VRX Silica has secured works approval from the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) for its Arrowsmith North Silica Sand Project in Western Australia.

Located 270km north of Perth, Arrowsmith North is home to a high-quality silica sand deposit. The project aims to serve the foundry, container glass and flat-glass markets in Asia.

The works approval follows the project's environmental and mining proposal consents received last month and allows for construction to commence, as well as operations at the processing plant and related infrastructure.

Under the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (EP Act), this approval is mandatory before the construction of prescribed premises and to prevent unlawful emissions or discharges.

Arrowsmith North's works approval comes with conditions designed to mitigate environmental impacts, which were previously agreed upon by VRX. The company is targeting first production in the second half of 2026.

VRX managing director Bruce Maluish said: “We are pleased to have received works approval for Arrowsmith North so soon after receiving State environmental approval. This is yet another significant milestone for VRX and the development of Arrowsmith North as we move towards production.”

According to the project’s updated bankable feasibility study released in March 2024, Arrowsmith North features a proved and probable ore reserve of 221 million tonnes (mt) at 99.5% silicon dioxide.

VRX plans to scale production from approximately one million tonnes per annum (mtpa) to more than two 2mtpa.

The company is now focused on securing the remaining approvals and permits, finalising binding offtake agreements, and establishing project infrastructure, mining services, power supply, construction contracts and project finance.