Nova Minerals Limited (“Nova” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: NVA) (ASX:
NVA) (FRA: QM3) is pleased to announce further high-grade thick
intercepts from another seven holes of the 21 hole reverse
circulation (RC) drilling program conducted in the RPM starter pit
area in 2024, within its over 500km2 flagship Estelle Gold Project,
located in the Tintina Gold Belt in Alaska. The shallow drilling
program was focused on near surface mineralization <50m in depth
in support of the RPM starter mine Feasibility Study (FS) currently
underway.
Highlights
- Results from shallow infill
drilling continues to hit the target area extending the current
high-grade core zone at RPM to surface with significant broad
intercepts grading > 5 g/t Au.
- High-grade gold intersections
targeting near surface mineralization above the current high-grade
Measured and Indicated core continue at RPM North with all holes
ending in mineralization. Significant results include (Table 1 and
Figures 1 to 4):
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RPMRC-24016 |
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39m @ 5.4 g/t Au from surface including; |
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25m @ 8.2 g/t Au from surface |
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20m @ 10.2 g/t Au from 5m |
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12m @ 15.3 g/t Au from 12m |
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11m @ 16.4 g/t Au from 12m |
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RPMRC-24015 |
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26m @ 3.7 g/t Au from surface including; |
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18m @ 4.8 g/t Au from 8m |
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5m @ 14.0 g/t Au from 19m |
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RPMRC-24009 |
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46m @ 1.9 g/t Au from 1m
including; |
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39m @ 2.1 g/t Au from 1m |
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24m @ 2.8 g/t Au from 1m |
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2m @ 14.4 g/t Au from 7m |
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RPMRC-24012 |
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38m @ 1.9 g/t Au from 3m
including; |
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33m @ 2.1 g/t Au from 3m |
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17m @ 2.7 g/t Au from 11m |
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5m @ 5.8 g/t Au from 22m |
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- All drill holes
end in gold mineralization.
- Assay results
from 6 remaining holes from the 2024 drill program at RPM to
follow.
- Assay results
from the over 500 soil and 225 rock samples collected as part of
the extensive 2024 surface exploration and mapping program
targeting gold, antimony and other critical minerals from traverses
at Stibium, Wombat, West Wing, Stoney, Muddy Creek, RPM, Styx, and
the new claims added in 2023, will be reported by area once
received and processed.
- Resource update
including both the 2023 and 2024 drill results to be completed once
all results are received.
- RPM starter
mine Feasibility Study (FS), and updated economic study of the
Estelle wide project in progress, with the aim to commence with a
smaller scale, low capex, high-margin starter mine at RPM as soon
as possible, which will provide cashflow to fund the expansion of
the larger Estelle project organically.
- Whittle
Consulting engaged to complete project optimization, METS
Engineering engaged to complete metallurgical and process design
work, and Roughstock Mining engaged for pit and engineering
design.
Nova Minerals CEO, Mr Christopher
Gerteisen commented: “We continue to hit broad intercepts
of high-grade mineralization which bodes well for the upcoming
resource update and PFS which will be focused on RPM as a
scale-able low capex/high margin project with future expansion
plans into the larger project achieved through cashflow.
More 2024 drill results are pending and once all
received we will begin work on the resource update. We look forward
to updating all stakeholders on these fronts as we continue to
progress on our path towards production and early cashflow at RPM
within the greater Estelle gold and critical minerals
district.”
RPM Drilling Discussion
A total of 21 RC holes were drilled at RPM as
part of the 2024 drilling program, of which assay results for 15
holes have now been received, with seven holes reported in this
announcement, and 8 holes reported in the announcement dated 9
October 2024. The drilling was focused on near surface
mineralization <50m in depth and had two main objectives.
