Emerging silica sands developer Diatreme Resources Limited (ASX:DRX) has completed another key milestone for its Northern Silica Project (NSP) north of Cooktown.

The company has told the ASX that the project had been determined a ‘controlled action’ under the Federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC).

The project had been referred to the Federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water in May.

The subsequent EIS would be delivered through the accredited Queensland process, allowing for a single document to address both state and federal requirements. 

Diatreme would be advancing further site investigations and studies to support the EIS throughout 2023, the statement said.

Investigations on-site this year would include flora and fauna surveys in both terrestrial and aquatic areas, groundwater monitoring, surface water quality monitoring, soil sampling and analysis and cultural heritage surveys. Social impact assessment work would also commence later in 2023. 

It was another step forward in gaining regulatory approval for the Northern Silica Project, said Diatreme’s CEO Neil McIntyre.

“(The project) is rapidly emerging as a leading supplier of high-grade silica products for the solar PV market, supporting global decarbonisation,” Mr Mcintyre said.

“Diatreme is committed to delivering a robust EIS underpinned by best practice standards for environmental management and social impact assessment. 

“This includes building local capacity and skills to undertake baseline environmental monitoring work, using a combination of external consultants and on-site operational staff based full-time in Cooktown and Hope Vale. 

“With our recent Scoping Study showing the solid potential economic returns from the NSP, we are focused on ensuring our project makes a long-lasting and sustainable contribution to local communities, and other key stakeholders.” 

Public Comment

The next step in the EIS process was to prepare the draft Terms of Reference for the EIS the company told the ASX. The draft terms were expected to be released for public comment in Q3 2023.

Based on the successful study, Diatreme planned to progress a full Feasibility Study for the project, while advancing EIS planning and the relevant studies to secure regulatory approval. 

Key projects for Brisbane based Diatreme Resources (ASX: DRX) comprise the Northern Silica Project and Galalar Silica Sand Project in Far North Queensland located next to the world’s biggest silica sand mine at Cape Flattery.