Nova Minerals Corp (ASX:NVA, NYSE-A:NVA, FRA:QM30) has taken delivery of approximately 500 tons of processing and refining equipment at Port MacKenzie in Alaska. The shipment advances construction plans for NVA’s domestic antimony processing facility and keeps it on track for targeted production in 2027.
Included in the delivery is more than 40 containers and several oversized loads carrying crushing, ore sorting, milling, flotation and refining equipment. It departed Seattle on August 26 and arrived in Cook Inlet on September 6, ahead of schedule.
The delivery follows six months of procurement, consolidation and logistics planning and forms part of Nova’s strategy to establish an integrated US antimony supply chain backed by a US$43.4 million award from the US Department of War under Title III of the Defense Production Act.
Equipment arrival accelerates construction
Rather than sourcing an entirely new processing plant, Nova acquired modern processing and milling equipment from a recently decommissioned North American operation, a move the company says has shortened the development timeline and reduced capital costs.
“The shipment arrived ahead of schedule, which will enable us to get construction underway at speed,” Nova Minerals CEO Christopher Gerteisen said. “By acquiring and transporting modern processing and milling equipment from a recently decommissioned site in North America, rather than starting from scratch, we’ve been able to significantly accelerate the path to construction, and ultimately, the production of antimony. This approach has also delivered meaningful capital cost savings.
“Antimony is one of the critical minerals recognized by the Department of War as a priority for the United States. It has essential applications in defence, energy storage, and advanced electronics, which is why this project is so important to our national and economic security.
“We’re proud to embark on the next phase of development and the construction of the antimony processing facility.”
US Congressman Nick Begich highlighted the strategic importance of establishing domestic antimony refining capacity in Alaska.
“The arrival of nearly 500 tons of infrastructure and refining equipment at Port MacKenzie marks an important first step toward refining antimony in the Mat-Su Valley and building a secure, fully domestic supply chain right here in Alaska,” Congressman Begich said.
“I applaud the Department of War for recognising the national security importance of this effort and investing in American production,” he said.
“This is exactly the kind of project we need: Alaska resources, Alaska workers, and American production strengthening our national security.”
Begich’s comments come after The Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA) authorised up to US$25 million to advance the West Susitna Access Road in Alaska.
Port MacKenzie facility targets 2027 production
The planned Port MacKenzie facility has been designed to process stibnite-bearing material and initially produce antimony trisulfide as part of the US Department of War-backed project.
Its modular configuration will allow Nova to expand production over time into other refined antimony products, including antimony metal and antimony trioxide, depending on market requirements.
Port MacKenzie also provides access to a year-round deepwater port, Alaska’s road network, the planned West Susitna Access Road and a future rail spur connecting with the Alaska Railroad mainline, providing infrastructure to support the movement of material and finished products.
The project site has already been prepared for construction, with the newly delivered containers being transported from the port to the processing plant location.
About Nova Minerals
Nova Minerals is advancing the Estelle Gold and Critical Minerals Project in Alaska, where it is pursuing both large-scale gold development and a domestic US supply of antimony.
Estelle hosts two defined multi-million-ounce gold resources and more than 20 prospects along a 35-kilometre mineralised trend within the Tintina Gold Belt.
Alongside its gold strategy, Nova is progressing its antimony business with the US$43.4 million Department of War funding package, with production targeted for 2027.