Bayan Expands Landholding by 45 Claims Covering 3.75 km² in Mountain Pass District
Bayan Mining and Minerals has expanded its footprint in California’s Mountain Pass district by staking 45 new lode claims near two major mineral deposits, positioning itself for rare earth and gold exploration in a highly prospective corridor.
- 45 new lode claims staked covering 3.75 km² in Desert Star North Project
- Claims located 3 km north of Colosseum Gold Mine and near Mountain Pass Rare Earth Mine
- Total landholding now 117 claims in a critical minerals-rich region
- Exploration program including mapping and geochemical sampling to start soon
- Claims pending final approval from Bureau of Land Management
Strategic Expansion in a Critical Minerals Hotspot
Bayan Mining and Minerals Limited (ASX – BMM) has taken a significant step to bolster its presence in one of the United States’ most promising rare earth elements (REE) and gold districts. The company has filed staking applications for 45 additional lode claims, collectively known as the Desert Star North Project, covering approximately 3.75 square kilometers in California’s Mojave Desert. This move expands Bayan’s footprint in a mineral-rich corridor that hosts the Mountain Pass Rare Earth Mine and the Colosseum Gold Mine, two deposits with proven global significance.
Prime Location and Geological Potential
The new claims lie just three kilometers north of the Colosseum Gold Mine, which boasts a JORC-compliant resource of over 1.1 million ounces of gold. They also sit along the same structural trend as the Mountain Pass REE Mine, the largest rare earth deposit in the US. The area’s geology is complex but favourable, featuring Paleoproterozoic metamorphic and igneous basement rocks known to be associated with both rare earth and gold mineralisation. Bayan’s expanded landholding now totals 117 lode claims, reinforcing its district-scale presence in this critical minerals belt.
Accessible Infrastructure Supports Exploration
Accessibility is a key advantage for the Desert Star North Project. The site is reachable via paved highways and gravel roads from Interstate 15, with the nearest service centre in Primm, Nevada, just 12 kilometers away. Las Vegas, a major logistics hub, lies 85 kilometers northeast. Existing infrastructure, including power lines servicing Mountain Pass and a Union Pacific rail line within 25 kilometers, offers potential support for future bulk transport and energy needs as exploration advances.
Next Steps – Exploration and Confirmation
Bayan is poised to commence a targeted reconnaissance program involving geological mapping, geochemical sampling, and radiometric surveys in the coming weeks. These activities aim to confirm the presence of favourable lithologies and structural features that could host rare earth and gold mineralisation. However, the claims remain subject to final approval by the Bureau of Land Management, a standard but critical step before full tenure is secured.
Outlook and Strategic Significance
Executive Director Fadi Diab emphasised the strategic importance of this acquisition, highlighting the project’s location within a highly prospective critical minerals corridor. While the geology remains underexplored, the proximity to major deposits and the combination of favourable structural and stratigraphic settings make Desert Star North a high-priority target. Bayan’s methodical exploration approach aims to unlock value in this emerging district, potentially positioning the company as a key player in the US rare earth and gold sectors.
Bottom Line?
Bayan’s Desert Star North expansion sets the stage for a pivotal exploration campaign in a globally strategic mineral corridor.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the Bureau of Land Management grant all 45 claims to Bayan Mining?
- What initial exploration results will confirm the presence of economically viable mineralisation?
- How will Bayan’s expanded footprint influence its market positioning in the critical minerals sector?
