Geothermal Exploration Permit Granted at Dandaragan WA
ASX Announcement
28 July 2023
VRX Silica Granted Geothermal Exploration Permit
at Dandaragan, WA
Highlights:
Potential renewable energy to power VRX Silica’s
Mid-West silica sand projects
Potential for green hydrogen production for glass
manufacturing
ASX: VRX
Capital Structure
Shares on Issue:
560.4 million
Unlisted Options:
48.5 million
Corporate Directory
VRX Silica Limited (VRX Silica or Company) (ASX: VRX) is
pleased to announce it has been granted Geothermal
Exploration Permit (GEP) GEP 44 consisting of 8 blocks at
Dandaragan, 145km north of Perth, Western Australia.
Geothermal technology has the potential to produce long term
dispatchable renewable energy for the Mid-West region,
including VRX Silica’s Arrowsmith Silica Sand Projects, as
well as green hydrogen for the manufacture of glass.
The Dandaragan GEP area includes the Walyering gas field
currently under development by EP447 Joint Venture
between Strike Energy 55% and Talon Energy 45%.
The grant presents an opportunity to work with these
companies to use extensive historical and current data to
explore for potential geothermal power options.
VRX Silica Managing Director Bruce Maluish said:
“This initiative was undertaken by VRX Silica to support our
silica sand projects and long-term ambitions for the
production of glass in Western Australia.
“Geothermal energy is a reliable, long-term renewable energy
source with the ability to power our silica sand projects and
provide base-load renewable generation to backstop variable
renewable sources, such as wind and solar.
The grant follows the acreage release nomination VRX Silica
lodged in December 2021 and subsequent GEP application
in April 2022 with the Department of Mines Industry
Regulation (DMIRS).
VRX Silica has another two GEP Applications in the Mid-West
currently under consideration.
The Company is actively engaging with potential partners with
the relevant industry experience and capability for the
development of this project.
Paul Boyatzis
Non-Executive Chairman
Bruce Maluish
Managing Director
Peter Pawlowitsch
Non-Executive Director
David Welch
Non-Executive Director
Ian Hobson
Company Secretary
Silica Sand Projects
Arrowsmith Silica Sand
Projects, 270km north of
Perth, WA.
Muchea Silica Sand
Project, 50km north of
Perth, WA.
Boyatup Silica Sand
Project, 100km east of
Esperance, WA.
Geothermal Energy
Dandaragan Geothermal
Energy Permit, 145km
north of Perth, WA
The Company is actively
assessing other silica sand
projects in Australia.
Detailed Information
In December 2021, VRX Silica lodged an Acreage Release nomination with DMIRS for
specified areas in the Mid-West to be included in a geothermal acreage release. In January
2022 DMIRS released 21 areas in Western Australia for applications for GEPs with a closing
date for applications of 21 April 2022.
GEPs are administered by DMIRS under the Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Resources
Act 1967 with areas released as a Discrete Area Release. Successful applications are
determined through a competitive bidding system. VRX Silica has made application for three
GEPs and has been notified the other two permits are progressing through a section 69A
PGERA consultation phase. There is no timeline for this process.
GEP 44 has been denoted as the Dandaragan Geothermal Project. Figure 1 shows the location
and Error! Reference source not found. provides details of the GEP.
Figure 1: Dandaragan Geothermal Exploration Permit Location
GEP
Holders
Grant Date
Term
5l Blocks
GEP 44
VRX Silica Ltd
27 July 2023
Six (6) years
8
Table 1: VRX Silica Geothermal Exploration Permit
This announcement has been authorised for release to ASX by the Managing Director,
Bruce Maluish.
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About VRX Silica Limited
VRX Silica Limited (ASX: VRX) is the most advanced pureplay silica sand company listed on the
ASX, developing its 100% owned silica sand projects at Arrowsmith (North, Brand and Central),
Muchea and Boyatup in Western Australia.
Silica sand is the most used commodity
on the planet after air and water. It is
the main ingredient in all types of
glassmaking, including specialty solar
panel and high-tech glass, and foundry
casting. It is a finite resource that is
running out, with the Asia-Pacific
region experiencing an ever-growing
supply shortfall that is driving up prices.
Arrowsmith is located 270km north of
Perth. Arrowsmith North boasts a
minimum 25-year mine life capable of
producing more than 2Mt tonnes per
year of high-grade (99.7% SiO2)* silica
sand for export to the foundry,
container glass and flat glass markets
in Asia, with permitting well advanced,
and will lead production.
Muchea, located 50km north of Perth,
is an ultra-high-grade (99.9% SiO2)*
silica sand project capable of producing
sand required for ultra-clear glass for
solar panels and other high-tech glass
applications.
Boyatup, located 100km east of
Esperance, is under
development and capable of producing
sand for the glass market.
*Information relating to grades are extracted from releases to ASX on 28 August 2019 and 11 November 2022
(Arrowsmith North) and 18 October 2019 (Muchea). The company is not aware of any new information or data that
materially affects this information.
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