Ventnor Resources Ltd (ASX:VRX) has secured an option to acquire a potentially high-grade, high tonnage silica sand project near Muchea, 50 kilometres north of Perth in Western Australia.
READ: Ventnor Resources testing reveals high-value sand
The Muchea Silica Sand Project is strategically located adjacent to Brand Highway and a rail connection to Kwinana port for bulk handling.
Importantly, Ventnor has undertaken a due diligence review which confirmed the potential of the project.
Samples returned grades averaging +99.8% silicon dioxide
Ventnor’s initial due diligence has comprised the sampling of the site, drilling of 46 air core (AC) holes and a further 44 hand auger holes to obtain near surface samples.
Intitial results indicate a high purity silica sand project with samples returning +99.8% silicon dioxide over an area of more than 3,400 hectares.
In addition, a bulk sample of 250 kilograms has been dispatched to a specialist laboratory to finalise the recoveries of silica sand products and potential values.
Silica sand market fuelled by demand from the construction sector
Silica sand has supported human progress throughout history, being a key raw material in industrial development, especially in the glass, metal casting and ceramics industries.
Globally, silica sand is a strong growth mineral due to the demand by the construction sector, wherein its use in the manufacture of flat glass for windows is constant.
Greater growth is being felt in the Asian market, particularly China where there is a massive glass manufacturing expansion.
Muchea will complement Arrowsmith Silica Sand Project
Ventnor intends to take advantage of this environment with both the Muchea Silica Sand Project and the company’s existing and complementary Arrowsmith Silica Sand Project.
The company will acquire high resolution data to determine the topographic surface at the Muchea project to finalise accurate auger and AC drill hole collar coordinates.