Analysis

Three and six months ended June 30, 2020

supporting data for the pipeline route across Cook Inlet that connects with the Northern Transportation Route described in the Project Description. The application for the natural gas pipeline right-of-way is expected to be completed in the third quarter. The Final EIS was published by the USACE subsequent to the quarter, followed by a comprehensive review of the documents.

Environmental and Socioeconomic

Environmental Baseline Document and Supplemental Environmental Baseline Document

The 27,000-page Environmental Baseline Document ("EBD") for the Pebble Project was released to the public in January 2012. The purpose of the EBD and Supplemental EBD (see further details below) is to provide the public, regulatory agencies and the Pebble Partnership with a detailed compendium of pre-development environmental and socioeconomic conditions in the project area. The EBD is based on extensive environmental baseline data that has been collected since 2004 with the goal to design and plan a project that protects clean water, healthy fish and wildlife populations, and other natural resources in the region. The work involved more than 40 respected independent research firms, utilizing numerous scientific experts and engineering groups, laboratories and support services. Researchers were selected for their specific areas of expertise and Alaskan experience, with cooperating government agencies participating in several studies. Information for the EBD was gathered through field studies, laboratory tests, review of government records and other third-party sources, and interviews with Alaska residents.

The 2012 EBD, available at http://pebbleresearch.com/, characterizes a broad range of environmental and social conditions in southwest Alaska - including climate, water quality, wetlands, fish and aquatic habitat, wildlife, land and water use, socioeconomics and subsistence activities during the period 2004-2008 and from some disciplines in 2009. Data from the 2009-2013 period was compiled into the Supplemental EBD (2009 to 2013), and transmitted to USACE. The full EBD, as well as all Supplemental EBD chapters that were substantively updated since the original EBD was published in 2012, are available on the USACE Pebble EIS website. Wetlands, aquatic resources, marine studies and wildlife monitoring data collected in 2019 has also been provided to USACE.

Environmental site work in 2020 includes ongoing environmental monitoring and collection of additional cultural and wetlands data to support the EIS process, and maintenance of existing stream gauges and weather stations. Additional fieldwork to support the mitigation plans will be completed during the third quarter.

Community Engagement

Pebble Project technical programs are supported by stakeholder engagement activities in Alaska. The objective of stakeholder outreach programs undertaken by the Pebble Partnership are to:

  • advise residents of nearby communities and other regional interests about Pebble work programs and other activities being undertaken in the field;
  • provide information about the proposed development plan for the Pebble Project, including potential environmental, social and operational effects, proposed mitigation and environmental safeguards;
  • allow the Pebble Partnership to better understand and address stakeholder priorities and concerns with respect to development of the Pebble Project;
  • encourage stakeholder and public participation in the USACE-led EIS permitting process for Pebble; and
  • facilitate economic and other opportunities associated with advancement and development of the Pebble Project for local residents, communities and companies.

In addition to meeting with stakeholder groups and individuals, and providing project briefings in communities throughout Bristol Bay and the State of Alaska, the Pebble Partnership's outreach and engagement program includes:

Page | 12

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.

Management's Discussion And Analysis

Three and six months ended June 30, 2020

  • workforce and business development initiatives intended to enhance economic opportunities for regional residents and Alaska Native corporations;
  • initiatives to develop partnerships with Alaska Native corporations, commercial fishing interests and other in-region groups and individuals;
  • outreach to elected officials and political staff at the national, state and local levels; and
  • outreach to third-party organizations and special interest groups with an interest in the Pebble Project, including business organizations, community groups, outdoor recreation interests, Alaska Native entities, commercial and sport fishery interests, conservation organizations, among others.

Through these various stakeholder initiatives, the Company seeks to advance a science-based project design that is responsive to stakeholder priorities and concerns, provides meaningful benefits and opportunities to local residents, businesses and Alaska Native corporations, and energizes the economy of Southwest Alaska.

1.2.2 Legal Matters

On February 14, 2017, short seller investment firm Kerrisdale Capital Management LLC published a negative piece (the "Kerrisdale Report") regarding the Pebble Project. Three putative shareholder class actions were filed against the Company and certain of its current officers and directors in US federal courts, specifically the Central District of California (Los Angeles) and the Southern District of New York (New York City). The cases were captioned: Diaz v. Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. et al, Case No. 17-cv-01241(C.D. Cal.); Kirwin v. Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. et al, Case No. 17-cv-01238(S.D.N.Y.); and Schubert v. Northern Dynasty Minerals, Ltd., et al., Case No. 1:17-CV-02437(S.D.N.Y.). The complaints relied on claims made in the Kerrisdale Report and alleged damages to a class of investors who purchased shares of the Company prior to the publication of the Kerrisdale Report and alleged liability for losses pursuant to Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act and SEC Rule 10b-5 thereunder, as well as control person liability against the individual defendants pursuant to Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act. The plaintiffs in both the Kirwin and Schubert actions voluntarily dismissed their claims without prejudice. The plaintiffs in the Diaz action continued to litigate and filed an amended complaint. The Company filed a motion to dismiss the amended complaint in the Diaz action, which the plaintiffs opposed. On April 30, 2018, the US District Court for the Central District of California dismissed the plaintiffs' amended complaint in full, noting that its reliance on the sources in the Kerrisdale Report was an insufficient basis to allege securities fraud. The court allowed the plaintiffs an opportunity to amend their complaint, which they did in June 2018. The Company again moved to dismiss the new complaint, and briefing on the motion concluded in November 2018. On February 22, 2019, the US District Court for the Central District of California again dismissed all of the securities class action claims brought against the Company and certain of its officers and directors in the Diaz action, captioned Victor Diaz v. Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd., et al., Case No. CV 17- 1241 PSG (SSx), this time without leave to amend. The Court ruled in favor of the Company and its officers and directors on all claims and ordered the case closed. In March 2019, the Diaz plaintiffs filed notice of an appeal of the district court's dismissal order, and their appeal was filed with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, in California, in June 2019. The Company filed its response in August 2019 and the plaintiffs submitted their reply in October 2019, closing the briefing before the appellate court. In April 2020, the appellate court decided that a hearing was unnecessary and, on May 8, 2020, the three appellate judge panel issued a memorandum decision affirming the district court's dismissal of the plaintiffs' claims in full. The plaintiffs did not request a rehearing before the Ninth Circuit, but may still appeal to the US Supreme Court in the coming months. If a further appeal is made, the Company will continue to defend itself vigorously in this action.

Page | 13

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.

