VRX Silica Achieves Key Milestone with EPA Acceptance for Arrowsmith North

Project Approval Progress

VRX Silica Limited has announced a pivotal development in its Arrowsmith North Silica Sand Project. The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) of Western Australia has accepted the company's Response to Submissions (RtS), moving the project closer to obtaining full environmental approval.

This acceptance signifies that the EPA will now proceed with a formal assessment of the project. The process includes statutory timeframes, providing VRX with a clearer timeline for approval outcomes. This milestone is part of a lengthy series of studies and reviews that VRX has undertaken to ensure the project's compliance with environmental standards.

Next Steps in the Approval Process

VRX has been invited to an EPA Board meeting scheduled for later this month. During this meeting, the Board will review the draft assessment report and discuss any remaining issues related to the RtS. The company has been working closely with the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) to address key concerns, and this collaboration has reassured VRX that these issues will not hinder the EPA's final assessment.

Following the meeting, the EPA will finalize its assessment report and make a recommendation to the Minister for Environment. According to statutory timelines, the EPA has up to 12 weeks to complete this report.

Environmental and Community Engagement

The acceptance of the RtS follows a site visit in late October 2024, which included representatives from key regulatory bodies. This visit provided stakeholders with a firsthand look at the project area, further informing the EPA's assessment.

The RtS, which was lodged in September 2024, is a comprehensive document responding to public submissions received during the project's Public Environmental Review (PER) period. It includes a peer-reviewed Rehabilitation Management Plan, an Offset Strategy, and additional studies to ensure minimal environmental impact.