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Highlights
- Nova Minerals expands exploration with multiple rigs in Alaska
- Promising drilling results strengthen mineral resource potential
- Strategic activities progress toward project development milestones
Nova Minerals (ASX:NVA) has accelerated its ongoing exploration efforts across the Estelle Gold and Critical Minerals Project in Alaska, intensifying its 2025 drill program with multiple rigs in operation. The company has deployed two diamond rigs and one reverse circulation (RC) rig, targeting expansion and connection of the RPM North and RPM Valley zones, alongside a maiden campaign at the promising Stibium prospect.
As part of its broader project development, Nova Minerals is advancing efforts to delineate near-surface gold mineralisation within the RPM valley fill. This strategy also includes refining geological understanding in the underexplored RPM Valley zone, with early drillholes revealing encouraging quartz veining and sulfide mineralisation. These indicators support the view that the mineralised footprint in the region could be significantly larger than previously assumed.
While Nova Minerals does not currently fall under the ASX 200 stocks category, its active presence on both the ASX and international exchanges reflects growing investor attention in critical minerals and gold exploration.
The RC rig has shown efficiency in testing shallow mineralisation zones, rapidly drilling through glacial material. This approach has allowed assessment of mineralised sediments believed to be sourced from erosion of the RPM North ridge, enhancing the project's overall near-surface gold potential. This phase is expected to refine exploration strategy and support resource upgrades based on assay data to be received soon.
At the same time, the company has initiated drilling at the Stibium antimony-gold prospect. Geological modelling and early drill results indicate the presence of near-surface mineralisation aligned with mapped stibnite structures and high-grade soil geochemistry. This aligns with Nova’s vision to position Estelle as a critical minerals hub, particularly in response to rising demand for strategic resources like antimony.
Additional exploration and development activities are underway across the broader Estelle Project. These include closed-spaced RC drilling at the Korbel starter pit, geological mapping, environmental studies, and infrastructure planning in support of the Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS). These parallel efforts are aimed at reducing development risks and ensuring project readiness.
Meanwhile, Nova continues its engagement with the United States Department of Defense, exploring potential grant funding avenues tied to antimony supply initiatives. As the global spotlight sharpens on reliable sources of critical minerals, Nova’s comprehensive exploration and strategic positioning signal its ambition to play a key role in future supply chains.
