Nova Minerals Limited (“Nova” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: NVA) (ASX:
NVA) (FRA: QM3) is pleased to announce further high-grade thick
intercepts from the final six 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 PFS currently underway.
Highlights
- 2024
drilling extends the high-grade core zone at RPM to surface with
over 20 significant broad intercepts grading > 5 g/t Au and a
high of 52.7 g/t Au
-
Resource update including 2023 and 2024 drill results
underway
- 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 2 to 4):
- RPMRC-24017
- 29m @ 7.1 g/t Au
from surface including;
- 22m @ 9.4 g/t Au
from surface
- 6m @ 19.9 g/t Au
from 16m
- 3m @ 32.2 g/t Au
from 17m
- 2m @ 52.7 g/t Au
from 19m
- RPMRC-24020
- 28m @ 4.5 g/t Au
from surface including;
- 23m @ 5.3 g/t Au
from 5m
- 6m @ 14.3 g/t Au
from 11m
- 3m @ 25.0 g/t Au
from 14m
- RPMRC-24021
- 34m @ 3.9 g/t Au
from surface including;
- 3m @ 8.3 g/t Au
from 20m
- RPMRC-24019
- 66m @ 2.1 g/t Au
from surface including;
- 63m @ 2.2 g/t Au
from surface
- 25m @ 3.4 g/t Au
from surface
- 11m @ 2.8 g/t Au
from 43m
- All drill holes ended in gold
mineralization, with hole RPMRC-24010 ending in 15.5 g/t Au.
- Assay results from all 21 holes
from the 2024 resource drilling program at RPM North have now all
been received and reported extending the high-grade core
zone at RPM to surface.
- Resource update including both the
2023 and 2024 drill results is now underway.
- 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.
- RPM starter mine Pre-Feasibility
Study (PFS), 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
we believe will provide cash flow to fund the expansion of the
larger Estelle project organically.
- Whittle Consulting commenced
project optimization work.
To watch a 3D Vrify video commentary on the 2024
RPM drill results, with CEO, Christopher Gerteisen please click
here
Nova Minerals CEO, Mr Christopher
Gerteisen commented: “The 2024 drill results have
confirmed a broad zone of high-grade mineralization starting at
surface at RPM North. This should prove positive for our upcoming
studies focused on executing our current strategy to fast track
development of RPM as a scale-able low capex/high margin starter
operation that we believe will generate the cash flow to facilitate
future mine expansion plans and further unlock the larger Estelle
Project which remains one of the largest undeveloped gold projects
in the world, with significant upside remaining with gold,
antimony, copper, silver, and other critical elements. These latest
results of high-grade mineralization will be included in the
upcoming MRE and PFS, which we look forward to providing to our
shareholders in due course.”
RPM 2024 Drilling Summary
A total of 21 shallow RC holes were drilled at
RPM as part of the 2024 drill program, and assay results for all
holes have now been received and reported. The drilling was focused
on near surface mineralization <50m in depth and had two main
objectives.
1. 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, where previous high-grade results included:
- RPM-005: 400m @
3.5 g/t Au from surface, including 132m @ 10.1 g/t Au (ASX
Announcement: 11 October 2021)
- RPM-008: 260m @
3.6 g/t Au from 11m, including 140m @ 6.5 g/t Au (ASX Announcement:
8 August 2022)
- RPM-015: 258m @
5.1 g/t Au from surface, including 117m @ 11.1 g/t Au (ASX
Announcement: 22 August 2022)
- RPM-057: 211m @
3.2 g/t Au from 3m, including 120m @ 5.0 g/t Au (ASX Announcement:
11 December 2023)
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-24021
continue to support this objective.
2. 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 2). This
warrants further follow-up diamond drilling to test the
considerable resource upside potential.
The 2024 drill program delivered over 20
significant broad intercepts from surface grading > 5 g/t Au
including:
- RPMRC-24017:
29m @ 7.1 g/t Au from surface, including 22m @ 9.4 g/t Au (ASX
Announcement: 23 October 2024)
- RPMRC-24016:
39m @ 5.4 g/t Au from surface, including 20m @ 10.2 g/t Au (ASX
Announcement: 16 October 2024)
- RPMRC-24005:
43m @ 4.4 g/t Au from 2m, including 13m @ 10.7 g/t Au (ASX
Announcement: 9 October 2024)
- RPMRC-24008:
45m @ 3.4 g/t Au from surface, including 31m @ 4.7 g/t Au (ASX
Announcement: 9 October 2024)
These results prove high-grade gold
mineralization greater than 2 g/t Au extend to surface above the
current S-K 1300 compliant pit constrained Measured
(180,000 oz @ 4.1 g/t Au) and Measured and
Indicated (330,000 oz @ 2.4 g/t) (Table 3)
high-grade core within the existing RPM North resource area.
Pending an updated Mineral Resource Estimate later this year, Nova
envisions drilling from both the 2023 and 2024 campaigns will add
significant ounces to the Measured and Indicated categories, which
will be incorporated into an updated starter pit design (Figure 1)
optimized for these high-grade, at surface resources.
