Malargüe is the southernmost department of Mendoza province, sitting directly adjacent to the Vaca Muerta sedimentary basin. The silica deposit that feeds the In-Basin Sand plant lies inside this geography, 35 km from Añelo, the operational capital of the basin. This is the shortest source-to-well distance of any API 19C-certified silica origin in Argentina today.
The Malargüe deposit hosts a 3.2 million ton cubicated block (the firm, lead figure) plus 60 million tons inferred of silica mineable material. Campo Mendoza site with certified land surveys. The geology supports both +30/+70 and -70/+140 mesh cuts at the crush resistance and roundness thresholds required by API 19C.
| From Malargüe to... | Distance | Truck mode |
|---|---|---|
| Añelo (basin centre) | ~35 km | Local delivery |
| Rincón de los Sauces | ~250 km | Single-shift |
| Neuquén capital | ~400 km | Single-shift |
| Zapala | ~400 km | Single-shift |
| Plaza Huincul / Cutral Có | ~500 to 520 km | Single-shift |
API 19C / ISO 13503-2. SGS Minerals (Chile) report on attrition and granulometry. The geology, the mine plan and the plant design have been independently validated. Phase 1 runs a US$1.4M second-hand 50 t/hr wash plant; the new-build CAPEX benchmark was priced by CDE Global (Ireland) for a 200 t/hr plant (the Phase 2 expansion option).
Paved access from Malargüe to Ruta 40 and then into Neuquén. Río Colorado bridge hydraulic study evaluated three load ratings (34.5T / 60T / 90T). Water rights and Environmental Impact Assessment to be formalised during due diligence, documentation available under NDA.
At 15,000 t/month full Phase 1 capacity, the deposit supports about 18 years of extraction. That duration underwrites long-term take-or-pay structures and supports the investment thesis for a dedicated regional proppant origin.
In-Basin Sand is raising a US$2.4M secured convertible note across three milestone-gated tranches (A US$500K, B US$800K, C US$1.1M). Minimum ticket US$25,000. Public landing: https://inbasinsand.com