Nova Minerals Advances Estelle Project with New Gold Discoveries

Nova Minerals' Estelle Project Secures Strong U.S. and Australian Government Support

Alaska and Australia Rally Behind Nova's Strategic Gold-Antimony Asset

Nova Minerals (ASX: NVA, NASDAQ: NVA) has gained significant momentum for its Estelle Gold and Critical Minerals Project following high-level meetings with Alaska State officials and a site visit by the Australian Consular-General. This growing support positions the project as a key contributor to Western critical minerals security.

In a recent meeting with Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy, Nova CEO Christopher Gerteisen confirmed that Estelle's development vision aligns perfectly with Alaska's infrastructure and economic development goals. Additionally, Australian Consular-General Tanya Bennett's visit highlights the project as a prime example of Australia-U.S. collaboration in strategic resource development.

"Momentum continues to build as the Estelle Gold and Critical Minerals Project gains significant strategic recognition," said Nova CEO Christopher Gerteisen. "With the February 2025 RFC Ambrian report naming Estelle as one of only nine global projects with near-term antimony production potential, alongside our rapidly expanding gold resource, we believe Estelle is emerging as a rare and valuable dual-commodity asset."

Critical Infrastructure Developments Powering Estelle's Future

The success of the Nova Minerals Estelle Project is closely tied to three key infrastructure initiatives that are receiving strong government support:

1. West Susitna Access Road – This Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA) project will provide year-round all-weather road access to Estelle. AIDEA has submitted a permit application for the 78.5-mile proposed public and industry road that will connect Estelle with existing transportation infrastructure.

2. Port MacKenzie Upgrade and Economic Zone – These enhancements will provide the logistics and export capacity critical for scaling Estelle's operations.

3. Alaska LNG (AKLNG) – This energy infrastructure will support sustainable mineral processing and project development.

Governor Dunleavy has publicly backed these initiatives, stating: "AIDEA's West Susitna Road holds significant value for Alaskans, especially local residents seeking better access to hunting, fishing, recreation, and potential opportunities in mining, processing, and manufacturing."

These infrastructure projects align with two recent Presidential Executive Orders:

• "Unleashing Alaska's Extraordinary Resource Potential" (January 2025)
• "Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production" (March 2025)

Understanding Antimony: A Critical Mineral With Strategic Importance

Antimony is classified as a critical mineral due to its vital applications in defence, energy, and technology sectors. This metalloid is essential for hardening lead in ammunition and batteries, creating flame retardants for safety equipment, and manufacturing semiconductors.

What makes antimony particularly strategic is its limited global supply. China currently dominates production, controlling approximately 60% of global output. With increasing geopolitical tensions, Western nations are actively seeking secure, domestic sources—making Nova's Estelle Project, with its "massive outcropping stibnite vein systems observed at surface," strategically significant.

The February 2025 RFC Ambrian report identified the Nova Minerals Estelle Project as one of only nine global projects with near-term antimony production potential, positioning Nova in a select group of companies capable of addressing this critical supply gap. Similarly, Warriedar Resources recently uncovered high-grade antimony at its Ricciardo gold deposit, further highlighting the growing importance of this critical mineral.

Growing Department of Defence Interest and Funding Potential

Nova's strategic position is further strengthened by increasing interest from the U.S. Department of Defence and the Australian Government. As an active member of the Defence Industrial Base Consortium, Nova is pursuing applications for potential non-dilutive funding that could significantly accelerate development.

According to Gerteisen, "The discussions underway extend far beyond traditional exploration support. Estelle is evolving from a single project into a strategic mineralised district—potentially critical to Western efforts to secure supply chains and reduce reliance on foreign sources of critical minerals."

This strategic importance could unlock various funding pathways that would not dilute existing shareholders while accelerating project development. In a similar vein, Vital Metals recently secured $1M funding to advance its rare earth project, demonstrating the increasing government support for critical mineral development.

Investment Potential: A Dual Gold-Antimony Resource Play

Nova Minerals' Estelle Project offers investors exposure to both precious metals and critical minerals through a single investment. The project comprises:

• Massive Land Package: 514 km² of State of Alaska mining claims
• Multiple Mining Complexes: Across a 35 km long mineralised corridor
• Advanced Prospects: Over 20 gold and antimony prospects
• Established Resources: Two already defined multi-million ounce gold resources
• Ready-to-Drill Antimony: Several drill-ready prospects with massive outcropping stibnite

The project's location in Alaska's prolific Tintina Gold Belt—a province hosting over 220 million ounces of documented gold endowment—provides additional credibility. This region includes world-class assets like the Donlin Creek Gold Project (Nova Gold/Paulson Advisors) and Fort Knox Gold Mine (Kinross Gold Corporation).

Why Investors Should Keep Nova Minerals on Their Radar

Nova Minerals represents a compelling investment opportunity for several key reasons:

1. Dual Commodity Exposure: The rare combination of gold and antimony resources provides both precious metal stability and critical mineral growth potential. The company joins others like Sunstone Metals with its high-grade gold discovery in building a portfolio of valuable resources.

2. Strong Government Support: Backing from both U.S. and Australian officials reduces permitting risks and increases development probability.

3. Infrastructure Development: Major infrastructure initiatives like the West Susitna Access Road will dramatically improve project economics once completed.

4. Potential Non-Dilutive Funding: Defence-related interest could unlock funding pathways that do not dilute existing shareholders.

5. Strategic Significance: As Western nations seek to reduce dependence on foreign critical minerals, Estelle's strategic importance continues to grow.

With all these elements converging, Nova appears to be approaching what CEO Gerteisen describes as "a major inflection point"—a potentially value-creating moment for investors positioned ahead of significant developments. This approach mirrors ICG Inca Minerals' strategy as it nears completion of its Stunalara acquisition with 73.5% control.

As the company continues advancing the Nova Minerals Estelle Project with the backing of both U.S. and Australian governments, Nova Minerals offers investors a unique opportunity to participate in both gold exploration and critical minerals security. The company's progress follows a broader trend of promising discoveries in the sector, including Austin Metals' identification of new gold targets along strike from its high-grade discovery.

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