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RIU Roadshow to Deliver Steady News Flow

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THE CONFERENCE CALLER: Delegates attending the Sydney and Melbourne legs of the RIU Resources Investor Roadshow next week should anticipate a raft of news emanating from participating companies.

The Resources Roadhouse will be in attendance to keep a close eye on proceedings with a few companies already putting their hands up for attention.

VRX Silica (ASX: VRX) has had its patience rewarded with approval from the Western Australia Minister for the Environment for the development of the company’s Arrowsmith North silica sand project 270km north of Perth.

The company views the approval as a “significant milestone” in that it clears the pathway for it to finalise remaining approvals and permitting.

“We now look forward to maintaining engagement with all our Arrowsmith North stakeholders as we move towards commencement of construction followed by mining,” Bruce Maluish, VRX Silica managing director Bruce Maluish said.

“VRX is now actively focused on finalising infrastructure solutions for the project, binding offtake agreements and project finance, with a goal of first production in 2026.

Arrowsmith North is a high-quality silica sand operation that is anticipated to service the growing glass and foundry markets in Asia and underpin the establishment of a new long-life export industry in the Mid West region of WA.

Ballard Mining (ASX: BM1) will no doubt be eager to talk about a new gold discovery ithas made via exploration drilling program at it’s the company’s Mt Ida gold project located 540km northeast of Perth in the WA Goldfields region.

The company reported results from initial regional exploration drilling it claims to have identified a new gold discovery at the Neptune prospect.

Assays returned from Neptune include:

IDRD410
23 metres at 1.8 grams per tonne gold from 21m;

IDRD417
7m at 5.8g/t gold from 113m; and

IDRD408
7m at 1.7g/t gold from 48m.

Neptune is the first of 18 regional exploration prospects that were identified as part of the company’s recent IPO.

“This an exceptional start to our regional exploration program,” Ballard Mining managing director Paul Brennan said.

“The discovery has striking similarities to mineralisation at the Baldock deposit which opens up the entire Ballard Fault with the potential to host another Baldock scale deposit.”

 

To find out more about the RIU Resources Investor Roadshow CLICK HERE

 

 

VRX Silica Inks Farm-In and JV Agreement for Geothermal Exploration Permit

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THE BOURSE WHISPERER: VRX Silica (ASX: VRX) has entered into a Farm-In and Joint Venture Agreement with Hydro X Gen Pty Ltd (HXG) covering the company’s granted Geothermal Exploration Permit (GEP) at Dandaragan north of Perth in Western Australia.

VRX Silica believes in the potential of geothermal technology to produce long term dispatchable renewable energy for the Mid-West region, including the company’s Arrowsmith silica sand projects.

For its part, HXG is planning to conduct an initial public offering and list on the Australian Securities Exchange as Steam Resources Limited in 2024.

VRX announced granting of GEP 44 in July 2023, which consists of eight contiguous blocks covering an area that includes the Walyering gas field currently under development by EP447 Joint Venture between Strike Energy 55% and Talon Energy 45%.

The company sees the project offering the opportunity to work with these gas companies and use extensive historical and current data to explore potential geothermal power options.

At the time, VRX said it expected such power options would support its silica sand projects and long-term ambitions to produce glass in Western Australia.

“This geothermal exploration initiative was undertaken by VRX Silica to support our silica sand projects and long-term ambitions for the production of glass in Western Australia,” VRX Silica managing director Bruce Maluish said in the company’s ASX announcement.

“Geothermal energy is a reliable, long-term renewable energy source and we identified this opportunity for a new renewable energy industry in the Mid West.

“We are impressed by the credentials of Steam’s management team and look forward to working with them to realise the full potential of the Dandaragan geothermal project.

“In the meantime, VRX Silica continues work on the development of our silica sand projects at Arrowsmith, Muchea and Boyatup as we strive to become a leading supplier globally of high quality silica sand products.”

