Hillgrove antimony project secures permit for 2026 start

Larvotto Resources

Permit clears path to 2026 production

Larvotto Resources has received approval in New South Wales to continue mining and processing at the Hillgrove antimony project. The decision authorizes operations and provides a clear pathway to first production in 2026. The approval followed regulatory review, positioning the company to commission and ramp up the mine under existing consents.

Hillgrove’s development is supported by established infrastructure and a definitive feasibility study that confirms production planning. The company emphasizes the project’s readiness and its role as a near-term supplier in the global antimony market.

Scale, market impact, and de-risking

The project is forecast to supply about 7% of global antimony demand once steady production begins. Hillgrove represents Australia’s largest known antimony deposit, giving it both national and international significance. Production is projected to average 5,696 tonnes per year in the first five years, then 4,878 tonnes annually for the remainder of its life.

Larvotto has secured a binding seven-year offtake agreement with Wogen Resources for antimony concentrate. The deal includes prepayment support, strengthening the project’s liquidity and reducing marketing risk during ramp-up. This ensures stable sales channels in a volatile critical minerals market.

Strategic supply considerations add further importance. With antimony classified as a critical raw material in major economies and export controls tightening in China, new Western supply sources like Hillgrove will play an increasingly pivotal role in global trade flows.

The Metalnomist Commentary

This approval advances Hillgrove from planning to execution, with offtake agreements significantly reducing risk. If production begins on schedule in 2026, the project could emerge as a key non-Chinese supplier and a benchmark reference for global antimony pricing.