Supporting Alaska

Supporting Alaskan Employment and Businesses

With its flagship Estelle Gold Project located in the heart of Alaska, Nova is proudly first and foremost Alaskan, with our CEO, and the vast majority of our contractors, born and bred in Alaska.

We are committed to creating a safe and environmentally responsible future mining operation that provides opportunities for all Alaskans. As a member of these communities, we strive to offer support through prioritising local employment and local procurement with our “Hire & Buy Alaskan” policy.

Over the last 2.5 years Nova has spent in excess of USD$30M directly and indirectly into the local Alaskan economy, supported over 50 local Alaskan businesses and through contractors employed 100’s Alaskans from local communities over the course of the project activities to date.

While Nova is currently in the exploration and development phase of our Estelle Gold Project, as the project moves into the construction and operation phases there will be an exponential increase in the number of local jobs and services required.

Neighborly Support

Nova recognised early that high quality stakeholder relationships are the key to creating positive impacts throughout all of our sustainability and Alaskan community initiatives.

It is in Nova’s DNA to employ, buy and help Alaskan communities wherever we can. In our early years we were honoured to stay and work out of our good neighbour, The Perrins Rainy Pass Lodge, while the Whiskey Bravo camp was being constructed.

While working out of the Lodge, Nova also assisted with logistics for the Lodge’s personal needs working together by providing helicopter support to move Lodge cargo around and bringing in Lodge supplies on Nova chartered aircraft.

This neighborly support has continued over the years with Nova also providing fuel for the Iron Dog race out of the Lodge last year.

Photos from top to bottom:
  1. It was an honour in our early years to work out of and stay at The Perrins Rainy Pass Lodge.
  2. Current Executive Director, Louie Simens, with former Chief Geologist, Dale Schultz at The Perrins Rainy Pass Lodge during a site visit to Estelle.
  3. Exploration Manager debriefing and spotting next holes at The Perrins Rainy Pass Lodge utilising a wine glass from former operator of the Whistler project (Kiska Metals) left at the Lodge.
  4. Nova supplied helicopter assisting The Perrins Rainy Pass Lodge owner moving cargo and working together.
  5. Nova and Rainy Pass Lodge personnel working together to bring in Lodge supplies on another Nova chartered aircraft.
  6. Drill crew with former Nova Chief Geologist, Dale Schultz, debriefing on the porch of The Perrins Rainy Pass Lodge after a shift onsite at the Estelle Gold Project.

Local Businesses We Procure From

Nova and YKPS are dedicated to developing the local workforce in rural Alaskan communities by providing talented, hard-working people with the resources to develop their skills and both endeavour to employ local talent in the regions in which we operate.

The YKPS team consists of employees and associates across a wide range of disciplines and at our Estelle Gold Project through YKPS, 11% of the employees are Native Alaskan, and we are proud to employ a gender diverse team of geologists, engineers, metallurgists, geophysicists, environmental permitting consultants, experienced drilling and drill support crews, geotechnicians, as well as camp staff.

At our Estelle Gold Project, YKPS has been involved in general camp construction and management, providing support for drilling, water lines and pump maintenance, expediting, helicopter sling load rigging, drilling pad construction, pad tear down and site reclamation, helicopter landing pad construction and geological mapping.

Other local Alaskan businesses we procure supplies from include:
  • SnowCat Services of Alaska (Overland freight/mobilization to site)
  • ROTAK Helicopter Services (Air freight/mobilization to site)
  • Alaska Custom Containers (Manufactured the camp connex’s)
  • Alaska Airframes (Manufactured the camp tents)
  • Alaska Electric & Maintenance (Camp installation/construction services)
  • Alaska Diesel Electric (Camp power systems)
  • Alaska Satellite Internet, Arcticom, Northern Associates Inc. (Communication systems)
  • Andrew Airways, Glenn Air, Desert Air, Ryan Air, SnowCat Services of Alaska (Camp Logistics Support)
  • Fairweather LLC (EMS/Medic Support)
  • Soloy Helicopters (Operations air support)

Nova is a Member of These Local Organizations

The Alaska Miners Association (AMA), a non-profit corporation headquartered in Anchorage. The AMA’s mission is to advocate for and promote responsible mineral development in Alaska and to monitor and respond to all legislative developments impacting the Alaskan mining sector.

The Alaska Miners Association (AMA), a non-profit corporation headquartered in Anchorage. The AMA’s mission is to advocate for and promote responsible mineral development in Alaska and to monitor and respond to all legislative developments impacting the Alaskan mining sector.

Opportunities for All Alaskans

Nova is committed to creating a safe and environmentally responsible future mining operation that provides opportunities for all Alaskans.

With our “Hire & Buy Alaskan” policy, we’d like to hear from you if you are interested in joining the Estelle family through potential future jobs, career change opportunities or offer goods and supplies at the Estelle Gold Project.

Use this form to send us your resume, catalogs, company profile or services offered if you are interested in being part of the Estelle Gold Project in Alaska.

We Hire & Buy Alaskan