Arrowsmith North Silica Sand Project

Overview

VRX Silica Ltd propose to develop a silica sand mine in the Geraldton Sandplain bioregion of Western Australia, approximately 270 km north of Perth. 

The proposal would include a total disturbance of 412.2 hectares of native vegetation and will involve sequential mining of sand 8 – 15 metres below the soil surface. Vegetation and topsoil will be relocated to rehabilitation areas using the Vegetation Direct Transfer method. 

Mining will be undertaken in sections by removing blocks (typically 150m by 150m) with an estimated five blocks mined per year. The life of the proposal is estimated to be 30 years. 

Why your views matter

At this initial stage of the EIA process, comment is simply sought on whether or not the EPA should assess a proposal and, if so, what level of assessment is considered appropriate.

What happens next

Following the seven day public comment period and consideration of any comments received, the EPA will decide whether or not this proposal requires environmental impact assessment and, if so, what level of assessment will be applied.

The EPA's decisions on level of assessment are released each Monday on the EPA's website.