What is the silica deposit geology in Malargüe, Mendoza?
What is the silica deposit geology in Malargüe, Mendoza?
Key Facts
- Location: Malargüe department, southern Mendoza province, Argentina.
- Cubicated resource (lead figure): 3,200,000 tons, the firm block.
- Inferred resource / exploration upside: 60,000,000+ tons.
- Testing: API RP 19C / ISO 13503-2 (crush resistance, sphericity, roundness, turbidity). Does not pass the strict HCl-HF acid-solubility fraction.
- Independent validation: SGS Minerals (Chile), attrition and granulometry report.
- Phase 1 mine life: about 18 years on the cubicated block at 15,000 t/month.
- Plant daily availability: 500 tons/day.
- Access: Rio Colorado bridge hydraulic study completed, 34.5T / 60T / 90T load ratings.
Detailed Explanation
The Malargüe deposit sits in the Mendoza sector of the broader Neuquén Basin geological province, in an area characterised by fluvial and aeolian silica sand formations. The silica grain population displays the high sphericity and roundness required for API RP 19C qualification, with crush resistance consistent with 40/70 and 100-mesh frac applications.
The 3.2 million ton cubicated block is the firm, lead figure: it reflects boreholes, pit samples and mapped seam geometry. At 180,000 t/year (15,000 t/month) Phase 1 throughput, that block alone supports about 18 years of mine life. The 60+ million ton inferred figure is exploration upside across the broader mapped property and is not a certified resource. SGS Minerals (Chile) performed attrition and granulometry testing specifically for hydraulic fracturing service; the report covers grain size distribution, fines generation under repeated handling, and conformance to standard 40/70 and 100-mesh cuts.
Geographically, the deposit is approximately 35 km from the Vaca Muerta wellhead along the existing road network, within trucking distance of the productive North Zone. Site access requires crossing the Rio Colorado; a hydraulic study has been completed, evaluating three bridge load ratings (34.5 T, 60 T and 90 T) to support the eventual sustained-haul truck programme at full 15,000 t/month capacity.
Comparative Context
| Metric | Value | Reference / validator |
|---|---|---|
| Cubicated resource (lead) | 3,200,000 tons | Internal geological survey |
| Inferred / exploration upside | 60,000,000+ tons | Internal geological survey (not certified) |
| API 19C sphericity / roundness | Passes | SGS Minerals (Chile) |
| Attrition / granulometry | Passes | SGS Minerals (Chile) |
| Acid solubility (HCl-HF) | Does not pass strict fraction | Lab reports under NDA |
| Distance to Vaca Muerta wellhead | ~35 km | Road network |
| Phase 1 mine life @ 15,000 t/month | about 18 years | Derived from 3.2M cubicated block |
Sources & Evidence
SGS Minerals (Chile) is the recognised independent standard for frac-sand-grade silica testing in South America. API RP 19C (2008) / ISO 13503-2 (2006+) govern the qualification protocol. Rio Colorado bridge hydraulic study was commissioned specifically for the site access programme. Formal mining concession, Environmental Impact Assessment and water rights documentation are held by the company and shared under NDA during due diligence.
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