Nova Announces Further High-Grade Gold Discovered at RPM

Rhea-AI Summary

Nova (NASDAQ: NVA) reported 2025 surface sampling at the RPM regional and ridgeline area of the Estelle project, returning high-grade rock assays up to 24.6 g/t Au and soil highs to 5.5 g/t Au. The RPM ridgeline is identified as a high-priority 2026 drill target.

The program collected 430 soils, 170 rocks and 26 stream sediments across 75 line-km; follow-up drilling and expanded sampling are planned for 2026.

Positive

• Rock assay high of 24.6 g/t Au
• Soil assay peak of 5.5 g/t Au
• RPM ridgeline designated a high-priority 2026 drill target

Negative

• Surface sampling is relatively sparse west of RPM and needs follow-up
• Results are surface assays only, not yet drill-confirmed

News Market Reaction – NVA

+1.52%

13 alerts

+1.52% News Effect

+18.4% Peak in 27 hr 20 min

+$4M Valuation Impact

$276M Market Cap

0.5x Rel. Volume

On the day this news was published, NVA gained 1.52%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction. Argus tracked a peak move of +18.4% during that session. Our momentum scanner triggered 13 alerts that day, indicating notable trading interest and price volatility. This price movement added approximately $4M to the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $276M at that time.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Key Figures

Highest rock assay: 24.6 g/t Au Highest soil assay: 5.5 g/t Au Exploration traverses: over 30 traverses +5 more

8 metrics

Highest rock assay 24.6 g/t Au RPM 2025 surface rock sampling program

Highest soil assay 5.5 g/t Au RPM 2025 surface soil sampling program

Exploration traverses over 30 traverses 2025 Estelle surface mapping and sampling program

Survey coverage 75 line kilometers 2025 Estelle surficial reconnaissance program

Soil samples 430 samples 2025 Estelle surficial reconnaissance program

Rock samples 170 samples 2025 Estelle surficial reconnaissance program

Stream sediment samples 26 samples 2025 Estelle surficial reconnaissance program

High-grade sample 14.6 g/t Au Rock sample in sedimentary rock west of main RPM ridge

Market Reality Check

Price: $7.06 Vol: Volume 611,079 is below 2...

normal vol

$7.06 Last Close

Volume Volume 611,079 is below 20-day average 747,146 (relative volume 0.82). normal

Technical Price $6.59 is trading above 200-day MA $5.23, but remains 59.52% below 52-week high.

Peers on Argus

NVA is down 4.91% while peers are mixed: OMEX (-1.96%), LGO (-4.32%), XPL (+1.23...

1 Down

NVA is down 4.91% while peers are mixed: OMEX (-1.96%), LGO (-4.32%), XPL (+1.23%), ATLX (+3.28%). Only FURY appeared in momentum scanning, moving down without news, suggesting a stock-specific move for NVA.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Mar 02 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Mar 02	Exploration update	Positive	+11.6%	West Wing surface sampling defined a 1,500m x 800m gold-copper anomaly.
Feb 03	Corporate strategy	Positive	-3.7%	Plan to redomicile to U.S. and seek remaining 15% of Estelle project.
Jan 27	Quarterly update	Positive	+6.1%	December 2025 report with US$43.4M DoW award and strong funding access.
Jan 21	Resource optimization	Positive	+5.2%	Higher-grade starter pit potential within 4.05 Moz Korbel pit resource.
Jan 13	Drill results	Positive	+6.2%	RPM Valley drilling confirmed continuity with record 0.5 m @ 364 g/t Au.

Pattern Detected

Operational and project advancement news has often coincided with positive price reactions, while corporate-structure news saw at least one negative divergence.

Recent Company History

Over recent months, Nova has repeatedly reported advances at its Estelle Project. In January 2026, high‑grade RPM Valley drilling and a higher‑grade starter pit concept at Korbel accompanied gains of 6.22% and 5.18%. The December 2025 quarterly highlighted a US$43.4M award and strong funding access, with a 6.06% move. A new West Wing gold‑copper system on Mar 2, 2026 saw shares rise 11.57%. Against this backdrop, today’s additional high‑grade RPM surface results continue the theme of expanding mineralized footprints.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement adds further high‑grade surface results at RPM, including assays up to 24.6 g/t Au...

