Nova Minerals Limited (NASDAQ: NVA) announced assay results from surface sampling at its Portage Pass area within the Estelle Gold and Critical Minerals Project in Alaska. The company identified a gold anomaly located 2.5 kilometers from the existing Korbel deposit.

The 2025 surface sampling program collected 139 soil samples and 68 rock samples in the Portage Pass area. Results showed seven rock samples grading above 2 grams per tonne gold, with the highest sample returning 14.3 g/t Au. Additionally, 10 soil samples exceeded 0.5 g/t Au, with a peak value of 1.8 g/t Au.

The anomalies were identified across two traverses of approximately 3.5 kilometers and 2.8 kilometers. The company noted that 23 soil samples returned grades of 0.2 g/t Au or higher, with 11 rock samples exceeding 1.0 g/t Au.

Nova's 2025 exploration program across the Estelle Project covered over 30 traverses spanning 75 line kilometers and included 430 soil samples, 170 rock samples, and 26 stream sediment samples.

The company plans a detailed soil sampling grid across the Portage Pass valley in 2026, followed by a potential ground-based induced polarization geophysical survey, according to the press release statement.

Nova Minerals operates the Estelle Gold and Critical Minerals Project in Alaska's Tintina Gold Belt. The company is also advancing an antimony supply chain development project funded by a $43.4 million U.S. Department of War award.