Nova Minerals Ltd (ASX:NVA, NASDAQ:NVA, OTC:NVAAF) has been asked by Australian Ambassador to the United States (US) Kevin Rudd to provide a comprehensive update on its Estelle Gold and Critical Minerals Project in Alaska ahead of the meeting between Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and US President Donald Trump on Thursday, October 20, 2025, in Washington DC.
Critical minerals and strategic resource cooperation are expected to be key agenda items. With permits recently secured for a Port MacKenzie refinery, Nova is moving to become a fully integrated US antimony producer. The company is positioning Estelle to support US defence and industrial supply chains amid rising demand and antimony’s listing as a US critical mineral.
Nova’s proposed fully secured and integrated U.S. domestic antimony supply chain plan.
“Being invited to brief the Australian Government for this high-level meeting between Prime Minister Albanese and President Trump is a testament to the strategic importance of the Estelle Project,” Nova CEO Christopher Gerteisen said.
“With antimony recognised as a critical mineral and our gold resources adding significant value, Nova is well-positioned to contribute to both US and Australian critical minerals strategies. The US$43.4 million DoW award and our secured land at Port MacKenzie underscore our commitment to building a secure, domestic supply chain for antimony and supporting U.S. defense and industrial needs. We look forward to continued collaboration with both governments as we advance the Estelle Project toward production.”
Estelle’s significance
During the briefing, Nova will provide US authorities with details of its investments, including an overview of the Estelle Gold and Critical Minerals Project in Alaska, key minerals, planned expansion, and engagement with US agencies.
The request by the Australian ambassador follows an August site visit by Australian Consular-General Tanya Bennett, which recognised Estelle as a leading example of deepening Australia–US collaboration in critical minerals and strategic resource development.
Located in the Tintina Gold Belt, Estelle hosts significant gold and antimony assets. Antimony’s prominence has increased following its inclusion on the United States Department of the Interior’s Draft 2025 Critical Minerals List, reflecting its role in defence, energy and advanced manufacturing.
Estelle Project located in Alaska’s Tintina Gold Belt.
Nova’s recent US$43.4 million award from the United States Department of War to subsidiary Alaska Range Resources LLC supports an accelerated, fully integrated US antimony supply chain, targeting military-spec production in 2026/27.
Read more: Nova Minerals unit secures US$43.4 million US DoW award to advance antimony production in Alaska
A secured land-use permit for an antimony refinery at Port MacKenzie positions Nova as an early mover in domestic processing.
The Estelle Project spans 514 square kilometres of State of Alaska mining claims, about 150 kilometres northwest of Anchorage. It encompasses more than 20 advanced gold and antimony prospects along a 35-kilometre corridor, including two defined multi-million-ounce gold resources and several drill-ready antimony targets with outcropping stibnite vein systems. Proximity to infrastructure and alignment with initiatives such as the West Susitna Access Road further enhance development pathways. The proposed Port MacKenzie refinery, supported by a 42.81-acre permit, is planned to produce antimony trisulphide (Sb₂S₃), antimony trioxide (Sb₂O₃) and antimony metal for military and industrial markets.
Aerial view of Port MacKenzie highlighting the site for Nova’s proposed antimony refinery and Port infrastructure. Source: Port MacKenzie Operations.
Antimony’s time to shine
Antimony is classified as a critical mineral for defence and high-technology applications and is seeing rising demand from its roles in munitions, semiconductors and energy systems.
Recent United States Government measures to accelerate domestic critical-minerals development, including streamlined permitting and targeted funding, underscore the strategic importance of Nova Minerals’ planned antimony production at Estelle.
Meanwhile, gold, which is the project’s other key commodity, continues to benefit from strong market prices, further enhancing Estelle’s overall economic case.