The cross-sections below in Figures 3 and 4 show
how this last round of assay results continue to prove that
hole-after-hole gold grades are both high-grade and continuous from
surface. Being hosted directly on surface enables immediate ore
extraction with the optimized starter pit anticipated to have an
extremely low strip ratio, which should bode well for the PFS
economics. Figure 3, aligned on hole RPMRC-24017’s azimuth of 280
degrees, shows the western contact with the hornfels and how the
mineralization is continuous through the intrusive across holes
RPMRC-24020 and RPMRC-24021. For clarity, the previously announced
assay results from the vertical hole RPMRC-008 were omitted from
this figure, but hosts a grade of 3.4 g/t Au over 45 meters (ASX
Announcement: 9 October 2024). Figure 4, aligned on hole
RPMRC-24019’s azimuth of 130 degrees, provides a wider view showing
the northwestern and southeastern contacts of the funnel-shaped
mineralized intrusive with the surrounding hornfels host. Again,
for clarity, assay results from RPMRC-008 were omitted from this
figure.
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.
With the 2024 drill program now complete, Nova
has sent the assay data to the resource modeler to complete a
mineral resource estimate update using the drill data from both the
2023 and 2024 drill programs. This is expected to be completed
later this year.
Figure 1. RPM area showing
potential RPM starter pit
Figure 2. RPM North plan view
with all drill holes to date
Figure 3. RPM North Section
A-A’_280azi showing continuity of mineralization
Figure 4. RPM North Section
B-B’_130azi showing continuity of mineralization
Table 1. Significant intercepts
(At 0.1 g/t Au cutoff and a minimum 10m width)
Hole_ID |
From (m) |
To (m) |
Interval (m) |
Au g/t |
RPMRC-24010 |
0 |
43 |
43 |
2.3 |
RPMRC-24017 |
0 |
29 |
29 |
7.1 |
including |
0 |
22 |
22 |
9.4 |
|
16 |
22 |
6 |
19.9 |
|
17 |
20 |
3 |
32.2 |
|
19 |
20 |
2 |
52.7 |
RPMRC-24018 |
0 |
16 |
16 |
1.9 |
including |
5 |
16 |
11 |
2.5 |
RPMRC-24019 |
0 |
24 |
24 |
2.1 |
including |
3 |
8 |
5 |
3.0 |
|
16 |
25 |
9 |
2.6 |
RPMRC-24020 |
0 |
28 |
28 |
4.5 |
including |
5 |
28 |
23 |
5.3 |
|
11 |
17 |
6 |
14.3 |
|
14 |
17 |
3 |
25.0 |
RPMRC-24021 |
0 |
34 |
34 |
3.9 |
Including |
20 |
23 |
3 |
8.3 |
Table 2. Drill hole details
Hole_ID |
UTM_E |
UTM_N |
ELEV(m) |
EOH(m) |
AZI |
DIP |
Assays |
RPMRC-24001 |
501995 |
6848795 |
1772 |
31 |
180 |
-45 |
Reported 9/10/24 |
RPMRC-24002 |
501991 |
6848802 |
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 |
1744 |
23 |
100 |
-50 |
Reported 9/10/24 |
RPMRC-24007 |
501954 |
6848868 |
1746 |
16 |
130 |
-50 |
Reported 9/10/24 |
RPMRC-24008 |
501954 |
6848868 |
1742 |
47 |
0 |
-90 |
Reported 9/10/24 |
RPMRC_24009 |
501954 |
6848869 |
1746 |
47 |
145 |
-50 |
Reported 16/10/24 |
RPMRC_24010 |
501954 |
6848869 |
1746 |
43 |
145 |
-70 |
Reported 23/10/24 |
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 |
1744 |
34 |
175 |
-50 |
Reported 16/10/24 |
RPMRC_24014 |
501952 |
6848871 |
1745 |
24 |
190 |
-50 |
Reported 16/10/24 |
RPMRC_24015 |
501953 |
6848870 |
1743 |
26 |
220 |
-60 |
Reported 16/10/24 |
RPMRC_24016 |
501953 |
6848870 |
1744 |
39 |
250 |
-60 |
Reported 16/10/24 |
RPMRC_24017 |
501954 |
6848869 |
1743 |
29 |
280 |
-70 |
Reported 23/10/24 |
RPMRC_24018 |
501956 |
6848868 |
1745 |
16 |
130 |
-50 |
Reported 23/10/24 |
RPMRC_24019 |
501955 |
6848869 |
1744 |
66 |
130 |
-70 |
Reported 23/10/24 |
RPMRC_24020 |
501957 |
6848869 |
1743 |
28 |
115 |
-60 |
Reported 23/10/24 |
RPMRC_24021 |
501956 |
6848870 |
1742 |
34 |
85 |
-70 |
Reported 23/10/24 |
Table 3. S-K1300 compliant pit
constrained mineral resource estimate
Notes to Table 3:
1. A mineral resource is defined as a
concentration or occurrence of material of economic interest in or
on the Earth’s crust in such form, grade or quality, and quantity,
that there are reasonable prospects for economic extraction.2. The
mineral resource applies a reasonable prospect of economic
extraction with the following assumptions:
- Gold price of US$2,000/oz
- 5% royalty on recovered ounces
- Pit slope angle of 50o
- Mining cost of US$1.65/t
- Processing cost for RPM US$9.80/t
and Korbel US$5.23/t (inclusive of ore sorting for Korbel)
- Combined processing recoveries of
88.20% for RPM and 75.94% for Korbel
- General and Administrative Cost of
US$1.30/t
- Tonnages and grades are rounded to
two significant figures and ounces are rounded to 1000 ounces,
subject to rounding.
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, 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
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