24
25
THE JOURNAL - AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION BY THE ALASKA MINERS ASSOCIATION
SEPTEMBER 2026 | WWW.ALASKAMINERS.ORG
Nova Minerals moves closer toward Alaska antimony production
Nova’s planned Port MacKenzie facility is designed initially to process stibnite-bearing material and produce anti- mony trisulfide. Its modular design could eventually allow the operation to expand into additional refined products, including antimony metal and antimony trioxide. That flexibility is important as the United States looks to develop more secure domestic sources of critical miner- als and reduce reliance on overseas processing. The project is also notable because it seeks to connect Alaska’s mineral resources with processing and refining infrastructure within the state — adding value before materials enter broader U.S. supply chains. U.S. Rep. Nick Begich highlighted that potential following the equipment’s arrival. “The arrival of nearly 500 tons of infrastructure and refin- ing equipment at Port MacKenzie marks an important first step toward refining antimony in the Mat-Su Valley and building a secure, fully domestic supply chain right here in Alaska,” Begich said. “This is exactly the kind of project we need: Alaska resources, Alaska workers, and American production strengthening our national security.”
The project also underscores the potential of Port MacK- enzie as an industrial and resource-development hub. The port offers access to year-round deepwater infra- structure, Alaska’s road and highway network, the planned West Susitna Access Road and the Port MacKen- zie rail spur, which is planned to connect with the Alaska Railroad mainline. Those transportation links could become increasingly important as Nova advances its plans to move material between the Estelle project, the processing facility and domestic markets. Mat-Su Borough Mayor Edna DeVries said the arrival of the equipment demonstrates the value of infrastructure investments made to position Port MacKenzie for indus- trial development. State Rep. Kevin McCabe, whose district includes areas where Nova Minerals plans to operate, likewise pointed to the broader economic potential. “I know how many jobs this will create and the stimulus it will provide to the Alaska economy,” McCabe said. “This is a fabulous stage of development, and Nova’s use of Port MacKenzie demonstrates their commitment to the Valley and Alaska.”
COURTESY NOVA MINERALS
N ova Minerals is moving from planning toward con- struction of an Alaska-based antimony processing operation, with nearly 500 tons of processing and refining equipment now delivered to Port MacKenzie. The equipment’s arrival marks a significant step in the company’s effort to establish an integrated domestic antimony supply chain tied to its Estelle project in Southwest Alaska. The development is supported by a $43.4 million award under Title III of the federal Defense Production Act, with initial antimony production targeted for 2027. The shipment, which arrived at Port MacKenzie on Sept. 6 after departing Seattle on Aug. 26, included more than 40 containers and multiple oversized loads. The equip- ment includes crushing, ore sorting, milling, flotation and refining systems needed for the planned facility. For Nova Minerals, the shipment represents the culmina- tion of roughly six months of procurement, consolidation
and logistics work — and an opportunity to accelerate development by putting existing infrastructure to work. Rather than designing and fabricating an entirely new processing plant, Nova acquired modern equipment from a recently decommissioned North American facility and other sources. The approach is expected to reduce capital costs while shortening the timeline to construc- tion and production. “This approach has also delivered meaningful capital cost savings,” Nova CEO Christopher Gerteisen said, noting that the equipment’s arrival will allow construc- tion to get underway. Antimony has become an increasingly important com- ponent of U.S. critical-minerals and national-security policy. The mineral is used in defense applications as well as energy storage, electronics and other industrial technologies.
ALASKA MINERALS INC
Keeping Alaska’s industries connected for 40+ years.
Remote Site Gear for the Last Frontier
8121 SCHOON STREET ANCHORAGE, AK 99518 Office: 907.522.3366 Mobile: 907.223.9452 Mike@AlaskaMineralsInc.com
MINING PRODUCTS
CAMP RENTAL SERVICES • Full-service Turnkey Camp Rentals • Heavy Duty Weatherport Tents • Fully Equipped Kitchen & Dining o Homestyle Cooking & Catering • Wash Tents with Showers & Laundry • Sleeper Tents with Beds & Heaters • Complete / Partial Setup & Removal • Logistics & Camp Consulting • Personnel Support o Camp Cooking Staff & Laborers • Starlink Satellite Internet • ATV, UTV & Snowmobile Rentals
• Baroid Drilling Products • Extreme Drilling Additives • Dynamics G-Ex Distributor
• Discoverer 2’ & 3’ Plastic Core Boxes • HQ, NQ & PQ Wooden Core Boxes • Heavy Duty Waxed Core Boxes • Wooden Core Run Blocks • Supersacks & Sample Bags ENVIRONMENTAL PRODUCTS • Johnson PVC Riser, Screen & Prepacks • Locking & Non-Locking Caps • Manhole Covers & Protective Cases • Target Silica Sand
• Mineral Exploration • Precision Lift & Placement • Fire Suppression • Environmental Resource • Oil & Gas • Arctic Operations
• Fuel Tank & Fly Tank Rentals • 20’ and 40’ Container Rentals
Powering Exploration Across Alaska — From Start to Finish. With 40+ years of boots-on-the-ground experience in Alaska and over half a century in the mining industry, we know what it takes to keep your project moving. From remote logistics to full-scope support, we’re your trusted partner in every phase of exploration.
PROVEN IN ALASKA FOR ANY ENVIRONMENT ON EARTH.
akbizmag.com/subscribe
ANCHORAGE, AK 907-257-1550 PATHFINDERAVIATION.COM
MinerMag.indd 2
9/29/21 2:37 PM
Made with FlippingBook interactive PDF creator