Basin Energy Expands Queensland REE-Uranium Project to 6,140km²

Basin Energy secures land expansion in Queensland with the addition of 183km² of new tenure, creating a substantial 6,140km² district-scale rare earth elements (REE) and uranium exploration project in the highly prospective Sybella-Barkly region. The company has also secured critical access agreements and is currently executing an active ~3,000m drilling programme targeting multiple high-priority zones.

This strategic expansion comes at a pivotal time as Basin advances its maiden drilling campaign in an area that has historically shown strong geological promise but remained underexplored. Furthermore, the new tenure encompasses areas with significant historic airborne electromagnetic (AEM) anomalies and geochemical signatures that suggest substantial REE and uranium potential.

Drilling Programme Targets Multiple District-Scale Opportunities

Basin's current exploration strategy focuses on three distinct mineralisation styles across the expanded project area:

Sediment-Hosted REE Targets:

• Targeting clay-hosted REE within a 1,000km² conductive horizon
• 12-metre thick target zone at 20-32m depth identified through AEM surveys
• Average drilling depth of 35 metres using aircore methodology
• Direct connection to Red Metal's nearby Sybella Discovery

Paleochannel Uranium Systems:

• Extensive paleochannel network identified through historic AEM data
• 35 initial holes planned averaging 40 metres depth
• Targeting roll-front uranium mineralisation in sandstone channels
• Total of ~1,400 metres dedicated to uranium exploration

Managing Director Commentary

"With drilling well underway at the first of our three district-scale targets for REE and uranium at this exceptionally prospective project, we are happy to expand our land position. I have been on site for the last week, personally overseeing the progress, and I am very excited for the results of the assays in the coming months," said Pete Moorhouse, Managing Director.

Understanding Clay-Hosted REE Deposits: A Growing Critical Minerals Sector

Clay-hosted rare earth element deposits represent an increasingly important source of critical minerals, particularly for heavy rare earth elements (HREEs) essential for clean energy technologies. In addition, unlike traditional hard-rock REE deposits, clay-hosted systems typically offer several advantages:

Key Characteristics:

• Lower-cost extraction through conventional mining methods
• Reduced processing complexity compared to hard-rock deposits
• Often enriched in valuable heavy rare earth elements
• Formed through extensive weathering of granite source rocks

Why This Matters for Investors:
Clay-hosted REE deposits have gained significant attention following successful developments in China and emerging projects globally. Consequently, the potential for large-scale, lower-cost REE production makes these systems particularly attractive in the current critical minerals market.

Technical Context:
Basin Energy secures land expansion in Queensland by targeting a 12-metre thick conductive layer spanning over 1,000km², suggesting extensive clay formation from weathering of the uranium-rich Sybella granites. This geological setting mirrors successful REE clay deposits elsewhere, where granite weathering has concentrated rare earth elements in accessible clay horizons.

The company's approach utilises aircore drilling, a cost-effective method that allows rapid testing of the shallow clay horizon at depths averaging 35 metres. This methodology enables systematic evaluation across the extensive target area whilst maintaining drilling efficiency.

Strategic Access and Operational Milestones Achieved

Basin has successfully navigated critical operational hurdles that enable sustained exploration activities:

Land Access Secured:

• Conduct and compensation agreement finalised for Ardmore Station
• 12-month exploration access guaranteed for upcoming programmes
• EPM 29333 application submitted for additional 183km² tenure
• Expected approval timeline of several months for new permit

Exploration Infrastructure:

• Active drilling operations currently underway
• Multiple drill-ready targets identified across the district
• Systematic drilling approach planned for Q4 2025
• On-site management oversight ensuring programme quality

The securing of access agreements represents a significant milestone for Basin, as land access can often be a limiting factor for exploration companies in productive agricultural regions. Furthermore, the 12-month timeframe provides sufficient runway for comprehensive initial testing of the company's priority targets.

The additional 183km² application area is considered prospective for both sediment-hosted uranium and REE targets within the Barkly Tablelands. Historical Summit Resources AEM surveys conducted in February 2007 identified numerous targets, though no drilling was completed at that time.

