Ventnor Resources Limited (ASX:VRX) has updated the market on its activities during the December quarter, with the company’s focus on its new Arrowsmith silica sands project 270km north of Perth. The company is seeing silica sand supply deficits in the Asia-Pacific region due to Asian regional governments acknowledging sand as a strategic resource. Asian demand is increasing for energy-saving double glazing and for applications within the expanding automobile industry in China and India.
On 12 October, Ventnor announced a new silica sand project at Arrowsmith, 270km north of Perth, WA.
Ventnor advised the market that Arrowsmith has the potential for significant silica sand resources which could address what is a dwindling sand supply in the Asia-Pacific region which is 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 glassmaking quality will have a low capital intensity, low technical risk and requiring no chemicals