Analysis

This announcement adds further high‑grade surface results at RPM, including assays up to 24.6 g/t Au, and designates the ridgeline as a high‑priority 2026 drill target. In the past six months, Nova has advanced multiple Estelle zones, reported a US$43.4M government award, and outlined higher‑grade starter pit potential. Investors may watch how these RPM targets convert into drill results, resource updates, and pre‑feasibility outcomes alongside ongoing metallurgical and environmental work.

Key Terms

g/t au, stockwork quartz veining, granodiorite, felsic intrusive, +2 more

6 terms

g/t au technical

"Three rock samples grading >10 g/t Au including a high of 24.6 g/t Au"

g/t Au stands for grams per tonne of gold and measures how much gold is contained in one tonne of rock or ore. Investors use it like a yield rate: higher g/t Au means more gold recovered from the same amount of material, which usually improves a mine’s revenue potential and lowers production cost per unit of metal. Think of it as the sweetness level of fruit—more sugar per piece makes each piece more valuable.

stockwork quartz veining technical

"Surface sampling has returned multi-gram gold assays from stockwork quartz veining"

Stockwork quartz veining is a dense, tangled network of many small quartz-filled cracks within rock that can host dispersed metal minerals like gold or copper. For investors, it matters because such networks can indicate widespread mineralization over large volumes — like a sponge holding metal rather than a single nugget — which can influence a deposit’s potential size, mining method and cost-effectiveness.

granodiorite technical

"These samples were collected primarily in granodiorite which was discovered in the creek"

A coarse-grained, hard igneous rock similar to granite but with more plagioclase feldspar than potassium feldspar; think of it as a chunky, crystalline basement rock formed when molten magma cooled slowly underground. For investors, granodiorite matters because it often hosts or sits near valuable mineral deposits (like copper and gold) and influences how easy or costly it is to find, access and process those minerals—akin to whether treasure is buried in sand or embedded in bedrock.

felsic intrusive technical

"24.6 g/t Au quartz-sulfide vein in felsic intrusive (Figure 3) was discovered"

Felsic intrusive describes a mass of igneous rock that formed when silica-rich magma cooled slowly deep underground, producing light-colored minerals such as quartz and feldspar. For investors, these bodies matter because their chemistry and slow cooling can concentrate metals and create mineral deposits—think of them as a slow-cooking pot where valuable metal “ingredients” can gather—so they are common targets in mining exploration and resource assessment.

quartz-sulfide vein technical

"24.6 g/t Au quartz-sulfide vein in felsic intrusive (Figure 3) was discovered"

A quartz-sulfide vein is a crack or seam in rock that has been filled with quartz and metal-bearing sulfide minerals (like pyrite or chalcopyrite), forming a distinct, often ribbon-like zone. For investors, these veins matter because they commonly concentrate valuable metals such as gold, copper or silver, so their presence can signal a potentially mineable ore body and influence exploration value, drilling decisions and the projected economics of a resource.

pre-feasibility study technical

"Results are expected to support a maiden Measured & Indicated resource ... PFS work."

A pre-feasibility study is an initial assessment that evaluates whether a proposed project or investment idea is worth exploring further. It involves examining basic factors like costs, potential benefits, and possible challenges, similar to conducting a preliminary check before deciding to invest more time and resources. This helps investors determine if pursuing the project further is practical and likely to be successful.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

Anchorage Alaska, March 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nova Minerals Limited (“Nova” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: NVA) (ASX: NVA) (FRA: QM3) ) is pleased to announce assay results from its 2025 surface sampling program in the RPM regional and ridgeline area of the Company's flagship Estelle Gold and Critical Minerals Project, located in the prolific Tintina Gold Belt in Alaska..

