3 days ago
Resources Top 5: VRX Silica keeps pace with the sands of time as it closes on environmental approval
VRX has received a key approval for the Arrowsmith North silica sand project
ARR well-placed to provide decades of critical mineral security in the US
The footprint of GRV's Douglas River project in the NT has been increased 70%
Your standout small cap resources stocks for Friday, August 8, 2025.
VRX Silica (ASX:VRX)
A significant milestone has been passed by VRX Silica (ASX:VRX) with the WA Department of Mines, Petroleum and Exploration approving the Mining Proposal and Mine Closure Plan for the Arrowsmith North silica sand project in WA.
This sets the scene for anticipated consent by Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn, with VRX reaching a 12-month high of 10.5c intra-day, an improvement of 20.69% on the previous close. It settled up 8% at 9.4c.
It allows for the start of mining operations at Arrowsmith North, subject to standard mining and closure conditions including environmental approval under Part IV of the Environmental Protection Act 1986.
The approval follows confirmation in late June that Swinbourn determined the EPA assessment of Arrowsmith North was adequate, clearing the path for environmental approval.
Arrowsmith North, 270km north of Perth, contains a globally significant deposit of high-quality silica sand underpinning a long-life mining project that to supply the foundry, container glass and flat-glass markets in Asia.
It boasts a minimum 25-year mine life capable of producing more than 2Mtpa of high-grade (99.7% SiO2) silica sand for export.
The project has the potential to support a new, long-term industry in WA's Mid West region and deliver benefits including long-term direct and indirect employment and royalties.
'In what is another significant milestone for VRX and development of the project, we are delighted to receive approval from the Department of Mines, Petroleum and Exploration of our Mining Proposal for the Arrowsmith North silica sand project,' VRX managing director Bruce Maluish said.
'We await formal notification from the Minister for the Environment regarding our proposal for environmental approval for Arrowsmith North.'
Silica sand is the most used commodity on the planet after air and water. It is the main ingredient in all types of glassmaking, including specialty solar panel and high tech glass and foundry casting.
It is a finite resource that is running out, with the Asia Pacific region experiencing an ever-growing supply shortfall that is driving up prices.
American Rare Earths (ASX:ARR)
With its aim of becoming America's next rare earths producer at Halleck Creek in Wyoming on track, the completion of a $15m placement sees American Rare Earths (ASX:ARR) well-placed to provide decades of critical mineral security and shares improved 19.35% to 37c.
Halleck Creek offers potential for more than 100 years of US domestic rare earth production and significantly increases the capacity to expand US rare earths supply, especially military-critical heavy rare earths.
Phase one of Halleck Creek's development is intended to be the Cowboy State Mine, which has a streamlined state-focused pathway to permitting due to its location in Wyoming.
ARR chairman Richard Hudson said this path allowed for the possibility that the site could be permitted in around two years, which was a light-speed timeline compared to federal permitting timelines of more than 10 years.
He said the successful capital raise provided a sustained runway for the business and paved the way for the beneficiation portion of the demonstration plant to capitalise on the 10X concentration upgrade of Halleck Creek's in-situ ore.
In light of recent initiatives in support of MP Materials' (NYSE:MP) operations in California and the Trump Administration's strong desire to rapidly expand US rare earths mining and magnet production capabilities, ARR is exploring opportunities for US Federal Government funding to help accelerate Halleck Creek development.
Any funding will be in addition to the existing, strong commitment from the State of Wyoming in the form of a matching grant of A$10.7m.
In a letter to shareholders, Hudson said that new sources of rare earths were needed to ensure domestic magnet facilities had the feedstock necessary to secure a 100% US-based mine to magnet supply chain.
'I believe the continued progress and work that has been performed to date positions our project as the next producing rare earth mine in the US," he said.
'This, coupled with the US government's strong investment in domestic rare earth magnet production, highlights how Halleck Creek can meet the growing demands for feedstock, especially the heavy rare earths Halleck Creek Ore contains.
'We strongly believe Halleck Creek has the scale to underpin the growing US rare earths magnet industry and the speed to deliver in the immediate term given our strategic state-permitting advantage for the initial phase of development.'
West Coast Silver (ASX:WCE)
With prices on a tear, WCE is ramping up exploration in a bid to uncover more high-grade hits and shares reached 18c, a lift of 26.32% on the previous close.
This week the company continued its run with 12 high priority targets identified that could significantly increase silver resources at Elizabeth Hill.
Making some of the targets stand out further are historical high-grade intersections of up to 2m grading 1550g/t silver from a depth of 108m.
The new targets are either untested or ineffectively tested, particularly those south of the historical mine.
'Our recent very successful fundraising allows us to move quickly into testing these new high-priority targets, particularly around the historic mine,' executive chairman Bruce Garlick said.
Cooper Metals (ASX:CPM)
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As copper interest grows Cooper Metals (ASX:CPM) aims to drill three high-priority targets at the Mt Isa East copper-gold project in northwest Queensland later in the year.
A review has resulted in the Solo, Attina and Grass Wren prospects, which are only 2km from Carnaby Resources' (CNB) Mt Hope copper-gold deposit, being prioritised.
The company has started the environmental and heritage permitting process for the drilling.
At the nearby Oorindi project, a review has increased confidence in low magnetic zones for potential Jericho-style mineralisation. These zones have never been tested in historical drilling.
Two additional licences at the Gilberton gold project in north Queensland are advancing through the grant process while plans are being made for a maiden drill program at the Gooroo gold project in WA.
'There has been renewed interest in the broader copper sector and our technical review has shown high quality copper and gold targets within our project portfolio, which we are aiming to drill test this year,' CPM director Tim Armstrong said.
Greenvale Energy (ASX:GRV)
Such is the belief of Greenvale Energy (ASX:GRV) in the uranium prospectivity of the NT's Pine Creek region that it has increased the footprint of its Douglas River project by 70% and shares increased 6.52% to 4.9c before easing back to close unchanged.
The company has applied for two exploration licences contiguous with the original licence and licence application, increasing its total land position to ~1216km2.
This gives the company a very large and strategic landholding in the Pine Creek region, which boasts mineralogically diverse deposits, including multiple world-class uranium projects.
This geological setting has the potential to host shallow, sandstone-hosted and unconformity type uranium deposits such as Patronus Resources' (ASX:PTN) Thunderball deposit that sits immediately north of Douglas River.
'This is a low-cost addition that almost doubles our exploration footprint, in a region that hosts multiple world-class uranium deposits,' GRV chief executive officer Alex Cheeseman said.