 

TO READ THE FULL ANNOUNCEMENT: CLICK HERE

 

VRX Silica Receives Arrowsmith North Environmental Approvals

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THE BOURSE WHISPERER: VRX Silica (ASX: VRX) has had the Environmental Review Document (ERD) for the company’s Arrowsmith North silica sand project in Western Australia accepted by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) for publication.

The document will now be subject to a four-week Public Environmental Review (PER), commencing on 19 June 2023 that includes a requirement for VRX to respond to all comments received.

The company explained this PER and response process is the final step before the Environmental Protection Authority of Western Australia (EPA) prepares an assessment report including recommendations to the WA Environment Minister on whether the proposal should be approved.

“We are delighted that the environmental approvals process has moved to this next important stage,” VRX Silica managing director Bruce Maluish said in the company’s ASX announcement.

“This is a significant milestone for the process.

“VRX has proposed a unique method for rehabilitation of the mined area that provides for the best possible outcome for regeneration of native vegetation.

“The ERD seeks approval for 30 years of mining.

“The development area has the potential to underpin a project lasting up to 60 years (subject to further approvals), underscoring the enormous economic contribution that could flow to the Irwin Shire in particular and Western Australia more broadly.

“VRX has engaged fully and openly with regulators at every stage of the approvals process and appreciates the thoroughness of the process.

“We also thank shareholders for their patience as we have worked on securing the key approvals for Arrowsmith North.”

 

TO READ THE FULL ANNOUNCEMENT: CLICK HERE

 

VRX Silica Reports Arrowsmith North Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve Update

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THE DRILL SERGEANT: VRX Silica (ASX: VRX) announced an update to the Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) and Ore Reserve Statement (ORS) for the company’s Arrowsmith North silica sand project, north of Perth in Western Australia.

VRX Silica reported a maiden Proved Ore Reserve of 9.2 million tonnes and updated total Ore Reserve of 221 million tonnes.

The updated Mineral Resource of 768 million tonnes at 98 per cent silica (SiO2), includes a Measured Resource of 10 million tonnes at 95.9 per cent SiO2.

The company explained the MRE update is based on an additional 130 close spaced grade control holes.

These holes were drilled as a pre-production activity to increase the resource confidence in the initial years of mining, and to produce a bulk sample for pilot scale metallurgical testwork and the generation of bulk samples for potential offtake partners.

“This updated Mineral Resource and Reserve is a culmination of significant metallurgical testwork and evaluation of the Resource to determine the premium products we can produce,” VRX Silica managing director Bruce Maluish said in the company’s ASX announcement.

“These products include sought after foundry sand as well as glassmaking sand suitable for flat glass, including automobile glass and also container glass.

“We have despatched large samples to a number of foundry and glassmaking companies in Korea, Japan and Taiwan for evaluation and subsequent discussions for offtake.”

 

TO READ THE FULL ANNOUNCEMENT: CLICK HERE

 

Web: www.vrxsilica.com.au

 

VRX Silica Receives EPA ESD Approval

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THE DRILL SERGEANT: VRX Silica (ASX: VRX) has received approval from the Environmental Protection Authority of Western Australia (EPA) for the Environmental Scoping Document (ESD) for proposed mining activities at the company’ 100 per cent-owned Arrowsmith North silica sand project in Western Australia.

VRX Silica labelled the EPA approval of the ESD as an important milestone in the environmental approvals process for Arrowsmith North being a precursor to the Environmental Review Document (ERD) that is required under the EPA’s public environmental review process.

The ESD approval provides VRX with an indicative timetable for full assessment acceptance by the EPA, with a final report for Ministerial environmental approval scheduled for December 2022.

The company indicated the indicative timetable enables it to plan and schedule key development activities for Arrowsmith North including financing, capital investment (in particular, for long-lead items) and construction.

