Larvotto Accelerates Tungsten Exploration at Hillgrove Amidst Surging Critical Mineral Demand

In a significant move reflecting the global pivot towards securing critical mineral supply chains, Larvotto Resources has announced it is fast-tracking the evaluation of tungsten potential at its Curry’s Block prospect. This strategic focus is situated within the company’s wholly owned Hillgrove Antimony-Gold Project in New South Wales, Australia, a region increasingly recognized for its diverse mineral wealth.

The announcement, made on May 11, 2026, follows a comprehensive review of historical data, which indicates a compelling gold-tungsten-antimony system at Curry’s Block. With tungsten now classified as a critical mineral by a growing number of Western governments, including Australia, and market prices climbing to unprecedented levels, Larvotto's accelerated exploration efforts aim to capitalize on what appears to be a sustained, structural uplift in both demand and pricing for this vital metal.

The Strategic Imperative of Tungsten

Tungsten's designation as one of the most strategically significant metals globally is a direct consequence of its unique properties and indispensable role across numerous high-tech and industrial applications. Renowned for its exceptional hardness, high melting point (the highest of all metals at 3,422°C), and excellent tensile strength, tungsten is critical for a range of essential products and components. Its primary uses include:

  • Hard Metals and Cutting Tools: Tungsten carbide, a composite material, is widely used in cutting tools, drill bits, and wear-resistant parts for the manufacturing, automotive, and construction industries.
  • Filaments and Electrodes: Its high melting point makes it ideal for filaments in light bulbs and electron tubes, as well as electrodes for welding.
  • Military and Defense: Tungsten alloys are used in armor-piercing ammunition, missile components, and kinetic energy penetrators due to their high density and strength.
  • Aerospace: Its high-temperature resistance and strength are crucial for components in jet engines and rockets.
  • Electronics: Tungsten is found in semiconductors, electrical contacts, and touchscreens.

The urgency surrounding tungsten supply has been exacerbated by geopolitical factors. China currently controls more than 80% of global tungsten production, creating a significant dependency for industrial nations worldwide. This concentration of supply poses considerable risks to global manufacturing and defense sectors, propelling governments in the United States, Europe, and Australia to prioritize the identification and development of indigenous tungsten resources. The resulting competitive environment has driven prices to record highs, creating an opportune moment for companies like Larvotto to advance projects with significant tungsten potential.

The Hillgrove Project and Curry's Block Prospect

Larvotto Resources' Hillgrove Antimony-Gold Project is an established mining district in New South Wales, Australia, with a rich history of production dating back to the late 19th century. Historically, the project has been a notable producer of both gold and antimony. Curry’s Block, the specific focus of Larvotto's recent review, is strategically located approximately 4.5 kilometers north of the existing Hillgrove processing plant, offering the potential for future operational synergies and reduced infrastructure development costs.

The company's in-depth analysis of historical drilling data pertaining to Curry's Block has yielded highly encouraging findings. This review indicates the presence of a robust gold-tungsten-antimony system that extends for more than 1 kilometer in strike length and has been delineated to depths exceeding 140 meters. Crucially, the system remains open at depth and along strike, suggesting significant potential for further expansion through ongoing exploration.

Historical Data and Promising Intercepts

Previous investigations at Curry’s Block were conducted by Red River Resources between 2019 and 2021. Larvotto's current comprehensive review synthesizes and re-evaluates this historical data, confirming high-grade mineralized zones. Key historical downhole intercepts for gold, antimony, and tungsten mineralisation highlight the prospect's economic potential:

  • Drill-hole CUY009: Intersected 5 meters at an impressive 11.8 grams per tonne (g/t) gold equivalent from a depth of 144 meters. Within this broader interval, a high-grade zone of 2.9 meters at 19.5 g/t gold equivalent was identified, also from 144 meters. These "gold equivalent" figures represent a combined economic value derived from the gold, antimony, and tungsten content, providing a comprehensive metric for the mineralization's overall potential.
  • Drill-hole CUY007: Revealed 5 meters at 5.7 g/t gold equivalent from 27 meters. This intercept included an even richer section of 0.5 meters at 44.65 g/t gold equivalent, beginning at 27.6 meters. The proximity to surface of this high-grade zone could be particularly advantageous for future development scenarios.

These historical results define a coherent, high-grade polymetallic system that Larvotto Resources Managing Director, Ron Heeks, believes represents a compelling and underexplored opportunity. Heeks stated, "Historic drilling at Curry’s Block Mine highlights a compelling and under-explored gold–tungsten opportunity. The results define a coherent, high-grade tungsten system with associated gold and antimony that remains open at depth and along strike. With limited follow-up completed to date, Curry’s Block represents a highly attractive near mine growth opportunity. As tungsten is increasingly recognised as a critical metal amid tightening global supply it is trading at record high prices." His comments underscore the company's confidence in the prospect's potential and its strategic importance.

Operational Advancements and Future Outlook

Leveraging these encouraging findings and the current market dynamics, Larvotto is poised to initiate the first phase of modern follow-up exploration at Curry’s Block. The company has successfully secured all necessary approvals to commence diamond drilling shortly. This upcoming drilling program is expected to further delineate the extent and grade of the gold-tungsten-antimony system, providing critical data for future resource estimation and mine planning.

The focus on Curry’s Block also aligns with broader operational activities at the Hillgrove Gold-Antimony Project. In December 2025, Larvotto announced that PYBAR Mining Services had arrived on-site and commenced underground development at the Hillgrove project. This ongoing development work positions Larvotto to potentially expedite the integration of any new resources identified at Curry’s Block into the broader Hillgrove operational framework, leveraging existing infrastructure and processing capabilities.

For mining industry professionals and investors, Larvotto's accelerated push at Curry’s Block signifies several key developments. Firstly, it highlights the increasing industry focus on critical minerals beyond traditional base metals and precious metals. Secondly, it demonstrates the strategic value of re-evaluating historical projects through a modern lens, especially in areas with potential for critical mineral co-products. Lastly, it suggests that companies with diversified mineral portfolios, particularly those including critical minerals, are well-positioned to benefit from evolving geopolitical landscapes and commodity market shifts.

The future outlook for Curry’s Block and the broader Hillgrove Project appears promising. Successful delineation of a significant tungsten resource could elevate Larvotto Resources to a prominent position within the critical minerals sector, contributing to Western nations' efforts to diversify supply chains and reduce reliance on single-source suppliers. As diamond drilling commences and results emerge, the market will closely watch Larvotto's progress in unlocking the full potential of this under-explored gold-tungsten opportunity.