Barkly Rare Earths (ASX:BAK) has commenced a 10,000m phase one drilling program targeting the expansion of its 40 million tonne inferred mineral resource at the Barkly Rare Earths Project in the Northern Territory.
The company reports drilling began today (17 July) with a rig mobilised from Cobar, New South Wales, now on site preparing to drill the first of approximately 400 holes.
The program aims to rapidly grow the existing resource which grades 2,100 parts per million (ppm) total rare earth oxide (TREO) for 82,000 tonnes of contained TREO.
Managing Director Craig Wright says commencing drilling represents an exciting milestone as the company moves into active resource expansion work.
“The 10,000m phase one resource expansion drilling program provides Barkly with a strong opportunity to generate the geological, chemical, and bulk density data needed to support future resource growth and classification work,” Wright says.
According to Barkly, the program involves primarily reverse circulation drilling with approximately 400 holes averaging 25m deep on approximately 800m spacing.
Initial drilling includes several 60m-deep stratigraphic holes near two existing optimised pit shells that delineate the inferred resource.
Barkly says these deeper holes will provide a stronger geological framework for understanding basin stratigraphy and mineralisation continuity outside the existing resource.
Phase one drilling will target resource expansion across the Immediate Zone, coinciding with the company’s previously announced exploration target.
Samples will be geologically logged and chemically analysed at the rig using two portable X-ray fluorescence instruments before selected samples are dispatched to the laboratory for assaying.
Geological logging and chemical analysis from each drill hole will be reviewed daily to dynamically adjust the priority schedule of planned drilling.
Barkly plans to use the resulting data to support future resource classification work, including potential conversion to higher-confidence resource categories.
The company expects planned and consistent newsflow across the third and fourth quarters of 2026 as it seeks to expand the resource by year-end.
Barkly Rare Earths is an explorer focused on the discovery and development of economic mineral deposits, with its flagship namesake project in NT.
Write to Paula Fabe at Mining.com.au
Images: Barkly Rare Earths
