Larvotto Resources continues to deliver robust drilling results at its Freehold prospect, revealing significant gold, antimony, and tungsten mineralisation that bolsters the Hillgrove Project’s growth outlook.
- Strong multi-commodity mineralisation confirmed at Freehold prospect
- High-grade gold equivalent intercepts up to 21.34g/t AuEq
- Notable tungsten assays exceeding 1% WO3 in multiple drill holes
- Drilling ongoing at Freehold, Metz, and Swamp Creek prospects
- Plans underway for underground drilling to access challenging zones
Continued Exploration Success at Freehold
Larvotto Resources Limited (ASX – LRV) has reported a fresh tranche of encouraging diamond drilling results from its Freehold prospect, part of the company’s 100% owned Hillgrove Antimony-Gold Project in New South Wales. The latest assays confirm broad zones of high-grade gold, antimony, and tungsten mineralisation across multiple lodes, reinforcing the prospect’s potential as a new underground mining centre adjacent to the existing processing plant.
Key intercepts include an 8.3-metre interval grading 7.50 grams per tonne gold equivalent (AuEq) from 59 metres, and deeper hits such as 8 metres at 5.54g/t AuEq from 327 metres, including a high-grade 1.8 metres at 21.34g/t AuEq. Tungsten assays have also been impressive, with several intervals exceeding 0.9% tungsten trioxide (WO3), highlighting the multi-commodity nature of the deposit.
Historic Mining Legacy Meets Modern Exploration
Freehold’s mineralisation lies within a historically mined area that dates back to the late 1800s, with more recent operations by New England Antimony Mines from 1974 to 2002. The mine developed into a 330-metre deep vertical shaft with multiple levels, underpinning Hillgrove’s status as a significant antimony producer. Larvotto’s ongoing drilling is targeting extensions of these known lodes as well as new parallel structures, with results indicating continuity and depth potential beyond previous mining extents.
Drill hole FRE026 notably identified a new parallel mineralised zone with 2.6 metres at 4.04g/t AuEq, including 0.4 metres at an exceptional 23.96g/t AuEq, situated close to historic underground infrastructure. This discovery underscores the prospect’s unexplored potential and the value of Larvotto’s systematic near-mine exploration approach.
Expanding the Hillgrove Mineral Field
Beyond Freehold, Larvotto is actively drilling at the Metz and Swamp Creek prospects, with four diamond rigs currently deployed. At Metz, exploration focuses on structural convergence zones and extensions beneath historic workings, where recent drilling has confirmed multiple stacked high-grade zones near existing underground infrastructure. The company has also commenced underground grade control drilling at Metz, signalling a transition towards development readiness.
Preparations are underway to begin underground diamond drilling at Freehold, which will enable Larvotto to access mineralised zones difficult to reach from surface due to topographical constraints. This step is critical for advancing resource definition and optimising mine planning.
Market Context and Outlook
Larvotto’s Managing Director, Ron Heeks, emphasised the significance of the results amid strong commodity prices, noting that gold, antimony, and tungsten are all near record levels. The multi-commodity potential of Hillgrove enhances the project’s economic resilience and attractiveness. The company’s metal equivalency calculations incorporate realistic recovery assumptions, supporting confidence in the commercial viability of the mineralisation.
While the drilling results are promising, Larvotto continues to advance metallurgical and mining studies to convert exploration success into a viable underground operation. The broader Hillgrove mineral field, with over a dozen targets under exploration, remains a compelling growth story for investors watching the evolving resource base.
Bottom Line?
Larvotto’s Freehold drilling success sets the stage for a potential new underground hub, but resource conversion and development timelines remain key watchpoints.
Questions in the middle?
- How soon can Larvotto convert these exploration results into a formal resource upgrade?
- What are the metallurgical recovery rates for tungsten alongside gold and antimony?
- How will ongoing commodity price fluctuations impact the project’s development economics?