How Basin Energy’s New Tenure Could Unlock Sybella-Barkly’s Rare Earth Riches
Basin Energy has expanded its Sybella-Barkly rare earth elements and uranium project by securing an additional 183 km² exploration permit, increasing its landholding to 6,140 km². Ongoing drilling targets sediment-hosted and clay-hosted mineralisation with promising early progress.
- Secured 183 km² new exploration permit, expanding Sybella-Barkly footprint to 6,140 km²
- New tenure prospective for clay-hosted rare earth elements and paleochannel uranium
- Conduct and compensation agreement finalized for Ardmore Station, enabling 12 months exploration access
- Initial sediment-hosted REE drilling underway with ~3,000m planned in Q4 2025
- Multiple district-scale targets ready for systematic drilling
Expanding the Sybella-Barkly Frontier
Basin Energy Limited (ASX – BSN) has taken a significant step forward in its rare earth elements (REE) and uranium exploration efforts by expanding its Sybella-Barkly project area. The company has secured an application for an additional exploration permit covering 183 square kilometres, pushing its total landholding in this highly prospective district to 6,140 square kilometres. This expansion strengthens Basin’s strategic position over sediment-hosted REE and uranium corridors within the Barkly Tablelands region.
Unlocking Sediment-Hosted and Clay-Hosted Potential
The newly acquired tenure is considered prospective for sediment-hosted uranium and clay-hosted rare earth elements, supported by historic airborne electromagnetic (AEM) surveys and geochemical anomalies. Notably, the Barkly Tablelands feature an extensive paleochannel network and a conductive clay horizon identified by AEM data, which Basin is targeting with its maiden drilling program. The conductive layer, approximately 12 metres thick and extending over 1,000 square kilometres, could represent a weathered clay unit enriched in REE sourced from the nearby Sybella Batholith granites.
Drilling Progress and Exploration Access Secured
Basin Energy has already commenced initial aircore drilling targeting this conductive sediment horizon, with around 3,000 metres planned for the final quarter of 2025. The company has also finalized a conduct and compensation agreement for Ardmore Station, a key landholding within the project area, securing exploration access for the next 12 months. This agreement is a critical enabler for Basin’s ongoing and future drilling campaigns.
District-Scale Targets and Strategic Outlook
Beyond the immediate drilling program, Basin has multiple district-scale targets ready for systematic exploration. These include paleochannel roll-front uranium targets, which have geological characteristics similar to known deposits in the region, such as the Valhalla uranium deposits. Basin’s Managing Director, Pete Moorhouse, expressed confidence in the team’s progress and anticipation for upcoming assay results that could validate the project’s potential.
A Green Metals Play in a Growing Market
Basin Energy’s focus on green energy metals like uranium and rare earth elements aligns with global trends toward clean energy technologies and electrification. The company’s expanding footprint and active drilling program position it well to capitalize on increasing demand for these critical minerals. However, the exploration permit application is still pending grant, and assay results from drilling will be pivotal in determining the project’s future trajectory.
Bottom Line?
Basin Energy’s expanded footprint and active drilling set the stage for a potentially transformative phase in its Sybella-Barkly project.
Questions in the middle?
- When will the new exploration permit be officially granted and what conditions might apply?
- What do initial assay results reveal about the grade and extent of REE and uranium mineralisation?
- How will Basin Energy prioritize and sequence drilling across multiple district-scale targets?