- The first and
primary objective was to infill and prove up near surface inferred
resources that define the up dip extension of the steep to vertical
dipping RPM North high-grade core zone. A new drill pad (Pad 24-1)
was located between the two previous drill pads (Pad 1 and Pad
23-1) at RPM North to fill this data gap and prove up this
high-grade material. Assay results from Pad 24-1 including holes
RPMRC-24005 to RPMRC-24008 announced previously, and now holes
RPMRC-009 and RPMRC-011 to RPMRC-016 continue to support this
objective.
- The secondary
objective of the shallow 2024 drill program was to extend drilling
to the South and Southwest of the current RPM North resource to
begin to test a potential link with the RPM Valley zone situated
approximately 150m to the Southwest. Highly prospective mineralized
intrusive rocks have been observed in this area in recent
geological mapping and confirmed with anomalous surface sample
results. The results returned from previously announced holes
RPMRC-24001 to RPMRC -24004 indicate the RPM North deposit remains
wide open to the South-Southwest and is potentially connected to
the RPM Valley zone (Figure 1). This warrants further follow-up
diamond drilling to test the considerable resource upside
potential.
These latest results continue to prove up areas
of thick intervals of high-grade gold mineralization (+2g/t) within
the existing RPM North resource area, confirming the continuity of
the high-grade bonanza core zone, as well as indicating the
potential for significant extensions to the existing resource.
Representative cross-sections (Figures 2, 3, and 4) clearly show
the latest drill holes intersecting up and down dip continuity to
mineralization outside of the current resource grade shell. This
has the potential to significantly grow the resource in the
upcoming MRE update.
Geological observations also indicate the
mineralized intrusive unit is a steeply dipping funnel shaped body
which flares out to have a wider footprint near the surface where
substantial up-dip potential remains.
In the central core zone where the intrusive
unit is thick and continuous the deposit remains wide open with
further significant resource upside potential, up-dip,
down-dip, and throughout the intrusive,
particularly to the South which remains largely
untested by drilling.
The majority of the holes drilled in 2024 were
collared in granodiorite intrusive rocks, the primary host of
mineralization at RPM. The granodiorite-hornfels contact was
intercepted to the north from Pad 24-1 and to the south from Pad
23-1 where gold mineralization is encountered in both the intrusive
and the hornfels. The drillhole intersections as well as observed
outcrop between these two drill pads consist entirely of
granodiorite crosscut by quartz-tourmaline-sulfide veins, with
massive quartz zones of over 1-m thick hosting samples up to 291
g/t Au. The holes announced in this release covered southeast (145)
to southwest (250) azimuths and were comprised entirely of the
mineralized granodiorite intrusive with the exception of the bottom
15 meters of hole RPMRC-016 which ended in mineralized
hornfels.
Figure 1. RPM North plan view with all drill
holes to date
Figure 2. RPM North Section A-A’_250azi showing
