Homerun Resources Inc. has announced the commissioning of Dorfner Anzaplan GmbH to conduct final calcination and leaching test work, process design, and capital expenditure (CAPEX) estimation for the purification of its flagship silica sand deposit in Belmonte, Bahia, Brazil. This initiative aims to deliver an AACE Class 5 CAPEX estimate for a 120,000-tonne-per-year processing plant to be built near the company’s silica sand resources. Additionally, the project will produce 2kg of Homerun Ultra-Pure Silica Sand samples with impurity levels below 100 ppm.

Anzaplan will validate prior test work conducted in 2024 under Homerun’s partnership with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) of the U.S. Department of Energy. The previous research applied complex thermal and chemical treatments to refine silica purity to over 99.99% SiO2. The new test work will confirm these findings and refine the most efficient process pathways for large-scale production.

CEO Brian Leeners emphasized that Homerun’s strategy is shaped by industry demand and extensive market evaluations. He stated that by focusing on high-margin applications, the company aims to maximize shareholder value while strengthening its position as a leading global supplier of ultra-pure silica sand. The thermal upgrade plant in Belmonte will play a crucial role in serving customers across industrial and technological sectors.

Homerun has already demonstrated the capability to achieve high-purity silica through lab testing conducted in collaboration with the University of California, Davis Materials Lab in early 2024. Ongoing research at UC Davis in 2025 is scaling these initiatives to support commercial production. Proprietary data from both NREL and UC Davis has been transferred to Anzaplan, which will now develop the final silica purification process and provide a CAPEX estimate for the Belmonte Silica Sand Processing Plant.

The scope of Anzaplan’s work includes process design, a block flow diagram (BFD), mass balance analysis, a major equipment list, and an AACE Class 5 capital cost estimate. Upon completion of the evaluation, Anzaplan will issue a final report assessing the results. This program is expected to conclude in the second quarter of 2025, and Homerun will utilize the findings for the plant’s capital development.

COO Armando Farhate highlighted the strategic significance of this collaboration, noting that Anzaplan is one of Europe’s leading mineral technology firms with extensive experience in quartz and silica sand processing. He emphasized that the development program aligns with Homerun’s vertical integration plans, strengthening its competitive advantage and advancing its high-purity silica materials strategy.