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 – NVA
On the day this news was published, NVA gained 4.31%, reflecting a moderate positive market reaction. Our momentum scanner triggered 2 alerts that day, indicating moderate trading interest and price volatility. This price movement added approximately $10M to the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $248.05M at that time.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
NVA was up 2.96% pre-announcement while momentum data show only OMEX in motion, moving down. Despite several Basic Materials peers showing gains in the sector snapshot, scanner data indicate this move was stock-specific rather than a coordinated sector rotation.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 13 | Management change | Positive | +3.0% | New CFO appointment to strengthen finance and capital markets capabilities. |
| Mar 20 | Investor conference | Neutral | -8.1% | CEO presentation announcement at Emerging Growth Conference webinar. |
| Mar 16 | Project logistics | Positive | +1.4% | Winter freight haul underway to Estelle backed by US$43.4M award. |
| Mar 09 | Industry outlook | Positive | +1.5% | Report on growing antimony market including Nova’s positioning. |
| Mar 09 | Exploration results | Positive | +1.5% | High‑grade RPM surface sampling with gold assays up to 24.6 g/t. |
Recent news has usually been followed by modest positive price reactions, with a single negative move on a conference-related update.
Over the past months, Nova has issued a series of operational and corporate updates tied to its Estelle project and capital markets profile. Management news, including the appointment of a new CFO on Apr 13, 2026, coincided with a 2.96% gain. Winter logistics funded by a US$43.4M award and high-grade RPM sampling (rock assays up to 24.6 g/t Au) also saw positive moves. A conference presentation on Mar 20, 2026 was an exception, with shares down 8.09%. The current exploration update fits this ongoing Estelle-focused narrative.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement highlights a developing gold anomaly at Portage Pass, with rock assays up to 14.3 g/t Au and soil samples peaking at 1.8 g/t Au within the broader Estelle program of 430 soils and 170 rocks over 75 line‑km. It follows earlier high‑grade RPM sampling and logistics advances. Investors may watch for the planned 2026 soil grid, IP geophysical work, and how these results feed into updated resource estimates and pre‑feasibility studies.
Key Terms
g/t au technical
induced polarization (ip) geophysical survey technical
stream sediment samples technical
qualified person regulatory
defense production act title iii regulatory
mineral resource estimate (mre) technical
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
