Two Thiess Group entities have secured contracts with Larvotto Resources at the Hillgrove antimony-gold project in New South Wales, with the site’s revival coined with the potential to supply seven per cent of global antimony demand.
Underground mining services provider PYBAR was awarded a contract for 20 kilometres of underground development for four years, providing full-service mine development solutions.
This also includes works on decline and lateral development, rehabilitation, ground support installation, and haulage activities across the Hillgrove mine areas of Metz, Garibaldi, and Clarks Gully underground zones.
Meanwhile, mining engineering specialist MACA Interquip (MIQM) has been awarded an engineering, procurement, and construction management (EPCM) contract, covering design, engineering, refurbishment, and upgrades to the mine’s processing plant.
Thiess group executive chair and chief executive officer (CEO) Michael Wright said the awarding of the contracts showcased the company’s portfolio of services.
“These contracts are a demonstration of the expanding services the Thiess Group offers to clients in critical minerals, essential for the transition to clean energy. These works will help position Hillgrove as a reliable supplier of gold and antimony,” Wright said.
“PYBAR brings specialist underground mining expertise and precision operations to support highly efficient and reliable rapid ramp-up, while MIQM are experts in process engineering design, optimisation, innovation and construction.
“Together they will support our client Hillgrove into production, safely and efficiently, on time, and on budget.”
PYBAR general manager James Glover said the company is pleased to be working alongside Larvotto on Hillgrove.
“This will strengthen Australia’s critical minerals security,” he said. “Our team is focused on safe, innovative, and efficient delivery of quality outcomes.”
MIQM managing director Geoff Jones said the company is eager to help Larvotto maximise the value of the “strategically significant” project, with a team being mobilised to the Hillgrove site to undertake the management of early works.
“We will be strongly focused on the safe and efficient upgrade, and restart of the modernised plant to optimise recoveries for Larvotto,” Jones said.
Larvotto managing director Ron Heeks said the company is “delighted” to formalise the partnerships.
“The proposed works under both contracts are expected to be complementary, helping to ensure our timeline to first production remains on track,” Heeks said.
Located near Armidale, the Hillgrove mine was a pioneer in early metals mining and is now preparing to restart, with redevelopment focused on long-term sustainable production and gold production to support the antimony global scope.