Nova Minerals Begins Antimony Drilling Project

“We’re excited to commence the first-ever drilling at our Stibium antimony-gold prospect—an important milestone that complements our continued focus on advancing our Tier-1 gold and antimony assets across the broader Estelle project. Despite highly encouraging surface sampling results collected by our geological team over the past two years, which suggest the presence of a potentially large and high-grade gold-antimony system, Stibium remains untested at depth. With this initial drilling program, our goal is to define a maiden mineral resource estimate for both gold and antimony at Stibium later this year,” says Nova CEO Christopher Gerteisen.

“Stibium” comes from the Latin name for antimony, chemical element 51, a metalloid with no current US sources. The United States currently relies on China and Russia for antimony. A February 2025 report from global independent minerals advisor RFC Ambrian recognizes the Nova Minerals site within the larger Estelle project as one of nine potentially viable near-term antimony projects around the world, just three of which are in the United States.

“In parallel, we are progressing discussions with the US Department of Defense regarding funding support to fast-track antimony production—from mining through to downstream refining. Nova is well advanced in identifying a potential US-based metallurgical refining site and with potential DOD funding has the ability to rapidly expand drilling capacity at site. Through our Estelle project and potential partnerships with other regional sources, we believe that Nova is well positioned to help re-establish Alaska as a strategic supplier of antimony to the United States which, if successful, could enhance national security and reinforce supply chain resilience,” Gerteisen says.

If the mineral resource estimate tracks with surface sampling results, the company hopes to use grant funding from the DOD Defense Production Act Title III, aimed at providing incentives for domestic antimony production. With DOD funding, the company reports it will use the money to add drill rigs and develop a state-of-the-art antimony metallurgical processing hub at Port Mackenzie. The company has already submitted applications and is in discussions with the Port Mackenzie authority to secure a long-term land lease, with the potential to expand the site footprint. The grant funding would also allow Nova to find potential off-take partners and employ an antimony refining expert.