Nova Minerals Ltd (ASX:NVA, NASDAQ:NVA) has delivered its 2024 Sustainability Report, which showcases the company’s abiding commitment to environmental, sociocultural and economic sustainability at the Estelle Gold Project in Alaska along with its other endeavours.
The report outlined the company's approach to balancing mineral exploration and development with long-term benefits for local communities and ecosystems.
Sustainable production
The company has a multi-pronged approach to its business, with gold, antimony, lithium, and other critical minerals, along with eco-friendly transport-related plays in the mix – all of which are geared towards sustainable production and clean technology end markets.
The Estelle Gold Project in Alaska positions it as North America's next major gold and critical minerals district with the ability to leverage both the emerging gold and antimony bull markets.
Along with a global 9.9-million-ounce gold resource, Nova has also discovered significant deposits of stibnite (antimony) at multiple locations across its claims.
Antimony is used as a hardening component in almost all batteries and solar panels, is a flame retardant and an important component in munitions.
Nova CEO Christopher Gerteisen was invited to both Washington DC and Juneau, Alaska’s state capital, numerous times in 2024 to meet with Alaska’s congressional delegation, along with several federal departments, divisions, and senate and congressional committees to discuss how the Estelle project could help shore up the US critical minerals supply chain.
Unique Alaskan landscape
Nova CEO Christopher Gerteisen stressed the company’s focus on three core pillars of sustainability: environmental, sociocultural and economic.
"Our natural surroundings must continue to support clean air and water, healthy habitats for fish and wildlife, and the beautiful landscapes that all Alaskans enjoy," he said, recognising the importance of preserving the unique Alaskan wilderness that is home to the Estelle Gold Project.
On sociocultural sustainability, the company says it prioritises respecting and maintaining the cultural heritage of local communities.
“Ultimately, the relationship between people and the land must be maintained,” Gerteisen said.
The report also emphasises the company's economic impact on the region, with Nova committed to providing local employment opportunities and supporting regional economic growth through hiring and contracting preferences for Alaska Native Corporations and businesses.
“We will strive to provide living wage jobs close to home that will support families in our region,” Gerteisen explained.
The report reveals new discoveries of gold and critical minerals essential for national defence and clean energy technologies.
These developments have drawn attention from Washington, DC, due to their potential contribution to national security and the global transition to clean energy.
"Sustainability continues to be our goal, working in lock step with our project partners and neighbouring communities for the good of Alaska, our country, and our world," Gerteisen concluded.