Nova Minerals (ASX:NVA) reports that around 500 tonnes of processing and refining equipment have arrived at Port MacKenzie, Alaska, advancing the company’s plan to establish a local antimony supply chain.
The shipment, which departed from Seattle on 26 August, includes over 40 containers and multiple oversized loads carrying crushing, ore sorting, milling, flotation, and refining equipment.
Nova Minerals says this progresses its antimony strategy ahead of schedule, supporting plans to develop a processing and refining facility with production targeted for 2027.
The project is funded by a US$43.4 million ($60 million) award from the US Department of War under Title III of the Defense Production Act.
CEO Christopher Gerteisen notes the shipment arrived ahead of schedule, which enables the company to begin construction.
“By acquiring and transporting modern processing and milling equipment from a recently decommissioned site in North America, rather than starting from scratch, we’ve been able to significantly accelerate the path to construction, and ultimately, the production of antimony,” Gerteisen says.
“This approach has also delivered meaningful capital cost savings.”
Antimony is recognised by the Department of War as a priority critical mineral with essential applications in defence, energy storage, and advanced electronics.
US Congressman Nick Begich praised the effort, stating the arrival of infrastructure and refining equipment at Port MacKenzie marks an important first step toward refining antimony in the Mat-Su Valley and building a secure, domestic supply chain in Alaska.
“I applaud the Department of War for recognising the national security importance of this effort and investing in American production,” Begich says.
“This is exactly the kind of project we need: Alaska resources, Alaska workers, and American production strengthening our national security.”
Alaska State Representative Kevin McCabe says he “could not be more excited” to see this movement on the part of Nova Minerals.
“I have watched this project develop, have flown to the Estelle area, and I know how many jobs this will create and the stimulus it will provide to the Alaska economy,” McCabe says.
The Port MacKenzie facility is designed to process stibnite-bearing material and initially produce antimony trisulphide, with potential to scale into producing antimony metal and antimony trioxide.
The location provides access to a year-round deepwater port, Alaska’s road system, the West Susitna Access Road, and the Port MacKenzie rail spur connecting to the Alaska Railroad mainline.
Mat-Su Borough Mayor Edna DeVries noted the benefits of the project for the region and its residents.
“For some time, the Mat-Su Borough invested in the infrastructure necessary to position Port MacKenzie as an Alaskan industrial centre,” DeVries says.
“This project represents more than a shipment of equipment. It represents jobs, economic diversification, value-added resource development, and a stronger future for Alaska.”
Nova Minerals is an explorer and developer focused on advancing its flagship Estelle Gold and Critical Minerals Project in Alaska.
Write to Paula Fabe at Mining.com.au
Images: Nova Minerals
