Larvotto Eyes Tungsten Windfall at NSW Gold-Antimony Mine

Why It Matters

Tungsten’s status as a critical mineral and its price surge give Larvotto a high‑margin, diversification opportunity that could significantly improve project economics and reduce reliance on gold and antimony revenues.

Key Takeaways

• Curry’s Block hosts >1 km tungsten strike, open at depth.
• Historic drills returned up to 1.40% WO3 over 0.2 m.
• Metallurgical tests show 90% tungsten recovery, 16× feed grade increase.
• Plant’s idle tungsten gravity circuit enables rapid production start.
• Tailings hold 1.4 million tonnes, offering secondary metal recovery.

Pulse Analysis

Global demand for tungsten has accelerated as the metal becomes essential for defense, aerospace, and clean‑energy technologies. With China supplying roughly 80% of the world’s output, price spikes have pushed tungsten to record highs, prompting governments to label it a critical mineral. Larvotto’s Hillgrove project, traditionally a gold‑antimony operation, now sits atop a previously under‑explored scheelite system that could tap this lucrative market and hedge against supply‑chain risks.

At Curry’s Block, historic drilling intersected multiple high‑grade tungsten zones, including a 0.2‑metre interval grading 1.40% WO3 and broader 5‑metre sections above 0.35% WO3. Recent metallurgical trials achieved up to 90% tungsten recovery and a sixteen‑fold increase in feed grade, confirming the feasibility of a low‑cost extraction route. The existing Hillgrove processing plant already houses a dedicated tungsten gravity circuit that has never been used, giving Larvotto a ready‑made pathway to commercial production without major capital outlays.

Beyond primary ore, Larvotto is evaluating its 1.4 million‑tonne tailings stockpile for secondary metal recovery, potentially unlocking additional gold, antimony, and tungsten. With diamond drilling approved and an IP survey slated for the next two weeks, the company aims to delineate the lode system further and sharpen drill targeting. If successful, tungsten could become a high‑value by‑product, boosting margins, diversifying revenue streams, and positioning Larvotto as a strategic supplier in a market dominated by a single nation.