Larvotto Resources Ltd advises that it has signed the EPCM contract with MACA-Interquip-Mintrex (MIQM) for the upgrade and refurbishment of the processing plant at its 100%-owned Hillgrove Antimony-Gold Project in New South Wales.
Managing Director, Ron Heeks, commented: “While early-works to upgrade the Hillgrove processing plant are underway, executing the EPCM contract with MIQM locks in scope, governance and a firm schedule to deliver a safe re-start on time and budget. The work on the secondary crushing and tailings filtration is progressing well, with the MIQM team onsite and building to around 60 people over the next few months. We also commend the team for repairing the main transformer, restoring grid power and delivering a more reliable, lower-cost power supply to site.”
He adds: “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, supported by gold revenue in record-price environments for both. 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. 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.”
Under the EPCM, MIQM will manage detailed design, procurement and construction management to
deliver a ~0.525 Mt/y plant upgrade, inclusive of an ultra-fine grinding circuit and a filtered (dry) tailings circuit, alongside refurbishment of required plant areas. The team recently repaired the main transformer on-site, which had been inoperable since January 2023, restoring grid power and providing Hillgrove with a stable and higher-capacity power to support the plant construction works and the commissioning to follow. This has removed the temporary-generation constraints and costs, improving safety and reliability.
Current site works include earthworks, stripping of unwanted and obsolete plant items and preparing for installation of new plant. Pre-ordering of essential items is complete and logistics for transport is being finalised. Concurrently, Larvotto site team building is continuing with the majority of senior staff now in place. These staff are now working with the HR staff to recruit their operational department teams. Larvotto says it is exceptionally pleased to say that all current employees are now based in Armidale. “This is an excellent result due to efforts of all employees, the community team at the Armidale ‘Hub’ and the company focus on supporting the local community as much as possible.”
