Larvotto Resources has successfully integrated the advanced ECORE automated core scanning system from Canadian-based Elemission at its Hillgrove antimony-gold project in New South Wales. This installation marks Hillgrove as the only operational mine site in Australia with on-site laser ablation and atomic emission spectroscopy capabilities. The ECORE system offers near real-time, high-resolution multi-element geochemistry and quantitative mineralogy, significantly enhancing the efficiency of mineral analysis.
Located approximately 30 kilometres east of Armidale, the ECORE scanner scans fresh drill core within hours of extraction. This development drastically reduces the turnaround time for results, which typically took weeks or even months for off-site laboratory assays and other quantitative mineralogical work. For Larvotto’s geological team, the new technology provides immediate visualization of antimony, gold, and gangue distribution, as well as alteration halos and textural relationships. This capability accelerates geological modelling and improves follow-up drill targeting, streamlining the exploration process.
Ron Heeks, managing director of Larvotto Resources, emphasized the significance of this advancement, stating, “The addition of this capability represents a major step forward in Larvotto’s adoption of advanced, automated mineralogy.” The integration of ECORE also facilitates smarter core logging processes, more focused assay interval selection, and the establishment of a fully searchable digital mineralogical library for the entire Hillgrove ore system.
The benefits of the ECORE system extend beyond exploration. Metallurgists at Hillgrove are already leveraging ECORE data on grain size, mineral associations, and liberation characteristics to enhance grind circuits, optimize flotation and recovery parameters, and address process plant performance issues. These scans will also play a crucial role in upcoming pre-feasibility test work and potential evaluations of reprocessing historical tailings and waste dumps.
The commitment to adopting innovative technology is evident in Larvotto’s operations. The company aims to run a modernized operation at Hillgrove, which is projected to produce approximately 7 percent of global antimony supply once the refurbished plant reaches its nameplate capacity in 2026. In an industry often characterized by outdated practices, Larvotto is setting a standard for both exploration and processing.
The implementation of real-time mineralogical evaluation at Hillgrove means almost immediate results following sample acquisition. This advancement leads to higher recovery rates and more efficient use of funds—key advantages for a high-margin antimony-gold producer in today’s thriving market for both metals.
The evolution of the Hillgrove site is remarkable, with its mineral wealth being first explored nearly 170 years ago. Today, the integration of cutting-edge technology signifies a new era for Larvotto Resources and the future of mining in Australia.
