Diatreme Resources is pushing ahead at Cape York, lodging an application to undertake a voluntary Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Galalar silica sand project.

The move follows December’s lodgement of a Mining Lease Application (MLA) as Diatreme seeks to accelerate development of a new silica sand mine.

“The Galalar project is building momentum as we target near‐term developing in an environment of strong demand for high‐quality silica sand products from Asian markets,” Diatreme chief executive officer Neil McIntyre said.

Located about 200km north of Cairns, the Galalar silica sand project lies near the world’s largest operating silica sand mine at Cape Flattery.

It has a total mineral resource estimate of 30.2 million tonnes (at a cut‐off of 99 per cent SiO2) including an indicated resource of 21.50 million tonnes.

A voluntary EIS for Galalar would allow for a single EIS to be produced for both the Queensland and Commonwealth governments, resulting in a streamlined approval process.

“We have been pro‐actively engaging with the various regulatory agencies over some time through various pre‐ lodgement meetings with DES (Department of Environment and Science) and other key line agencies,” Mr McIntyre said.

“In addition, we pre‐emptively commenced terrestrial flora and fauna studies to full EIS standard over the last wet and dry seasons regionally.

“This early engagement we believe will save us considerable time throughout the EIS finalisation and lodgement process.

“We look forward to engaging closely with all the relevant government bodies as we advance this project together with our key local partners, Hopevale Congress, ensuring maximum benefits for all stakeholders.”