Quebec Silica Overview
Quebec Silica is a Canadian industrial minerals exploration development acquisition company, with three silica projects in the province of Quebec.
The vision of Quebec Silica is to be an integrated provider of silica and other industrial minerals within a local Quebec supply chain poised for growth.
Silica’s Usage & Role in the Green Economy
Silica is the second most abundant mineral on earth, but it takes significant energy and processing knowhow to turn it into its final commercial form.
Silica is ubiquitous in everyday life: everything from windows to electronics to dishware.
They all contain silica.
Common Uses for Silica
Source: Quebec Silica
Some of its more common industrial uses are as feedstock to make Silicone, to produce Polysilicon (for both Siemens and FBR processes), and for feedstock to make engineered silicon for battery applications.
The challenge for silica miners is to find it close enough to transportation and infrastructure in a large enough deposit to make the significant transportation costs worth it.
Quebec, with road infrastructure and a friendly government is well positioned to become another major silica supply hub according to Quebec Silica’s CEO.
There is a clear correlation with the increase in the population increase and silicon usage. Specifically, as the demand in battery metals rises then the need for silica rises.
Global Trends Driving Demand for Silica
Source: Quebec Silica
With new battery chemistries using silicone, not graphite as the anode showing promise, a new demand growth curve could be at hand for silica over the next 10-15 years.
Silicone has Superior Energy Storage Qualities
Source: https://amprius.com/technology
Charlevoix Silicon Project
The Charlevoix Silica Project began in 2019 – a quartzite formation consisting of high-grade silica.
A few km away there’s an active silica mining and operations quarry called the Silicon Ridge project that has been operating for decades.
The site is currently being scouted by geologists and detailed geological mapping, sampling and evaluation of the size of the deposit is being done.
Site Map
Source: Quebec Silica
MOU with HPQ Silcon Inc.
Quebec Silica has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with HPQ Silicon Inc.
The agreement will see Quebec Silica provide silica from the Charlevoix Silica Project to HPQ for testing and evaluation.
Quebec Silica will supply HPQ with silica materials that meet their specifications for testing in HPQ’s Generation 3 Quartz Reduction Reactor (QRR).
HPQ has a unique processing involving a one-step transformation of quartz (SiO2) into high purity silicon (Si) at reduced costs, energy input, and carbon footprint that will propagate its renewable energy potential.
If the materials generate finished products that are commercially valid and usable, then they will negotiate a definite sourcing agreement.
The Historical Tranformation Process for Quarts into Silicon
Source: Quebec Silica
To learn more about Quebec Silica, please visit the company’s investor relations page HERE
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