Nova Minerals Unveils High-Grade Gold and Antimony Targets at Stibium
Nova Minerals has confirmed extensive high-grade gold and antimony mineralization at its Stibium prospect in Alaska, setting the stage for resource drilling in 2025 amid strategic U.S. critical minerals initiatives.
- High-grade gold assays up to 141 g/t and antimony up to 60.5% at Stibium
- Extensive 800m by 400m mineralized zone identified through soil and rock sampling
- 2025 drilling program planned to target gold-antimony veins and hydrothermal breccia
- U.S. Department of Defense grant applications advancing for critical minerals development
- Estelle Project strategically positioned in the Tintina Gold Belt with multiple prospects
Stibium Emerges as a High-Grade Gold-Antimony Target
Nova Minerals has announced compelling assay results from its 2024 exploration program at the Stibium prospect, part of the company's expansive Estelle Gold and Critical Minerals Project in Alaska. The results reveal a broad, structurally controlled zone rich in both gold and antimony, with rock chip samples returning grades as high as 141 g/t gold and 60.5% antimony. These findings confirm Stibium as a significant target for resource drilling in 2025.
The mineralized zone at Stibium spans approximately 800 meters in length and 400 meters in width, hosted within quartz diorite intrusive and hornfels sedimentary rocks. Soil sampling further delineated this zone, with 35 samples exceeding 1 g/t gold and 10 samples surpassing 0.1% antimony, thresholds considered high-grade in this context. The spatial correlation of gold and antimony anomalies suggests a robust mineral system worthy of detailed follow-up.
Strategic Importance of Antimony and Project Positioning
Antimony, a critical mineral for U.S. economic and national security interests, is a key focus for Nova Minerals. The company’s 100%-owned subsidiary, Alaska Range Resources LLC, is actively pursuing U.S. Department of Defense grant funding to accelerate development. This is particularly timely given recent export bans by China, which dominates global antimony supply, underscoring the strategic imperative for domestic sources.
Located in the prolific Tintina Gold Belt, the Estelle Project covers over 500 square kilometers and hosts multiple advanced gold and antimony prospects. Stibium’s accessibility, with a ridge offering easier drill pad construction and water access at lower altitude, positions it well for efficient exploration and potential development.
Looking Ahead to 2025 Drilling and Exploration
Nova’s leadership is gearing up for an active 2025 field season, with plans to commence resource drilling at Stibium and other prospects such as RPM. The company aims to intersect high-grade stibnite veins, gold-bearing quartz veins, and mineralized hydrothermal breccia, building on the extensive surface sampling program completed in 2024. Further assay results from the broader Estelle claim block remain pending, which could expand the known mineralization footprint.
Exploration head Hans Hoffman highlighted the clarity provided by the soil assay heat maps, which have defined drill-ready targets. CEO Christopher Gerteisen emphasized the strategic alignment of the Estelle Project’s commodities with current market and geopolitical dynamics, reinforcing the company’s focus on advancing towards antimony production alongside gold resource development.
Technical Rigor and Compliance
The exploration results have been compiled and verified by qualified geologists in accordance with the JORC Code and U.S. SEC S-K 1300 standards, ensuring transparency and reliability for investors. Nova Minerals continues to maintain rigorous quality control and sample security protocols, with ongoing updates to its interactive 3D exploration models available on its website.
Bottom Line?
As Nova Minerals prepares to drill its high-grade Stibium targets, the intersection of critical mineral demand and strategic funding opportunities could redefine its growth trajectory.
Questions in the middle?
- When will Nova release a maiden resource estimate for the Stibium gold-antimony zone?
- What is the timeline and likelihood of securing U.S. Department of Defense grant funding?
- How might expanding assay results from other Estelle prospects influence overall project valuation?
