Nova launches US$60M-backed 10,000m Estelle drilling, late-2026 antimony pilot
NVA•Nova Minerals has secured over US$60 million, including a US$43.4 million Department of War award, to fully fund a 10,000-meter 2026 Estelle Project drilling campaign at the RPM gold deposit and Stibium antimony prospect. Lab-scale antimony metal and military-grade trisulfide samples are nearing completion ahead of late-2026 pilot production.
1. Fully Funded Program Advances Estelle Project
Nova has assembled over US$60 million in cash and a US$43.4 million Department of War award to finance resource definition drilling and antimony development, aiming to progress the Estelle Project to the Feasibility Study stage and accelerate pre-feasibility work.
2. 10,000m Drilling Campaign Targets Gold and Critical Minerals
The 2026 field season will deploy up to 10,000 meters of diamond core drilling, including approximately 7,000m at the RPM gold deposit for infill and step-out expansion and roughly 3,000m at the Stibium antimony-gold prospect, complemented by regional mapping and surface exploration.
3. Antimony Production and Processing Advancements
Pilot-scale antimony production is scheduled for late 2026 to early 2027, with lab-scale metal and military-grade trisulfide samples nearing assay completion; critical mining and processing equipment has been delivered to site and Port Mackenzie refinery installations are advancing.
