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VRX Silica improves silica gradings to 99.9% at Muchea-Arrowsmith portfolio

Last updated: 00:25 26 Feb 2019 GMT, First published: 08:45 25 Feb 2019 GMT

VRX's latest test work has enabled a circuit design to be finalised for a sand processing plant
VRX's latest tests have enabled a circuit design to be finalised for a sand processing plant

VRX Silica Ltd (ASX:VRX) has achieved improved results from test work at its Muchea and Arrowsmith silica sand projects north of Perth in Western Australia, unveiling grades of up to 99.9% silica.

The best result from the latest round of test work for the project was achieved for Muchea project, 50 kilometres from Perth.

Iron (III) oxide levels were less than 80ppm for the sample that delivered a 99.9% silica grading.

READ: VRX Silica lodges final silica sand mining lease application for Arrowsmith Central

Muchea Silica Sand Project has a total indicated and inferred resource of 191 million tonnes at 99.6% silica.

The December mineral resource estimate prepared by CSA Global includes an indicated resource of 19 million tonnes at 99.7% silica.

VRX’s Arrowsmith Silica Sand Project, 270 kilometres north of Perth, consists of Arrowsmith North and Arrowsmith Central and has a 28-million-tonne inferred resource grading 97.7% silica.

Improved test work for Arrowsmith posted today included a 99.7% silica result for Arrowsmith North and 99.6% result for Arrowsmith Central.

Arrowsmith and Muchea projects have mining lease applications pending.

READ: VRX Silica eyes resource expansion for silica sand portfolio in Western Australia

VRX, which changed its name from Ventnor Resources Ltd (ASX:VRX) in December, has also expanded its product catalogue with its latest efforts.

The company’s catalogue now includes high-grade products for ultra-clear glass from Muchea; glassmaking products from Arrowsmith and Muchea; and foundry sand products from Arrowsmith.

VRX managing director Bruce Maluish said: “The results from this test work are a culmination of three iterations during the past year to both determine the optimum products from each of the projects and to contribute to the final circuit design.

“There are two products from each of Arrowsmith and Muchea for the glassmaking industry, and four products from Arrowsmith for the foundry industry.”

VRX has also established a preferred circuit design.

The company hopes process plant engineering efforts will be completed next month as it works with CSA Global.

VRX also hopes to start infill drilling in March.

READ: VRX Silica acquires Boyatup project to complement its substantial silica sand portfolio

West Perth-based VRX picked up another WA project earlier this month to complement its existing offerings.

The Boyatup Silica Sand Project is southeast of Perth and 100 kilometres east of the port town of Esperance.

During a September land survey, VRX personnel found similarities to their Arrowsmith and Muchea tenements, noting Boyatup’s vegetation was low banksia heath that showed pervasive sand coverage over a possible laterite layer.

VRX’s drill program at Boyatup will test a 4,900-hectare area in the centre of the tenement to judge sand coverage and collect bulk test work samples.

The new project has a total expanse of 105.7 square kilometres.