About silica sand
Silica sand is used extensively in the modern world.
One of the most common uses of silica sand is as the primary component in all types of glass manufacturing; silica sand can be used to produce flat glass for buildings and vehicles, container glass for food and beverages and as specialty glass for photovoltaic cells and mobile phones, as well as high-capacity lithium-ion (Li-ion or LIB) rechargeable batteries.
The many other uses of sand include:
- in the foundry industry where it is used in casting engine blocks and small domestic items such as sink faucets;
- ceramics;
- paint and coatings;
- metallurgical uses;
- chemical production;
- oil and gas recovery;
- filtration and water production; and,
- construction sand.
Silica sand is also a critical component in the production of concrete. The universal use of concrete across the world has seen an increasing demand for the product, and a dwindling supply.
The opportunity for VRX Silica
The Asia-Pacific region accounts for 47% of global demand for silica sand and is predicted to grow by 6.1% to 138 million metric tonnes in 2019.
The strategic acquisition of the Arrowsmith and Muchea projects will give VRX Silica the opportunity to become a leading producer and supplier of high-grade silica sand to the Asian market.
Preliminary testwork on the Arrowsmith Project indicated substantial potential for silica sand suitable for both glass-making and construction sand, which are in increasing demand in countries such as China, India and Vietnam, where there is a rapidly growing construction industry.
