Nova Announces a Significant New Gold Anomaly Developing at Portage Pass
Rhea-AI Summary
Nova (NASDAQ: NVA) reported 2025 surface assay results defining a new broad gold anomaly at Portage Pass, ~2.5km from Korbel. Rock samples include seven >2 g/t Au (high 14.3 g/t) and soils include ten >0.5 g/t Au (peak 1.8 g/t). A 2026 soil grid and follow-up IP survey are planned.
Company highlights comparable geochemical signatures to Korbel and potential valley-scale extension; all 2025 district surface results have now been reported.
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Positive
- High rock assays include 14.3 g/t Au peak
- Ten soil samples >0.5 g/t Au, peak 1.8 g/t
- Planned follow-up 2026 soil grid and IP survey
Negative
- No drill testing completed at Portage Pass yet
- Stronger geochemical anomalies exist elsewhere at Estelle
News Market Reaction – NVAWW
On the day this news was published, NVAWW gained 12.86%, reflecting a significant positive market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
NVAWW gained 8.41% with strong volume while key peers were mixed: FMSTW fell 4.74%, LITM fell 18.15%, and CHNR rose 3.42%. Peer action does not point to a synchronized sector move.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 20 | Conference presentation | Positive | -2.1% | CEO scheduled to present Estelle and antimony updates at webinar. |
| Mar 16 | Logistics update | Positive | -12.5% | Winter freight haul underway with major equipment mobilized to Estelle. |
| Mar 09 | Exploration results | Positive | -4.8% | High-grade RPM assays up to 24.6 g/t Au and new drill targets. |
| Mar 02 | Exploration results | Positive | +0.1% | West Wing 1,500m x 800m gold-copper anomaly with high-grade assays. |
| Feb 03 | Corporate strategy | Positive | +0.3% | Plan to redomicile to U.S. and acquire remaining 15% of Estelle. |
Recent positive project and corporate updates have often seen muted or negative next-day price reactions.
Over the last few months, Nova has repeatedly highlighted progress at the Estelle project and on its corporate structure. On Feb 3, it announced plans to redomicile to the U.S. and seek 100% Estelle ownership. Subsequent March releases detailed a new West Wing gold-copper system, further high-grade RPM results, a Winter Freight Haul backed by a US$43.4M award, and an investor conference appearance. Despite generally constructive news flow, several of these items were followed by negative or only slightly positive 24-hour price moves, making today’s stronger warrant reaction notable.
Market Pulse Summary
The stock surged +12.9% in the session following this news. A strong positive reaction aligns with constructive exploration news at Portage Pass, where rock assays reached up to 14.3 g/t Au. Before this release, the warrant traded at 26.05, up 8.41% on volume 2.7x its 20-day average. Historically, several upbeat Estelle updates saw muted or negative next-day moves, so this stronger response contrasted with prior patterns and highlighted increased sensitivity to incremental discovery potential.
Key Terms
g/t au technical
induced polarization (ip) geophysical survey technical
qualified person regulatory
form 20-f regulatory
form 6-k regulatory
schedule 13g/a regulatory
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Anchorage Alaska, April 14, 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 Portage Pass area of its flagship Estelle Gold and Critical Minerals Project, located within Alaska’s prolific Tintina Gold Belt has identified a new broad zone of gold mineralization 2.5km from Korbel.
Highlights
- Potentially significant new gold anomaly defined at Portage Pass from field observations and 2025 surface assays (Figure 3).
- Geochemical signature comparable to the multi-million ounce Korbel gold deposit across the ridgeline to the north, with mineralization appearing more consistent and higher grade.
- Strong potential for valley-scale extension analogous to the exploration pathway that led to the Korbel discovery.
- Anomaly supported by seven rock samples grading >2 g/t Au including a high of 14.3 g/t Au (Table 1), and 10 soil samples grading >0.5 g/t Au with a peak of 1.8 g/t Au (Table 2) discovered along the ridgelines above the Portage Creek valley floor.
