Nova Minerals Ltd (ASX:NVA, NASDAQ:NVA, OTC:NVAAF, FRA:QM3) has begun mobilising heavy equipment to its Estelle Project in Alaska via the company’s winter snow road, marking a key step toward near-term antimony production.
The snow road, which runs about 150 kilometres from Willow, was built after construction started in early December under ideal winter conditions. Work included pre-packing snow, water flooding to thicken ice at major river crossings and minor brush clearing.
Map route of Nova’s 2026 winter snow road.
Exceptionally cold temperatures this winter have supported the construction of ice bridges more than 1.5 metres thick, capable of carrying freight loads of more than 45,000 kilograms while maintaining a hard snowpack base.
The mobilisation follows Nova’s receipt of a US$43.4 million US Department of War award in October 2025. After securing the funding, the company assembled an engineering, procurement and construction management team to source heavy equipment from across the contiguous US and Alaska.
“Having just ridden out and back on the snow trail myself, I can confirm this was the fastest and smoothest I've ever seen it — a testament to the exceptional cold temperatures this winter and the outstanding work by our team and partners,” Nova general manager and geologist, Hans Hoffman, said.
“Freight Hauling is well underway, and with the first loads received, we have an exciting couple of weeks ahead as we prioritise the remaining critical transports before the winter freight window closes. Having this fleet of ore processing and earthworks equipment — articulated haul trucks, excavators, dozers, crushers, ore sorter, and more — in camp will be transformative. It will enable us to upgrade our existing infrastructure, expand the Whiskey Bravo airstrip, advance ore extraction at the antimony prospects, and establish new facilities to accelerate development across the Estelle Gold and Critical Minerals Project. We have a busy program ahead for 2026, including pushing forward on our gold resources at RPM, Korbel, and emerging targets; alongside fast-tracking our antimony project towards production with the support of the US Department of War. The team is energised and ready to deliver.”
Major equipment shipments advance toward site
The equipment is intended to support trail construction, airstrip expansion and the extraction and processing of stibnite-bearing ore at Estelle.
The machinery was transported by barge, rail and truck to its freight staging yard and logistics centre in Willow, where 95% of major mining and processing equipment has now been received.
From there, equipment is being loaded onto ski trailers for transport to the Estelle site by low ground pressure vehicles, or driven directly along the winter trail.
The company said around 70% of the equipment has already left the Willow freight yard for delivery to site, with the next few weeks considered critical to the winter freight mobilisation program.
With temperatures forecast to remain around -26C, Nova expects trail conditions to stay favourable and said it remains confident all essential mining and processing equipment will be delivered in time to begin antimony production as scheduled.
For additional Estelle Project material, including interactive Vrify 3D animations, presentations and videos, go to novaminerals.com.au.