Northern Minerals has identified a promising new heavy rare earths target, the Vulcan prospect, through extensive drilling and soil sampling at its Browns Range project in Western Australia. This discovery, alongside advances in geological modelling and AI-driven exploration, signals a strategic step forward in the company’s rare earths ambitions.
- Discovery of Vulcan prospect with significant heavy rare earth mineralisation
- Completion of four major exploration programs including drilling and ultrafine soil sampling
- Validation of geological models at Rockslider and Ripcord-Dazzler prospects
- Advancement of mineral systems model integrating geophysical, geomechanical, hyperspectral, and AI data
- Plans for follow-up drilling and potential resource estimate updates in FY26
Exploration Breakthrough at Browns Range
Northern Minerals Limited (ASX – NTU) has announced a significant milestone in its ongoing exploration efforts at the Browns Range Heavy Rare Earths Project in the East Kimberley region of Western Australia. The company’s recent field programs during the first half of fiscal year 2026 have culminated in the identification of a new target, the Vulcan prospect, marked by broad zones of heavy rare earth elements (HREE) mineralisation.
The discovery emerged from a comprehensive reverse circulation (RC) drilling campaign comprising 33 holes and over 3,200 metres drilled. Notably, two holes intercepted substantial intervals of rare earth oxides, with grades reaching up to 0.65% total rare earth oxide (TREO) over 23 metres. This mineralisation is hosted within brecciated andesites, confirming a new lithological target and supporting a revised interpretation of Browns Range as a volcano-sedimentary arc sequence.
Complementary Drilling and Soil Sampling Programs
Alongside the RC drilling, Northern Minerals completed 17 diamond drill holes totaling over 4,100 metres at key prospects including Rockslider, Ripcord, and Dazzler. Assay results from Rockslider confirmed anomalous HREE mineralisation within quartz-hematite vein stockworks, while the Ripcord-Dazzler program validated geological models that underpin a planned update to the Dazzler Mineral Resource estimate later this year.
In parallel, an ultrafine fraction (UFF) soil geochemical program collected 772 samples, revealing yttrium anomalies that serve as proxies for HREE mineralisation beneath surface cover. This non-invasive technique is particularly suited to Browns Range, where over 80% of the tenure is obscured by cover, and will guide targeted follow-up exploration.
Innovative Regional Target Generation
Beyond direct exploration, Northern Minerals is advancing a mineral systems model for HREE mineralisation across its extensive tenement portfolio spanning Western Australia and the Northern Territory. This model integrates cutting-edge datasets including reprocessed geophysical surveys, geomechanical modelling of fault behaviour, high-resolution hyperspectral satellite imagery, and artificial intelligence data analytics.
The AI platform synthesises diverse geological, geochemical, and geophysical data to identify patterns and generate new exploration targets, enhancing the company’s ability to discover Wolverine-style deposits and other mineralisation styles. Early results have already prompted a reassessment of known deposits and the identification of previously overlooked high-priority targets.
Strategic Outlook and Next Steps
Managing Director Shane Hartwig emphasised the significance of these developments – “The Vulcan prospect discovery underscores the value of our systematic exploration approach and the importance of expanding our focus beyond established deposits. Our integrated mineral systems model and AI-driven targeting are reshaping our exploration strategy and unlocking new opportunities across Browns Range.”
Looking ahead, Northern Minerals plans follow-up drilling campaigns to delineate the extent and controls of mineralisation at Vulcan and Rockslider, alongside continued soil sampling to refine target areas. The company also anticipates updating the Dazzler Mineral Resource estimate in the fourth quarter of FY26, reflecting the evolving geological understanding.
These efforts position Northern Minerals to strengthen its role as a critical supplier of heavy rare earth elements, particularly dysprosium and terbium, which are essential for advanced clean energy and defence technologies. The Browns Range project remains a cornerstone of Australia’s strategic rare earths supply chain ambitions.
Bottom Line?
Northern Minerals’ integrated exploration advances at Browns Range set the stage for potential resource growth and strategic positioning in the global rare earths market.
Questions in the middle?
- How will follow-up drilling at Vulcan refine the scale and grade of the new prospect?
- What impact will the updated Dazzler Mineral Resource estimate have on project economics?
- How effectively will AI-driven targeting accelerate discovery of new HREE deposits in Browns Range?