Wedoany.com Report-Jan.1, Larvotto Resources has confirmed that PYBAR Mining Services has arrived on-site and commenced underground development activities at the wholly owned Hillgrove antimony-gold project in New South Wales, Australia.

Larvotto anticipates starting antimony and gold production at the Hillgrove project in 2026.

The Hillgrove project is located 23 kilometres east of Armidale, benefiting from good access to major highways, rail links, and regional airports. This position supports efficient logistics for both development and future production.

The current underground work includes decline and lateral development, rehabilitation of existing areas, installation of ground support, and haulage operations. Initial activities are focused in the Metz zone, with subsequent progression planned for the Garibaldi zone.

PYBAR is delivering a comprehensive underground development service, including provision of equipment, skilled workforce, and statutory supervision. All activities are conducted under PYBAR's established Safety and Health Management System, ensuring high standards of safety and operational control.

The development programme encompasses approximately 20 kilometres of underground workings over an initial four-year period. This effort builds on existing underground infrastructure, where ore has already been prepared and is ready for stoping.

This underground advancement is a key milestone toward restarting full mining operations and supplying ore to the on-site processing plant.

Larvotto Managing Director Ron Heeks said: “Having PYBAR on-site and with underground development activities now underway is one of the final requirements to bring the Hillgrove Project back into production. We are delighted with the process and how PYBAR have integrated into the site team, with now over 70 Larvotto employees on-site and 80 thirdparty, as we are now firmly in execution mode. It has been an incredibly busy 2025, having achieved many financial, technical and project milestones and now turning our full focus on exploration and site development, to increase our resources and bring the project back into production next year.”

Larvotto anticipates commencing antimony and gold production at Hillgrove in 2026.

The mobilisation of PYBAR follows their appointment last month as the underground development contractor. This step advances Larvotto's strategy to revive the historic Hillgrove mine, positioning it to contribute to global supply of antimony and gold in the coming year. The project benefits from existing infrastructure and prepared ore, enabling a faster transition to production once development progresses.