Management's Discussion And Analysis

Three and six months ended June 30, 2020

1.2.3 Financings

Public Offerings

July 2020

On July 15, 2020, the Group completed a bought deal offering ("July 2020 Offering") of 24,150,000 common shares of the Company at a price of US$1.46 per share for gross proceeds of approximately US$35.3 million. The offering was completed pursuant to an underwriting agreement dated July 10, 2020, among the Company and Cantor Fitzgerald Canada Corporation, as lead underwriter and bookrunner, and a syndicate of underwriters including BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc., Canaccord Genuity Corp, H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC, Paradigm Capital Inc., TD Securities Inc., Roth Capital Partners, LLC and Velocity Trade Capital Ltd. (collectively, the "July 2020 Underwriters"). The July 2020 Underwriters were paid a 5% cash commission.

The July 2020 Offering was completed by way of a prospectus supplement to the Company's existing Canadian base shelf prospectus and related U.S. registration statement on Form F-10 (SEC File No. 333-238933).

May 2020

On May 13, 2020, the Company completed an underwritten public offering of 14,375,000 common shares at a price of $0.70 per common share for gross proceeds of approximately $10.06 million. The offering was completed pursuant to an underwriting agreement dated April 29, 2020 among the Company and Cantor Fitzgerald Canada Corporation, as lead underwriter and sole bookrunner, and a syndicate of underwriters including BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc., H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC. and TD Securities Inc. (the "May 2020 Underwriters"). The May 2020 Underwriters were paid a 5% cash commission.

The offered shares were offered by way of a short form prospectus in all provinces in Canada, except Quebec, and in the United States pursuant to a prospectus filed as part of a registration statement under the Canada/U.S. multi-jurisdictional disclosure system.

Private Placements

August 2020

On July 30, 2020, and August 6, 2020, the Group completed in two tranches, a non-brokered private placement outside of the United States of 5,807,534 common shares and 100,000 common shares, respectively, at US$1.46 per share for gross proceeds of US$8.6 million. The shares issued pursuant to the private placement will be subject to applicable resale restrictions, including a four-month hold period under Canadian securities legislation.

May 2020

On May 13, 2020, the Company completed a non-brokered private placement of 10,357,143 common shares for gross proceeds of $7.25 million. The common shares were issued at $0.70 per share. The shares issued pursuant to the private placement are subject to applicable resale restrictions, including a four month hold period under Canadian securities legislation.

Use of proceeds

The proceeds from the July 2020 financings are anticipated to be used to fund for (i) ongoing work with Alaska and federal regulatory agencies, (ii) maintaining an active corporate presence in Alaska, (iii) preparing for the commencement of the Alaska state permitting process, (iv) maintenance of the Pebble claims in good standing,

Page | 14

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.

Management's Discussion And Analysis

Three and six months ended June 30, 2020

  1. ongoing discussion and possible negotiations to secure a potential project partner or partners, and (vi) general corporate purposes4.

The proceeds from the May 2020 financings are anticipated to be used for (i) operational expenditures, including engineering, environmental, permitting and evaluation expenses associated with the Pebble Project and the advancement of completion of USACE's EIS, (ii) ongoing outreach and engagement with political and regulatory offices in the Alaska state and US federal government, Alaska Native partners and broader regional and state-wide stakeholder groups, and (iii) for general corporate purposes such as payment of current liabilities associated with the Company's working capital deficiency at that time.

1.2.4 Market Trends

In 2020, metal prices are being impacted significantly by the downturn in economic conditions related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Copper prices were variable in 2015 and 2016, and the average annual prices decreased. Prices were variable to improving in 2017 resulting in an increase in the average annual price. Prices were variable in early 2018, trended downward from June to August, then improved through to the end of the year and into 2019. Prices decreased in April/May and were slightly variable through September when they increased, and remained stable until late January 2020 when they dropped sharply, losing the gain made in late 2019. In March 2020, prices dropped sharply in response changing economic conditions related to COVID-19 but have been on a uptrend since that time. A recent closing price is US$2.89/lb.

Gold prices were variable in 2015, with a decrease in the average annual price from the prior year. Prices trended upward for most of 2016. In 2017, prices were variable to increasing, but then dropped late in the year. After rebounding in January 2018, prices were relatively stable for several months, until dropping in the third quarter of 2018. Prices trended upward in the latter part of 2018 and through most of 2019 before stabilizing from September to December 2019. Gold prices trended upward from January to March 2020, when they dropped sharply, then resumed the upward trend in response to uncertainty about global economic conditions related to COVID-19. Prices reached record highs in late July and early August. A recent closing price is US$1,932/oz.

Molybdenum prices trended downward through the end of 2015. After being relatively flat in 2016, prices increased in 2017 and through most of 2018, and were steady from September to December 2018. Prices had varied only slightly in 2019, before dropping from October through to mid-January 2020. Molybdenum prices have been on a downtrend for most part of 2020 but have improved slightly in August, with a recent closing price of US$7.68/lb.

Silver prices varied, and the average annual price decreased in 2015. Prices were variable to improving during most of 2016 and 2017. Prices declined in late 2017 but recovered in January 2018, and then were variable for the rest of the year, with a decrease in the average annual price in 2018. Prices were variable for most of 2019, then stabilized in November and December. Silver prices increased in 2020, stabilized, then decreased significantly and rebounded in mid-March. Prices have trended upward since that time, including a significant increase in July and early August. A recent closing price is US$25.81/oz.

4 Anticipated to include, without limitation (i) approximately $5.3 million payable to legal counsel, due December 24, 2020, as disclosed in our Q1 2020 MD&A, (ii) certain bonus payments payable upon receipt of a successful Record of Decision, as disclosed in our Statement of Executive Compensation, to the extent that these payments are paid in cash, and (iii) certain payments that may be made to third parties in consideration of the grant of rights of way or other legal rights of access required for development of the Pebble Project, as these may be negotiated by the Company.

Page | 15

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.

Management's Discussion And Analysis

Three and six months ended June 30, 2020

Average annual prices of copper, gold, molybdenum and silver for the past four years as well as the average prices so far in 2020 are shown in the table below:

Average metal price 1,2

Year

Copper

Gold

Molybdenum

Silver

US$/lb

US$/oz

US$/lb

US$/oz

2015

2.49

1,160

6.73

15.68

2016

2.21

1,251

6.56

17.14

2017

3.22

1,272

7.26

16.49

2018

2.96

1,269

11.94

15.71

2019

2.72

1,393

11.36

16.21

2020 (to August [12])

2.57

1,693

8.72

17.72

  1. Source for copper, gold and silver and molybdenum (2013-2017) is Argus Media at www.metalprices.comLME Official Cash Price for copper and molybdenum (2013-2017)
    LBMA PM Price for gold London PM fix for silver
  2. Source for 2018-2020 prices for molybdenum is Platts

Page | 16

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.

