Silica sands project at Mindijup (NE of Albany) to start mid-year

13/2/95

A $4 million silica sands project at Mindijup, about 40 kilometres north-east of Albany, is expected to begin production before the middle of the year.

Resources Development Minister Colin Barnett said the project would provide employment for about 30 people and was expected to generate more than $3 million a year in export income.

"The Mindijup project will provide a welcome boost to the region and will create employment opportunities for local workers," Mr Barnett said.

The Minister said the silica would be exported to Japan for use in glass-making and foundry operations.

The project was being undertaken by Tomen Australia and Japanese joint venture Tochu Company Ltd.

Mr Barnett said that the plant was due to be commissioned in June.  He said the first export from Albany of silica sand was scheduled for October this year.

The Mindijup project will mine about 200,000 tonnes of high quality silica sand a year.

"Although this project is on a relatively modest scale, it will be a pioneering resource industry for Albany and could lead to further investment by the joint venture partners in Western Australia," Mr Barnett said.

The Minister said the total deposit had the capacity to produce about 20 million tonnes of silica sand, allowing for production to be significantly increased pending market requirements.

The silica sand would be exported from the Port of Albany after it had been washed, screened and sorted for transportation by truck to a covered storage area.

Mindijup Road was being upgraded as the transport route for the project, with work due to be completed by the end of this month.

The Minister said that pilot testing at the site had been completed and final design of the processing plant and associated facilities was well advanced.

Media contact: Carolyn Vicars - 222 9699/ Pager 480 4943