continuity of mineralization
Figure 3. RPM North Section B-B’_220azi showing
continuity of mineralization
Figure 4. RPM North Section C-C’_145azi showing
continuity of mineralization
Table 1. Significant intercepts*
Hole_ID |
From (m) |
To (m) |
Interval (m) |
Au g/t |
RPMRC-24009 |
1 |
47 |
46 |
1.9 |
including |
1 |
40 |
39 |
2.1 |
|
1 |
25 |
24 |
2.8 |
|
7 |
9 |
2 |
14.4 |
RPMRC-24011 |
2 |
20 |
18 |
2.6 |
including |
14 |
21 |
7 |
3.3 |
RPMRC-24012 |
3 |
41 |
38 |
1.9 |
including |
3 |
36 |
33 |
2.1 |
|
11 |
28 |
17 |
2.7 |
|
22 |
27 |
5 |
5.8 |
RPMRC-24013 |
0 |
34 |
34 |
1.4 |
including |
14 |
34 |
20 |
1.5 |
RPMRC-24014 |
0 |
24 |
24 |
2.1 |
including |
3 |
8 |
5 |
3.0 |
|
16 |
25 |
9 |
2.6 |
RPMRC-24015 |
0 |
26 |
26 |
3.7 |
including |
8 |
26 |
18 |
4.8 |
|
19 |
24 |
5 |
14.0 |
RPMRC-24016 |
0 |
39 |
39 |
5.4 |
including |
0 |
25 |
25 |
8.2 |
|
5 |
25 |
20 |
10.2 |
|
12 |
24 |
12 |
15.3 |
|
12 |
23 |
11 |
16.4 |
* At 0.1 g/t Au cutoff and a
minimum 10m width
Table 2. Drill hole details
Hole_ID |
UTM_E |
UTM_N |
ELEV(m) |
EOH(m) |
AZI |
DIP |
Assays |
RPMRC-24001 |
501995 |
6848795.9 |
1772 |
31 |
180 |
-45 |
Reported 9/10/24 |
RPMRC-24002 |
501991 |
6848802.8 |
1772 |
48 |
270 |
-60 |
Reported 9/10/24 |
RPMRC-24003 |
501992 |
6848801 |
1771 |
42 |
210 |
-60 |
Reported 9/10/24 |
RPMRC-24004 |
501993 |
6848802 |
1773 |
34 |
0 |
-90 |
Reported 9/10/24 |
RPMRC-24005 |
501955 |
6848871 |
1743 |
45 |
70 |
-60 |
Reported 9/10/24 |
RPMRC-24006 |
501955 |
6848869.6 |
1744 |
23 |
100 |
-50 |
Reported 9/10/24 |
RPMRC-24007 |
501954 |
6848868.4 |
1746 |
16 |
130 |
-50 |
Reported 9/10/24 |
RPMRC-24008 |
501954 |
6848868.7 |
1742 |
47 |
0 |
-90 |
Reported 9/10/24 |
RPMRC_24009 |
501954 |
6848869.5 |
1746 |
47 |
145 |
-50 |
Reported 16/10/24 |
RPMRC_24010 |
501954 |
6848869.5 |
1746 |
43 |
145 |
-70 |
Pending |
RPMRC_24011 |
501954 |
6848870 |
1744 |
21 |
150 |
-50 |
Reported 16/10/24 |
RPMRC_24012 |
501954 |
6848869 |
1743 |
40 |
160 |
-50 |
Reported 16/10/24 |
RPMRC_24013 |
501953 |
6848870.1 |
1744 |
34 |
175 |
-50 |
Reported 16/10/24 |
RPMRC_24014 |
501952 |
6848871 |
1745 |
24 |
190 |
-50 |
Reported 16/10/24 |
RPMRC_24015 |
501953 |
6848870.2 |
1743 |
26 |
220 |
-60 |
Reported 16/10/24 |
RPMRC_24016 |
501953 |
6848870.2 |
1744 |
39 |
250 |
-60 |
Reported 16/10/24 |
RPMRC_24017 |
501954 |
6848869.9 |
1743 |
29 |
280 |
-70 |
Pending |
RPMRC_24018 |
501956 |
6848868.9 |
1745 |
16 |
130 |
-50 |
Pending |
RPMRC_24019 |
501955 |
6848869.8 |
1744 |
66 |
130 |
-70 |
Pending |
RPMRC_24020 |
501957 |
6848869.4 |
1743 |
28 |
115 |
-60 |
Pending |
RPMRC_24021 |
501956 |
6848870.2 |
1742 |
34 |
85 |
-70 |
Pending |
Qualified Persons
Vannu Khounphakdee, Professional Geologist
and member of Australian Institute of Geoscientists contracted by
Nova Minerals to provide geologic consulting services. Mr.
Khounphakdee holds a Master of Science in Mine Geology and
Engineering. He is a qualified person with at least 5 years
experience with this type of project. By reason of education,
affiliation with a professional association, and past relevant work
experience, Mr. Khounphakdee fulfills the requirements of Qualified
Person (QP) for the purposes of SEC Regulation SK-1300 for data
QA/QC checks relevant to this announcement.
