A further US$25 million funding commitment to advance the West Susitna Access Road in Alaska, has been welcomed by Nova Minerals Corp (ASX:NVA, NYSE-A:NVA, FRA:QM30).
West Sustina access road.
The Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA) has authorised up to US$25 million for geotechnical drilling, and other essential works during 2026 and 2027, while permitting, hydrologic, engineering and access activities will also progress at the company’s Estelle Gold and Critical Minerals Project.
"This is the work that turns a route on a map into a road that can actually be built,” AIDEA Deputy Executive Director Brandon Brefczynski said. “The Board’s unanimous action keeps the project on schedule for the upcoming field seasons and moves us another step closer to unlocking one of the most promising resource corridors in the state.”
The proposed 78.5-mile all-weather road would connect the West Susitna region with Alaska’s existing road network through a separate 22-mile Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (ADOT&PF) project, including a major bridge across the Susitna River.
For Nova, the infrastructure would establish a transport link between Estelle and its planned antimony refinery at Port MacKenzie, supporting its strategy to build an integrated US mining, processing and refining supply chain.
Geotechnical work progresses
Separately, ADOT&PF’s 2026 geotechnical program is supporting preliminary designs for the road, bridges, culverts and potential construction material sites.
Field investigations have been completed at three material sites and are nearing completion at a fourth, while another 14 sites have secured environmental and land-use permits and are awaiting Federal Highway Administration authorisation.
Work has also advanced at the proposed Little Susitna and Susitna River bridge crossings. Seven of eight planned test holes have been completed at Little Susitna, while drilling has been completed at four primary Susitna River bridge pier locations.
Remaining in-river investigations are scheduled for the permitted May 15 to July 15, 2027 work window.
The company is making excellent progress across its entire work program:
Supports antimony strategy
The access road is also expected to support Nova’s plans for a domestic US antimony supply chain.
Phase 1 of the company’s planned antimony trisulfide production is fully funded through a US$43.4 million US Department of War Defense Production Act Title III award.
Nova’s planned Port MacKenzie refinery is expected to operate as a US processing and toll-treatment facility producing refined antimony products for defence, industrial and critical technology applications.
"Nova Minerals welcomes the AIDEA board's unanimous funding approval, authorizing an additional US$25 million to advance the development of the West Susitna Access Road. This marks another important milestone for Nova Minerals' Estelle Gold and Critical Minerals Project,” Nova CEO Christopher Gerteisen said.
"The funding approval demonstrates the ongoing local support for critical minerals projects in the region that strengthen US national and economic security.
"This vital piece of infrastructure will increase accessibility to the site, providing safe and reliable road access throughout the year, supporting our efforts to establish a fully secure, vertically integrated antimony supply chain.”