Basin Energy Limited has commenced a follow-up drilling program at the Newmans rare earth discovery within its Sybella-Barkly Project in northwest Queensland.

The reverse circulation program tests the continuity of a 3.3-kilometre mineralised corridor identified during maiden drilling, which previously returned intercepts including 24 metres at 453 parts per million magnet rare earth oxides within 2,247 parts per million total rare earth oxides from six metres depth.

The Newmans campaign is the first of three proposed drill programs planned for the second half of 2026. Subsequent work will include drilling supported by the Queensland Government's Collaborative Exploration Initiative, followed by step-out drilling subject to heritage clearances.

Assay results are expected in mid to late September. Basin Energy completed a $1.1 million financing in June to support exploration, including preliminary metallurgical assessments.

“Our discovery at Newmans presents excellent upside potential for Basin. Maiden drilling confirmed thick, shallow magnet rare earth mineralisation and defined a 3.3 km mineralised corridor. Our initial follow-up program is designed to test the continuity of that system. In the background, we continue to progress stakeholder engagement and program planning to enable step-out drilling from the identified mineralisation. We are targeting up to three drill programs between now and the end of the year, each with the potential to add significant scale to this emerging discovery. Additionally, we have been engaging with suitable consultants to undertake preliminary metallurgical work. With assay results from this program expected in mid to late September, and more drilling to come, Basin is entering an active period with multiple near-term catalysts.”

— Pete Moorhouse, Managing Director

Read the full announcement: Follow Up Drilling Commences At Newmans