Basin Energy Ltd. has begun preliminary metallurgical test work at its Newmans rare earth discovery in northwest Queensland, advancing three key operational streams simultaneously to support its next exploration phase.
Located within the Sybella-Barkly rare earth project, the Newmans prospect is undergoing parallel evaluation, including metallurgical studies, follow-up drilling, and cultural heritage surveys.
The company has engaged the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) and Brisbane Metallurgical Laboratories to undertake initial leachability test work and XRD analysis.
The program will evaluate the recoverability of rare earth mineralisation across various weathering domains, with results anticipated in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Basin Energy Managing Director Pete Moorhouse said advancing work streams in parallel enhances operational momentum and refines the technical understanding of the discovery.
“Excited by our results to date, we are advancing Newmans on multiple fronts in parallel,” Moorhouse said.
“Assay results are expected imminently, with initial leachability results expected to follow in the fourth quarter.
“Both represent important next steps in assessing the scale, grade and potential recoverability of the rare earth mineralisation identified at Newmans.”
The company recently completed 18 follow-up reverse circulation drillholes designed to test the continuity of a 3.3-kilometre mineralised corridor defined by maiden drilling.
Previous high-grade shallow intercepts included 24 metres at 453 parts per million (ppm) magnet rare earth oxides (MREO) within 2,247 ppm total rare earth oxides (TREO) from a depth of six metres.
Initial cultural heritage surveys conducted alongside the Bularnu Waluwarra and Wangkayujuru Aboriginal Corporation are complete, with formal outcomes expected in October to clear future step-out drilling transects.
Two additional drilling campaigns are planned for late 2026, including a program co-funded by the Queensland government’s Collaborative Exploration Initiative, targeting phosphate-associated heavy rare earths.
Basin remains fully funded to complete its scheduled second-half work programs across its 5,864-square-kilometre landholding in the Mount Isa critical minerals hub.