“EPA approval of our Environmental Scoping Document is the culmination of many months of hard work by both VRX and the EPA and we look forward to continued collaboration as we progress the development of the Arrowsmith North silica sand project,” VRX Silica managing director Bruce Maluish said in the company’s ASX announcement.

“The ESD provides the scope of studies required for the next stage of the approvals process, the Environmental Review Document, the draft of which is well advanced, and gives us clarity on the pathway forward to full approval and development of Arrowsmith North.

“Arrowsmith North is the first of our three high-quality, world-scale projects and the most advanced pure silica sand development opportunity in Western Australia.

“I am confident the lessons from this approvals process will assist VRX as we progress approvals and development of the Arrowsmith Central and Muchea silica sand projects.

“Based on the indicative timetable now available to the company, VRX expects to begin Arrowsmith North’s six-month construction period in January 2023.”

 

TO READ THE FULL ANNOUNCEMENT: CLICK HERE

 

Email: info@vrxsilica.com.au

 

Web: www.vrxsilica.com.au

 

VRX Silica Strikes South Korea Offtake Deal

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THE BOURSE WHISPERER: VRX Silica (ASX: VRX) has struck an offtake term sheet for the supply of silica sand from the company’s Arrowsmith North silica sand project in Western Australia.

VRX Silica will supply silica sand into the foundry industry in the Republic of Korea (South Korea) to offtake partners, Dong A Heung Eop Mining Co., Ltd (Dong A) and DongNam Corporation (DongNam).

The companies are leading suppliers of sand to the foundry industry in South Korea.

Dong A is based in Busan and has been an established South Korean supplier of foundry and resin coated sand (RCS) to the foundry industry since 1965.

DongNam, established in 1965, is a supplier of RCS and cast alloy products to Hyundai Motors.

The term sheet sets out detailed terms and conditions for the supply of an aggregate 200,000 tonnes per annum of AFS55 certified foundry sand for a period of four years, with volume to be split between Dong A and DongNam.

“The term sheet is a major milestone in the journey to develop our high-quality WA silica sand projects,” VRX Silica managing director Bruce Maluish said in the company’s ASX announcement.

“We are delighted with the calibre of our first offtake partners Dong A and DongNam, given their significant industry experience and high standing in the foundry industry in South Korea.

“Both companies have shown confidence in the quality of our foundry sand product from Arrowsmith North and are very keen to convert this term sheet into a secure, long-term supply agreement.

“The South Korean foundry industry is an extensive support service for the automobile and marine industries.

“VRX’s engagement with Dong A and DongNam will expand awareness of the quality of our product in this large and important Asian market and likely lead to further inquiries from parties keen to secure supplies of Arrowsmith North silica sand.

“Importantly, this maiden term sheet vindicates VRX’s strategy to take our time to ensure production of a highly sought-after product and to secure the right customers for our silica sand.

“Market demand for the high-quality foundry sand we can produce remains very strong and, having signed up two reputable partners, will only further strengthen our credibility and position in the marketplace.

“We acknowledge that this process has taken much longer than expected and thank our shareholders for their support and patience.

“Our focus now is on converting the term sheet with Dong A and DongNam into a binding offtake agreement while progressing talks with other parties involved in the foundry sand and glass-making industries.”

 

 

TO READ THE FULL ANNOUNCEMENT: CLICK HERE

 

Email: info@vrxsilica.com.au

 

Web: www.vrxsilica.com.au

 

 

VRX Silica Prepares for Arrowsmith North Grade Control Drilling

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THE DRILL SERGEANT: VRX Silica (ASX: VRX) is gearing up for a 130-hole grade control drill program at the company’s Arrowsmith North silica sand project north of Perth in Western Australia.

VRX Silica explained the grade control area to be drilled is wholly within the project’s previously reported Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) of 771 million tonnes at 98 per cent silica and represents approximately 11.3 million tonnes of indicated and inferred resource.

