Diatreme Resources receives EPBC referral for Northern silica project

Emerging silica sands developer and explorer Diatreme Resources (ASX:DRX) has received Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) referral decision for its Northern silica project.

Via a referral with the Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), the EPBC Act has determined the project a “controlled action”.

The Northern silica project constitutes a controlled action for the following matters: world heritage properties, national heritage places, listed migratory species, Great Barrier Reef marine park and listed threatened species and communities.

This follows the lodgement made in May 2023 with the Queensland Government agreeing that an environmental impact statement (EIS) is appropriate for the Northern silica project.

With these processes now confirmed, Diatreme will be advancing further site investigations and studies to support the EIS throughout 2023.

Chief executive Neil McIntyre said the approval is a major step forward for the project.

“This is another key step forward in gaining regulatory approval for our Northern Silica Project, which is rapidly emerging as a leading supplier of high-grade silica products for the solar PV market, supporting global decarbonisation,” he said.

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

Next steps include preparing the draft terms of reference (ToR) for the EIS which will set out the specific matters and issues that the EIS must address and inviting feedback from the public.

This regulatory advance follows the scoping study which highlighted the Northern silica project’s potential to deliver substantial economic benefits.

The study highlighted an estimated 25-year mine life and the ability for the project to produce a high purity, low iron silica product.

Based on the results of the scoping study, Diatreme plans to progress to a full feasibility study whilst advancing EIS planning and relevant studies to secure regulatory approval.