Larvotto Hits 20.5m at 9.4g/t and Finds New Echidna Lode at Hillgrove Antimony Mine
Key Takeaways
- Hole BLK120 returned 20.5m @ 9.4g/t AuEq at Blacklode, including a 6.2m @ 27.2g/t AuEq core carrying 3.99 g/t Au and 8.86% Sb.
- MTZ002 delivered 20.0m @ 6.7g/t AuEq at Midas and discovered the Echidna Lode, with 11.2m @ 6.7g/t AuEq from 63m in an unmined structure outside the current resource model.
- All completed holes hit their targeted structures in predicted positions, validating Larvotto's interpretation of the Metz Mining Centre and about 900 metres of Midas strike.
- Assays for 17 more holes (MTZ003 to MTZ020) are pending, feeding a maiden Midas Mineral Resource Estimate and the Midas Exploration Target announced on 23 June 2026.
- These intercepts are not a resource, and Echidna's widths are downhole rather than true widths, but Hillgrove is already Australia's largest antimony mine with test-work recoveries of about 90% for antimony and tungsten.
Larvotto hits 20.5m @ 9.4g/t AuEq at Blacklode and uncovers new Echidna Lode
Larvotto Resources (ASX: LRV) has reported high-grade drilling results from the Blacklode, Midas, Endurance and newly discovered Echidna lodes at its 100%-owned Hillgrove Antimony-Gold Project in New South Wales. The standout is hole BLK120, which returned 20.5m @ 9.4g/t AuEq, including 6.2m @ 27.2g/t AuEq.
AuEq means gold equivalent, a single grade figure that combines gold, antimony and tungsten. Hole MTZ002 followed with 20.0m @ 6.7g/t AuEq at Midas, and all completed holes intersected the targeted structures in predicted positions. That validates the company’s geological and structural interpretation of the Metz Mining Centre (MMC).
For investors, the results support growth of the Hillgrove resource base and the push towards a maiden Midas Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE).
Ron Heeks, Managing Director
“These latest results continue to demonstrate the significant scale, continuity and growth potential of the Metz Mining Centre…”
Headline intercepts from the release:
- Blacklode (BLK120): 20.5m @ 9.4g/t AuEq, including 6.2m @ 27.2g/t AuEq
- Midas (MTZ002): 20.0m @ 6.7g/t AuEq, including 8.0m @ 11.8g/t AuEq
- Endurance (MTZ001): 3.4m @ 13.7g/t AuEq and 2.0m @ 15.0g/t AuEq
- Echidna (MTZ002): 11.2m @ 6.7g/t AuEq, including 3.2m @ 17.5g/t AuEq
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Drilling results across the Metz Mining Centre
The MMC is described as a high-grade gold-antimony-tungsten system made up of the Blacklode, Midas, Endurance and Syndicate lodes. The latest intercepts include what the company calls some of the strongest reported from the area.
Blacklode delivers standout high-grade shoot
BLK120 tested the interpreted western extension of Blacklode within an area of Inferred Resource outside the current Hillgrove Ore Reserve. The company says the hole supports future resource conversion and that the mineralisation continues strongly at depth and may support further mine-life growth.
The main interval sits at 342.5m depth (342.5m to 363m in the drill table). The high-grade core of 6.2m @ 27.19g/t AuEq comprises 3.99 g/t Au and 8.86% Sb.
The same hole also cut the Midas Lode, returning 14.5m @ 1.47g/t AuEq from 199m.
Midas Gully and Endurance confirm continuity
At Midas Gully, MTZ002 returned 20.0m @ 6.7g/t AuEq from 218m, including 8.0m @ 11.8g/t AuEq from 220m. Management says this confirms continuity of the Midas Gully Lode. The current strike length of the Midas mineralisation is some 900 metres.
MTZ001 hit the Endurance Lode with 3.4m @ 13.7g/t AuEq from 109.6m and 2.0m @ 15.0g/t AuEq from 120m. The company says these confirm continuation of the Endurance and Midas lodes at depth.
| Hole | Lode | Interval | AuEq grade | From depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BLK120 | Blacklode | 20.5m | **9.40g/t** | 342.5m |
| BLK120 | Blacklode (incl.) | 6.2m | **27.2g/t** | 342.5m |
| BLK120 | Midas | 14.5m | **1.47g/t** | 199m |
| MTZ002 | Midas | 20.0m | **6.7g/t** | 218m |
| MTZ002 | Midas (incl.) | 8.0m | **11.8g/t** | 220m |
| MTZ001 | Endurance | 3.4m | **13.7g/t** | 109.6m |
| MTZ001 | Endurance | 2.0m | **15.0g/t** | 120m |
Echidna Lode: new discovery next to existing lodes
MTZ002 also intersected a previously unrecognised structure higher in the hole, now named the Echidna Lode. It returned 11.2m @ 6.7g/t AuEq from 63m, including 3.2m @ 17.5g/t AuEq from 71m. Apart from minor near-surface diggings, the structure is unmined.
Shallow intercepts add to the picture: 0.5m @ 28.6g/t AuEq from 28.5m and 1.0m @ 15.5g/t AuEq from 44.5m.
Echidna is interpreted to be sub-parallel to the Endurance Lode and remains under evaluation. The reported widths are downhole widths, not true widths, because the hole was primarily designed to test the Midas Lode and did not intersect Echidna at an orientation suitable for estimating true width.
For you as an investor, the point is that Echidna sits outside the current resource model. Management describes it as a new target for follow-up drilling.
What is AuEq and why it matters to investors?
Hillgrove’s mineralisation carries gold, antimony and tungsten. Rather than quoting three separate grades, the company converts them into one gold-equivalent number using this formula: AuEq (g/t) = Au + (Sb% x 2.48) + (WO3% x 8.06).
The assumptions are gold at US$3,900/oz, antimony at US$30,000/t and tungsten at US$120,000/t. That multi-metal mix is why an intercept like 27.2g/t AuEq stands out: BLK120’s high-grade core carries 8.86% Sb alongside its gold.
The company considers all included metals to have reasonable potential to be recovered and sold. Test work has achieved antimony recoveries of approximately 90% and tungsten recoveries of approximately 90%, according to the release.
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Next steps towards a maiden Midas Mineral Resource Estimate
Three surface diamond rigs and one underground diamond rig are currently operating across the Metz area. Assays are pending for 17 holes (MTZ003 to MTZ020), which will feed a maiden MRE and the recently announced Midas Exploration Target (ASX release 23 June 2026).
Drill spacing for the reported holes is insufficient to support Mineral Resource estimation, so these results are not a resource. Opportunities to establish underground drill platforms from existing development are also being evaluated.
Hillgrove is now in production as Australia’s largest antimony mine. Larvotto says it continues to focus on growing high-grade inventory proximal to existing infrastructure, which offers multiple pathways to extend mine life.
Next catalysts to watch:
- Assay results from MTZ003 to MTZ020
- Evaluation of underground drill platforms
- Follow-up drilling on Midas, Blacklode, Endurance and Echidna extensions
- A maiden Midas Mineral Resource Estimate
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