- Potential for significant silica sand resources
- Asian supply deficit predicted in near term for silica sand
- Growing demand for glass manufacturing, concrete and tech metals
- Unique logistics solution with rail transecting the project area
Ventnor Resources Ltd (Ventnor) (ASX: VRX) announces a new silica sand project at Arrowsmith, 270km north of Perth, WA.
During the June quarter Ventnor applied for three Exploration Licenses totaling 350 km2 holding significant sand prospects.
Arrowsmith could address dwindling sand supply in the Asia-Pacific region used in glass manufacturing, concrete construction and as a tech metal.
Supply deficits are due to Asian regional governments acknowledging sand as a strategic resource. Prior mining activities such as river dredging have caused environmental damage. Coastal developments are increasing, reducing access to resources, as is social pressure on often illegal sand mining operations.
Asian demand is increasing for energy-saving double glazing and for applications within the expanding automobile industry in China and India.
Demand is increasing for high purity silica sand in the production of Photo Voltaic panels and Silicon-Metal composite material for high capacity Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries.
Demand for sand in current burgeoning infrastructure-construction programs utilising concrete in Asia – particularly China, India and Vietnam – has put pressure on suppliers and consequently, on prices.
Preliminary reconnaissance work on the Arrowsmith Project indicates substantial potential for sand resources suitable for both glass making and construction.
Arrowsmith is traversed by the Eneabba-Geraldton rail line, which provides direct access to the ship-loading facilities at the Geraldton Port facilitating a unique logistics solution.
EL applications predominantly cover Vacant Crown Land, are extensively covered by cleared tracks from historic oil exploration seismic surveys, and easily accessed by the adjacent Brand Highway.
The area potentially has low environmental impact mining propositions; rehabilitation techniques are well established in the industry.
Preliminary assays and testwork indicate that processing to upgrade the silica to glass- making quality will have a low capital intensity, low technical risk and requiring no chemicals.
