Durack’s High-Grade REE Potential Hinges on Pending Tenement and Native Title Approvals

High-Grade Rare Earth Discoveries at Chandler’s Find

BPM Minerals Ltd (ASX, BPM) has revealed compelling exploration results from its Durack REE-Ti-Zr Project in Western Australia. Recent rock chip samples from the Chandler’s Find prospect have returned exceptionally high grades of rare earth elements (REE), including a standout 9.65% total rare earth oxides (TREO) with 2.20% neodymium oxide (Nd2O3) plus praseodymium oxide (Pr6O11). These figures significantly surpass typical early-stage exploration results and suggest a rich concentration of critical light rare earths essential for modern technologies.

The mineralisation is hosted predominantly in monazite, a phosphate mineral known for its commercial processing advantages and high content of neodymium and praseodymium. Petrographic analysis confirms coarse-grained monazite within heavy mineral-rich sandstone bands, indicating favourable liberation characteristics for gravity and magnetic separation methods. This bodes well for cost-effective extraction and processing.

District-Scale Potential and Geological Context

Chandler’s Find currently represents less than 5% of the Durack Project’s extensive strike length, which spans over 100 kilometres of prospective terrain. Radiometric surveys have identified multiple large-scale anomalies analogous to Chandler’s Find, suggesting the potential for a substantial REE-Ti-Zr heavy mineral sand system. The mineralisation occurs within the Proterozoic Warton Sandstone Formation, interpreted as ancient beach placer deposits that have been lithified and preserved inland.

The geological setting and mineralogy resemble other large heavy mineral sands deposits globally, which often contain billions of tonnes of material. This scale, combined with the high grades observed, positions Durack as a promising new district-scale REE province in a stable, low-sovereign-risk jurisdiction.

Strategic Access and Next Steps

BPM has secured an access agreement with the Australian Wildlife Conservancy, enabling exploration within the Tablelands Pastoral Lease, which covers approximately half of the project area. Negotiations with the Kimberley Land Council regarding native title access are progressing, with expectations to finalise agreements in the first half of 2026. Tenement grants are anticipated shortly thereafter, paving the way for on-ground exploration activities in the 2026 field season.

Planned work includes further radiometric surveying, detailed mapping, additional rock chip sampling, and metallurgical test work to better understand processing characteristics. These steps are critical to advancing the project from early-stage exploration toward resource definition.

Market Context and Government Support

The timing of BPM’s Durack Project is fortuitous amid intensifying global efforts to secure critical mineral supply chains. Renewed geopolitical tensions and export controls by China have accelerated Western initiatives to develop independent rare earth sources. The Australian government’s designation of REEs as critical minerals, coupled with substantial funding for downstream processing facilities such as Iluka Resources’ Eneabba Rare Earths Refinery, underscores national strategic priorities.

Durack’s proximity to emerging processing infrastructure in Western Australia and its high-grade monazite mineralisation align well with these developments. The project could become a vital supplier of neodymium and praseodymium feedstock for electric vehicle motors, wind turbines, and other clean energy technologies driving the global energy transition.

Outlook

While drilling has yet to commence, the exceptional rock chip results and geological indicators provide a strong foundation for optimism. BPM’s methodical approach to securing land access and advancing exploration positions Durack as a project to watch in the critical minerals sector.