Drilling commences on niobium-REE carbonatite discovery
Released
Released
Announcement PDF
1 September 2026
AR3 commences follow-up drilling to test scale of
Overland niobium-REE carbonatite discovery
Highlights:
• Follow-up drill program underway at AR3's emerging niobium-rare earth carbonatite
discovery at the Overland Project, South Australia.
• ~2,000m aircore program planned, testing priority targets within the northern 6km of the
recently defined 10km magnetic corridor1
.
• Five drill traverses are planned across the magnetic trend to test the continuity and scale
of the carbonatite system.
• Drilling includes follow-up testing of historic hole R64, which recorded a significant
gamma response1
over a 15m interval ~3km south of the OV167 discovery.
• The Drill Program follows the identification of a niobium-rare earth carbonatite system in
hole OV1672
and subsequent delineation of a significant corridor-scale magnetic
anomaly.
• Carbonatite systems are globally important sources of niobium and rare earth elements,
recognised for their potential to host large-scale critical mineral deposits.
• Engage with this announcement at the AR3 investor hub.
Overview
Australian Rare Earths Limited (ASX: AR3) is pleased to advise that follow-up exploration
drilling has commenced at the Company's 100%-owned Overland Project in South Australia,
targeting extensions to the recently identified niobium-rare earth carbonatite mineral system.
The approximately 2,000 metre aircore drilling program will focus on the northern 6 kilometers of
the 10 kilometer magnetic corridor identified through reprocessing detailed airborne magnetic
data (AR3 ASX Release 23 July 2026). The program comprises five drill traverses designed to test
multiple magnetic targets interpreted to represent potential carbonatite intrusive centers and
associated mineralised zones.
The program is designed to establish whether mineralisation is continuous along strike and will
serve as the support required to move from a single discovery toward a defined exploration
target.
The campaign follows AR3's discovery of significant niobium and rare earth mineralisation
in drill hole OV1671 (AR3 ASX Release 8 July 2026), which intersected 19 metres of anomalous
rare earth and niobium mineralisation from 86 metres to the end of hole, demonstrating the
fertility of the carbonatite system and highlighting its potential for expansion. That the
intersection remains open at end-of-hole is significant in its own right; meaning the true
1
AR3 23 July 2026 ASX Release
2
AR3 8 July 2026 ASX Release
thickness of mineralisation at OV167 is not yet defined and the current program is designed to
test that open potential along strike.
Drilling will also target the vicinity of historic drill hole R64, which recorded a significant gamma
response from 56 metres to end of hole (AR3 ASX Release 23 July 2026), and occurs within the
same magnetic corridor approximately 3 kilometers south of OV167. The coincidence of
magnetic and radiometric responses along this extensive trend provides additional support that
the carbonatite system may extend well beyond the initial discovery area.
Travis Beinke - Managing Director and CEO, Australian Rare Earths Limited
“The commencement of this drilling program marks the next phase of systematic testing of what
is emerging as a significant carbonatite system at Overland.
Our initial discovery hole, combined with the subsequently identified 10 kilometer magnetic
corridor and encouraging historic drilling results, highlights the scale potential of the system. This
program is designed to test multiple targets along strike and improve our understanding of the
geometry, continuity, and fertility of the carbonatite mineralisation.
Carbonatite-hosted deposits are globally important sources of rare earth elements and niobium.
We are excited to be advancing drilling across this highly prospective corridor and look forward
to updating shareholders as results become available.”
Figure 1: Drill rig commencing the first hole of the 2026 follow-up drilling program at the Overland Project.
Growing Evidence of a Large Carbonatite System
AR3's exploration model (and the case for a system with scale, rather than a single anomalous
hole) is supported by several features already identified at Overland:
1. Significant niobium and rare earth mineralisation intersected in OV167.
Mineralisation remains open at depth, meaning the true scale of the OV167 intercept is
not yet defined.
2. Identification of pyrochlore: the principal niobium ore mineral in major global niobium
deposits. A continuous 10 kilometer magnetic corridor interpreted to represent a large
carbonatite-related system, providing the target inventory for the current and future drill
programs. Historic drilling evidence (R64) supporting continuation of the system well
away from the original discovery area.
3. Geological characteristics consistent with fertile carbonatite mineral systems
capable of hosting niobium and rare earth mineralisation, the same mineral system class
that hosts several of the world's largest niobium and rare earth deposits.
Figure 2: Overland Project magnetic imagery showing the 10km corridor, planned drill traverses, the OV167 discovery
location and historic hole R64.
Next Steps
Assay results and downhole gamma data from the current program will be progressively reported
to shareholders as they are received and interpreted, consistent with the Company's continuous
disclosure obligations.
The announcement has been authorised for release by the Board of Australian Rare Earths Limited.
For further information please contact:
Australian Rare Earths Limited Media Enquiries
Travis Beinke Jessica Fertig
Managing Director and CEO Tau Media
T: 1 300 646 100 E: info@taumedia.com.au
Engage and Contribute at the AR3 investor hub: https://investorhub.ar3.com.au/
About Australian Rare Earths Limited
Australian Rare Earths is committed to the timely exploration and development of its 100% owned, flagship Koppamurra
Project, located in the new Koppamurra rare earths Province in southeastern South Australia and western Victoria.
Koppamurra is a prospective ionic clay hosted rare earth deposit, rich in all the elements required in the manufacture of rare
earth permanent magnets which are essential components in electric vehicles, wind turbines and domestic appliances. In
addition, AR3 is actively reviewing other potential prospective areas which may also host uranium and ionic clay hosted rare
earth deposits throughout Australia.
The Company is focused on executing a growth strategy that aims to position AR3 as an independent and sustainable source
of energy transition metals, playing a pivotal role in the global transition to a green economy.
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