Management's Discussion And Analysis

Three and six months ended June 30, 2020

1.3 Selected Annual Information

Not required for an interim MD&A.

1.4 Summary and Discussion of Quarterly Results

All monetary amounts are expressed in thousands of dollars except per share amounts and where otherwise indicated. Minor differences are due to rounding.

Excerpts from Statements

Jun 30

Mar 31

Dec 31

Sep 30

Jun 30

Mar 31

Dec 31

Sep 30

of Comprehensive Loss

2020

2020

2019

2019

2019

2019

2018

2018

Expenses

Exploration and evaluation

$

10,332

$

7,234

$

11,998

$

14,265

$

14,701

$

12,050

$

9,114

$

16,847

General and administrative

2,727

2,407

2,122

2,723

2,171

2,349

2,470

1,909

Legal, accounting and audit

638

987

780

(45)

790

891

1,074

697

Share-based compensation

615

447

455

2,149

662

704

741

2,284

Other items 1

144

(360)

235

26

(50)

217

(902)

210

Loss for the quarter

$

14,456

$

10,715

$

15,590

$

19,118

$

18,274

$

16,211

$

12,497

$

21,947

Basic and diluted loss per

common share

$

0.03

$

0.02

$

0.04

$

0.05

$

0.05

$

0.05

$

0.04

$

0.07

Weighted average number

of common shares (000s)

451,788

434,012

387,352

371,605

346,717

326,902

314,449

312,491

1. Other items include interest income, finance expense, exchange gains or losses, and gains and loss on revaluation of warrants.

Discussion of Quarterly Trends

Evaluation and exploration expenses ("E&E") has fluctuated depending on activities undertaken. In 2018, the Company focused on environmental monitoring, engineering studies to support permitting and responding to USACE requests for information in the EIS scoping process. In 2019, the Company focused on planning and deploying site investigations related to supporting the EIS process and the natural gas pipeline right-of-way application and continued to respond to USACE requests for information relating to the Draft EIS, including the review thereof and providing comments thereon, for USACE's process to advance a final EIS. In 2020, the Company continued its efforts in support of the EIS process toward federal permitting of the Pebble Project. Further details are discussed in Engineeringunder Section 1.2.1.2. E&E also includes costs for Native community engagement, site leases, land access agreements and annual claim fees.

General and administrative expenses ("G&A") have fluctuated depending on financing activities undertaken by the Company. In addition, G&A has been impacted by payments of discretionary bonuses: in Q4 2018, Q3 2019, Q1 and Q2 2020, performance based bonuses was paid to the Pebble Partnership CEO ("PLP CEO"); and in Q1 2019, Q4 2019 and Q1 2020, incentive bonuses were paid to certain staff.

In Q3 and Q4 2019, legal, accounting and audit expenses decreased as the Company received insurance proceeds for cumulative securities class action legal costs incurred, which offset expenses in each of these quarters. In Q4 2018, legal fees included a bonus payment of approximately US$0.3 million relating to securities law advice provided during the year by the Company's US legal counsel.

Share-based compensation expense ("SBC") has fluctuated due to the timing and quantum of share purchase option ("option") grants and the vesting periods associated with these grants. The Company granted 6,610,500 and 5,635,000 options in Q3 2019 and 2018, respectively. Grants of RSUs also affect SBC of which the most recent grants were in Q3 2018 (125,000 RSUs).

Page | 17

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.

Management's Discussion And Analysis

Three and six months ended June 30, 2020

1.5 Results of Operations

The following financial data has been prepared from the Interim Financial Statements, and is expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated.

The Company's operations and business are not driven by seasonal trends, but rather are driven towards the achievement of project milestones relating to the Pebble Project such as the achievement of various technical, environmental, socio-economic and legal objectives, including obtaining the necessary permits, the completion of pre-feasibility and final feasibility studies, preparation of engineering designs, as well as receipt of financings to fund these objectives along with mine construction.

1.5.1 Results of Operations - Three and six months ended June 30, 2020 versus 2019

For the three months, the Company recorded a $3.8 million decrease in net loss and loss from operating activities decreased by $4.0 million due mainly to a $4.3 million decrease in E&E in the current quarter.

For the six months, the Company recorded a $9.3 million decrease in net loss and loss from operating activities decreased by $8.9 million due to the $9.2 million decrease in E&E in 2020.

Exploration and evaluation expenses

The breakdown of E&E for the period as compared to 2019 is as follows:

E&E

Three months

Six months

2020

2019

2020

2019

Engineering

$

5,091

$

8,238

$

6,396

$

13,199

Environmental

2,880

2,943

5,914

6,960

Site activities

394

716

810

1,191

Socio-economic

1,895

2,555

4,252

4,986

Transportation

38

196

50

248

Other activities and travel

34

53

144

167

Total

$

10,332

$

14,701

$

17,566

$

26,751

E&E decreased by $4.4 million in the current quarter and decreased by $9.2 million for the six month period due to a decrease in engineering related activities. In 2019, the Company was advancing engineering studies and responding to information requests from the USACE prior to the release of the Draft EIS.

Page | 18

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.

Management's Discussion And Analysis

Three and six months ended June 30, 2020

General and administrative expenses

The following table provides a breakdown of G&A, and legal, accounting and audit expenses incurred in the period as compared to 2019:

Three months

Six months

2020

2019

2020

2019

Conference and travel

$

34

$

68

$

131

$

210

Consulting

461

189

766

410

Depreciation of right-of-use assets

61

57

119

112

Insurance

175

170

347

340

Office costs, including information technology

363

242

552

445

Management and administration

1,363

1,047

2,546

2,173

Shareholder communication

179

284

378

480

Trust and filing

91

114

295

350

Total G&A

2,727

2,171

5,134

4,520

Legal, accounting and audit

638

790

1,625

1,681

$

3,365

$

2,961

$

6,759

$

6,201

G&A in the current quarter increased by $0.6 million due primarily to the increase in consulting fees and management and administration, the latter due in part to an discretionary performance bonus being paid. Legal, accounting and audit expenses decreased by $0.2 million.

In the year to date, G&A increased by $0.6 million due primarily to discretionary performance and incentive bonuses paid to certain staff and the PLP CEO respectively, and higher consulting fees were incurred. Legal, accounting and audit costs were on par with the prior year.

