Barkly Rare Earths (ASX:BAK) has officially commenced a 10,000-metre Phase 1 drilling campaign at its flagship Barkly project in the Northern Territory. The company has moved a drill rig to the site to begin a programme consisting of approximately 400 shallow holes, which average 25 metres in depth. This activity is designed to test the scale potential of the project’s existing 40 million tonne Inferred Mineral Resource, which currently grades at 2,100 ppm total rare earth oxide.

Field crews have already established the necessary access tracks and drill pads, and the initial phase of work includes several deeper 60-metre holes positioned near the company’s existing pit shells. These deeper targets are intended to clarify the basin stratigraphy and provide critical data on the continuity of mineralisation outside the current resource boundaries. Following this initial stage, the rig will transition to reconnaissance and infill drilling across the broader project area to further define the extent of the mineralisation.

"Commencing drilling is an exciting and important milestone for Barkly as we move into active resource-expansion work at our flagship Barkly Project. With the rig on site preparing to drill the first holes, I am joining the field team at Barkly as we execute this carefully planned programme designed to test the scale potential around our existing 40 Mt Inferred Mineral Resource."

— Craig Wright, Managing Director

The company is employing portable XRF instruments at the drill site for real-time analysis, allowing technical staff to review geological logs and chemical data daily. This high-frequency feedback loop is expected to enable the team to adjust the drilling priority schedule dynamically, ensuring the programme remains focused on its primary goal of rapid resource expansion.

Beyond simply increasing the size of the known deposit, the data collected throughout this 10,000-metre campaign will also inform future resource classification. By gathering comprehensive geological, chemical, and bulk-density data, the company aims to support the potential conversion of its current resources into higher-confidence categories.

Shareholders can expect a consistent flow of information as the project progresses. The company has confirmed plans to release ongoing exploration results from the 400-hole campaign throughout the third and fourth quarters of 2026. This period of activity is expected to culminate in an updated Mineral Resource estimate, which is currently scheduled for release in the final quarter of the year. Through these combined efforts, management intends to refine its geological model while aggressively testing the boundaries of the deposit.

Read the full announcement: 10,000m Drilling Program Commences