Hans Hoffman is a State of Alaska Certified
Professional Geologist contracted by Nova Minerals to provide
geologic consulting services. Mr. Hoffman is a member of the
American Institute of Professional Geologists and holds a Bachelor
of Science degree in Geological Engineering with a double major in
Geology and Geophysics. He is a qualified person with at least 5
years of experience with these types of projects. By reason of
education, affiliation with a professional association, and past
relevant work experience, Mr. Hoffman fulfills the requirements of
Qualified Person (QP) for the purposes of SEC Regulation SK-1300
for the technical information presented in this announcement.
Christopher Gerteisen, Chief Executive Officer
of Nova Minerals, is a Professional Geologist and member of
Australian Institute of Geoscientists, and has supervised the
preparation of this news release and has reviewed and approved the
scientific and technical information contained herein. Mr.
Gerteisen is a "qualified person" for the purposes of SEC
Regulation S-K 1300.
Data Verification
For the 2024 reverse circulation drilling
program, 1.52m chip samples were riffle split (dry) to obtain 3-5
kg samples at the drill site, these samples were crushed to achieve
>90% passing a 2mm sieve and split down to 225 g to 275 g
samples at Nova’s on-site prep facility. Samples were then sent to
ALS Fairbanks for additional prep and chemical analysis. Field
duplicates (RC) for recent data were collected every 1 in 20
samples at the same time using the same method (riffle split) as
the parent sample. Blank material was inserted 1 in 40 samples.
Standard Reference Material (SRM) was inserted 1 in 20 samples.
Three different SRMs at three different grades levels were
used.
ALS is a certified commercial laboratory and is
independent of Nova Minerals. Gold analyses were completed by
Au-ICP21 which is gold by fire assay and ICP-AES. For overlimits
greater than 10 g/t Au analyses were completed by fire assay and
gravimetric finish.
About Nova Minerals Limited
Nova Minerals Limited is a Gold, Antimony
and Critical Minerals exploration and development company
focused on advancing the Estelle Project, comprised of
514 km2 of State of Alaska mining claims, which contains multiple
mining complexes across a 35 km long mineralized corridor of over
20 advanced Gold and Antimony prospects, including two already
defined multi-million ounce resources, and several drill ready
Antimony prospects with massive outcropping stibnite vein systems
observed at surface. The 85% owned project is located 150 km
northwest of Anchorage, Alaska, USA, in the prolific Tintina Gold
Belt, a province which hosts a >220 million ounce (Moz)
documented gold endowment and some of the world's largest gold
mines and discoveries including, Barrick's Donlin Creek Gold
Project and Kinross Gold Corporation's Fort Knox Gold Mine. The
belt also hosts significant Antimony deposits and was a historical
North American Antimony producer.
Further discussion and analysis of the Estelle
Gold Project is available through the interactive Vrify 3D
animations (which will be updated for the new drill data once the
assays for all holes have been received back), presentations, and
videos, all available on the Company’s website.
www.novaminerals.com.au
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking
statements” that are subject to substantial risks and
uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical
fact, contained in this press release are forward-looking
statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this press
release may be identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,”
“believe,” “contemplate,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,”
“seek,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,”
“target,” “aim,” “should,” "will” “would,” or the negative of these
words or other similar expressions, although not all
forward-looking statements contain these words. Forward-looking
statements are based on Nova Minerals Limited’s current
expectations and are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and
assumptions that are difficult to predict. Further, certain
forward-looking statements are based on assumptions as to future
events that may not prove to be accurate. These and other risks and
uncertainties are described more fully in the section titled “Risk
Factors” in the final prospectus related to the public offering
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking
statements contained in this announcement are made as of this date,
and Nova Minerals Limited undertakes no duty to update such
information except as required under applicable law.
For Additional Information Please ContactCraig
BentleyDirector of Finance & Compliance & Investor
RelationsE: craig@novaminerals.com.auM: +61 414 714 196
- Figure 1
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- Figure 4
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