Investment Thesis: Positioning for the Critical Minerals Boom

Basin Energy secures land expansion in Queensland strategically within Australia's emerging critical minerals sector. Several factors support the investment thesis:

Geological Advantages:

• Proven source rocks with established REE-uranium fertility
• Multiple target types reducing single-mode exploration risk
• District-scale footprint offering significant resource potential
• Historic data foundation enabling targeted exploration approach

Market Positioning:

• Critical minerals exposure through REE and uranium targets
• Queensland jurisdiction with supportive mining policies
• Infrastructure accessibility in established mining region
• Scalable project size supporting long-term development potential

The timing of Basin's expansion aligns favourably with increasing global demand for critical minerals, particularly REE essential for renewable energy technologies and uranium for nuclear power generation.

What Makes the Geological Context Historically Significant?

The Sybella-Barkly region benefits from a substantial geological database built through previous exploration efforts. Surface geochemistry samples indicate significant mobilisation of rare earth elements into the Barkly Tablelands from the Sybella Batholith, which hosts Red Metal's Sybella Discovery.

Surface sediment samples form a regionally significant anomaly, with the highest values occurring within catchments draining from the Sybella discovery area. However, this geological relationship suggests potential for extensive REE distribution across Basin's expanded tenure.

Uranium Potential Indicators

The Summit Resources AEM survey identified a stacked sequence of paleochannels within the Barkly Tablelands, fed from the Sybella Batholith. Academic research indicates these "hot" granites are the source for the Valhalla uranium deposits, supporting the geological model for uranium mobility through the interpreted paleochannel network.

Historical drilling recorded redox fronts, sandstone channels, and impermeable cap rocks, however no radiometric data was collected and uranium was not assayed for at that time.

Why Should Investors Monitor Basin Energy's Progress?

Basin Energy has assembled several compelling elements that warrant investor attention in the critical minerals space:

Near-Term Catalysts:

• Assay results from current drilling programme expected in coming months
• Multiple target testing providing several discovery opportunities
• Systematic exploration approach maximising success probability
• Proven management team with direct project oversight

Strategic Advantages:

• 6,140km² footprint creating significant resource potential
• Multiple mineralisation styles diversifying discovery opportunities
• Established infrastructure in proven mining region
• Critical minerals focus aligning with global energy transition

Operational Excellence:

• Active drilling operations demonstrating execution capability
• Secured land access enabling sustained exploration programmes
• Technical foundation built on comprehensive historic data
• District-scale approach supporting long-term value creation

The combination of active drilling, expanded tenure, and secured access agreements positions Basin Energy as a company executing a systematic approach to critical minerals exploration in a highly prospective region.

Current drainage patterns data indicate that sediments forming the Barkly Tablelands are sourced from the Sybella Batholith, providing a direct geological link between proven REE-uranium fertility and Basin's target areas.

Key Investment Tracking Points

Basin Energy secures land expansion in Queensland as a significant player in Australia's critical minerals sector, with active drilling across multiple high-potential targets. With assay results expected in the coming months and a systematic approach to district-scale exploration, the company offers diversified exposure to both REE and uranium discoveries in an established mining jurisdiction.

Glossary of Terms:

• AEM (Airborne Electromagnetics): Geophysical survey method using electromagnetic fields to map subsurface geology
• Paleochannels: Ancient river or stream channels buried beneath younger sediments
• Roll-front deposits: Uranium deposits formed where oxidising groundwater meets reducing conditions
• REE (Rare Earth Elements): Group of 17 metallic elements essential for high-tech applications
• Aircore drilling: Drilling method using compressed air to retrieve continuous rock samples

Considering an Investment in Basin Energy?

With Basin Energy advancing its ambitious 3,000-metre drilling programme across a district-scale 6,140km² critical minerals project in Queensland, the company represents a compelling opportunity in Australia's emerging rare earth elements and uranium exploration sector. Active drilling operations are currently underway targeting multiple high-priority zones, with assay results expected in the coming months that could significantly de-risk this geological opportunity. For investors seeking exposure to critical minerals exploration with near-term catalysts and proven management execution, visit www.basinenergy.com.au to discover more about Basin Energy's strategic positioning in the Sybella-Barkly region and upcoming operational milestones.