Nova Minerals appoints global resources executive to help advance Estelle gold project

Nova Minerals (ASX: NVA) has appointed a global resources executive to provide technical and corporate advice for next level of studies on the Estelle gold trend along Alaska’s prolific Tintina belt.

Managing director of US-based Harpia Group Rodrigo Pasqua will use his experience in unlocking the value of mining projects to help realise the Estelle trend potential as it moves towards production.

Mr Pasqua has previously held the role of group head of mining and transformation for Australian gold producer Evolution Mining (ASX: EVN), where he was involved with the Cowal open pit project in New South Wales and was instrumental in the $633 million Red Lake gold complex turnaround in Canada.

Harpia experience

In his role with Harpia, Mr Pasqua has managed many other mining industry acquisitions, studies, start-ups and turnarounds.

His skills encompass most aspects of underground and open pit engineering, from mining studies, financial valuations and project execution to systems and new technology implementation and operations management.

Mr Pasqua has been involved with resources projects in Australia, Africa and North and South America.

He is a member of the Australian Institute of Management and holds a Bachelors degree in mining engineering from the University of São Paulo.

He has qualifications in corporate leadership from the University of Oxford; corporate strategy (University of London) and finance (University of Illinois and Harvard University).

Validation of Estelle

Nova chief executive officer Christopher Gerteisen said Mr Pasqua’s appointment was validation of the size, scope and economics demonstrated at the Estelle gold trend.

“Rodrigo’s extensive experience in the technical and strategic aspects of mining will be invaluable, particularly his experience in unlocking the value of mining projects including bulk mining methods and start-ups,” he said.

“We look forward to having Rodrigo working alongside our executives and technical mining team to assist us in recognising the huge potential upside at Estelle as we continue on our path to production with the goal of becoming the next global gold producer.”

Scope of work

Mr Rodrigo’s scope of work with Nova will include assisting the company to mature Estelle’s development strategy (including next level studies); generating alternative operational options including the use of new mining and processing technologies; and reviewing technical work completed by external consultants.

Mr Gerteisen said the scope was flexible and may include additional support as agreed between Harpia and Nova.

About Harpia

Harpia provides technical and corporate advisory services for the global resources industry.

The group has a strong international mining background with experience in corporate development, financing, operational and organisational transformations, advisory services, mining studies and project management.

It also specialises in identifying opportunities and structuring value adding transactions.