Nova Minerals Says Alaska Approved Permits for Antimony Pilot

Nova Minerals said Oct. 27 that Alaska’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) approved its Plan of Operations and Reclamation Plan for Estelle, authorizing an initial three-year term for an antimony pilot targeting first output in 2027.

The permits cover mining at Styx and Stibium, followed by ore sorting and processing at Whiskey Bravo and refining at Port MacKenzie. The company identifies antimony trisulfide as the intended initial product.

The 2027 target is for pilot-scale output. Estelle has no established antimony resource estimate and has not begun commercial production. Nova does not expect the pilot to generate material revenue in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027.

Alaska Range Resources received a $43.4 million award in October 2025 through Title III of the Defense Production Act, supporting Nova’s Phase 1 effort. Nova said major long-lead mining and processing equipment has been delivered.

Nova’s proposed Port MacKenzie facility is a prospective user of a rail extension backed by up to $249 million in federal funding.

Nova CEO Christopher Gerteisen said, “With these key milestones achieved, our focus is now on execution.” The company is targeting first output in 2027.