Highlights

• Field observations and 2025 surface assays have identified new gold anomalies emerging to the west of RPM and along the northern end of the main RPM ridgeline (Figures 4 to 6).
  
• Anomaly highlighted by:

• • Three rock samples grading >10 g/t Au including a high of 24.6 g/t Au (Table 1), and three soil samples grading >1 g/t Au with a peak of 5.5 g/t Au (Table 2).

• These results build on earlier surface reconnaissance along the RPM ridge line, which previously returned 20 rock samples > 1.0 g/t Au, with a high of 52.3 g/t Au, and 11 soil samples > 0.5 g/t Au, with a high of 4.8 g/t Au (ASX Announcement: 3 February 2025).
• The RPM ridgeline is slated as a high-priority drill target for 2026 as the Company aims to identify the next high-grade pod similar to RPM North.

Nova General Manager and Geologist, Mr Hans Hoffman, commented:

“Integrated geological, geochemical, and geophysical data, including initial interpretations from drone magnetometry 3D inversion processing all support a compelling drill target at the northern extension of the RPM ridge. Surface sampling has returned multi-gram gold assays from stockwork quartz veining in both hornfels and intrusive host rocks, with magnetic signatures along the ridgeline showing strong analogies to the main RPM deposit. Drill testing of these anomalies is a high priority for our 2026 program, and given its strategic location along access routes to RPM, any success here has the potential to deliver substantial upside to the Estelle Project.

“It’s too early to say what we have found a couple of kilometres to the west, but with grades up to 24.6 g/t Au, we will definitely be back in 2026 to expand on this anomaly.”

2025 Estelle Surficial Reconnaissance Program

During the 2025 field season, Nova’s geologist team, led by General Manager and geologist Mr Hans Hoffman, undertook an extensive surface exploration mapping and sampling program across three main areas of the Estelle Project comprised of over 30 traverses covering 75-line kilometers, 430 soil samples, 170 rock samples, and 26 stream sediment samples (Figure 1).

As a result of that program and reported to date:

• Assay results from recent rock and soil sampling have outlined a newly developing large-scale gold-copper system at West Wing (ASX Announcement: 2 March 2026).
• Surface results from the RPM regional and ridgeline areas, including high-grade RPM-style gold assays of up to 24.6 g/t Au, have identified new drill targets at RPM, as outlined in this announcement.

Further results from 2025 soil and rock sampling across the project district will be reported by area as they are received and processed in the coming weeks.

Figure 1. Estelle property map showing the extensive 2025 exploration program

RPM Regional and Ridgeline

Additional sampling was conducted at the northern end of the main RPM ridge as well as along spur ridges 2-3km west of there. At the northern end of the main RPM Ridge, nine soil samples were greater than 0.2 g/t Au, including five greater than 0.4 g/t Au, and a high of 1.6 g/t Au. At this same location, four rock samples were greater than 1.0 g/t Au with a high of 11.7 g/t Au (Figure 3). These samples were collected primarily in granodiorite which was discovered in the creek drainage below the hornfelsed ridges above.

Two to three kilometers to the west a season high 24.6 g/t Au quartz-sulfide vein in felsic intrusive (Figure 3) was discovered along a spur ridge as well as a 14.6 g/t Au rock sample of sedimentary rock in a drainage just below there. No felsic intrusive had been previously noted in this region. Five soil samples collected in the vicinity were greater than 0.3 g/t Au with high of 1.0 g/t Au. Sampling in this area is relatively sparse and warrants follow-up in 2026.

