Arrowsmith North Set to Produce Over 2Mtpa of High-Purity Silica Sand
VRX Silica Limited has obtained crucial works approval for its Arrowsmith North Silica Sand Project, paving the way for construction and operation ahead of targeted production in late 2026.
- Works approval granted by Department of Water and Environmental Regulation
- Follows recent environmental and mining approvals
- JORC-compliant reserve of 221Mt at 99.5% silica purity
- Plans to ramp up production from ~1Mtpa to over 2Mtpa
- Target markets include foundry and glass sectors in Asia
Regulatory Milestone Achieved
VRX Silica Limited has reached a significant regulatory milestone with the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) granting works approval for its 100% owned Arrowsmith North Silica Sand Project in Western Australia. This approval authorizes the construction and operation of the processing plant and associated infrastructure, a critical step following the recent environmental and mining approvals secured earlier this year.
Project Scale and Quality
Arrowsmith North hosts a globally significant deposit of high-purity silica sand, boasting a JORC-compliant Proved and Probable Ore Reserve of 221 million tonnes at 99.5% silica dioxide content. The project is designed to ramp up production from approximately 1 million tonnes per annum to over 2 million tonnes per annum, targeting long-term supply for the foundry, container glass, and flat glass markets across Asia. Extensive testing has confirmed the sand’s suitability for these demanding applications.
Market Context and Demand Drivers
The global silica sand market is experiencing robust growth, particularly driven by Asia’s expanding construction and automotive glass sectors. The foundry industry is also growing, fueled by demand in established markets such as South Korea, Japan, and China, as well as emerging markets like Thailand and India. With diminishing silica sand supplies across Asia, Arrowsmith North is well positioned to fill a critical supply gap.
Next Steps and Development Outlook
VRX is actively progressing remaining approvals, binding offtake agreements, infrastructure contracts, and project financing arrangements. The company aims to commence first production in the second half of 2026. The project is expected to generate significant economic benefits for Western Australia’s Mid West region, including long-term employment and royalties, supported by strong stakeholder engagement from Indigenous groups, local governments, and industry bodies.
Strategic Positioning
As Australia remains the largest silica sand exporter in the Asia-Pacific, VRX’s advancement of Arrowsmith North reinforces its position as a leading pure-play silica sand developer. The company’s portfolio also includes other promising projects such as Muchea and Boyatup, targeting specialty and high-tech glass markets, further diversifying its growth potential.
Bottom Line?
With works approval secured, VRX Silica is poised to transform Arrowsmith North from a promising resource into a key supplier amid tightening global silica sand markets.
Questions in the middle?
- When will VRX finalize binding offtake agreements and project financing?
- How quickly can production ramp up beyond initial 1Mtpa targets?
- What infrastructure and logistics partnerships will be critical for export success?
