Radium Hill Project Gains All Mineral Rights, Drilling Planned for 2026
Heavy Rare Earths Limited has broadened its mineral rights at the Radium Hill project to include all minerals, setting the stage for a maiden drilling campaign in 2026 amid soaring yttrium prices.
- Radium Hill mineral rights expanded to all minerals including critical, precious, and base metals
- 8km Critical Minerals Corridor identified with high-grade yttrium, scandium, uranium, and rare earth elements
- Havilah Resources waives $1 million minimum exploration spend requirement
- Maiden drilling program planned for first half of 2026, pending approvals
- Billeroo project rights split between HRE and Havilah for different paleochannels
Expanding Horizons at Radium Hill
Heavy Rare Earths Limited (ASX, HRE) has taken a significant step forward in its exploration ambitions by expanding its agreement with Havilah Resources Limited to cover all mineral rights at the Radium Hill project in South Australia. This move broadens HRE’s exposure beyond rare earth elements to include all critical minerals, as well as precious and base metals, enhancing the project's strategic value.
The expansion follows a recent sampling program that revealed an 8-kilometre-long Critical Minerals Corridor rich in yttrium, scandium, uranium, and other rare earth elements. Notably, yttrium grades reached up to 2236 parts per million, a remarkable figure given the metal’s recent price surge; more than 30-fold in European markets over the past year.
Strategic Waivers and Upcoming Drilling
In a show of cooperative partnership, Havilah Resources has waived the previously agreed $1 million minimum exploration spend for the first 12 months, acknowledging the challenges faced in meeting this target. This waiver provides Heavy Rare Earths with financial flexibility as it prepares to launch its maiden drilling program at Radium Hill in the first half of 2026, subject to permit and consent approvals.
Chairman Gabriel Chiappini expressed optimism about the project’s potential, highlighting the expanded mineral rights and the critical importance of yttrium in the company’s exploration focus. The planned drilling campaign aims to unlock the resource potential of the newly defined mineral corridor, which has not seen drilling activity for over six decades.
Clarifying Rights at Billeroo
Alongside the Radium Hill update, the agreement delineates mineral rights at the Billeroo Uranium project. Heavy Rare Earths retains rights to the Billeroo Paleochannel, which it considers more prospective for uranium, while Havilah holds rights to the adjacent Namba Paleochannel. This arrangement allows both parties to focus on their respective areas of interest within the Curnamona Craton, a region known for its uranium and critical mineral endowment.
With the expanded scope at Radium Hill and a clear path to exploration, Heavy Rare Earths is positioning itself to capitalise on the growing demand for critical minerals essential to emerging technologies and clean energy solutions.
Bottom Line?
As Heavy Rare Earths prepares to drill after decades of dormancy, the market will watch closely to see if the expanded rights translate into a new critical minerals discovery.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the upcoming drilling confirm economically viable concentrations of yttrium and scandium?
- How will the waiver of exploration spend impact Heavy Rare Earths’ financial strategy and timelines?
- What are the implications of Havilah retaining certain mineral rights for future project development?
