Nova Minerals (ASX:NVA) has commenced its fully funded 2026 exploration and development programs at the Estelle Gold and Critical Minerals Project in Alaska, US, featuring a 10,000m drilling campaign and advancing antimony production initiatives.
The programs are backed by over $85 million in cash and a US$43.4 million ($61 million) award from the US Department of War.
As previously reported by Mining.com.au, Nova completed a record winter freight mobilisation in early April, delivering approximately 1.5 million pounds of equipment and supplies to the Estelle site, setting the stage for the 2026 field season.
Drilling will focus on high‑priority infill and expansion targets at the RPM deposit, alongside antimony prospects. Nova expects the operations to run for three months during the Alaskan summer, leveraging near‑24‑hour daylight.
The campaign includes approximately 7,000m of drilling at RPM to expand strike extensions and increase resource confidence, including follow‑up on 2025 intersections such as hole RPM‑068 (167m @ 0.70 grams per tonne gold from 187m, including 75m @ 1.10 g/t from 242m) and RPM‑070 (165m @ 0.60 g/t gold from 3m).
At Stibium, about 3,000m of drilling is scheduled, with a new pad planned to improve access.
Antimony development advances
The company’s first lab‑scale antimony metal and military‑grade antimony trisulfide samples are in final preparation, with assay results expected shortly.
Construction of an onsite crushing and ore sorting facility is underway, and procurement of refinery equipment for the Port Mackenzie plant is advancing.
CEO Christopher Gerteisen said the 2026 field season represents a ‘major advancement for the project’, targeting gold resource expansion and antimony development.
“The fully funded antimony initiative, supported by a US$43.4 million U.S. Department of War award, positions Nova to advance toward near‑term production and establish a vertically integrated domestic antimony supply chain,” Gerteisen said.
Pilot‑scale antimony production remains on track for late 2026 to early 2027.
Nova Minerals is an exploration and development company advancing the Estelle Gold and Critical Minerals Project in Alaska.
Write to JC Villarba at Mining.com.au
Images: Nova Minerals
