VRX Silica Limited (ASX: VRX) presents the Activities Report for the June quarter 2021.
Permitting
The Company’s Arrowsmith North Silica Sand Project, located north of Perth, Western Australia, has moved to the next stage of the environmental approval process with the Environmental Protection Authority of Western Australia (EPA).
The EPA has informed the Company that it will assess the proposal under s39A(1) of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 at a Public Environmental Review (PER) level of assessment.
The Company has lodged an Environmental Scoping Document (ESD), which details the environmental studies that are required to inform the assessment of the project.
The following additional studies have been completed:
- Cultural and Heritage Assessment.
- Greenhouse Gas Emissions Estimate.
Additionally, a High-Level Air Quality Assessment study is in progress and these studies will be lodged with the EPA.
Preparation of the ESD is a fundamental step in the EPA administration procedures to inform the Environmental Impact Assessment of Arrowsmith North. The Company is confident the project has addressed the Environmental Principles, Factors and Objectives of the guidelines for assessment.
The comments will enable the Company to clarify the timeline to completion of the approvals process and development of the project.
Other government agencies will be restricted from approving any approvals related to the full development of the project until the EPA process is complete (noting exploration and investigations are not restricted).
The Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment (DAWE) has determined that the project will be assessed by accredited assessment under the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (WA) in the form of a PER with a four-week public review period which aligns with the EPA decision.
Grade Control
The Company completed its grade control program at Arrowsmith North in March 2021, drilling 130 holes for 1,459 metres, and all assay results and other determinations have now been received.
These results were in line with expectations and will allow the Company to update the Mineral Resource Estimate in the area covered by the drilling. The Company will then conduct a detailed review of the outlined production for the next 6 years with a detailed mining and processing schedule.
