Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
Nov. 30, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Presentation The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of NOVAGOLD RESOURCES INC. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries NOVAGOLD U.S. Holdings Inc., NOVAGOLD Resources Alaska Inc., NOVAGOLD USA, Inc., and AGC Resources Inc. All inter-company transactions and balances are eliminated on consolidation. The Consolidated Financial Statements are presented in United States dollars and have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (US GAAP). The preparation of the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with US GAAP requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the Consolidated Financial Statements and the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period. The Company bases its estimates and assumptions on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from the amounts recorded in these Consolidated Financial Statements. References in these Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to $ refer to United States (US) dollars and C$ to Canadian dollars. Dollar amounts are in thousands, except for per share amounts.
Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations Policy [Policy Text Block]	Foreign currency The functional currency for NOVAGOLD RESOURCES INC. is the Canadian dollar and the functional currency for the Company’s U.S. operations is the U.S. dollar. Therefore, gains and losses on U.S. dollar denominated transactions and the effect of translating U.S. dollar denominated balances of Canadian operations are recorded in net loss. The effects of translating the Company’s Canadian operations from the Canadian dollar to the U.S. dollar are recorded in Other comprehensive income (loss).
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash balances and highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, that are considered to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents are held for the purpose of meeting short-term cash commitments rather than for investment or other purposes.
Term Deposits, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Term deposits The Company’s term deposits are classified as held to maturity and recorded at cost. Term deposits are held at Chartered Canadian banks with original maturities of 12 months or less. The term deposits are not traded in an active market.
Discontinued Operations, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Discontinued operations The Company reports the results of operations of a business as discontinued operations if a disposal represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on the Company’s operations and financial results when the business is classified as held for sale. The results of discontinued operations are reported in Net income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations for current and prior periods, including any gain or loss recognized on closing or adjustment of the carrying amount to fair value less cost to sell. On July 27, 2018, the Company completed the sale of its 50% interest in the Galore Creek Partnership (GCP) and its 40% interest in the Copper Canyon mineral property in British Columbia, Canada (collectively referred to herein as “Galore Creek”). As a result, the Company presents Galore Creek as a discontinued operation for all periods presented. Accordingly, the Consolidated Statements of Loss and Comprehensive Loss and Cash Flows have been reclassified to present Galore Creek as a discontinued operation for all periods presented, and the amounts presented in these notes relate only to continuing operations unless otherwise noted. For additional information regarding discontinued operations, see Note 15.
Contingent Note Receivable, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Contingent note receivable A portion of the proceeds related to the sale of Galore Creek to Newmont includes a $75,000 note receivable, contingent upon the approval of a Galore Creek project construction plan by the owner(s). The Company has not assigned a value to the contingent note receivable as management determined that the approval of the Galore Creek project construction was not probable as of the closing of the Galore Creek sale or in subsequent periods. The contingent note will be recognized when, in management’s judgement, it is probable that the payment will occur, and that the amount recorded will not reverse in future periods.
Equity Method Investments [Policy Text Block]	Investment in affiliates Investments in unconsolidated ventures over which the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence, but does not control, are accounted for under the equity method and include the Company’s investment in the Donlin Gold project. The Company identified Donlin Gold LLC as a Variable Interest Entity (VIE) as the entity is dependent on funding from its owners. All funding, ownership, voting rights, and power to exercise control is shared equally on a 50/50 basis between the owners of the VIE. Therefore, the Company has determined that it is not the primary beneficiary of the VIE. The Company’s maximum exposure to loss is its equity investment in Donlin Gold LLC. The equity method is a basis of accounting for investments whereby the investment is initially recorded at cost and the carrying value is adjusted thereafter to include the investor’s pro rata share of post-acquisition earnings or losses of the investee, as computed by the consolidation method. Cash funding increases the carrying value of the investment. Profit distributions received or receivable from an investee reduce the carrying value of the investment. Donlin Gold LLC is a non-publicly traded equity investee owning an exploration and development project. Therefore, the Company assesses whether there has been a potential impairment triggering event for other-than-temporary impairment by testing the underlying assets of the equity investee for recoverability and assessing whether there has been a change in the development plan or strategy for the project. If the underlying assets are not recoverable, the Company will record an impairment charge equal to the difference between the carrying amount of the investee and its fair value.
Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Income taxes The Company accounts for income taxes using the liability method, recognizing certain temporary differences between the financial reporting basis of the Company’s liabilities and assets and the related income tax basis for such liabilities and assets. This method generates deferred income tax liabilities and assets for the Company, as measured by the statutory tax rates in effect. The Company derives its deferred income tax charge or benefit by recording the change in deferred income tax liabilities and asset balances for the year. The Company’s deferred income tax assets include certain future tax benefits. The Company records a valuation allowance against any portion of those deferred income tax assets when it believes, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred income tax asset will not be realized.
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Policy Text Block]	Share-based payments The Company records share-based compensation awards exchanged for employee services at fair value on the date of the grant and expenses the awards in the Consolidated Statements of Loss over the requisite employee service period. The fair values of stock options are determined using a Black-Scholes option pricing model. The fair values of PSUs are determined using a Monte Carlo valuation model. The Company’s estimates may be impacted by certain variables including, but not limited to, stock price volatility, employee stock option exercise behaviors, additional stock option grants, estimates of forfeitures, the Company’s performance, and the Company’s performance in relation to its peers.
Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Net income (loss) per common share Basic and diluted income (loss) per share are presented for Net income (loss). Basic income (loss) per share is computed by dividing Net income (loss) by the weighted-average number of outstanding common shares for the period. Diluted income per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts that may require the issuance of common shares in the future were converted. Diluted income per share is computed by increasing the weighted-average number of outstanding common shares to include the additional common shares that would be outstanding after conversion and adjusting net income for changes that would result from the conversion. Only those securities or other contracts that result in a reduction in earnings per share are included in the calculation.
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Recently adopted accounting pronouncements Leases In February 2016, Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-02 was issued which, together with subsequent amendments, is included in ASC 842, Leases. The standard was issued to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by requiring the recognition of right-of-use ("ROU") assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet for all leases with an initial term greater than one year. Certain qualitative and quantitative disclosures are also required. On December 1, 2019, the Company adopted this standard using the modified retrospective approach with the effective date as of the date of initial application. Consequently, results for the year ended November 30, 2020 are presented under ASC Topic 842. No prior period amounts were adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with previous lease guidance, ASC Topic 840, Leases. All leases were reassessed under the new standard including lease identification, lease classification, and initial direct costs in relation to its leases in effect as of December 1, 2019. The Company also elected the practical expedients allowing: i) the use of hindsight in determining the lease term and assessing impairment of ROU assets based on all facts and circumstances through the effective date of the new standard; ii) the short-term lease recognition exemption whereby ROU assets and lease liabilities will not be recognized for leasing arrangements with terms less than one year; and iii) to combine lease and non-lease components and expense variable payments as rent/lease expense in the period incurred. Adoption of the new standard resulted in recording an operating lease ROU asset and operating lease liability of approximately $399 on our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 1, 2019. Adoption of the standard did not have an impact on the Company’s beginning accumulated deficit, results from operations or cash flows. For required qualitative and quantitative disclosures related to leasing arrangements beginning in the period of adoption, see Note 8. Changes to the Company’s accounting policy as a result of adoption are discussed below. The Company reviews all contracts and determines if the arrangement represents or contains a lease, at inception. Operating leases are included in Other non-current assets and Other current and non-current liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company does not have any finance leases. Operating lease ROU assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. ROU assets and lease liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date based on the estimated present value of lease payments over the lease term. The Company uses its estimated incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the lease commencement date in determining the present value of future payments. The operating lease ROU asset also includes any upfront lease payments made and excludes lease incentives and initial direct costs incurred. The Company’s lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. Lease expense for minimum lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Leases with a term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet. The Company’s lease agreements do not contain any residual value guarantees. Recently issued accounting pronouncements Fair Value Disclosure Requirements In August 2018, ASU No. 2018-13 was issued to modify and enhance the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. This update is effective in fiscal years, including interim periods, beginning after December 1, 2020. Adoption of this guidance is not expected to significantly impact the Company’s note disclosures.

