UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 UNDER
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the month of July 2004.

    Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 401-F:

Ken Stowe, President and CEO, commented, "In the second quarter of 2004, our Kemess mine continued to deliver strong operating results, recording the lowest quarterly cash cost in the history of the mine and generating almost $17 million in cash flow. In the first six months of 2004, Northgate generated as much net income as it did in all of 2003, and our cash reserves rose to over $30 million. By changing our name to Northgate Minerals Corporation in May, we sought to reinforce our vision of Northgate as a strong mid-tier gold mining company with solid cash flow and a commitment to creating

Northgate recorded net earnings of $8,958,000 or $0.04 per share in the second quarter compared with a loss of $5,657,000 or $0.03 per share during the corresponding quarter of 2003. The increase in earnings in the second quarter of 2004 was the result of higher prices for gold and copper and a large increase in metal sales that resulted from the 8,000 tonne reduction in concentrate inventory that occurred at the mine during the quarter. Cash flow from operations (before changes in working capital) was $16,705,000 or $0.08 per share in the second quarter of 2004 compared with cash flow of $3,380,000 or $0.02 per share during the same quarter last year. Earnings and cash flow figures for the first six months of 2004 and 2003 reflect the retroactive adoption of a required change in the Corporation's accounting policy for revenue recognition. This change has the effect of delaying the recognition of sales revenue from the time concentrate is produced at the Kemess mill until Northgate receives a preliminary payment from the buyer. Accordingly, revenue and the cost of sales reported in the Corporation's quarterly financial statements do not correspond directly to quarterly production. The Corporation has restated the 2003 comparative figures for this change, so that the basis of presentation for 2003 is consistent with that used for 2004. A summary of this change can be found in Note 1 to the financial statements.

The Kemess mine produced 78,046 ounces of gold and 18 million pounds of copper during the second quarter of 2004 compared with 69,226 ounces and 19.5 million pounds in the second quarter of 2003. Production of both gold and copper during the quarter was consistent with plan projections.

Mining continued at near record levels during the current quarter with over 156,000 tonnes per day removed from the open pit compared to 144,000 tonnes per day mined during the corresponding quarter of 2003. Unit mining costs during the current quarter dropped to Cdn$0.91 per tonne compared with Cdn$0.97 per tonne in the second quarter of 2003. For the six month period ended June 30, 2004, mining costs were 9% lower than they were in the corresponding period of 2003.

Mill availability during the second quarter of 2004 was 92% and throughput was 50,598 tonnes per day, virtually identical to the throughput in the second quarter of 2003. During the balance of 2004, mill throughput is expected to increase as additional softer supergene ore is scheduled for processing in the third quarter and the project to enhance the rotational speed of the second of two SAG mills is completed.

Gold recovery averaged 68% in the second quarter of 2004 compared with 73% in the second quarter of 2003. The lower gold recovery in the most recent quarter was the result of the one month supergene campaign completed during the quarter, where supergene and leach cap ores, with inherently lower gold and copper recoveries, were processed. During 2003, this seasonal campaign did not occur until the third quarter of the year. The second quarter supergene campaign also reduced the average copper recovery during the current quarter to 81% from 85% in the corresponding period of 2003.

The total cost of production during the second quarter of 2004 was Cdn$7.13 per tonne milled compared with Cdn$7.04 per tonne milled in the corresponding period of 2003. Total site operating costs were Cdn$32.8 million during the current quarter, representing an increase of only 1% compared to the corresponding quarter of 2003 in spite of the 8% increase in tonnes mined. During the second quarter of 2004 the Kemess mine set a record for the lowest quarterly cash cost in the history of the mine at $129 per ounce compared with $249 per ounce in the corresponding period of 2003. The significantly higher by-product credit generated by higher copper prices in the second quarter of 2004 and the higher gold production were responsible for this strong performance. Using the Gold Institute methodology which many other gold companies use, Kemess' cash cost during the current quarter was only $55 per ounce compared with $205 per ounce in the corresponding quarter of 2003.

The following table provides a summary of operations for the second quarter and the first six months of 2004, compared with the comparable periods of 2003.

While many broad measures of safety performance such as the reportable injury frequency and the number of medical aids continued to improve in the second quarter of 2004, two lost time injuries were recorded. While neither of these incidents was serious, management at the Kemess mine is continuing its efforts to stress personal safety awareness and members of the Northgate's Health, Safety and Environment committee visited the mine during the quarter to reinforce the Corporation's commitment to working safely.

The most recent forecast of metal production for the balance of 2004 (see table below) indicates that Kemess is still on track to produce a total of 300,000 ounces during the year.