SBC has fluctuated due to the timing and quantum of option grants, RSUs and DSUs and the vesting periods associated with these grants. There were no grants in the first and second quarters of 2020 and the 2019.

The Company also in the quarter recognized a loss on the revaluation of the warrant liabilities of $228 on the exercise of the warrants. For the year to date the net loss recorded was $204.

1.5.2 Financial position as at June 30, 2020 versus December 31, 2019

The total assets of the Company increased by $6.6 million due largely to the increase in carrying value of the Company's mineral property, plant and equipment as the depreciation of the Canadian dollar in relation to US dollar resulted in an increase in the carrying value in the Company's reporting currency.

1.6 Liquidity

The Company's major sources of funding have been the issuance of equity securities for cash, primarily through private placements and prospectus offerings to sophisticated investors and institutions, and the issue of common shares pursuant to the exercise of options and warrants.The Company's access to financing is always uncertain. There can be no assurance of continued access to equity funding.

As at June 30, 2020, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $14.8 million, which is an increase of $0.7 million from December 31, 2019. In the six months ended June 30, 2020, the Company completed a number of financings for a gross proceeds of approximately $24.0 million, $0.7 million of which was received in December 2019, and subsequent to the period end, another two financings for gross proceeds of

Page | 19

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.

Management's Discussion And Analysis

Three and six months ended June 30, 2020

approximately US$43.9 million (see 1.2.3 Financings). The Company employed $22.8 million in its operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2020. The Company also repaid $2.5 million of funds drawn from the Credit Facility. The Company has prioritized the allocation of its available financial resources to meet key corporate and Pebble Project expenditure requirements in the near term, being the next 12 months. There can be no assurances that the Company will be successful in obtaining additional financing at that point. If the Company is unable to raise the necessary capital resources to meet obligations as they come due, the Company will have to reduce or curtail its operations at some point.

At June 30, 2020, the Company had a working capital of $2.0 million as compared to a working capital deficiency of $0.2 million at December 31, 2019. The Company has no lease obligations or any other long-term obligations other than those disclosed below:

The following commitments and payables (expressed in thousands) existed at June 30, 2020:

Payments due by period as of the reporting date

Total

≤ 1 year

1-5 years

> 5 years

Trade and other payables 1

$

13,186

$

13,186

$

-

$

-

Payables to related parties

92

92

-

-

Lease commitments 2

1,464

361

783

320

Total

$

14,742

$

13,639

$

783

$

320

Notes to table

  1. Includes legal fees due to legal counsel of US$5,155 and accrued interest to June 30, 2020 of US$75, due December 24, 2020, and US$635 payable on completion of a partnering transaction.
  2. Relates to the undiscounted lease payments to be made by the Company over the remaining lease terms.
  3. US dollar amounts have been converted at the closing rate of $1.3576/ US dollar.

The Company has no "Purchase Obligations", defined as any agreement to purchase goods or services that is enforceable and legally binding on the Company that specifies all significant terms, including fixed or minimum quantities to be purchased; fixed, minimum or variable price provisions; and the approximate timing of the transaction. The Company is responsible for maintenance payments on the Pebble Project claims and payment of annual toll payments and fees pursuant to the right of way agreements (see Right-of-WayAgreementsunder Section 1.2.1.1 Project Background and Status), and has payments relating to routine site and office leases (which is included in the table above).

1.7 Capital Resources

The Company's capital resources consist of its cash reserves, which include its cash and equivalents. As at June 30, 2020, other than noted in 1.6Liquidity, the Company has no other long-term debt and no commitments for material capital expenditures.

The Company has no lines of credit or other sources of financing.

1.8 Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As at June 30, 2020, the Company had no off-balance sheet arrangements.

Page | 20

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.

Management's Discussion And Analysis

Three and six months ended June 30, 2020

1.9 Transactions with Related Parties

Transactions with Hunter Dickinson Services Inc. ("HDSI")

Hunter Dickinson Inc. ("HDI") and its wholly owned subsidiary, HDSI are private companies established by a group of mining professionals engaged in advancing and developing mineral properties for a number of private and publicly-listed exploration companies, one of which is the Company.

Current directors of the Company namely Robert Dickinson and Ron Thiessen, who is also Chief Executive Officer of the Company, are active members of the HDI Board of Directors. Mark Peters, the Company's Chief Financial Officer ("CFO"), is the CFO of HDSI. Other key management personnel of the Company - Adam Chodos, Sean Magee, Stephen Hodgson5, Bruce Jenkins and Trevor Thomas - are active members of HDI's senior management team.

The business purpose of the related party relationship

HDSI provides technical, geological, corporate communications, regulatory compliance, administrative and management services to the Company, on an as-needed and as-requested basis from the Company.

HDSI also incurs third party costs on behalf of the Company. Such third party costs include, for example, directors and officers insurance, travel, conferences, and technology services.

As a result of this relationship with HDSI, the Company has ready access to a range of diverse and specialized expertise on a regular basis, without having to engage or hire full-time experts. The Company benefits from the economies of scale created by HDSI.

The measurement basis used

The Company procures services from HDSI pursuant to an agreement (the "Services Agreement") dated July 2, 2010 whereby HDSI agreed to provide technical, geological, corporate communications, administrative and management services to the Company. A copy of the Services Agreement is publicly available under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com.

Services from HDSI are provided on a non-exclusive basis as required and as requested by the Company. The Company is not obligated to acquire any minimum amount of services from HDSI. The fees for services is determined based on an agreed upon charge-out rate for each employee performing the service and the time spent by the employee. The charge-out rate also includes overhead costs such as office rent, information technology services and administrative support. Such charge-out rates are agreed and set annually in advance.

Third party expenses are billed at cost, without any markup.

Ongoing contractual or other commitments resulting from the related party relationship

Other than noted below, there are no ongoing contractual or other commitments resulting from the Company's transactions with HDSI, other than the payment for services already rendered and billed. The agreement may be terminated upon 60 days' notice from either party.

The Company has an office use agreement with HDSI whereby the Company rents a specified office from HDSI for its sole use.

5 Stephen Hodgson is employed though a subsidiary of HDSI, Hunter Dickinson Servicepay (US) Inc., and provides services to the Pebble Partnership on a full time basis as Senior Vice President, Engineering & Project Director.

Page | 21

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.

Management's Discussion And Analysis

Three and six months ended June 30, 2020

Transactions during the Reporting Period and Balances with HDSI at the end of the Reporting Period

Disclosure as to transactions with HDSI and any amounts due to or from HDSI is provided in Note 9 in the notes to the Interim Financial Statements which accompany this MD&A and which are available under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com.

