29/05/2026
Larvotto’s Regional Exploration Facility (REF) has been operational since early 2025, contributing to building our presence in Armidale and supporting local employment and technical capability.
Regional Exploration Manager, Matthew Peacock, is in charge at the REF, with 20 employees working at the facility, including 3 undergraduate geology students from the University of New England, AU.
The facility supports Larvotto’s ongoing exploration programs across the broader Hillgrove regional tenure package. It also houses the advanced ECORE scanner supplied by AXT and ELEMISSION, which provides rapid assessment of drill core to support geological interpretation, identification of mineralisation and processing characteristics for the Hillgrove plant.
As part of Larvotto’s commitment to long-term training and education opportunities, the REF regularly hosts geology students from UNE, providing exposure to Hillgrove’s geology and exploration programs, real-life experience of their course content and showcasing the ECORE scanning facilities.
Matt Peacock commented, ‘The Regional Exploration Facility is an important part of the exploration management at Hillgrove where our team of geologists and skilled technicians process and evaluate the drilling samples before sending them off for laboratory analysis. It is a really close team working together and we enjoy being part of Larvotto’s long-term commitment to the New England region by providing opportunities for students and helping establish Armidale as a growing regional hub for technical mining and exploration capability.
Armidale Regional Council Hillgrove and surrounding Community.