Barkly Rare Earths Extends High-Grade Mineralisation Across 23km
Initial assays from 28 drill holes reveal consistent high-grade rare earths, prompting plans for over 300 additional holes to expand the resource.
Barkly Rare Earths Limited (ASX: BAK) has confirmed consistent high-grade rare earth mineralisation across its flagship Barkly Project in the Northern Territory. The company released initial assay results from its Phase 1 drilling programme, noting that all 28 drilled holes returned significant intercepts of Total Rare Earth Oxide (TREO). These results span a wide area of up to 23 kilometres, suggesting a broad, flat-lying mineral horizon rather than isolated pockets of ore. The data indicates that the 10,000-metre campaign has exceeded early expectations for grade and continuity.
The geological consistency observed in the initial data supports management’s strategy to define a large-scale resource. Managing Director Craig Wright stated that the uniformity of intercepts over such distances reinforces the company’s ambition to expand the known deposit. Consequently, Barkly has outlined plans to execute over 300 additional drill holes to test the lateral and vertical extent of the mineralisation. This expansion is critical for validating the potential of the project beyond the current Inferred Mineral Resource.
Initial Assays Show Strong Grade Consistency
Key intercepts from the initial batch of holes demonstrate high-grade potential across the project area. Hole BAK0133 returned 2 metres at 2,716 ppm TREO, including a higher-grade section of 0.5 metres at 6,064 ppm TREO. Similarly, hole BAK0080 intersected 1.5 metres at 3,228 ppm TREO, with a peak section of 0.5 metres at 5,170 ppm TREO. These figures confirm the presence of economically significant concentrations within the targeted horizon. The results align with the company’s interpretation of a persistent mineralised zone.
The composition of the rare earth elements remains favourable for processing. Magnet Rare Earth Oxides (MREO) accounted for 31 to 40 percent of total TREO in 27 of the 28 intercepted zones. This ratio is consistent with the 34 percent MREO content of the existing Inferred Mineral Resource. Additionally, the assays recorded low concentrations of uranium and thorium. These low levels of radioactive elements are considered beneficial for developing efficient and cost-effective processing flowsheets.
Resource Expansion Targets Remain Open
The current drilling programme targets extensions to the existing 40 million tonne Inferred Mineral Resource, which is estimated at 2,100 ppm TREO. Mineralisation remains open in all directions, indicating significant upside potential for the resource estimate. Samples from 30 additional drill holes are currently at the laboratory, with results expected to provide further insight into the deposit’s geometry. The company anticipates a continuous flow of assay data throughout the fourth quarter of calendar year 2026.
Barkly aims to release an updated Mineral Resource estimate during the same period, contingent on the completion of drilling and assay activities. The consistency of the initial results from GN auto stocks/materials: rare earths sources suggests a robust geological model. As the company progresses with its expanded drilling campaign, the focus remains on defining the scale and grade of the deposit to support future development decisions.