Northgate's revenues in the second quarter of 2004 were $49,994,000 compared with $26,204,000 in the corresponding period in 2003. Both these figures include the effect of the accounting policy change on revenue recognition (see Note 1 to the financial statements). Metal sales in the second quarter of 2004 consisted of 91,083 ounces of gold and 22.1 million pounds of copper compared with 66,032 ounces of gold and 18.9 million pounds of copper in the corresponding quarter of the previous year. The net realized metal prices received on sales in the second quarter of 2004 were approximately $374 per ounce of gold and $1.27 per pound of copper compared with $347 per ounce and $0.74 per pound in the second quarter of last year. In the second quarter of 2004, the Corporation closed out 21,750 ounces of its gold forward sales position, which reduced the realized price of gold sold during the quarter by $19 per ounce.

Cost of sales in the second quarter of 2004 was $29,122,000 compared with the corresponding period last year when the cost of sales was $19,645,000. The cost of sales reported during both periods reflects the change in accounting policy on revenue recognition. As a result of this change, the cost of sales that are reported during a quarter do not necessarily correspond to the operating costs that were actually incurred in that quarter because costs associated with concentrate production are included in inventory until the associated revenue is recognized. The large increase in cost of sales in the second quarter of 2004 was the result of the 8,000 tonne reduction in concentrate inventory during the quarter which brought additional costs into the quarter that were incurred in prior periods.

Administrative and general expenses were $1,442,000 in the second quarter of 2004 compared with $1,190,000 in the comparable period of 2003. Costs were higher during the second quarter of 2004 than they were in the corresponding period of 2003 primarily as a result of additional overhead costs the Corporation is now incurring as a result of increased corporate activities and staffing.

Depreciation and depletion expenses in the second quarter were $7,311,000, compared to $8,244,000 during the corresponding period of 2003. The depreciation and depletion expense for the most recent quarter was lower than the corresponding period of 2003 because less ore was actually mined as the mill drew upon 800,000 tonnes of stockpiled supergene and leach cap ores that had been mined in the first quarter of 2004. Amortization of the Corporation's mineral property, plant and equipment is based on the unit-of-production method as ore is mined from the Kemess South pit.

Net interest expense was $865,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2004 compared to $916,000 in the corresponding quarter of 2003. The decrease in net interest expense in the most recent quarter is the result of increased interest income derived from the Corporation's increased cash reserves combined with the reduction of debt and capital lease obligations.

Exploration expenses in the second quarter were $1,458,000 compared with $1,335,000 in the comparable period of 2003. Exploration expenditures are typically highest in the second and third quarters of each year when the weather in northern Canada is suitable for drilling and prospecting. The exploration expense in the second quarter of 2003 included $428,000 in costs related to the pre-feasibility study for the Kemess Mine expansion which were expensed up until June 30, 2003.

Capital expenditures during the second quarter of 2004 totaled $2,696,000 compared to $6,473,000 in the corresponding period of 2003. Capital expenditures in the most recent quarter included $576,000 for the Kemess mine expansion project (Kemess North) with the balance relating to the seasonal construction of the tailings dam. In the second quarter of 2003, capital expenditures were substantially higher than they were in the most recent quarter, due to the purchase of a new production drill.

On January 1, 2004, the Corporation retroactively adopted accounting policy changes related to revenue recognition and asset retirement obligations (site closure and reclamation costs), as a result of changes to Canadian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP"). These changes are discussed in Note 1 of the Corporation's second quarter consolidated financial statements.

At December 31, 2003, there were slightly over 52 million tonnes of resources at Kemess South lying outside the current ultimate pit boundary. Beginning in March of 2004, Kemess geologists began a diamond drilling program in and around the Kemess South pit in order to better define these known resources and test potential extensions of the mineralization, with the goal of increasing reserves at Kemess South. The drilling was completed in June. Once the assay results are available, they will be incorporated into a revised block model that will form the basis for a redesigned pit. The results of this project are expected in September.

Northgate is conducting exploration on the Kemess claims surrounding the Kemess mine and at three Option/Joint venture properties in British Columbia and the Yukon. Exploration on all these properties began in late June or early July and Northgate expects to complete over 17,000 meters of diamond drilling in the 2004 exploration season.

On the Kemess claims, four holes were completed on the Duncan Ridge skarn target with no encouraging results. Geophysical surveys on the Bear claims south of the Kemess mine have also been completed and await detailed interpretation before these targets are drill tested.

At the Brenda property, an option with Canasil Resources located 25 km northwest of Kemess, drilling has begun to follow up on the two Kemess-style porphyry gold/copper intersections discovered in 2003.

At the Hyland Gold property, an option with StrataGold Corporation, located in the southeastern Yukon Territory, geophysical surveys have been completed and diamond drilling has begun on the new targets identified.

At the RDN property, an option agreement with Rimfire Minerals, in the Iskut River District of northwestern British Columbia, geologists have begun testing the Eskay Creek correlative horizon for high grade precious metal deposit similar to Eskay Creek.

