Mourilyan to get silica export boost

SILICA sand exports through the port of Mourilyan could hit 750,000 tonnes per annum within five years, according to the Queensland Government.

Via the Queensland Investment Corporation the government is contributing $30 million to the Mourilyan Silica Sands project being undertaken by Silica Resources Australia. SRA will ramp up production to 360,000 tpa in the next 12 months and more than double that by 2030.

Once the silica flour has been extracted, it will be trucked 27 kilometres to the Port of Mourilyan, and shipped to key trading partners and markets across Asia. 

Meeting SRA at the International Mining and Resources Conference in Sydney today [21 October] Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training Ros Bates said the investment allowed the Cassowary Coast to leverage its proximity to key export markets and cement its position as a major player in global critical mineral supply chains. 

“Silica flour is an essential precursor for silicon, a key component in advanced technologies like semiconductors and solar panels. 

“Demand in countries like Japan, Korea and Taiwan is growing rapidly, and we are taking strong action to make sure Queensland is essential in the global supply chain.

“Our investment through QIC has delivered the plant, equipment, and land acquisitions for SRA to get on with creating jobs and mining the more than 50 million tonnes of silica sand on the project site. 

“Under Labor, the Port of Mourilyan was underutilised. QIC’s investment in SRA will help deliver better outcomes and stronger returns, with better utilisation of a key asset and a significant local employer,” Ms Bates said.

SRA MD Rob Tindall said the project will look to develop its own common user infrastructure at the port as expansion works commence. 

“This investment and our existing mining lease has allowed us to start extracting from a silica deposit requiring only shallow, low-cost extraction methods,” Mr Tindall said.  

“Demand driven by solar and clean energy technologies is anticipated to grow the global silica sand market to more than $36 billion by 2032, and this project allows North Queensland to secure a stake in that market while creating local employment and trade opportunities. 

“We thank our investors, the Queensland Government and QIC for their ongoing support and look forward to what promises to be an exciting year ahead.”