Mongolia Holds 16% of Global Rare Earth Reserves as Australia Launches Major Drilling Campaign

Mongolia is estimated to contain about 16% of the world’s rare earth element (REE) reserves, positioning it as a key supplier for high‑tech and agricultural applications. The country’s REE deposits support technologies such as permanent‑magnet tractors, precision‑sensor farming tools, and emission‑control catalysts.

In Australia’s Northern Territory, Barkly Rare Earths (ASX:BAK) has begun a 10,000‑metre drilling program aimed at expanding its inferred resource of 40 million tonnes at 710 ppm total rare earth oxide. About 400 holes averaging 25 m deep will target shallow mineralisation beyond the current resource, with early progress meeting expectations.

Separately, market analysis shows that gold equities outperformed rare‑earth equities by 12 % during the peak of the 2022 mining cycle, underscoring gold’s role as an inflation hedge while highlighting REE stocks as a barometer of macro‑risk exposure.