VRX Silica (ASX: VRX) has received a significant boost for its flagship Arrowsmith North Silica Sand Project, following confirmation from Western Australia’s Minister for the Environment, the Hon Matthew Swinbourn MLC, that the Environmental Protection Authority’s (EPA) assessment of the project was adequate and that no further assessment is required.
The Minister’s determination follows an appeal lodged in late January against the EPA’s earlier report and recommendations, which supported conditional implementation of the Arrowsmith North development.
The Office of the Appeals Convenor (OAC) investigated the appeal, submitting its findings to the Minister in early May.
After considering submissions from the appellant, VRX, the EPA, and advice from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, the Minister allowed the appeal in part, accepting the OAC’s recommendations to amend conditions related to dieback management — a change VRX had already agreed to implement.
This decision is final and cannot be appealed, marking a pivotal milestone in the environmental approvals process as VRX moves closer to developing the project, located 270km north of Perth.
The Arrowsmith North deposit is globally significant, containing a JORC Proved and Probable Ore Reserve of 221 million tonnes at 99.5 per cent SiO₂, and is expected to produce over 2 million tonnes per annum of high-quality silica sand for the foundry, container glass, and flat-glass markets in Asia.
With environmental and mining approvals now well advanced, VRX is targeting the commencement of production in late 2025.
The Minister’s positive determination clears a major regulatory hurdle and positions Arrowsmith North as a key supplier to rapidly growing international silica sand markets.
