What's Happening?
Larvotto Resources has completed initial metallurgical testwork on the tailings at its Hillgrove Antimony-Gold Project in New South Wales, Australia. The results indicate a recovery rate of 80-95% for antimony and 40-75% for gold using conventional flotation
methods. This aligns with the processes planned for the plant's restart in August 2026. The tailings, which span a production period from 1982 to 2002, contain approximately 1.4 million tonnes of material, primarily from antimony production. The testwork suggests that the tailings can serve as a viable supplementary feed to the processing plant, with the added benefit of rehabilitating a legacy facility.
Why It's Important?
The successful recovery of metals from the Hillgrove tailings represents a significant milestone for Larvotto Resources, potentially enhancing the economic viability of the project. The ability to recover commercially meaningful grades of antimony and gold from legacy tailings not only supports the company's operational goals but also contributes to environmental rehabilitation efforts. This development could set a precedent for similar projects, highlighting the potential for resource recovery from historical mining waste. The project also aligns with broader industry trends towards sustainable mining practices and resource efficiency.
What's Next?
Larvotto plans to advance cleaner flotation testwork to further evaluate the potential for concentrate upgrades and optimize flotation conditions. The company will also assess blending strategies between tailings material and primary ore sources. Environmental and regulatory assessments will continue, alongside potential resource estimation if justified. These steps are crucial for the planned restart of the Hillgrove plant and the integration of tailings processing into broader project evaluations.
