Nova Minerals Corp gets $25M for West Susitna Access Road project
News provided byWest Susitna Access Road · 2 min read
Anchorage, Alaska, Sept. 01, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- Nova Minerals Corp has received a significant boost in its efforts to develop a critical mineral infrastructure in Alaska with the approval of up to $25 million in additional funding from the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA) to advance the West Susitna Access Road project.
The proposed 78.5-mile, year-round all-weather road will connect the company’s Estelle Gold and Critical Minerals Project with its planned Port MacKenzie antimony refinery, providing critical transportation and economic benefits to the region. The road will also link up with a separate 22-mile Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (ADOT&PF) project, including a major bridge over the Susitna River, to integrate with the existing road network.
On August 27, 2026, the AIDEA board unanimously approved the funding to support geotechnical drilling and other essential works for the West Susitna Access Road. This development is expected to enhance access to the region’s natural resources, supporting not only Nova Minerals’ operations but also broader economic growth in the area.
“Turning a route on a map into a functional road is a significant milestone,” said Brandon Brefczynski, AIDEA’s Deputy Executive Director. “This funding will help us stay on schedule for the upcoming field seasons and move closer to unlocking one of Alaska’s most promising resource corridors.”
ADOT&PF has already completed extensive geotechnical investigations and drilling as part of the predevelopment work for the West Susitna Access Road. Field investigations have been carried out at three material sites, with work at a fourth site nearly complete. Additional laboratory testing and technical analysis are ongoing, and four more sites require field investigation. The necessary environmental and land-use permits have been obtained for all these locations.
Progress has also been made at proposed bridge crossings, particularly at the Little Susitna River and Susitna River bridges. Seven of eight planned test holes and two of three planned penetrometer investigations have been completed at the Little Susitna River Bridge. At the Susitna River Bridge, drilling has been completed at four primary bridge pier locations using barge-supported equipment, with remaining in-river pier investigations planned for the 2027 work window.
Nova Minerals CEO, Christopher Gerteisen, welcomed the funding, stating, “This marks another important milestone for our Estelle Gold and Critical Minerals Project. The funding approval underscores local support for critical minerals projects that strengthen U.S. national and economic security.”
The road is expected to provide year-round access to the region’s natural resources, supporting the company’s goal of establishing a fully secure, vertically integrated antimony supply chain. Phase 1 of the company’s planned antimony trisulfide production is fully funded by a $43.4 million Defense Production Act Title III award.
Nova Minerals’ project in Port MacKenzie, Alaska, is anticipated to serve as a strategic processing and toll-treatment facility, capable of producing refined antimony products for defense, industrial, and critical technology supply chains.
The full press release from AIDEA and additional information can be found on their website, along with videos on the geotechnical drilling process and the proposed route of the West Susitna Access Road.