Sidescan sonar
accoustic image of the seabed
Sydney Marine Sand Pty Limited (SMS) is a privately owned Australian company, which was incorporated in 2000 explicitly to investigate the largely unexplored NSW continental shelf for marine aggregate. Exploration and research of these deposits will determine their potential as an economically and environmentally viable, long-term option to supplement existing and diminishing sand resources onshore. Fine grained silica sands found on the ocean bed can be used for construction sand as well as providing a management solution to coastal erosion through beach nourishment.
The Company has applied for a Mineral Exploration Licence in Commonwealth waters off the NSW Central Coast, which will if granted give the Company exclusive exploration rights over 180 km2 of seabed on the NSW continental shelf. Specifically, SMS would like to explore ancient beach deposits that exist some 5.5km off the NSW coast in water depths of between 50 and 100 metres. There is scientific evidence that indicates that these relict deposits do not form part of present day beach systems.
The motivation for exploring offshore of NSW is to assess options for the Sydney sand market within the context of sensible resource management for the region. We believe that subject to the results of the exploration and related research into environmental impacts of marine sand extraction, there is a high probability that the overall impacts may be, on balance, less than currently seen in existing and proposed onshore operations.
SMS is seeking innovative solutions to the limited sand resources for major metropolitan markets in southeastern Australia and is keen to promote consideration of marine aggregate (marine sand extracted from the seabed and delivered to market by boat) as a responsible and reliable alternative to Sydney's long-term construction material needs. The Company intends to explore for marine aggregate and should the exploration identify a resource, then seek to, develop a new marine minerals industry.