Project overview*
| EIS status | EIS active |
| Description | Greenfield silica sand mine and processing plant producing up to 5 million tonnes per annum of silica sand product for export, for up to 25 years. |
| Proponent | Northern Silica Pty Ltd, controlled by Diatreme Resources Ltd |
| Location/s | 30 km north of Hope Vale and 200 km north of Cairns. |
| Local government/s | Hope Vale Aboriginal Shire Council and Cook Shire Council |
| Investment | Up to $534.8 million |
| Key features |
|
| Construction start date | 2025 |
| Jobs |
|
* Project information supplied by proponent and subject to change.
Environmental impact statement (EIS) process
| Date | Activity |
|---|---|
| Currently | Draft EIS being prepared by the proponent. |
| 3 March 2026 | The Coordinator-General stated a new project declaration lapse date of 20 September 2027. |
| 20 September 2024 | Terms of reference for an EIS ( 1.0 MB) released.The terms of reference includes the requirement to address matters outlined in the Preparing an EIS - Guideline for proponents (February 2024) ( 419.5 KB)
|
| 3 June 2024 to 8 July 2024 | Draft terms of reference ( 883.9 KB) for EIS public consultation. The terms of reference includes the requirement to address matters outlined in the Preparing an EIS - Guideline for proponents (February 2024) ( 419.5 KB)
|
| 12 January 2024 | Gazettal ( |
| 29 November 2023 | Application, including initial advice statement ( |
| 14 June 2023 | Australian Minister for the Environment and Water decided the project is a ‘controlled action’. |
246 KB) of 'coordinated project' declaration.