{
  "id": 6491036,
  "title": "Price booms for little-known critical mineral needed for solar panels",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/price-booms-for-little-known-critical-mineral-needed-for-solar-panels",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-09T22:59:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-10/antimony-critical-mineral-mine-opens-as-price-rises/107132402"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Antimony production has resumed at the Hillgrove mine, a Northern Tablelands site outside Armidale, New South Wales, after an absence of over a decade. This revival marks a significant development in the global commodities market, which is currently in search of the critical mineral required for various products, including solar panels and ammunition. Larvotto Resources, the entity that acquired the mine in 2023, anticipates supplying five thousand tonnes of antimony to the global market annually. The price of antimony has surged more than two-fold since then, currently standing at $US26,300 ($36,357) per tonne. This mine's reopening could potentially make Larvotto Resources the seventh largest supplier of antimony globally, excluding China, which currently dominates this market. Antimony, a metalloid with silvery-grey appearance, has been classified as a critical mineral due to its increasing demand and shortage in the international market. Its price has improved significantly compared to five years ago, significantly benefiting Larvotto Resources. The mine's reopening promises to deliver substantial investment and employment opportunities to the local area, with over 180 miners already employed at the site. The facility is projected to remain operational for a mine life of eight years, with plans for further development.",
  "summary": "Antimony production resumes at a Northern Tablelands mine site after more than a decade of the facility sitting idle.",
  "key_points": [
    "Antimony production resumes at Hillgrove mine after 10+ year hiatus",
    "Larvotto Resources aims to supply 5,000 tonnes of antimony annually",
    "Antimony price more than doubles to $26,300 per tonne"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}