The feasibility study work for the Kemess Mine Expansion project (Kemess North) is continuing and will incorporate the results of the resource drilling around the Kemess South pit, and detailed engineering work on the tunnel / conveyor system required to transport ore to the existing milling facilities.

The project is in the advance stages of the Environmental Pre-Application Review Stage. Northgate anticipates submitting the Environmental Impact Assessment Application Report in October 2004, at which time the full environmental review will be initiated under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act ("CEAA").

On July 29, 2004, Northgate executed the definitive agreement, for the previously announced acquisition of the high grade Sustut Copper deposit, for staged payments totaling Cdn$1.705 million. The deposit, located 40 kilometers south of the Kemess mine, contains 4.676 million tonnes (grading 2.02% copper and 6 grams/tonne silver) that is amenable to open pit mining. Northgate's engineers are reviewing the project, with the goal of reducing the feasibility study estimates for capital and operating costs. Extensive metallurgical test work indicates that this material is compatible with the Kemess mill where it will be blended with Kemess ore.

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You are invited to participate in the Northgate Minerals Corporation live conference call announcing our 2004 second quarter results. The call will take place on Friday, July 30, 2004, at 10:00 am ET. The presentation package for the conference call will be posted the morning of July 30 on Northgate's web site at www.northgateminerals.com under Investor Info - Presentations page.

Scheduled speakers for the conference call are Terry Lyons, Chairman, Kenneth Stowe, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Jon Douglas, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

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

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements include without limitation, statements regarding future production, potential mineralization and reserves, exploration results and future plans and objectives of Northgate Minerals Corporation (Northgate). Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "will," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe," or "continue" or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Northgate's expectations are disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" in Northgate's 2003 Annual Report and under the heading "Trends, Risks and Uncertainties" in Northgate's 2003 Annual Information Form (AIF) both of which are filed with Canadian regulators on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) and with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (www.sec.gov).

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

(Dollar amounts in tables are expressed in thousands of United States dollars unless indicated) (unaudited)

The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in Canada ("Canadian GAAP"). They do not include all the disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles for annual financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the Corporation's consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Corporation's Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2003. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for fair presentation have been included in these financial statements.

These financial statements are prepared using the same accounting policies and methods of application and those disclosed in Note 2 to the Corporation's consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2003, with the exception of policy changes related to revenue recognition and site closure and reclamation costs which were adopted effective January 1, 2004 as a result of changes to Canadian GAAP.

Revenue recognition

Prior to January 1, 2004, Canadian GAAP for mining companies permitted the recognition of revenue upon production of concentrate. Under Emerging Issues Committee Abstract 141 ("EIC-141"), which for the Corporation is effective January 1, 2004, the recognition of sales revenue under Canadian GAAP was harmonized with US GAAP. Effective January 1, 2004, the Corporation retroactively adopted the change in accounting policy for revenue recognition. Revenue from sale of the Corporation's concentrate is now recorded when pervasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred and the sales price is fixed and determinable. Under the Corporation's current concentrate sales contract these conditions are fulfilled upon receipt of provisional payment from the buyer typically within seven days of the date that concentrate is loaded into railcars for shipment to the receiving smelter. Prices used for provisionally priced sales are based on market prices prevailing at the time of shipment and are adjusted based upon market prices until final settlement with the buyer pursuant to the terms of the sales contract. Adoption of EIC-141 resulted in a decrease in inventory and retained earnings (deficit) of $6,712,000 as at December 31, 2003. The impact on the three months ending June 30, 2003 was a decrease in revenue of $3,922,000, a decrease in the cost of sales of $1,745,000, an increase in currency translation loss of $62,000 and an increase in the opening retained earnings (deficit) of $597,000. The impact on the six months ending June 30, 2003 was a decrease in revenue of $524,000, a decrease in the cost of sales of $490,000 and an increase in currency translation gain of $7,000.

Site closure and reclamation costs

Effective January 1, 2004, the Corporation adopted the CICA's Handbook section 3110, "Asset Retirement Obligations" ("HB 3110"). Under this new standard, the recognition, measurement and disclosure of liabilities related to the retirement of tangible long-lived assets under Canadian GAAP has been harmonized with US GAAP. HB 3110 requires the recognition of any statutory, contractual or other legal obligation, related to the retirement of tangible long-lived assets when such obligations are incurred, if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. These obligations are measured initially at fair value and the resulting costs capitalized into the carrying value of the related asset. In subsequent periods, the liability is adjusted for the accretion of discount and any changes in the amount or timing of the underlying future cash flows. The asset retirement cost is amortized to operations over the life of the asset. Prior to the adoption of HB 3110, the Corporation accounted for reclamation and closure costs according to provisions of Section 3061, "Property, Plant and Equipment" of the CICA Handbook and accrued the amount