Amman: Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Saleh Kharabsheh inspected the silica sands upgrading project in the Daba Hanout area, highlighting its importance in reevaluating silica ore to meet global market demands for high-purity silica exceeding 99.9 percent.
According to Jordan News Agency, Kharabsheh emphasized that this initiative is part of the ministry’s broader strategy to revitalize the mining sector, enhance its contribution to the gross domestic product, create job opportunities, and improve living standards in local communities.
The project’s first phase included mineralogical studies, microscopic imaging to assess mineral and clay impurities in silica grains, and grain size distribution analysis. These studies confirmed the need to advance to the second phase to refine purity parameters.
Launched in January, the second phase covers approximately 25 square kilometers, focusing on identifying high-purity silica deposits through exploratory drilling. So far, 12 wells have been drilled, and over 400 samples analyzed.
Hisham Zayoud, the Director of Geology and Mining at the Ministry, mentioned that the ministry is evaluating offers from international laboratories, including Germany’s Anzaplan, North Carolina Laboratories, and China’s Sinonine, to complete the upgrading process.
Preliminary analysis by North Carolina Laboratories showed promising results, with silica purity reaching 99.97 percent. These laboratories are expected to submit financial and technical proposals for further refining the samples to levels suitable for industrial use.