Nova Minerals antimony upgrade in Breakthrough Ore Sorting Results
Nova Minerals (ASX: NVA, NASDAQ: NVA) has announced impressive ore sorting test results from its Styx antimony prospect at the Estelle Project in Alaska. The company achieved a 132% grade upgrade, potentially positioning Nova as a strategic domestic supplier of this critical mineral for U.S. defense requirements.
Single-Pass Ore Sorting Delivers Premium Antimony Concentrate
Recent bulk sample testing has demonstrated Nova's ability to produce a high-grade antimony concentrate through a straightforward ore sorting process. Key results include:
- 60.3% antimony recovery in just 26.1% of the mass
- 132% grade upgrade yielding a premium 49.1% antimony trisulfide (Sb₂S₃) product
- Significant gold recovery of 52.5% in the tailings stream, with grade increasing from 1.90 g/t to 2.99 g/t Au
This technological breakthrough validates a clear processing pathway using X-ray transmission (XRT) sorting technology to produce a saleable antimony concentrate potentially suitable for direct shipping ore (DSO).
"Achieving a 132% upgrade to produce a 49.1% antimony trisulfide concentrate from a single pass demonstrates Estelle's high-grade antimony is amenable to low-cost, scalable, on-site processing," said Nova Minerals CEO Christopher Gerteisen. "With gold beneficiating to the tailings, we've unlocked synergies between the antimony and gold circuits at Estelle."
Dual-Metal Strategy Creates Processing Synergies
The test results reveal a compelling dual-commodity opportunity. While antimony concentrates in the sorted product, gold preferentially reports to the tailings stream – creating natural processing synergies between Nova's antimony and gold operations.
The company's conceptual flowsheet outlines a straightforward path to commercial production:
- On-site ore sorting to produce high-grade antimony concentrate
- Potential for early cash flow through direct shipping ore
- Development of downstream processing facilities in Alaska
- Integration with existing gold processing infrastructure
Understanding Ore Sorting Technology
Ore sorting employs sensor-based technology to separate valuable minerals from waste rock before conventional processing. This pre-concentration step significantly reduces:
- Processing volumes
- Energy requirements
- Water consumption
- Overall environmental footprint
For antimony processing, XRT sensors detect density differences between antimony minerals and waste rock, allowing for efficient separation without chemicals or water – making it both environmentally friendly and cost-effective.
The test work on a 500kg bulk sample from the Styx prospect demonstrated that a high-grade concentrate can be recovered through ore sorting, with 60.3% antimony recovered in a mass yield of just 26.1%. This generated a concentrate of 35.2% Sb (49.1% Sbâ‚‚S₃) from a 15.2% Sb (24.5% Sbâ‚‚S₃) feed – a 2.3 times upgrade from a single pass through the ore sorter.
Strategic Importance Amid Critical Mineral Supply Concerns
Nova's antimony upgrade comes at a critical time when Western defense supply chains face unprecedented pressure. Antimony is designated as a critical mineral by the U.S. government due to its essential role in:
Antimony Applications in Defense and Industry
Antimony is a metalloid element that serves several crucial functions in modern industry and defense:
- Military Applications: Essential for hardening lead in ammunition, creating flame-resistant materials for military vehicles, and as a component in night vision technology
- Flame Retardants: Added to plastics, textiles, and electronics to prevent fires
- Lead-Acid Batteries: Improves charging characteristics and battery life
- Semiconductor Manufacturing: Used in the production of diodes and infrared detectors
With China dominating global antimony production and implementing export restrictions, Nova's Estelle Project represents a potential solution to secure domestic U.S. supply. The company has joined the Defense Industrial Base Consortium and is pursuing Department of Defense grants to accelerate development.
Advancing Toward Production
Nova is conducting additional beneficiation and purification test work to refine the downstream flowsheet, with ore sorting tests on the Stibium prospect samples nearing completion.
By implementing ore sorting technology at the source, Nova should be able to produce a premium-grade antimony concentrate. This could generate early cash flow while Nova's downstream processing facilities are being completed.
Additionally, tailings from ore sorting at the Styx prospect may yield a high-grade gold concentrate, providing supplementary feed for the Estelle RPM CIL/CIP plant.
Investment Potential in a Strategic Asset
Nova Minerals offers investors exposure to both precious metals and critical minerals through its 85%-owned Estelle Project. The 514 km² property hosts:
- Multiple mining complexes across a 35 km mineralised corridor
- Two defined multi-million ounce gold resources
- Several drill-ready antimony prospects with massive stibnite vein systems
- Location in the prolific Tintina Gold Belt (>220 million ounce gold endowment)
With exceptional antimony grades up to 56.7% Sb reported in surface samples (compared to typical commercial grades of 2-4% Sb), Nova appears well-positioned to become a significant player in the antimony market.
Why Investors Should Track Nova Minerals
Nova Minerals represents a unique investment opportunity with multiple value drivers:
- Strategic critical mineral exposure – potential U.S. domestic antimony supplier amid geopolitical supply concerns
- Dual-commodity play – both antimony and gold resources on the same property
- Processing breakthrough – demonstrated ability to produce premium antimony concentrate
- Government support potential – pursuing DoD grants and partnerships
- Near-term production pathway – with potential for early cash flow through direct shipping ore
As Western nations seek to secure critical mineral supply chains, Nova's antimony upgrade process at the Estelle Project offers a potential solution to the antimony supply gap while maintaining exposure to gold in a tier-one mining jurisdiction.
Ready to Invest in America's Strategic Antimony Future?
Discover how Nova Minerals is positioning itself as a key domestic supplier of antimony for U.S. defence while maintaining significant gold exposure at its Estelle Project. With impressive ore sorting results delivering a 132% grade upgrade and a clear pathway to production, Nova represents a unique dual-commodity investment opportunity in a tier-one jurisdiction. To learn more about this compelling investment case and stay updated on Nova's progress, visit the company's website today.
