U.S. Silica, a producer and supplier of silica sand, frac sand and other industrial minerals, is set to construct a new, frac sand mine and plant in West Texas, US.
Estimated to cost $225m, the facility will have a capacity to produce four million tonnes per year.
The new plant forms part of the company's previously announced plan to add about eight to 10m tonnes of new Brownfield and Greenfield capacity to meet surging frac sand demand.
The 3,200-acre site, located near the heart of the Delaware and Midland basins, has over 30 years of reserves of fine grade 40/70 and 100 mesh sand with excellent physical properties.
Construction will expected to start immediately and initial production is likely to commence in the fourth quarter of 2017.
U.S. Silica president and CEO Bryan Shinn said: “We believe we've selected one of the most advantaged sites in West Texas with good availability of water, easy access to Interstate 20 and a location that is equidistant to the hearts of both the Delaware and Midland Basins.”
