Core Viewpoint - Larvotto Resources has appointed PYBAR Mining Services as the underground development contractor for the Hillgrove antimony-gold project, marking a significant step towards resuming mining activities set to begin in Q4 2025 [1][2][5]. Group 1: Contract Details - The contract with PYBAR involves approximately 20km of new underground development over four years, with an option for extension [1]. - PYBAR will handle decline and lateral development, rehabilitation, ground support installation, and haulage services across the Metz, Garibaldi, and Clarks Gully underground areas [2]. Group 2: Project Output and Impact - The Hillgrove project is expected to produce around 40,500 ounces of gold and approximately 14,000 tonnes of antimony concentrate annually, translating to about 5,000 tonnes of antimony metal per year [3]. - This output is projected to account for up to 7% of the global antimony supply [3]. Group 3: Financial and Operational Context - Larvotto has secured funding through a A$70 million equity raise and a $105 million senior secured bond issue, fully covering capital expenditure and working capital needs for Hillgrove's development [4]. - The underground development contract is part of Larvotto's broader efforts to upgrade its construction and processing plant under a separate EPCM agreement with MIQM [4][6].

Core Insights - Locksley Resources is advancing its metallurgical test work program at the Desert Antimony Mine (DAM) Prospect, achieving concentrate grades significantly higher than comparable American projects [1][4]. Group 1: Metallurgical Test Results - Early results indicate a high-grade final flotation concentrate of 68.1% antimony from initial tests, exceeding the marketable sales requirement of 55% [2][3]. - The achieved concentrate is 95% of the technical maximum stibnite grade of 71.68%, with minimal impurities [2]. Group 2: Future Plans and Collaborations - Minimal flowsheet development is expected to maximize both grade and recovery, with plans to collect a bulk sample from underground workings for further testing and production of antimony ingot [3]. - Locksley Resources has a strategic collaboration with Rice University to develop DeepSolv™ for domestic processing of North American antimony, which is part of its U.S. Critical Minerals and Energy Resilience Strategy [5]. Group 3: Strategic Alignment - The high purity levels of antimony concentrate are aligned with U.S. government priorities for critical minerals, particularly for applications in munitions, semiconductors, and energy systems [4]. - Locksley Resources' strategy is in line with the U.S. government's "Made in America" initiative for critical minerals [4].