How Larvotto’s New ECORE Tech Could Revolutionise Hillgrove Exploration
Larvotto Resources has acquired Elemission’s advanced ECORE core scanning system to accelerate exploration and metallurgical development at its Hillgrove Antimony-Gold Project, aiming to enhance processing efficiency and project growth.
- Acquisition of ECORE core scanning system for Hillgrove exploration
- Near real-time mineral mapping accelerates geological and metallurgical workflows
- Hillgrove becomes Australia’s only mine site with laser ablation and atomic emission spectroscopy
- Technology supports optimisation of grinding, flotation, and process control
- Larvotto targets producing 7% of global antimony supply
A Technological Leap for Hillgrove
Larvotto Resources Limited has taken a significant step forward in its Hillgrove Antimony-Gold Project by acquiring the ECORE core scanning system from Elemission Inc. This advanced technology, which combines laser ablation with atomic emission spectroscopy, offers near real-time, high-resolution mineralogical data that promises to transform how the company approaches exploration and processing.
By integrating ECORE into its workflows, Larvotto is positioning Hillgrove as the only Australian mine site equipped with such cutting-edge analytical capabilities. This move underscores the company’s commitment to leveraging technology to enhance operational efficiency and resource understanding.
Accelerating Exploration and Decision-Making
The ECORE system enables Larvotto to scan drill cores immediately after drilling, producing detailed multi-element and mineral maps within hours rather than weeks. This rapid turnaround allows geologists to identify mineralised zones, alteration halos, and textural relationships critical for understanding ore continuity and targeting.
Such timely insights streamline geological logging and sample selection, ensuring that laboratory assays and metallurgical tests focus on the most promising intervals. Additionally, the creation of a digital geological library enhances data consistency and supports long-term modelling efforts, providing a robust foundation for ongoing exploration.
Optimising Metallurgical Processes
Beyond exploration, ECORE’s value extends into metallurgical development. The system provides detailed information on grain size, mineral associations, and textures that directly influence plant performance. This data is instrumental in designing pre-feasibility test programs, optimising grinding and flotation circuits, and troubleshooting processing issues.
By bridging the gap between geological variability and processing performance, Larvotto aims to improve metal recovery rates and operational efficiency. The technology also opens avenues for evaluating re-processing opportunities in historical tailings and waste, potentially unlocking additional value.
Strategic Implications for Larvotto
Managing Director Ron Heeks highlighted that ECORE represents a major advancement in Larvotto’s project evaluation and process design capabilities. As the company moves closer to commissioning Hillgrove, this technology supports its ambition to grow the project through ongoing exploration and metallurgical testwork.
With plans to produce approximately 7% of the global antimony requirement, Larvotto’s adoption of ECORE could provide a competitive edge in both resource definition and processing optimisation, positioning the company as a future leader in the antimony market.
Bottom Line?
Larvotto’s embrace of ECORE technology signals a new era of data-driven exploration and processing that could accelerate Hillgrove’s path to becoming a major antimony producer.
Questions in the middle?
- How will ECORE data influence upcoming drilling and resource updates at Hillgrove?
- What are the expected timelines for Hillgrove’s commissioning and production ramp-up?
- Could ECORE technology unlock additional value from historical tailings or waste streams?