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Larvotto Resources has shipped its first antimony concentrate from the Hillgrove mine in New South Wales, marking another milestone in the operation’s transition to commercial production.
The initial 68-tonne shipment is destined for offtake partner Wogen Resources, with Larvotto now preparing to deliver its first gold concentrate shipment.
The milestone follows the commencement of production at Hillgrove in August and the production of its first antimony and gold concentrates in September.
Larvotto managing director Ron Heeks said the shipment represented an important step in establishing Hillgrove as a revenue-generating operation.
“As the first of the three products the plant produces, the focus has been on the antimony circuit,” he said.
“With the antimony circuit now operating at a steady rate, we will broaden our focus to optimise gold concentrate and gold doré production.”
Heeks said the shipment represented a significant development for the New England region, with Hillgrove supporting local employment and economic activity.
Hillgrove is estimated to produce approximately 4900 tonnes of antimony and 40,500 ounces of gold annually over an initial eight-year mine life. The operation has binding offtake agreements with Wogen Resources for antimony concentrate and Glencore International AG for gold concentrate, both covering the first seven years of mining.
The company reported that plant availability was exceeding expectations, while processing throughput and concentrate grades continued to improve as commissioning and optimisation progressed.
With antimony concentrate shipments underway, Larvotto’s attention is turning to increasing processing rates and optimising gold production as the operation progresses towards nameplate capacity. The company expects its first gold concentrate shipment and initial gold doré production in the near term.
Larvotto is also progressing metallurgical test work on tungsten recovery, with plans to introduce a third concentrate product in 2027.
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