“The drilling of tight spaced grade control holes at Arrowsmith North is another key pre-production activity being undertaken as we prepare for the commencement of mining,” VRX Silica managing director Bruce Maluish said in the company’s ASX announcement.

“The area being grade control drilled is where we are planning to mine for the first 6 to 10 years.”

VRX anticipates the drilling to generate tonnage of additional raw material sufficient for it 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.

The drilling should also generate additional commercial sample for despatch to potential offtake partners as demand for VRX’s silica sand continues to grow.

“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,” Maluish continued.

“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.”

 

TO READ THE FULL ANNOUNCEMENT: CLICK HERE

 

Email: info@vrxsilica.com.au

 

Web: www.vrxsilica.com.au

 

 

VRX Silica Granted Arrowsmith Mining Leases

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THE BOURSE WHISPERER: VRX Silica (ASX: VRX) has had Mining Leases granted for the company’s Arrowsmith North and Arrowsmith Central silica sand projects, located north of Perth in Western Australia.

VRX Silica has completed studies on the projects that demonstrate combined 3600-hectare Mining Lease areas can support over 100 years of production.

The Arrowsmith North Mining Lease area contains Probable Ore Reserves of 204 million tonnes at 99.7 per cent silicon dioxide (SiO2).

The Arrowsmith Central Mining Lease area contains Probable Ore Reserves of 18.7 million tonnes at 99.6 per cent SiO2.

“The grant of Mining Leases for our Arrowsmith Silica Sand Projects is another significant milestone for VRX Silica, hot off the heels of the Mining Lease granted for our Muchea Silica Sand Project,” VRX Silica managing director Bruce Maluish said in the company’s ASX announcement.

“As for Muchea, there is strong demand for Arrowsmith sand and we will now look to finalise sales contracts for high-quality silica sand products and secure the necessary funding for the development of these projects.

“All three projects have outstanding economic prospects and will support a substantial export industry in Western Australia providing significant financial and employment benefits to the State.

“With all three Mining Leases granted and development of our projects on-track, VRX Silica is truly a global player in high-quality silica sand supplies.”

 

TO READ THE FULL ANNOUNCEMENT: CLICK HERE

 

Email: info@vrxsilica.com.au

 

Web: www.vrxsilica.com.au

 

VRX Silica to Divest Biranup Nickel-Gold Project

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THE BOURSE WHISPERER: VRX Silica (ASX: VRX) has entered into a conditional agreement for the sale of its wholly-owned subsidiary company Ventnor Gold Pty Ltd, owner of the Biranup nickel and gold project in Western Australia.

VRX Silica reached the agreement with New Energy Metals Limited (NRG), an unlisted public company that is planning an Initial Public Offering (IPO) and subsequent ASX-listing later this year.

New Energy Metals is a nickel sulphide focused exploration company with exposure to the Albany Fraser Oregen and South West Yilgarn of WA with a proprietary nickel sulphide prospectivity database to generate further projects.

VRX Silica indicated that New Energy Metals will prioritise applications in the IPO from VRX Silica shareholders.

“We are delighted to have reached agreement with NRG on the terms for the sale of the Biranup project which will enable VRX Silica to share in any future exploration success,” VRX Silica managing director Bruce Maluish said in the company’s announcement to the Australian Securities Exchange.

“The Biranup project tenements have an extensive and comprehensive exploration data base that we have assembled and this will be a great starting point for NRG.

“This is an ideal outcome for VRX Silica and its shareholders as it will allow us to focus on the company’s stated aim of becoming a global supplier of high-quality silica sand.”

TO READ THE ANNOUNCEMENT IN FULL: CLICK HERE

 

Email: info@vrxsilica.com.au

 

Web: www.vrxsilica.com.au

 

 

Bruce Maluish: VRX Silica

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THE CONFERENCE CALLER: The Resources Roadhouse spoke with VRX Silica managning director Bruce Maluish about the company’s recent happenings.

 

BRUCE MALUISH managing director VRX Silica (ASX: VRX)