Sybella-Barkly
Strategic uranium and rare earths portfolio in Queensland, near Paladin’s 148.3 Mlb Valhalla deposit and Red Metal’s REO discovery
Overview
Target Type
Paleochannel and shear-hosted uranium targets; clay-hosted and hard rock rare earth element targets.
Ownership
100%
Location
Located adjacent and within the same granite complex as Red Metals (ASX:RDM) giant Sybella discovery, and just 6.5 km from Paladin’s 148.3 Mlb Valhalla uranium deposit (ASX:PDN).
Landholding
5,958 km2
Highlights
Rare Earth Elements Potential
- Hard rock REE targets: Geological & metallurgical analogue to Red Metal’s bulk REE discovery, hosted in the Sybella Granite. Proof-of-concept auger program occurred on the project in August 2023 confirming near-surface LREE enrichment within regolith of the Sybella granite. Drill-ready, three high priority anomalous targets were identified following this work.
- Clay-hosted REE targets: Airborne EM mapping highlights shallow conductive clay accumulations (avg. 12 m thick at 20–32 m depth) across >1,000 km², interpreted as paleo-drainages sourced from the Sybella Granite. Economically significant REE accumulations may occur in paleochannels and buried alluvial fans under shallow cover, as highlighted by soil and stream sediment REE-anomalies on the project. Minimal historical drilling occurred on the property.
Uranium Potential
- Significant potential for Valhalla-Style shear-hosted uranium: Numerous radiometric anomalies within the Cromwell Metabasalt (the host rock to Valhalla deposits) at the contact with the Sybella granite within EPM 28252. Radiometric filtering applied to current data highlighted alteration sequence of Valhalla produced clear structurally controlled features.
- Roll-front uranium targets: Extensive paleochannel networks were defined by high-spatial resolution airborne EM survey. Present-day seasonal creeks and paleodrainage patterns suggest that the uranium-rich Sybella Batholith is the dominant sediment source. Historical drilling (exploring for base metals and phosphate) has identified first-order uranium targeting indicators including: redox fronts, impermeable caprocks, and sandstone channels (none of which were assayed for uranium).