Since buying the Hillgrove mine in 2023 from an administrator of the previous owner which fell over after experiencing difficulties with another of its projects, Larvotto has enjoyed a stellar share price run, reaching a peak of 76.5c, representing a spectacular rise of 1218 per cent from its February low of 5.8c.

The move has come largely on the back of a decision in August by China - which produces almost 50 per cent of the world’s antimony - to immediately ban the export of the critical metal, amongst others.

Antimony prices have predicably taken off, running by more than 50 per cent to US$33,550 per tonne (A$50,800), giving Larvotto a huge boost to its early August prefeasibility study numbers.

The company had forecast an annual EBITDA of $93m for a seven-year mine life from the production of 41,000 ounces of gold and 5400 tonnes of antinomy per year using an uber-conservative US$2000 (A$3081) per ounce gold price and a US$15,000 (A$23,100) per tonne antimony price.

With gold sitting today at US$2636 (AU$4060) and antimony soaring, there is clearly plenty of scope to improve on the project’s future numbers.

Larvotto’s meteoric rise has also shone a light on the precarious nature of the market for antimony, which is primarily used in solar panels and in military applications.

As the demand for the metal rises, traditional suppliers such as China are finding it increasingly difficult to protect their manufacturers from shortages and have resorted to export bans.

The West, in turn, is faced with the prospect of an urgent scramble to find alternative sources. As is evident in a deal the company recently completed with the US Defense Industrial Base Consortium, Larvotto is suddenly looking like the cockerel of the show.

Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: mattbirney@bullsnbears.com.au