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Nov. 30, 2020

Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Presentation

The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of NOVAGOLD RESOURCES INC. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries NOVAGOLD U.S. Holdings Inc., NOVAGOLD Resources Alaska Inc., NOVAGOLD USA, Inc., and AGC Resources Inc. All inter-company transactions and balances are eliminated on consolidation.

The Consolidated Financial Statements are presented in United States dollars and have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (US GAAP). The preparation of the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with US GAAP requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the Consolidated Financial Statements and the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period. The Company bases its estimates and assumptions on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from the amounts recorded in these Consolidated Financial Statements.

References in these Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to $ refer to United States (US) dollars and C$ to Canadian dollars. Dollar amounts are in thousands, except for per share amounts.

Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations Policy [Policy Text Block]

Foreign currency

The functional currency for NOVAGOLD RESOURCES INC. is the Canadian dollar and the functional currency for the Company’s U.S. operations is the U.S. dollar. Therefore, gains and losses on U.S. dollar denominated transactions and the effect of translating U.S. dollar denominated balances of Canadian operations are recorded in net loss. The effects of translating the Company’s Canadian operations from the Canadian dollar to the U.S. dollar are recorded in Other comprehensive income (loss).

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash balances and highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, that are considered to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents are held for the purpose of meeting short-term cash commitments rather than for investment or other purposes.

Term Deposits, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Term deposits

The Company’s term deposits are classified as held to maturity and recorded at cost. Term deposits are held at Chartered Canadian banks with original maturities of 12 months or less. The term deposits are not traded in an active market.

Discontinued Operations, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Discontinued operations

The Company reports the results of operations of a business as discontinued operations if a disposal represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on the Company’s operations and financial results when the business is classified as held for sale. The results of discontinued operations are reported in Net income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations for current and prior periods, including any gain or loss recognized on closing or adjustment of the carrying amount to fair value less cost to sell.

On July 27, 2018, the Company completed the sale of its 50% interest in the Galore Creek Partnership (GCP) and its 40% interest in the Copper Canyon mineral property in British Columbia, Canada (collectively referred to herein as “Galore Creek”). As a result, the Company presents Galore Creek as a discontinued operation for all periods presented. Accordingly, the Consolidated Statements of Loss and Comprehensive Loss and Cash Flows have been reclassified to present Galore Creek as a discontinued operation for all periods presented, and the amounts presented in these notes relate only to continuing operations unless otherwise noted. For additional information regarding discontinued operations, see Note 15.

Contingent Note Receivable, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Contingent note receivable

A portion of the proceeds related to the sale of Galore Creek to Newmont includes a $75,000 note receivable, contingent upon the approval of a Galore Creek project construction plan by the owner(s). The Company has not assigned a value to the contingent note receivable as management determined that the approval of the Galore Creek project construction was not probable as of the closing of the Galore Creek sale or in subsequent periods. The contingent note will be recognized when, in management’s judgement, it is probable that the payment will occur, and that the amount recorded will not reverse in future periods.

Equity Method Investments [Policy Text Block]

Investment in affiliates

Investments in unconsolidated ventures over which the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence, but does not control, are accounted for under the equity method and include the Company’s investment in the Donlin Gold project. The Company identified Donlin Gold LLC as a Variable Interest Entity (VIE) as the entity is dependent on funding from its owners. All funding, ownership, voting rights, and power to exercise control is shared equally on a 50/50 basis between the owners of the VIE. Therefore, the Company has determined that it is not the primary beneficiary of the VIE. The Company’s maximum exposure to loss is its equity investment in Donlin Gold LLC.

The equity method is a basis of accounting for investments whereby the investment is initially recorded at cost and the carrying value is adjusted thereafter to include the investor’s pro rata share of post-acquisition earnings or losses of the investee, as computed by the consolidation method. Cash funding increases the carrying value of the investment. Profit distributions received or receivable from an investee reduce the carrying value of the investment.

Donlin Gold LLC is a non-publicly traded equity investee owning an exploration and development project. Therefore, the Company assesses whether there has been a potential impairment triggering event for other-than-temporary impairment by testing the underlying assets of the equity investee for recoverability and assessing whether there has been a change in the development plan or strategy for the project. If the underlying assets are not recoverable, the Company will record an impairment charge equal to the difference between the carrying amount of the investee and its fair value.

Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Income taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes using the liability method, recognizing certain temporary differences between the financial reporting basis of the Company’s liabilities and assets and the related income tax basis for such liabilities and assets. This method generates deferred income tax liabilities and assets for the Company, as measured by the statutory tax rates in effect. The Company derives its deferred income tax charge or benefit by recording the change in deferred income tax liabilities and asset balances for the year.

The Company’s deferred income tax assets include certain future tax benefits. The Company records a valuation allowance against any portion of those deferred income tax assets when it believes, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred income tax asset will not be realized.

Share-based Payment Arrangement [Policy Text Block]

Share-based payments

The Company records share-based compensation awards exchanged for employee services at fair value on the date of the grant and expenses the awards in the Consolidated Statements of Loss over the requisite employee service period. The fair values of stock options are determined using a Black-Scholes option pricing model. The fair values of PSUs are determined using a Monte Carlo valuation model. The Company’s estimates may be impacted by certain variables including, but not limited to, stock price volatility, employee stock option exercise behaviors, additional stock option grants, estimates of forfeitures, the Company’s performance, and the Company’s performance in relation to its peers.

Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Net income (loss) per common share

Basic and diluted income (loss) per share are presented for Net income (loss). Basic income (loss) per share is computed by dividing Net income (loss) by the weighted-average number of outstanding common shares for the period. Diluted income per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts that may require the issuance of common shares in the future were converted. Diluted income per share is computed by increasing the weighted-average number of outstanding common shares to include the additional common shares that would be outstanding after conversion and adjusting net income for changes that would result from the conversion. Only those securities or other contracts that result in a reduction in earnings per share are included in the calculation.

New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Recently adopted accounting pronouncements

Leases

In February 2016, Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-02 was issued which, together with subsequent amendments, is included in ASC 842, Leases. The standard was issued to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by requiring the recognition of right-of-use ("ROU") assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet for all leases with an initial term greater than one year. Certain qualitative and quantitative disclosures are also required.

On December 1, 2019, the Company adopted this standard using the modified retrospective approach with the effective date as of the date of initial application. Consequently, results for the year ended November 30, 2020 are presented under ASC Topic 842. No prior period amounts were adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with previous lease guidance, ASC Topic 840, Leases. All leases were reassessed under the new standard including lease identification, lease classification, and initial direct costs in relation to its leases in effect as of December 1, 2019. The Company also elected the practical expedients allowing: i) the use of hindsight in determining the lease term and assessing impairment of ROU assets based on all facts and circumstances through the effective date of the new standard; ii) the short-term lease recognition exemption whereby ROU assets and lease liabilities will not be recognized for leasing arrangements with terms less than one year; and iii) to combine lease and non-lease components and expense variable payments as rent/lease expense in the period incurred.

Adoption of the new standard resulted in recording an operating lease ROU asset and operating lease liability of approximately $399 on our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 1, 2019. Adoption of the standard did not have an impact on the Company’s beginning accumulated deficit, results from operations or cash flows. For required qualitative and quantitative disclosures related to leasing arrangements beginning in the period of adoption, see Note 8. Changes to the Company’s accounting policy as a result of adoption are discussed below.

The Company reviews all contracts and determines if the arrangement represents or contains a lease, at inception. Operating leases are included in Other non-current assets and Other current and non-current liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company does not have any finance leases.

Operating lease ROU assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. ROU assets and lease liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date based on the estimated present value of lease payments over the lease term. The Company uses its estimated incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the lease commencement date in determining the present value of future payments. The operating lease ROU asset also includes any upfront lease payments made and excludes lease incentives and initial direct costs incurred. The Company’s lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. Lease expense for minimum lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Leases with a term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet. The Company’s lease agreements do not contain any residual value guarantees.

Recently issued accounting pronouncements

Fair Value Disclosure Requirements

In August 2018, ASU No. 2018-13 was issued to modify and enhance the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. This update is effective in fiscal years, including interim periods, beginning after December 1, 2020. Adoption of this guidance is not expected to significantly impact the Company’s note disclosures.