Nova Minerals Corp (ASX:NVA, NYSE-A:NVA) has hosted a US Congressional delegation at its Estelle Gold and Critical Minerals Project in Alaska.
The visit highlights a growing federal interest in the company's plans to establish a domestic antimony supply chain.
The delegation, brought by the Western Caucus Foundation, visited Estelle on August 24 and included US Representatives Celeste Maloy, Brian Babin, Jeff Hurd and Pete Stauber, alongside World Gold Council head of US public policy Joseph Cavatoni.
The visit comes as Nova advances work funded by a US$43.4 million Defense Production Act Title III award, with the Estelle antimony deposits and a pilot-scale processing facility at Port MacKenzie remaining on track for first antimony production in 2027.
Delegation tours Estelle development
The delegation received an aerial overview of infrastructure central to Nova's development plans, including the pilot-scale antimony processing facility, the proposed site of a larger commercial refinery at Port MacKenzie and the planned West Susitna Access Road.
At Estelle, representatives toured drilling activities at the Stibium antimony prospect and viewed the high-grade Styx antimony prospect and RPM gold deposit.
Nova said the visit demonstrated continued US government interest in projects capable of strengthening domestic critical mineral and defence supply chains.
Chief executive Christopher Gerteisen said the visit provided an opportunity to demonstrate the scale of Estelle and the progress being made towards development.
"As we move toward antimony production in 2027 and continued advancement of the Estelle gold project, we appreciate the ongoing engagement of policymakers who recognize the importance of strengthening America's resource and manufacturing base," Gerteisen said.
Gold and antimony strategy
Estelle combines a substantial gold resource base with Nova's emerging antimony development strategy.
The project hosts two defined multi-million-ounce gold resources and more than 20 prospects along a 35-kilometre mineralised trend within Alaska's Tintina Gold Belt.
In parallel, Nova is using the US$43.4 million government award to accelerate development of a vertically integrated US antimony supply chain, including mining, processing and downstream refining infrastructure.
Next steps
Nova is continuing work towards first antimony production in 2027, including development of its Estelle deposits and pilot-scale processing operations at Port MacKenzie.
Exploration and drilling across Estelle are also continuing as the company advances its broader gold development strategy.