Nova Minerals' Estelle Project: A Dual-Metal Boom in Alaska's Tintina Belt

The mining sector is abuzz with opportunities, but few projects today combine the explosive potential of gold, the strategic necessity of critical minerals, and the geopolitical tailwinds of U.S. defense priorities like Nova Minerals' Estelle Project. With a 15,000-meter drill campaign underway, high-grade antimony-gold intersections at its Stibium prospect, and the tantalizing possibility of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) funding, Estelle is primed to deliver a dual-metal windfall for investors. Let's dissect why this project is a must-watch for precious and critical minerals investors.

The Drill Campaign: Resource Expansion on Steroids

Nova's 2025 drilling program is nothing short of ambitious. Split across three core targets—RPM, Stibium, and Korbel—the campaign is designed to unlock value on multiple fronts:

1. RPM Deposit (10,000 meters):
2. Testing strike extensions to expand this high-grade gold deposit, with a focus on the hornfels/intrusive contact zone, where assays have hit 52.3 g/t gold.

3. Installing hydrology wells to fast-track permitting—a critical step toward feasibility.

4. Stibium Prospect (3,000 meters):

5. The star of the show. Surface sampling here has revealed a 800m × 400m gold-antimony zone with 141 g/t gold and 60.5% antimony—the highest antimony grades outside China.

6. This drill program aims to deliver a maiden resource estimate, a milestone that could instantly boost Estelle's valuation.

7. Korbel Deposit (2,000 meters):

8. A bulk-tonnage gold deposit with multi-million-ounce potential, now being optimized for a “starter pit” to accelerate early production.

Why Antimony? Why Now?

Antimony is no ordinary metal. It's a critical mineral for defense (ammunition, flame retardants), energy storage (lithium-ion batteries), and industrial applications. Here's why Stibium's timing is perfect:

• Strategic Scarcity: China dominates 60% of global antimony production, and its export restrictions are tightening. The U.S. and allies are desperate for domestic supply.
• Price Surge: Antimony prices are near historic highs, buoyed by EV battery demand and supply chain risks.
• DoD Funding Potential: Nova has applied for DoD grants to accelerate Stibium's development. Success here could unlock additional drill rigs and testing at the Styx target—a game-changer for resource growth.

Gold's Role: A Double-Barreled Bet

While antimony grabs headlines, Estelle's gold assets are no slouch. The project hosts over 9.9 million ounces of gold in defined resources, with RPM and Korbel as anchors. With gold prices near $3,300/oz, the project's 24/7 drilling (thanks to Alaska's summer daylight) is designed to maximize grade and tonnage.

The company's cost-efficient, multi-rig approach—two diamond drills and an upgraded RC rig—ensures rapid progress. Factor in the proximity to the Tintina Gold Belt (home to 220 million ounces of gold) and the West Susitna Access Road (under construction), and logistics are a non-issue.

Catalysts to Watch: Imminent and Impactful

Estelle's near-term catalysts are dense and actionable:

1. Stibium Maiden Resource (Q4 2025): A high-grade antimony-gold resource will attract strategic buyers and push valuations upward.
2. DoD Funding Decision (2025): Approval could supercharge drilling and unlock the Styx target, adding new ounces and pounds to the project.
3. Gold/Mineral Assays: Progressive results from RPM and Stibium will keep investor sentiment hot.

Risks? Yes, but Manageable

• Funding Delays: The DoD application is a wildcard, but Nova's DIBC membership and Alaska's strategic value give it strong credibility.
• Gold Volatility: Prices dipped in May 2025 due to dollar strength, but long-term demand for safe havens remains intact.

Conclusion: A No-Brainer for Critical Minerals Bulls

Estelle checks every box: high-grade metals, geopolitical tailwinds, imminent catalysts, and a low-cost, high-impact drill program. With antimony's strategic importance and gold's enduring appeal, this project is a once-in-a-cycle opportunity.

Investors who act now—before assays flood the market and valuations climb—could capture multi-bagger returns as Nova turns Alaska's soil into shareholder gold.

Action: Add Nova Minerals to your watchlist. The drill bits are spinning, and the results will speak for themselves.

Stay ahead of the curve with real-time updates on Nova's drilling progress and antimony's market dynamics.