The unique Silica Valley project in Terengganu is expected to attract RM1.2BN in local and foreign investments. The project, on a 1,800/ha site in Marang and Setiu, will have centralised silica and silica-related industries. This will be developed by TRG Industrial Minerals through a collaboration with international companies from Japan, India and France which will be known as TIM Konsortium. A press release said the consortium would invest between RM350-400M in the next five years on the project. The project was launched by the Sultan of Terengganu, Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin May 2012. TIM Konsortium plans to build Southeast Asia's biggest silica processing plant in Setiu, which could produce 800,000/t high-grade silica sand and powder a year. The plant is expected to commence operations by mid-2013.
