Larvotto Resources (ASX:LRV) has commenced staged commissioning of its minerals processing facility at the Hillgrove Mine in New South Wales, with first ore now crushed and placed into the fine ore bin to feed the grinding circuit.
Ore from the Metz underground mine is currently being used for commissioning activities across the crushing circuit, with primary jaw crushing, closed circuit secondary crushing, and fine ore storage currently underway.
Managing Director Ron Heeks says the milestone reflects ‘significant’ progress over the past 12 months since the start of plant refurbishment.
“To reach this point is a tremendous achievement by our operations team and Interquip, the build contractors, and demonstrates the quality of execution, especially given the unique challenges that were, and continue to be, created by the Hormuz conflict on equipment deliveries,” Heeks says.
Hillgrove is set to become Australia’s second and largest producing antimony mine, forecast to produce approximately 4,900 tonnes of antimony per annum and over 40,000 ounces of gold over a seven-year mine life.
Metallurgical test work is also ongoing, aiming to produce a tungsten concentrate to unlock additional value from the deposit.
Larvotto is in talks with the New South Wales Government, the Australian Government, and other foreign governments regarding potential mid-stream concentrate refining opportunities.
Additionally, the company’s modification five application is progressing through the state assessment process, seeking approval to double processing capacity from 250,000 tonnes per annum (tpa) to 500,000tpa and transition to dry-stack tailings. Larvotto says it intends to submit its responses to stakeholder queries by the end of July.
Larvotto Resources is advancing its portfolio of minerals projects in New South Wales and across Australia.
Write to Paula Fabe at Mining.com.au
Images: Larvotto Resources
