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Highlights
Larvotto Resources (ASX:LRV) identifies tungsten zones within existing gold and antimony resources at Hillgrove Project in New South Wales
Elevated tungsten prices renew economic interest in scheelite recovery through existing processing circuits
Further metallurgical and geological work to assess scheelite recovery at Clarks Gully and Brackins Spur
Larvotto Resources Limited (ASX:LRV), part of the broader ASX 200 metals and mining sector, has announced the delineation of initial tungsten resources at its Hillgrove Antimony and Gold Project in New South Wales. These findings come amid stronger tungsten market conditions, renewing focus on the metal, which occurs within the mineral scheelite, at Hillgrove.
Historically, tungsten was extracted incidentally alongside gold and antimony but was not the main focus of exploration or assay programs. However, shifting commodity pricing dynamics have drawn new attention to the presence of scheelite in the project area.
Tungsten Interpolated in DFS But Not Yet Integrated
The existing process plant at Hillgrove is already equipped with a circuit capable of extracting tungsten. During the company’s recent Definitive Feasibility Study, tungsten mineralisation was modelled and interpolated, although it was not factored into the core economic analysis. The company indicates this will now be included in upcoming metallurgical studies.
The current tungsten evaluation is limited to mineralisation within the gold and antimony resource envelopes. Larvotto states that this approach leaves room for additional mineralisation zones to be reviewed and modelled in the future.
Concentration Observed in Key Deposits
Scheelite mineralisation, typically found in steep shear and breccia zones, is distributed across several deposits at Hillgrove. Concentrations with measurable continuity are notably present at Clarks Gully and Brackins Spur. While tungsten occurrence is often spatially aligned with gold and antimony, direct correlation is not always observed.
These specific zones may allow the scheelite content to be processed as a tertiary output from existing gold-antimony operations. This aligns with broader strategic objectives to diversify Hillgrove’s product stream.
Metallurgical Assessments to Define Next Steps
The Hillgrove resource model, reported in gold equivalent terms, incorporates modifying factors for gold and antimony. Tungsten is reported as an additional product stream but not included in the gold equivalent calculations.
Further exploration, drilling, metallurgical testing, and economic studies are required to accurately quantify scheelite recoverability and processing efficiency. These steps will support decisions on whether to routinely process tungsten alongside existing commodities.
Industrial Importance of Tungsten Reinforces Strategic Value
Tungsten, a durable metal with the highest melting point among pure metals, holds critical industrial relevance. It is used in applications such as cemented carbides, heavy metal alloys, and wear-resistant coatings. The presence of scheelite in the Hillgrove system, particularly in accessible mineralised zones, underscores the strategic value of this element as part of Larvotto’s broader project development plans.
Larvotto’s renewed focus on tungsten reflects evolving market conditions and broader interest in domestic sources of critical industrial metals within the ASX 200 resources sector.
