Larvotto Ships First Antimony From Hillgrove, Turning It Into a Revenue Mine
Key Takeaways
- Larvotto's first 68 tonnes of antimony concentrate left Hillgrove on 14 October 2026, collected by offtake partner Wogen Resources, turning the mine from a build story into a delivering operation.
- Delivery satisfies a condition of the offtake agreement and triggers an initial payment, though the amount has not been disclosed.
- Plant availability is ahead of schedule, daily tonnages are rising in line with schedule and concentrate grades are improving, but no figures were provided.
- Hillgrove targets about 4,900 tonnes of antimony and 40,500 ounces of gold per annum, with the first gold concentrate shipment and first gold bars flagged for the near term.
- Tungsten processing is anticipated in 2027, with metallurgy testwork in Australia and Canada showing positive results to date.
First antimony concentrate shipped from Hillgrove
Larvotto Resources (ASX: LRV) has shipped the first antimony concentrate from its 100%-owned Hillgrove Mine in New South Wales, with the first truck leaving site on 14 October 2026. The first shipment totals 68 tonnes, collected at the mine gate by offtake partner Wogen Resources.
Delivery satisfies a condition of the offtake agreement, so the company will receive an initial payment. The announcement does not disclose the amount.
For you as an investor, the point is simple. Hillgrove now moves from a build-and-commission story to a mine that is delivering product to a buyer.
Ron Heeks, Managing Director
“The delivery of the first antimony concentrate is a proud moment for the Company, as Hillgrove becomes a revenue generating mine and officially Australia’s newest supplier of critical minerals…”
When big ASX news breaks, our subscribers know first
Production ramp-up gathers pace
Plant performance
Larvotto reported the following ramp-up progress at Hillgrove:
- Plant availability in excess of schedule
- Daily processing tonnages increasing in line with schedule
- Ongoing improvements in concentrate grades
The announcement gives no figures for availability, tonnages or grades. What it does say is that the ramp-up is tracking to schedule, which is what you want to see as a plant works toward full production.
What comes next
With the antimony circuit now operating at a steady rate, the focus broadens to gold concentrate and gold doré production. Doré is a semi-pure gold bar that is refined further before sale.
Preparations for the first gold concentrate shipment are nearing completion. Mr Heeks said the team looks forward to the first gold concentrate shipment and the first gold bars “in the near term”, though no dates were given.
Why antimony matters for investors
Antimony is a metal used in a range of industrial applications. Concentrate is the product left after ore is crushed and processed to lift the metal content, making it suitable to ship to a buyer for further processing.
Critical minerals are those governments and industry regard as important to supply chains and economies. Larvotto describes Hillgrove as making Australia a new supplier of critical minerals.
An offtake agreement is a contract in which a buyer commits to purchase a producer’s output. That gives the producer a defined customer and a clearer view of revenue.
Hillgrove is also not a one-product operation. The plant produces three products: antimony, gold concentrate and gold doré, which spreads the potential revenue base.
The next major ASX story will hit our subscribers first
Hillgrove production profile and tungsten upside
The announcement states that Hillgrove Mine is to produce approximately 4,900 tonnes of antimony and 40,500 ounces of gold per annum. This is the targeted production profile, not a confirmed current run-rate.
| Product | Fact | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Antimony | Approximately 4,900 tonnes per annum | First product shipped; initial payment to follow |
| Gold | Approximately 40,500 ounces per annum | Gold concentrate shipment being prepared |
| Tungsten | Processing anticipated in 2027 | Another high value by-product |
Tungsten metallurgy testwork continues in Australia and Canada, with positive results achieved to date. Selection of optimal equipment and a processing flowsheet continues, and the company anticipates processing tungsten in 2027.
Mr Heeks also pointed to the regional angle, saying the milestone is “significant for the New England region, supporting local jobs, businesses and economic activity.”
The next items to watch are the first gold concentrate shipment, the first gold bars and, in 2027, anticipated tungsten processing.
Don’t Miss the Next ASX Antimony and Gold Mover
Join 30,000+ investors getting FREE breaking ASX mining news within minutes of release, complete with in-depth analysis. Click the “Free Alerts” button at Big News Blast to stay ahead of the market and see critical minerals announcements the moment they break.