VRX Silica (ASX: VRX) has provided an update on its application for environmental approval at its Arrowsmith North silica sand project, 270km north of Perth, Western Australia.
On 9 June 2023, VRX announced that the environmental review document for the Arrowsmith North proposal had been accepted by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) for publication and a four-week public environmental review. The public review period closed on 16 July 2023. On 7 September 2023, DWER provided VRX with a summary of the public submissions received during that period.
In a significant step forward, VRX has now lodged its response to those public submissions for consideration by the Environmental Protection Authority of Western Australia. The EPA will now consider those responses and, subject to further consultation with the company, will prepare an assessment report for the Western Australian Environment Minister in respect of the Arrowsmith North proposal.
Environmental approval for Arrowsmith North is crucial and linked to VRX’s ability to secure other necessary approvals for mining. This is yet another significant step in Arrowsmith North’s approvals process.
“We are pleased to have progressed to the next stage of the environmental approvals process for Arrowsmith North and appreciate the public interest in the proposal,” VRX managing director Bruce Maluish said.
“The submissions received during the public review period were reflective of that interest.
“The proposal has the potential to underpin a project lasting many decades and underscores the enormous economic contribution that could flow to the Irwin Shire in particular and Western Australia more broadly.
“We again thank shareholders for their continued patience as we have worked on securing the key approvals for Arrowsmith North.”