Key Management Personnel

The required disclosure for the remuneration of the Company's key management personnel is provided in Note 9 in the notes to the Interim Financial Statements which accompany this MD&A and which are available under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com.

1.10 Fourth Quarter

Not applicable

1.11 Proposed Transactions

There are no proposed asset or business acquisitions or dispositions, other than those in the ordinary course, before the Board of Directors for consideration.

1.12 Critical Accounting Estimates

The required disclosure is provided in Note 2 in the notes to the Interim Financial Statements which accompany this MD&A and which are available under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com.

1.13 Changes in Accounting Policies including Initial Adoption

The required disclosure is provided in Note 2 in the notes to the Interim Financial Statements which accompany this MD&A and which are available under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com.

1.14 Financial Instruments and Other Instruments

The Company is exposed in varying degrees to a variety of financial instrument related risks. The Board approves and monitors the risk management processes, inclusive of documented investment policies, counterparty limits, and controlling and reporting structures. The type of risk exposure and the way in which such exposure is managed is provided as follows:

Credit Risk

Credit risk is the risk of potential loss to the Company if a counterparty to a financial instrument fails to meet its contractual obligations. The Company's credit risk is primarily attributable to its liquid financial assets, including cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and amounts receivable. The Company limits the exposure to credit risk by only investing with high-credit quality financial institutions in business and saving accounts, guaranteed investment certificates, government treasury bills, low risk corporate bonds and money market funds, which are available on demand by the Group as and when required or mature in timeframes appropriate to the needs of the Company. There has been no change in the Company's objectives and policies for managing this risk except for changes in the carrying amounts of financial assets exposed to credit risk, and there was no significant change to the Company's exposure to credit risk during the three and six months ended June 30, 2020. Amounts receivable include receivable balances with government agencies, prepaid expenses and refundable deposits. Management has concluded that there is no objective evidence of impairment to the Company's amounts receivable.

Page | 22

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.

Management's Discussion And Analysis

Three and six months ended June 30, 2020

Liquidity Risk

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company will not be able to meet its financial obligations when they become due. There has been no change in the Company's objectives and policies for managing this risk. The Company's liquidity position is discussed further in Section 1.6Liquidity.

Foreign Exchange Risk

The Company is subject to both currency transaction risk and currency translation risk: Group entities, the Pebble Partnership, Pebble Services Inc. and U5 Resources Inc., have the US dollar as functional currency; and certain of the Company's corporate expenses are incurred in US dollars. The fluctuation of the US dollar in relation to the Canadian dollar has an impact upon the losses incurred by the Company as well as the value of the Company's assets as the Company's functional and presentation currency is the Canadian dollar. The Company has not entered into any agreements or purchased any instruments to hedge possible currency risks at this time.

There has been no change in the Company's objectives and policies for managing this risk, except for the changes in the carrying amounts of the financial assets exposed to foreign exchange risk.The Company's exposure to foreign exchange risk is as follows:

June 30

December 31

US dollar denominated financial assets and liabilities (in Canadian Dollars)

2020

2019

Financial assets:

Amounts receivable

$

268

$

263

Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash

2,299

14,090

2,567

14,353

Financial liabilities:

Long term payables

(840)

(932)

Warrant liabilities

-

(43)

Payables to related parties

(99)

(24)

Trade and other payables

(12,339)

(12,426)

(13,278)

(13,425)

Net financial liabilities exposed to foreign currency risk

$

(10,711)

$

(928)

Based on the above net exposures and assuming that all other variables remain constant, a 10% change in the value of the Canadian dollar relative to the US dollar would result in a gain or loss of $1,071 (December 31, 2019 - $93) in the reported period. This sensitivity analysis includes only outstanding foreign currency denominated monetary items.

Interest rate risk

The Company is subject to interest rate risk with respect to its investments in cash and cash equivalents. There has been no change in the Company's objectives and policies for managing this risk and no significant change to the Company's exposure to interest rate risk during the three and six months ended June 30, 2020.

Commodity price risk

While the value of the Company's Pebble Project is related to the price of copper, gold, molybdenum and silver and the outlook for these minerals, the Company currently does not have any operating mines and hence does not have any hedging or other commodity based risks in respect of its operational activities.

Copper, gold, molybdenum and silver prices have fluctuated widely historically and are affected by numerous factors outside of the Company's control, including, but not limited to, industrial and retail demand, central

Page | 23

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.

Management's Discussion And Analysis

Three and six months ended June 30, 2020

bank lending, forward sales by producers and speculators, levels of worldwide production, short-term changes in supply and demand because of speculative hedging activities, and certain other factors related specifically to gold.

Capital Management

The Company's policy is to maintain a strong capital base to maintain investor and creditor confidence and to sustain future development of the business. The capital structure of the Company currently consists of equity, comprising share capital and reserves, net of accumulated deficit.

There were no changes in the Company's approach to capital management during the period. The Company is not subject to any externally imposed capital requirements.

1.15 Other MD&A Requirements

Additional information relating to the Company, including the Company's 2019 Annual Information Form, is available under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

1.15.1 Disclosure of Outstanding Share Data

The capital structure of the Company as of the date of this MD&A, is as follows:

Number

Common shares issued and outstanding

506,594,465

Share options pursuant to the Company's incentive plan

28,866,166

Deferred share units

458,129

Restricted share units

-

Warrants and non-incentive plan options1

19,751,356

Note to table:

1. Non-incentive plan options make up 211,500 of the total. These were issued on the acquisition of Cannon Point in October 2015. Warrants make up the balance and were issued pursuant to the, prospectus financings in June 2016 and 2019, a private placement financing in July 2016 and the Credit Facility.

1.15.2 Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company has disclosure controls and procedures in place to provide reasonable assurance that any information required to be disclosed by the Company under securities legislation is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the applicable time periods and that required information is accumulated and communicated to the Company's management so that decisions can be made about the timely disclosure of that information.

1.15.3 Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting ("ICFR")

The Company's management, including the Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") and the CFO, is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate ICFR. ICFR is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the CEO and CFO and effected by the Company's Board of Directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of consolidated financial statements for external purposes in accordance with IFRS. The Company's ICFR includes those policies and procedures that:

Page | 24

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.

Management's Discussion And Analysis

Three and six months ended June 30, 2020

  • pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company;
  • provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with IFRS, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and
  • provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company's assets that could have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.

There has been no change in the design of the Company's internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's ICFR during the period covered by this MD&A.

