Bayan Mining has kicked off its first-ever drilling campaign at the Desert Star Rare Earth Project in California, aiming to test promising high-grade surface mineralisation and geophysical targets near the Mountain Pass mine.
- Maiden reverse circulation drilling commenced at Desert Star
- Surface samples showed up to 6.68% total rare earth oxides (TREO)
- Drilling targets supported by multiple geophysical anomalies
- Program expected to complete by June 2026 with assays in August
- Project located near Mountain Pass and Colosseum Gold mines
Maiden Drilling Begins at Desert Star
Bayan Mining and Minerals Ltd (ASX:BMM) has embarked on its first reverse circulation (RC) drilling program at the Desert Star Rare Earth Project in San Bernardino County, California. This maiden campaign marks a pivotal transition from surface sampling to subsurface testing, designed to evaluate the scale and continuity of rare earth element (REE) mineralisation beneath the surface.
The project’s surface sampling has already delivered encouraging results, with assays reaching up to 66,810 ppm TREO (6.68% TREO). These high-grade figures, combined with coincident geophysical signatures, including radiometric, magnetic, and gravity anomalies, have shaped the drill targets. Notably, a low-susceptibility, high-density geophysical body has been modelled as a priority exploration target.
Strategic Location and Geological Context
Desert Star sits just 4.5 kilometres northeast of MP Materials’ Mountain Pass Rare Earth Mine, one of the world’s largest and highest-grade rare earth operations, and about 3 kilometres north of Dateline Resources’ Colosseum Gold Mine. The project lies within a regional corridor characterised by Paleoproterozoic basement rocks intruded by alkaline and carbonatite bodies, with structural controls linked to the Ivanpah and Clark Mountain fault systems.
The strong light rare earth element (LREE) signature is particularly notable, with selective surface samples showing approximately 94% LREE composition and a significant neodymium-praseodymium (Nd-Pr) component making up 23-29% of TREO. These magnet rare earth elements are critical for permanent magnets, underpinning the strategic value of the project.
Drilling Program Details and Site Readiness
The maiden drill program targets up to 1,000 metres of RC drilling across multiple permitted sites, aiming to test down-dip extensions of surface mineralisation and the geophysical anomaly at depths of up to 300 metres. Drilling will provide critical data on the geometry, continuity, and alteration characteristics of REE zones below ground.
Site preparation, including access road upgrades and drill pad construction, has been completed to Bureau of Land Management standards by MP Environmental Services. This ensures safe and efficient access to all drill locations, allowing drilling operations to commence immediately.
Samples collected during drilling will undergo rigorous QA/QC procedures before being sent to ALS Reno for REE and multi-element analysis. Bayan expects drilling to conclude by the end of June 2026, with assay results anticipated in August, subject to laboratory turnaround times.
Next Steps and Market Implications
Following assay receipt, Bayan plans to integrate drilling results with existing surface geochemistry and geophysical data to refine exploration targets and prioritise follow-up drilling. The company’s CEO, Nathan Kong, emphasised the significance of this milestone, highlighting the compelling combination of high-grade surface mineralisation and geophysical anomalies within a globally significant rare earth district.
This maiden drilling campaign follows Bayan’s recent strong rare earth assay results and the securing of a drilling rig for Desert Star’s campaign secured RC drill rig, underscoring the company’s advancing exploration momentum in the US rare earth sector.
Bottom Line?
Desert Star’s maiden drilling will provide the first crucial glimpse beneath surface anomalies, setting the stage for a clearer picture of Bayan’s rare earth potential in a strategically significant location.
Questions in the middle?
- Will assay results confirm the continuity and grade of REE mineralisation at depth?
- How will the geophysical anomaly correlate with drilling outcomes and mineralisation geometry?
- What follow-up drilling or development steps will Bayan prioritise based on initial results?