Summary
- VRX Silica (ASX:VRX) has obtained Aboriginal heritage clearance for its proposed works on both Arrowsmith silica sand projects.
- The Company has received archaeological and ethnographic clearance for works over initial mining and key infrastructure areas.
- The Arrowsmith North Access Road, Production Area and Services Corridor are clear for the stated works to continue for ten years of production.
- The Arrowsmith Central Production Area and Infrastructure Areas have obtained clearance for five years of production.
- VRX Silica anticipates the grant of Mining Leases and Miscellaneous Licences for Arrowsmith North and Arrowsmith Central projects imminently.
Silica sand company VRX Silica Limited (ASX:VRX) has obtained Aboriginal heritage clearance for its proposed works on both Arrowsmith silica sand projects. The Company notified that it has received archaeological and ethnographic clearance for works over initial mining and key infrastructure areas.
VRX Silica recently conducted an Aboriginal heritage survey at both its Arrowsmith North and Central projects, located ~270km north of Perth, Western Australia. The survey was undertaken in October with YMAC (Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation) personnel and Amangu representatives of the Yamatji Nation over proposed initial mining and critical infrastructure areas.
The survey did not find any isolated artifacts or onerous heritage recommendations.
Archaeological and Ethnographic Clearance for Arrowsmith Projects
VRX Silica has received preliminary advice from YMAC, which confirms that the Arrowsmith North Access Road, Production Area and Services Corridor are clear for the stated works to continue for ten years of production. Moreover, the Arrowsmith Central Production Area and Infrastructure Areas have obtained clearance for five years of production.
The Aboriginal heritage clearance for VRX Silica’s proposed works on both the projects represents a significant step forward for the Company towards development of these projects. Besides, this clearance maintains the Company’s supportive and strong relationship and consultative approach with YMAC and the local Yamatji Nation people.
Grant of Mining Leases Expected Imminently
VRX Silica anticipates the grant of Mining Leases and Miscellaneous Licences for Arrowsmith North and Arrowsmith Central projects imminently.
On 23 October 2020, the Company notified about the receipt of notice from YMAC that definite registration of the Yamatji Nation Indigenous Land Use Agreement or ILUA was likely to occur on that day in accordance with the terms of the ILUA. The result of conclusive registration is that the Company’s Mining Lease applications for Arrowsmith Projects will be addressed under the ILUA terms.
The ILUA supersedes the negotiations held between the Company, the Southern Yamatji Working Group and YMAC over the terms of any native title project agreement for the Arrowsmith Projects.
The conclusive registration has cleared the pathway for the grant of Mining Leases and related Miscellaneous Licences for the Arrowsmith Projects, anticipated imminently. VRX Silica will now proceed in accordance with the terms of the ILU.
While native title approval for Arrowsmith projects is expected shortly, the environmental approval process for the grant of a Mining Permit is also progressing at a steady pace.
As a part of the environmental approval process, VRX Silica continued to compile necessary data in the September quarter to support referrals to the Federal Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment and the State Environmental Protection Authority. Importantly, the Company has received valuable feedback as to requirements for the referral.
All in all, VRX Silica is progressing actively towards the grant of native title and environmental approvals for its advanced Arrowsmith projects.
Significantly, the Company holds letters of intent and expressions of interest to purchase 1 million tonnes per year of Arrowsmith Central products and 1.5 million tonnes of Arrowsmith North products per year. VRX Silica expects further interest once these products are available to the market.
VRX Silica shares traded at $0.180 mid-day on 6 November 2020.
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