Figure 2. Nova geologist standing on a drill target site on the far north of the RPM ridgeline

Figure 3. Sample E409201 – 24.6 g/t Au; Sample E405227 – 11.7 g/t Au

Figure 4. RPM area regional map showing the existing deposits and the location of the larger regional maps shown in figures 5 and 6 below

Figure 5. RPM ridgeline sampling and potential 2026 drill targets

Figure 6. RPM West sampling
Table 1. Significant Gold Results – Rocks > 1.0 g/t Au

Prospect	Sample ID	Easting	Northing	Au g/t
RPM	E409201	498723	6851070	24.6
RPM	E409202	498606	6850531	14.6
RPM	E405227	500642	6851471	11.7
RPM	E405231	500641	6851567	4.6
RPM	E409262	502427	6872016	1.4
RPM	E409270	500643	6851469	1.2
RPM	E405225	500640	6851473	1.1
RPM	E405226	500639	6851480	1.0

Table 2: Significant Gold Results – Soils > 1.0 g/t Au

Prospect	Sample ID	Easting	Northing	Au g/t
RPM	E409453	500358	6850118	5.5
RPM	E397379	500569	6851573	1.6
RPM	E405327	498057	6850389	1.0

Upcoming Milestones

• Further results and potential new discoveries from the 2025 surface exploration mapping and sampling program
• Material PFS test-work results as they become available
• Winter trail mobilization of heavy equipment
• Airborne geophysical surveys to commence in the spring of 2026
• Antimony phase 1 project updates
• Metallurgical test work ongoing
• Environmental test work ongoing
• West Susitna access road updates
• Updated MRE
• Updates on the company redomiciliation to the US

Qualified Persons

Vannu Khounphakdy, Professional Geologist and member of Australian Institute of Geoscientists contracted by Nova Minerals to provide geologic consulting services. Mr. Khounphakdy 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. Khounphakdy 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.

About Nova Minerals Limited

Nova Minerals Limited is advancing one of the world’s largest undeveloped gold deposits into production and securing a US domestic supply of the critical mineral antimony. The Company is focused on the exploration and development of the Estelle Gold and Critical Minerals Project, located in Alaska, a tier-one mining jurisdiction.

Estelle hosts two defined multi-million-ounce gold resources, and more than 20 prospects distributed along a 35-kilometre mineralized trend, 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, Kinross Gold Corporation's Fort Knox Gold Mine. In parallel, Nova is advancing its critical minerals strategy, fully-funded by a US$43.4 million U.S. Department of War award to develop a domestic antimony supply chain, targeted for production in late 2026/2027.

Further discussion and analysis of the Estelle Project is available through the interactive Vrify 3D animations, 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 Contact

Investor Relations:
Dave Gentry, CEO
RedChip Companies, Inc.
Phone: 1-407-644-4256
Email: NVA@redchip.com

Nova Minerals:
Craig Bentley
Director of Finance & Compliance & Investor Relations
E: craig@novaminerals.com.au
M: +61 414 714 196

FAQ

What gold grades did Nova (NVA) report from the March 9, 2026 RPM surface sampling?

Nova reported rock assays up to 24.6 g/t Au and soil highs to 5.5 g/t Au. According to the company, multiple rock samples exceeded 1.0 g/t Au and several soils exceeded 0.4 g/t, highlighting new anomalies for follow-up.

Why is the RPM ridgeline a high-priority drill target for NVA in 2026?

Because integrated geology, geochemistry, and drone magnetics define compelling targets at the northern ridge. According to the company, magnetic signatures and multi-gram surface assays support drill testing to seek high-grade pods similar to RPM North.

How extensive was Nova's 2025 surface program at Estelle that produced the RPM results?

The 2025 program included 75 line-km, 430 soil samples, 170 rock samples, and 26 stream sediments. According to the company, sampling covered three main areas and will yield further area-by-area results in coming weeks.

Do Nova's RPM 2025 results prove a new deposit for NVA?

No; the results are exploratory surface assays indicating anomalies but not a defined deposit. According to the company, follow-up drilling and expanded sampling in 2026 are required to test continuity and grade at depth.

What near-term milestones did Nova list related to Estelle after the RPM announcement?

Planned milestones include additional surface results, metallurgical test work, airborne geophysics in spring 2026, and updated MRE work. According to the company, winter trail mobilization and ongoing test-work are also scheduled as part of the program.