VRX Silica (ASX: VRX) itoday announced a 130-hole grade control drill program to commence later this month at its Arrowsmith North silica sand project, located approximately 270km north of Perth, Western Australia.
HIGHLIGHTS:
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130 hole control aircore drill program at the Arrowsmith North Silica Sand Project.
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Targeting 10-12 million tonnes to Proven Reserve.
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6 to 10-year production.
The grade control area is wholly within the previously reported Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) of 771 Mt @ 98% SiO2 1 and represents approximately 11.3Mt of indicated and inferred resource.
Drilling is expected to take 10 days with assay results to follow in late May 2021. This close spaced drilling campaign is anticipated to upgrade the MRE in the area drilled to a Measured Resource and Proven Reserve and confirm the continuity and homogeneity that has been demonstrated by previous drilling.
VRX’s Managing Director Bruce Maluish said:
“The drilling of tight spaced grade control holes at Arrowsmith North is another key preproduction activity being undertaken as we prepare for the commencement of mining. The area being grade control drilled is where we are planning to mine for the first 6-10 years.”
The drilling will also generate a significant tonnage of additional raw material for VRX to conduct supplementary metallurgical test work to fine tune the design and operating parameters of the process plant and for approvals required by Mid West Ports for the shipping of silica sand under its environmental licence with the Department of Water and Environment Regulation. Importantly, the drilling will also generate additional commercial sample for despatch to potential offtake partners as demand for VRX’s silica sand continues to grow.
Mr Maluish commented,
“Sources of supply of quality silica sand throughout the Asian region are shrinking at a rapid rate, and this has led to tremendous interest for VRX’s silica sand from potential customers who are acutely aware of the supply problem.
“We are well-positioned to fill this demand and, as we develop our silica sand projects, remain focussed on delivering long term offtake partnerships with significant participants in the Asian market.”