1.15.4 Limitations of Controls and Procedures

The Company's management, including its CEO and CFO, believe that any system of disclosure controls and procedures or ICFR, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Furthermore, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, they cannot provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been prevented or detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty and breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by unauthorized override of controls. The design of any system of controls is also based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Accordingly, because of the inherent limitations in a cost effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.

1.15.5 Risk Factors

The securities of Northern Dynasty are highly speculative and subject to a number of risks. A prospective investor or other person reviewing Northern Dynasty for a prospective investor should not consider an investment in Northern Dynasty unless the investor is capable of sustaining an economic loss of their entire investment. The risks associated with Northern Dynasty's business include:

Risks Associated with the Novel Coronavirus ("COVID-19")

The current outbreak of COVID-19, and any future emergence and spread of similar pathogens, could have a material adverse effect on global and local economic and business conditions which may adversely impact our business and results of operations and the operations of contractors and service providers. The outbreak has now spread to the United States and Canada where we conduct our principal business operations. Our plans to advance the development of the Pebble Project are dependent upon the continued progress of our approval and permitting process with the USACE, the EPA and Alaskan state agencies, as well as our ability to continue the work required in connection with this process through our employees and our contractors. While we have not been notified of any delay, it is possible that government efforts to curtail the COVID-19 outbreak will result in delays in our permitting process, including the progress through to a ROD. In addition, our personnel may be delayed in completing the required work that we are pursuing in connection with this process due to quarantine, self-isolation, social distancing, restrictions on travel, restrictions on meetings and work from home requirements. The extent to which the coronavirus impacts our operations will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence, including the duration of the outbreak, new information that may emerge concerning the severity of the coronavirus and the actions

Page | 25

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.

Management's Discussion And Analysis

Three and six months ended June 30, 2020

taken to contain the coronavirus or treat its impact, among others. Moreover, the spread of the coronavirus globally is expected to have a material adverse effect on global and regional economies and to continue to negatively impact stock markets, including the trading price of our shares as well as mineral commodity prices. These adverse effects on the economy, the stock market and our share price could adversely impact our ability to raise capital, with the result that our ability to pursue development of the Pebble Project could be adversely impacted, both through delays and through increased costs. Any of these developments, and others, could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations and could delay our plans for development of the Pebble Project.

Inability to Ultimately Achieve Mine Permitting and Build a Mine at the Pebble Project.

The Company may ultimately be unable to secure the necessary permits under United States Federal and Alaskan State laws to build and operate a mine at the Pebble Project. There is no assurance that the EPA will not seek to undertake future regulatory action to impede or restrict the Pebble Project. In addition, there are prominent and well organized opponents of the Pebble Project and the Company may be unable, even if we present solid scientific and technical evidence of risk mitigation, to overcome such opposition and convince governmental authorities that a mine should be permitted at the Pebble Project. The Company faces not only the permitting and regulatory issues typical of companies seeking to build a mine, but additional public and regulatory scrutiny due to its location and likely size. Accordingly, there is no assurance that the Company will obtain the required permits. The Company has filed a CWA 404 permit application with the USACE, which triggered an EIS process under NEPA. The receipt of the ROD following the issuance of the Final EIS may take several months and the requirement for the company to secure a broad range of other permits and authorizations from multiple federal and state regulatory agencies will take several years. After all permits necessary to begin construction are in hand, a number of years would be required to finance and build a mine and commence operations. During these periods, the Company would likely have no income and so would require additional financing to continue its operations. Unless and until we build a mine at the Pebble Project, we will be unable to achieve revenues from operations and may not be able to sell or otherwise recover our investment in the Pebble Project, which would have a material adverse effect on the Company and an investment in the Company's common shares. The current mine plan that is included in the Project Description for the development of the Pebble Project is not supported by any preliminary economic assessment or any preliminary or final feasibility study.

Risk of Secure Title or Property Interest

There can be no certainty that title to any property interest acquired by the Company or any of its subsidiaries is without defects. Although the Company has taken reasonable precautions to ensure that legal title to its properties is properly documented, there can be no assurance that its property interests may not be challenged or impugned. Such property interests may be subject to prior unregistered agreements or transfers or other land claims, and title may be affected by undetected defects and adverse laws and regulations.

The Pebble Partnership's mineral concessions at Pebble are located on State of Alaska lands specifically designated for mineral exploration and development. Alaska is a stable jurisdiction with a well-developed regulatory and legal framework for resource development and public lands management, a strong commitment to the rule of law and lengthy track record for encouraging investment in the development if its land and natural resources.

The Pebble Project is Subject to Political and Environmental Regulatory Opposition

As is typical for a large-scale mining project, the Pebble Project faces organized opposition from certain individuals and organizations who are motivated to preclude any possible mining in the Bristol Bay Watershed (the "BBW"). The BBW is an important wildlife and salmon habitat area. Accordingly, one of the greatest risks to the Pebble Project is seen to be political/permitting risk, which may ultimately preclude construction of a mine at the Pebble Project. Opposition may include legal challenges to exploration and development permits, which may delay or halt development. Other tactics may also be employed by opposition groups to delay or

Page | 26

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.

Management's Discussion And Analysis

Three and six months ended June 30, 2020

frustrate development at Pebble, included political and public advocacy, electoral strategies, media and public outreach campaigns and protest activity.

The Pebble Partnership's Mineral Property Interests Do Not Contain Any Ore Reserves or Any Known Body of Economic Mineralization

Although there are known bodies of mineralization on the Pebble Project, and the Pebble Partnership has completed core drilling programs within, and adjacent to, the deposits to determine measured and indicated resources, there are currently no known reserves or body of commercially viable ore and the Pebble Project must be considered an exploration and feasibility evaluation project only. Extensive additional work is required before Northern Dynasty or the Pebble Partnership can ascertain if any mineralization may be economic and hence constitute "ore".

Northern Dynasty has not completed any feasibility study or pre-feasibility study on the Pebble Project to date. The "preliminary economic assessment" completed by the Company on the Pebble Project in 2011, as referred to in the 2017 Annual Information Form, did not contain the level of mine plan or costing detail that would be included in either a preliminary feasibility study or a final feasibility study that would be necessary to make a determination of the existent of mineral reserves or for a production decision for the Pebble Project. Further, neither the cost information nor the development scenario contemplated in the 2011 preliminary economic assessment are current.

