The resource grades 98.6% silica oxide, with previous work showing the sand can be upgraded to more than 99.5% via standard processing methods.

Silica sands have an extensive range of uses including lower purity and grade applications such as construction sand, proppant sand used in well fracturing, and foundry sand.

With increasing purity (greater than 99.5% SiO2), uses includes glass making, while for purity beyond 99.8%, uses include semi-conductor fillers, LCD screens, and optical glass.

Beharra is 300km north of Perth and is 96km south of the port town of Geraldton.

Late last month the company completed a placement to German investors raising A$2 million (from issuing new shares priced at 8c each), taking its cash position to $4 million.

Shares in Perpetual were down 3.5% to 8.5c in afternoon trade, capitalising the company at $40 million.