Larvotto Resources (ASX:LRV) has signed an engineering, procurement, and construction management (EPCM) contract with MACA-Interquip-Mintrex (MIQM) to upgrade and refurbish a processing plant at the Hillgrove Antimony-Gold Project in New South Wales.
The contract scope covers design and EPCM to upgrade the plant to 525,000 tonnes per year throughput, including an ultra-fine grinding circuit and a filtered tailings circuit.
MIQM will manage the works to deliver the refurbishment and upgrade.
Larvotto, which has a market capitalisation of $441.48 million, says the current site works include earthworks, stripping of unwanted and obsolete plant items and preparing for installation of a new plant.
Managing Director Ron Heeks says with a clear pathway and funding in place to complete the plant upgrade and move into production, Hillgrove is set to become the next major Western producer of strategic antimony.
“As governments prioritise to secure stable supply chains and stockpiles, Larvotto’s head-start and near-term production provide a real timing advantage and de-risk execution,” Heeks says.
“At the same time, our ongoing exploration provides significant upside potential to build resources and mine life, ensuring Hillgrove is a long-term supplier of critical minerals.”
Further, the site team is also continuing to build the majority of its senior staff. The staff are working with the HR department to recruit their operational department teams. All current employees are based in Armidale.
The Hillgrove Project offers exposure to gold and antimony markets. Subject to the final investment decision, Larvotto anticipates returning the project into production next year.
Larvotto Resources is an Australian resources company focused primarily on the development of its dual-commodity Hillgrove Project. The company expects to produce 7% of global antimony requirements when global supply is tightening and Western governments are prioritising strategic supply chains.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: Larvotto Resources