Mineral Resources Disclosed by Northern Dynasty or the Pebble Partnership for the Pebble Project are Estimates Only

Northern Dynasty has included mineral resource estimates that have been made in accordance with 43-101. These resource estimates are classified as "measured resources", "indicated resources" and "inferred resources". Northern Dynasty advises United States investors that although with the adoption of the SEC Modernization Rules, the SEC now recognizes estimates of "measured mineral resources", "indicated mineral resources" and "inferred mineral resources", there is no assurance any mineral resources that Northern Dynasty may report as "measured mineral resources", "indicated mineral resources" and "inferred mineral resources" under 43-101 would be the same had Northern Dynasty prepared the resource estimates under the standards adopted under the SEC Modernization Rules. Investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of mineral deposits classified as "measured resources" or "indicated resources" will ever be converted into ore reserves. Further, "inferred resources" have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and economic and legal feasibility. Under Canadian securities law, estimates of "inferred mineral resources" cannot form the basis of feasibility or prefeasibility studies, except in rare cases.

All amounts of mineral resources are estimates only, and Northern Dynasty cannot be certain that any specified level of recovery of metals from the mineralized material will in fact be realized or that the Pebble Project or any other identified mineral deposit will ever qualify as a commercially mineable (or viable) ore body that can be economically exploited. Mineralized material which is not mineral reserves does not have demonstrated economic viability. In addition, the quantity of mineral reserves and mineral resources may vary depending on, among other things, metal prices and actual results of mining. There can be no assurance that any future economic or technical assessments undertaken by the Company with respect to the Pebble Project will demonstrate positive economics or feasibility.

Negative Operating Cash Flow

The Company currently has a negative operating cash flow and will continue to operate this way for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, the Company will require substantial additional capital in order to fund its future exploration and development activities. The Company does not have any arrangements in place for this funding and there is no assurance that such funding will be achieved when required. Any failure to obtain

Page | 27

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.

Management's Discussion And Analysis

Three and six months ended June 30, 2020

additional financing or failure to achieve profitability and positive operating cash flows will have a material adverse effect on its financial condition and results of operations.

Northern Dynasty Has No History of Earnings and No Foreseeable Earnings, and May Never Achieve Profitability or Pay Dividends

Northern Dynasty has only had losses since inception and there can be no assurance that Northern Dynasty will ever be profitable. Northern Dynasty has paid no dividends on its shares since incorporation. Northern Dynasty presently has no ability to generate earnings from its mineral properties as its mineral properties are in the pre-development stage.

Northern Dynasty's Consolidated Financial Statements have been Prepared Assuming Northern Dynasty will continue on a Going Concern Basis

Northern Dynasty has prepared its Financial Statements on the basis that Northern Dynasty will continue as a going concern. At June 30, 2020, the Company had a working capital of $2.0 million. Although Northern Dynasty completed two financings subsequent to the quarter raising gross proceeds of approximately US$43.9 million, additional financing may be required in order to continue to achieve the Company's business objectives from mid 2021. Northern Dynasty's continuing operations and the underlying value and recoverability of the amounts shown for mineral property interest are entirely dependent upon the existence of economically recoverable mineral reserves at the Pebble Project, the ability of the Company to finance its operating costs, the completion of the exploration and development of the Pebble Project, the Pebble Partnership obtaining the necessary permits to mine, and on future profitable production at the Pebble Project. Furthermore, failure to continue as a going concern would require that Northern Dynasty's assets and liabilities be restated on a liquidation basis, which would likely differ significantly from their going concern assumption carrying values. Refer also to discussion in 1.6Liquidity.

Northern Dynasty Has A History Of Negative Cash Flow From Operations Which Is Anticipated To Continue For The Foreseeable Future

Northern Dynasty experiences negative cash flow from operations and anticipates incurring negative cash flow from operations for 2020 and beyond as a result of the fact that it does not have revenues from mining or any other activities. In addition, as a result of Northern Dynasty's business plans for the development of the Pebble Project, Northern Dynasty expects cash flow from operations to continue to be negative until revenues from production at the Pebble Project begin to offset operating expenditures, of which there is no assurance. Accordingly, Northern Dynasty's cash flow from operations will be negative for the foreseeable future as a result of expenses to be incurred s in connection with advancement of the Pebble Project.

As the Pebble Project is Northern Dynasty's only Mineral Property Interest, the Failure to establish that the Pebble Project Possesses Commercially Viable and Legally Mineable Deposits of Ore may cause a Significant Decline in the Trading Price of Northern Dynasty's Common Shares and reduce its ability to obtain New Financing

The Pebble Project is, through the Pebble Partnership, Northern Dynasty's only mineral project. Northern Dynasty's principal business objective is to carry out further exploration and related activities to establish whether the Pebble Project possesses commercially viable deposits of ore. If Northern Dynasty is not successful in its plan of operations, Northern Dynasty may have to seek a new mineral property to explore or acquire an interest in a new mineral property or project. Northern Dynasty anticipates that such an outcome would adversely impact the price of Northern Dynasty's common shares. Furthermore, Northern Dynasty anticipates that its ability to raise additional financing to fund exploration of a new property or the acquisition of a new property or project would be impaired as a result of the failure to establish commercial viability of the Pebble Project.

Page | 28

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.

Management's Discussion And Analysis

Three and six months ended June 30, 2020

If prices for copper, gold, molybdenum and silver decline, Northern Dynasty may not be able to raise the additional financing required to fund expenditures for the Pebble Project

The ability of Northern Dynasty to raise financing to fund the Pebble Project will be significantly affected by changes in the market price of the metals for which it explores. The prices of copper, gold, molybdenum and silver are volatile, and are affected by numerous factors beyond Northern Dynasty's control. The level of interest rates, the rate of inflation, the world supplies of and demands for copper, gold, molybdenum and silver and the stability of exchange rates can all cause fluctuations in these prices. Such external economic factors are influenced by changes in international investment patterns and monetary systems and political developments. The prices of copper, gold, molybdenum and silver have fluctuated in recent years, and future significant price declines could cause investors to be unprepared to finance exploration of copper, gold, molybdenum and silver, with the result that Northern Dynasty may not have sufficient financing with which to fund its activities related to the advancement of the Pebble Project.

Mining is Inherently Dangerous and Subject to Conditions or Events beyond the Company's Control, which could have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company's Business

Hazards such as fire, explosion, floods, structural collapses, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected geological conditions, ground control problems, power outages, inclement weather, seismic activity, cave-ins and mechanical equipment failure are inherent risks in the Company's exploration, development and mining operations. These and other hazards may cause injuries or death to employees, contractors or other persons at the Company's mineral properties, severe damage to and destruction of the Company's property, plant and equipment and mineral properties, and contamination of, or damage to, the environment, and may result in the suspension of the Company's exploration and development activities and any future production activities. Safety measures implemented by the Company may not be successful in preventing or mitigating future accidents.

