Nova Minerals (ASX:NVA) has mobilised heavy equipment to the Estelle Gold and Critical Minerals Project in Alaska via the company’s winter snow road.
The weather conditions allowed the construction of the snow road in December 2025, including pre-packing snow, water-flooding for ice thickening at river crossings, and minor brush clearing.
Ice bridges were constructed 1.5m thick and are capable of supporting freight loads over 45,000kg while preserving a hard snowpack base.
Nova received a US$43.4 million award from the US Department of War in October 2025. Following this award, the company assembled an engineering, procurement, and construction management (EPCM) team to source heavy equipment from across the contiguous US and Alaska to begin construction work.
Approximately 70% of the equipment is en route from the Nova freight yard in Willow, Alaska to the Estelle Project site via the winter road.
Nova notes that the cold temperatures forecast for the coming weeks mean that the train conditions should remain optimal.
General Manager and Geologist Hans Hoffman notes that the exceptionally cold temperatures have allowed for “outstanding” work by the Nova team.
“Freight hauling is well underway, and with the first loads received, we have an exciting couple of weeks ahead as we prioritise the remaining critical transports before the winter freight window closes.”
Nova Minerals is a mining exploration and development company focused on advancing the district-scale Estelle Project toward production.
Write to Amy Rotman at Mining.com.au
Images: Nova Minerals
