Thiess Group companies awarded critical minerals contracts for Hillgrove Antimony-Gold Project

Underground mining services provider PYBAR, and mining engineering specialist MACA Interquip Mintrex, both part of the Thiess Group, have secured contracts with Larvotto Resources at the Hillgrove Antimony-Gold Project in New South Wales.

The PYBAR contract includes 20km of underground development over four years, providing a full-service mine development solution. The scope of work includes decline and lateral development, rehabilitation, ground support installation and haulage activities across the Hillgrove mine areas of Metz, Garibaldi and Clarks Gully underground zones.

MACA Interquip Mintrex (MIQM) has been awarded an engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) contract, which covers design, engineering, refurbishment and upgrades to the mine’s processing plant.

Thiess Group Executive Chair and CEO Michael Wright said: “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.

“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 budget.”
PYBAR General Manager James Glover said: “We are pleased to be working alongside Larvotto Resources on the Hillgrove Project, which will strengthen Australia’s critical minerals security. Our team is focused on safe, innovative and efficient delivery of quality outcomes.”

MIQM Managing Director Geoff Jones said: “We are looking forward to working with Larvotto to maximise the value of this strategically significant project, with a team now mobilised to the Hillgrove site undertaking 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.”

Larvotto Resources Managing Director Ron Heeks said: “We are delighted to formalise our partnership with PYBAR, a contractor with deep experience and a collaborative ethos that aligns with our values. This agreement positions Larvotto to deliver on our development schedule and bring Hillgrove into production as Australia’s next major antimony supplier in 2026.
“Larvotto continues to build a high-calibre team of partners at Hillgrove, following the appointment of MACA Interquip Mintrex (MIQM) for the EPCM contract to upgrade the processing plant. The proposed works under both contracts are expected to be complementary, helping to ensure our timeline to first production remains on track.”

Located near Armidale, the Hillgrove mine was a pioneer in early metals mining and is now preparing to restart, with redevelopment focused on efficient and sustainable production for the long term. The mine has potential to supply about 7% of global antimony demand, alongside its gold production.