- 2026 soil sampling program planned, with a follow-up IP geophysical survey to be undertaken in line with the exploration approach that led to the Korbel discovery (Figure 3).
Nova General Manager and Geologist, Mr Hans Hoffman, commented:
“The 2025 surface sampling at Portage Pass has outlined a broad gold anomaly just over the ridge from the established Korbel deposit. The proximity to existing resources and proposed infrastructure makes Portage Pass particularly compelling. These early results reinforce our belief that the greater Estelle district continues to deliver new opportunities with real upside potential.”
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.
- Assay results from recent rock and soil sampling have identified a significant new gold anomaly at Portage Pass, as detailed in this announcement.
All results from 2025 soil and rock sampling across the project district have now been reported.
Figure 1. Estelle property map showing the extensive 2025 exploration program
Portage Pass
139 soil samples and 68 rock samples were collected along traverses in the central portion of the claim block between Korbel and Stoney/West Wing. A moderate grade anomaly is developing in the headwaters of Portage Creek with 23 soil samples greater or equal to 0.2 g/t Au, including 10 soil samples greater or equal to 0.5 g/t Au. 11 rock samples primarily focused on the Estelle pluton granodiorite are greater than 1.0 g/t Au, including 5 greater or equal to 4 g/t Au and a high of 14.3 g/t Au.
The anomalies were identified across two separate traverses of approximately 3.5km and 2.8km, highlighting the potential for this moderate-grade mineralization to extend into the valley in a manner comparable to the Korbel deposit, located immediately north across the ridge. Notably, mineralization identified in talus fines and base of outcrop samples above the Portage Pass valley appears more consistent and of slightly higher grade than that observed at Korbel.
A detailed soil sampling grid is planned across the valley in 2026. Subject to the results, a ground-based induced polarization (IP) geophysical survey will be undertaken, following a similar exploration pathway to that which led to the discovery at Korbel.
While stronger geochemical anomalies are present elsewhere at Estelle, Portage Pass represents a compelling target given its proximity to Korbel and the associated proposed infrastructure.
Figure 2. Portage Pass Valley looking East and Sample E397324 – 9.6 g/t Au
Figure 3. Portage Pass sampling
Table 1. Significant Gold Results – Rocks > 1.0 g/t Au
| Prospect | Sample ID | Easting | Northing | Au g/t |
| Portage | E397326 | 502728 | 6871902 | 14.3 |
| Portage | E397324 | 502907 | 6872101 | 9.6 |
| Portage | G994157 | 503248 | 6872882 | 6.6 |
| Portage | G994160 | 503804 | 6872402 | 6.4 |
| Portage | G994165 | 502962 | 6870696 | 4.0 |
| Portage | G994353 | 504342 | 6869889 | 2.5 |
| Portage | E397323 | 502690 | 6872459 | 2.0 |
| Portage | E397322 | 502662 | 6872615 | 1.6 |
| Portage | E397325 | 502760 | 6871921 | 1.5 |
| Portage | E397330 | 504241 | 6869844 | 1.1 |
Table 2: Significant Gold Results – Soils > 0.5 g/t Au
| Prospect | Sample ID | Easting | Northing | Au g/t |
| Portage | G994313 | 504211 | 6869835 | 1.8 |
| Portage | G994229 | 503330 | 6870669 | 1.6 |
| Portage | E405280 | 502875 | 6871979 | 0.9 |
| Portage | G994232 | 503552 | 6870192 | 0.8 |
| Portage | G994231 | 503544 | 6870384 | 0.8 |
| Portage | E409303 | 502252 | 6871906 | 0.6 |
| Portage | G994321 | 504221 | 6870232 | 0.6 |
| Portage | E405278 | 502901 | 6872115 | 0.6 |
| Portage | E405276 | 502817 | 6872248 | 0.5 |
| Portage | G994228 | 503134 | 6870724 | 0.5 |
Upcoming Milestones
- Material PFS test-work results as they become available
- 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
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
