US antimony supply chain strengthened by $43mn Nova funding

Alaska Range Resources

The US antimony supply chain is taking a strategic step forward with new defense-backed funding for production in Alaska. The US antimony supply chain has long depended on imports, but Nova Minerals’ subsidiary Alaska Range Resources (ARR) now plans domestic mining and refining at the Estelle project. The US Department of Defense has awarded $43.4mn to ARR, targeting military-grade antimony trisulfide and reinforcing the US antimony supply chain for critical applications.

DoD-backed investment targets military-grade antimony trisulfide

The new funding will help ARR develop antimony trisulfide production from stibnite ore at Estelle, creating an integrated mine-to-product operation. This integrated flow from ore to antimony trisulfide is designed to meet stringent military specifications for ammunition, pyrotechnics, and specialized defense systems. As a result, the project moves the US beyond basic concentrate supply and into value-added processing.

Antimony trisulfide is essential for ammunition, flame retardants and certain semiconductor applications, linking this project directly to both defence and advanced manufacturing demand. Meanwhile, the initiative aligns with broader US efforts to rebuild critical minerals capacity onshore, especially for materials that have faced supply disruptions and geopolitical risks. By backing a specific site with targeted capital, the DoD is signalling that antimony security is now a strategic priority alongside other defence-linked minerals.

From zero output to a domestic antimony production base

The US produced no antimony at commercial scale in 2024, underscoring how exposed domestic industries are to foreign supply. This new project therefore acts as a potential anchor asset for a future US production base. If Estelle reaches commercial scale, it could support downstream processors and catalyst, alloy and chemicals producers that currently depend on imported antimony feedstock.

At the same time, integrated mine and refining capacity in Alaska could stimulate associated infrastructure, from logistics to environmental technologies, creating a broader critical minerals hub. However, project execution, permitting, and ESG performance will determine whether the investment translates into reliable long-term volumes. Market participants will watch closely how quickly ARR can move from funding to sustained output, and how its costs compare with established suppliers.

The Metalnomist Commentary

This funding marks a meaningful, though early-stage, pivot from import dependence toward strategic domestic capacity in antimony. If Estelle delivers on its integrated vision, it could become a template for how defence funding accelerates critical mineral projects in North America. Yet the project must still prove it can compete on costs and sustainability in a market historically dominated by overseas producers.