Mining

VRX Silica moves forward on environmental approvals for Arrowsmith North project

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By Imelda Cotton - 
VRX Silica ASX environmental approvals Arrowsmith North project Western Australia government EPA protection authority

由于对VRX拟议的二氧化硅产品有“难以置信的强烈”兴趣,该公司将把样品发送给潜在的合作伙伴进行评估。

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A mining proposal lodged with the Government of Western Australia by VRX Silica (ASX: VRX) for its flagship Arrowsmith North silica sand project has moved through to public environmental review stage.

The state’s Environmental Protection Authority has confirmed it will leave the proposal open to review for one month from mid-May, during which time other government agencies will be restricted from proceeding with any approvals related to full development of the project, which is 270km north of Perth.

VRX is currently preparing an environmental scoping document (ESD) outlining the studies required to enable the project’s assessment.

The studies will include cultural and heritage analyses, greenhouse gas estimates and high-level air quality evaluations, and are scheduled to be finalised before the end of the public review period.

VRX managing director Bruce Maluish said preparation of the ESD is a fundamental step in the environmental impact assessment of Arrowsmith North.

“We are confident this project has addressed the environmental principles, factors and objectives of the guidelines for assessment,” he said.

Mr Maluish said the public review period would allow the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment to set its level of assessment to align with the EPA’s decision.

“This is consistent with our expectations to date on process and timing for environmental approval at Arrowsmith North,” he said.

Grade control

In March, VRX completed a 10-day grade control program at Arrowsmith North, drilling 130 holes for 1,459m.

The results will allow an update of the project’s mineral resource estimate for the area covered by drilling and will be followed by a review of production and processing plans for the first six years of operation.

Engineering design

Bunbury-based project management company ProjX Pty Ltd has been appointed to carry out detailed engineering design for the Arrowsmith processing plant, based on recent testwork results and a proposed process circuit.

ProjX will prepare a detailed cost estimate and schedule for the construction of the plant, incorporating operational equipment, materials handling equipment and piping and instrumentation systems.

Port discussions

VRX continues its discussions with the Mid West Ports Authority (operator of the nearby Geraldton Port) regarding logistics and access to facilities for the export of its silica sand product.

Mr Maluish said the outcome “has been positive” as the company looks to secure a long-term relationship with the port authority.

It has also commenced testwork on Arrowsmith’s silica sand final product which is required for licencing conditions relating to shipping from Geraldton Port.

Demand for Arrowsmith’s concentrate remains “incredibly strong” and has led to VRX commencing pilot plant-scale ore testwork to produce sample sizes of up to 60kg for testing by potential partners in South Korea, Japan and Taiwan.