Nova Minerals Ltd (ASX:NVA, NASDAQ:NVA, OTC:NVAAF, FRA:QM3) has identified a large-scale gold-copper anomaly measuring about 1.5 kilometres by 800 metres at its West Wing prospect within the flagship Estelle Gold and Critical Minerals Project in Alaska.
The anomaly was delineated through rock and soil sampling completed during the 2025 field season and represents one of the most significant surface geochemical targets generated across the broader Estelle district to date.
Estelle property map showing the extensive 2025 exploration program
According to Nova, seven rock samples returned grades above 3 g/t gold (Au), including a peak of 15.5 g/t Au, while 16 soil samples exceeded 1 g/t Au with a high of 3.8 g/t Au.
Copper results were also notable, with three rock samples grading above 1% copper, including a high of 6.9% Cu, and 16 soil samples returning more than 0.2% Cu.
Sample E397403 – 5.5 g/t Au and 6.9% Cu; Sample E397404 – 15.5 g/t Au
Strong gold continuity in hornfels host
West Wing differs from many of Estelle’s other prospects in that the mineralisation is primarily hosted in hornfels sedimentary rocks adjacent to the Estelle pluton, rather than being strictly intrusion-hosted.
Out of 46 soil samples collected in the immediate vicinity of West Wing, 21 returned more than 0.5 g/t Au, including 16 above 1 g/t Au and five exceeding 2 g/t Au.
Of 30 rock samples collected around the prospect, eight graded above 2 g/t Au, including three samples over 5 g/t Au.
West Wing Sampling – Gold
Nova general manager and geologist Hans Hoffman said the results emerged from follow-up work on two soil samples that exceeded 1 g/t Au in 2024.
“Field crews covered a lot of ground at Estelle in 2025 focusing on the less developed prospects and exploring for new ones,” he said, adding that the 2025 program delivered 16 soil samples greater than 1 g/t Au over a one-kilometre strike length, alongside multi-gram gold and multi-percent copper rock samples.
“While a majority of the samples were collected in hornfels adjacent to the Estelle pluton, a few soil samples were collected atop a quartz feldspar porphyry, suggesting West Wing could be a different deposit style than is typical for Estelle,” Hoffman said.
“Detailed mapping and drill targeting at West Wing will be a top priority for field crews in 2026.”
West Wing Sampling - Copper
Broader 2025 exploration campaign
The West Wing results form part of a wider 2025 surface reconnaissance program across the Estelle Project, which comprised more than 30 traverses covering 75 line kilometres.
The campaign included 430 soil samples, 170 rock samples and 26 stream sediment samples across three main areas of the project.
Assay results from additional soil and rock sampling across the district are expected to be reported progressively as they are received and processed.
Estelle hosts two defined multi-million-ounce gold resources and more than 20 prospects distributed along a 35-kilometre mineralised trend within Alaska’s Tintina Gold Belt.
Nova geologist traversing the West Wing area
Upcoming milestones
Nova outlined a series of upcoming catalysts for the project, including further results from the 2025 surface program, airborne geophysical surveys planned for spring 2026 and continued metallurgical and environmental test work.
The company is also advancing pre-feasibility study (PFS) test work and winter trail mobilisation of heavy equipment, alongside updates related to its antimony strategy and the West Susitna access road.
Nova is progressing Estelle as part of a critical minerals strategy aimed at developing a domestic US antimony supply chain, supported by a US$43.4 million US Department of Defense award, with production targeted in late 2026 to 2027.