Larvotto Resources has commenced gold and antimony production at its Hillgrove Mine in New South Wales, marking the completion of an extensive redevelopment and plant upgrade program.
Hillgrove is set to become Australia’s second antimony producer and by far its largest, establishing Larvotto as a major global supplier of the essential critical mineral.
Over an initial eight-year mine life, Hillgrove is forecast to produce 4,900 tonnes of antimony and 40,500 ounces of gold annually. The operation is expected to account for approximately 7 per cent of global antimony demand and represent over 50 per cent of supply outside China-controlled sources.
Antimony is vital across key high-tech sectors, including solar panels, electronics, defence applications, and AI infrastructure. With global supply chains under strain following export restrictions imposed by China in 2024, Western nations have prioritised securing ethical, reliable sources of the mineral.
Larvotto Resources Managing Director Ron Heeks described the milestone as an outstanding achievement after taking Hillgrove from acquisition to production in under three years.
“Hillgrove has placed Larvotto on the global critical minerals stage, leading to strengthening relationships with governments and industry stakeholders,” Heeks said.
“There is no more important critical mineral than antimony globally, so becoming Australia’s biggest antimony producer is a significant achievement, particularly at a time when securing reliable supply of antimony has become a strategic priority for governments around the world.”
Hillgrove’s importance has led Larvotto to hold high-level discussions with governments and industry stakeholders in Australia, the US, Taiwan, and Japan.
The company plans to expand operations into a multi-decade mining hub, with tungsten concentrate production slated for the near term to further diversify its critical minerals output.
Located in the New England region, the project now employs over 180 people, with roughly 95 per cent of the operational team hired locally to deliver long-term economic benefits to the regional community.