Northern Dynasty Competes with Larger, Better Capitalized Competitors in the Mining Industry

The mining industry is competitive in all of its phases, including financing, technical resources, personnel and property acquisition. It requires significant capital, technical resources, personnel and operational experience to effectively compete in the mining industry. Because of the high costs associated with exploration, the expertise required to analyze a project's potential and the capital required to develop a mine, larger companies with significant resources may have a competitive advantage over Northern Dynasty. Northern Dynasty faces strong competition from other mining companies, some with greater financial resources, operational experience and technical capabilities than Northern Dynasty possesses. As a result of this competition, Northern Dynasty may be unable to maintain or acquire financing, personnel, technical resources or attractive mining properties on terms Northern Dynasty considers acceptable or at all.

Compliance with Environmental Requirements will take Considerable Resources and Changes to these Requirements could Significantly Increase the Costs of Developing the Pebble Project and Could Delay These Activities

Northern Dynasty and the Pebble Partnership must comply with stringent environmental legislation in carrying out work on the Pebble Project. Environmental legislation is evolving in a manner that will require stricter standards and enforcement, increased fines and penalties for non-compliance, more stringent environmental assessments of proposed projects and a heightened degree of responsibility for companies and their officers, directors and employees. Changes in environmental legislation could increase the cost to the Pebble Partnership of carrying out its exploration and, if warranted, development of the Pebble Project. Further, compliance with new or additional environmental legislation may result in delays to the exploration and, if warranted, development activities.

Page | 29

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.

Management's Discussion And Analysis

Three and six months ended June 30, 2020

Changes in Government Regulations or the Application thereof and the Presence of Unknown Environmental Hazards on Northern Dynasty's Mineral Properties May Result in Significant Unanticipated Compliance and Reclamation Costs

Government regulations relating to mineral rights tenure, permission to disturb areas and the right to operate can adversely affect Northern Dynasty. Northern Dynasty and the Pebble Partnership may not be able to obtain all necessary licenses and permits that may be required to carry out exploration at the Pebble Project. Obtaining the necessary governmental permits is a complex, time-consuming and costly process. The duration and success of efforts to obtain permits are contingent upon many variables not within our control. Obtaining environmental permits may increase costs and cause delays depending on the nature of the activity to be permitted and the interpretation of applicable requirements implemented by the permitting authority. There can be no assurance that all necessary approvals and permits will be obtained and, if obtained, that the costs involved will not exceed those that we previously estimated. It is possible that the costs and delays associated with the compliance with such standards and regulations could become such that we would not proceed with the development or operation of a mine at the Pebble Project.

Litigation

The Company is, and may in future be subject to legal proceedings, including with regard to actions discussed in 1.2.2.Legal Mattersin the pursuit of its Pebble Project. Given the uncertain nature of these actions, the Company cannot reasonably predict the outcome thereof. If the Company is unable to resolve these matters favorably, it will likely have a material adverse effect of the Company.

Northern Dynasty is Subject to Many Risks that are Not Insurable and, as a Result, Northern Dynasty will Not Be Able to Recover Losses through Insurance Should Such Certain Events Occur

Hazards such as unusual or unexpected geological formations and other conditions are involved in mineral exploration and development. Northern Dynasty may become subject to liability for pollution, cave-ins or hazards against which it cannot insure. The payment of such liabilities could result in increase in Northern Dynasty's operating expenses, which could, in turn, have a material adverse effect on Northern Dynasty's financial position and its results of operations. Although Northern Dynasty and the Pebble Partnership maintain liability insurance in an amount which we consider adequate, the nature of these risks is such that the liabilities might exceed policy limits, the liabilities and hazards might not be insurable against, or Northern Dynasty and the Pebble Partnership might elect not to insure itself against such liabilities due to high premium costs or other reasons, in which event Northern Dynasty could incur significant liabilities and costs that could materially increase Northern Dynasty's operating expenses.

If Northern Dynasty Loses the Services of the Key Personnel that it Engages to Undertake its Activities, then Northern Dynasty's Plan of Operations May Be Delayed or be More Expensive to Undertake than Anticipated

Northern Dynasty's success depends to a significant extent on the performance and continued service of certain independent contractors, including HDSI (refer 1.9Transactions with Related Parties). The Company has access to the full resources of HDSI, an experienced exploration and development firm with in-house geologists, engineers and environmental specialists, to assist in its technical review of the Pebble Project. There can be no assurance that the services of all necessary key personnel will be available when required or if obtained, that the costs involved will not exceed those that we previously estimated. It is possible that the costs and delays associated with the loss of services of key personnel could become such that we would not proceed with the development or operation of a mine at the Pebble Project.

The Market Price of Northern Dynasty's Common Shares is Subject to High Volatility and Could Cause Investor Loss.

The market price of a publicly traded stock, especially a resource issuer like Northern Dynasty, is affected by many variables in addition to those directly related to exploration successes or failures. Such factors include

Page | 30

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.

Management's Discussion And Analysis

Three and six months ended June 30, 2020

the general condition of markets for resource stocks, the strength of the economy generally, the availability and attractiveness of alternative investments, and the breadth of the public markets for the stock. The effect of these and other factors on the market price of the Company's common shares suggests Northern Dynasty's shares will continue to be volatile. Therefore, investors could suffer significant losses if Northern Dynasty's shares are depressed or illiquid when an investor needs to sell Northern Dynasty shares.

Northern Dynasty Will Require Additional Funding to Meet the Development Objectives of the Pebble Project.

Northern Dynasty will need to raise additional financing (through share issuances, debt or asset level partnering) to achieve permitting and development of the Pebble Project. In addition, a positive production decision at the Pebble Project would require significant capital for project engineering and construction. Accordingly, the continuing permitting and development of the Pebble Project will depend upon Northern Dynasty's ability to obtain financing through debt financing, equity financing, the joint venturing of the project, or other means. There can be no assurance that Northern Dynasty will be successful in obtaining the required financing, or that it will be able to raise the funds on terms that do not result in high levels of dilution to shareholders. If we are unable to raise the necessary capital resources, we may at some point have to reduce or curtail our operations, which would have a material adverse effect on our ability to pursue the permitting and development of the Pebble Project.

Page | 31

This is an excerpt of the original content. To continue reading it, access the original document here.

Attachments

  • Original document
  • Permalink

Disclaimer

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. published this content on 14 August 2020 and is solely responsible for the information contained therein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 14 August 2020 21:12:11 UTC