Open-Ended REE and Uranium Mineralisation Raises Stakes at Sybella Barkly Project
Basin Energy's maiden drilling at the Sybella Barkly Project confirms a significant sediment-hosted rare earth element system alongside promising uranium mineralisation, setting the stage for expanded exploration in Queensland.
- Maiden drilling confirms district-scale sediment-hosted REE system
- Significant TREO mineralisation intersected, including high-grade NdPr oxide
- Mineralisation remains open at depth and along strike over kilometres
- Multi-kilometre palaeochannel system prospective for roll-front uranium defined
- Follow-up drilling approved targeting both sediment-hosted and hard-rock REE
Exploration Breakthrough at Sybella Barkly
Basin Energy Limited (ASX: BSN) has announced encouraging results from its inaugural drilling campaign at the Sybella Barkly Project in northwest Queensland. The initial aircore drilling has confirmed the presence of a district-scale, sediment-hosted Rare Earth Element (REE) system, alongside uranium mineralisation within an extensive palaeochannel architecture.
The standout intercept, drillhole SBDH25021, revealed 2 metres at 1,112 parts per million (ppm) total rare earth oxides (TREO) from 54 metres depth, including 302 ppm of neodymium-praseodymium (NdPr) oxide, critical components for high-tech and green energy applications. This mineralisation remains open-ended, suggesting substantial upside potential with further drilling.
Geological Continuity and Uranium Prospectivity
Beyond the high-grade REE intercepts, Basin Energy's drilling demonstrated geological continuity of mineralisation over several kilometres of strike. Multiple drillholes spaced kilometres apart intercepted anomalous TREO values, reinforcing the concept of REE mobilisation from the Sybella granites into the surrounding sediments of the Barkly Tablelands.
In parallel, the drilling delineated a coherent multi-kilometre palaeochannel system prospective for roll-front uranium deposits, a style known for economic uranium accumulation. Uranium anomalism reached up to 35 ppm U3O8 within oxidised channel sediments, approximately ten times background levels, indicating an active uranium transport system. The next exploration phase will focus on identifying reduced environments down-gradient that could serve as uranium traps.
Strategic Follow-Up and Broader Project Potential
Encouraged by these promising results, Basin Energy has fast-tracked approval for a follow-up drilling program. This next phase will test the depth continuity of the sediment-hosted REE mineralisation and simultaneously explore hard-rock REE targets within the Sybella Batholith granites, known for their enriched REE zones akin to the adjacent Red Metal Sybella Discovery.
The project benefits from supportive native title agreements and government incentives, including a $150,000 co-funding grant from the Queensland Government's Exploration Incentive Scheme, underscoring the strategic importance of this green metals exploration.
Managing Director Pete Moorhouse highlighted the significance of the findings, noting the validation of Basin’s geological concept and the tangible potential for both REE and uranium systems in the region. The company’s approach integrates broad-spaced drilling with refined geological modelling, setting a robust foundation for resource definition.
Context Within the Australian Critical Minerals Landscape
The Sybella Barkly Project sits within a growing Australian focus on critical minerals essential for renewable energy technologies and advanced manufacturing. Rare earth elements like NdPr are vital for permanent magnets used in electric vehicles and wind turbines, while uranium remains a key component for low-carbon energy generation.
Basin Energy’s early-stage exploration success positions it as a noteworthy player in Queensland’s emerging critical minerals sector, complementing its broader portfolio that includes uranium assets in Canada and the Nordic region.
Bottom Line?
With mineralisation open in multiple directions and follow-up drilling imminent, Basin Energy’s Sybella Barkly Project could soon reshape Queensland’s rare earth and uranium exploration landscape.
Questions in the middle?
- What will the upcoming assays from additional samples reveal about the extent and grade of REE mineralisation?
- How will Basin Energy’s follow-up drilling refine the understanding of the uranium palaeochannel traps?
- What are the potential economic implications if the hard-rock REE targets near Newmans Bore prove viable?
