Catalina Resources (ASX:CTN) identifies Pithara Gold Targets following geological reinterpretation
Catalina Resources has completed a geological reinterpretation of the historical Pithara Gold Mine in Western Australia, identifying multiple drill ready targets beyond the historical pit.
The work combined historical drilling, geological mapping, geophysics and surface geochemistry to define a revised exploration model for testing interpreted extensions to the historical high grade gold system.
Highlights
First comprehensive geological reinterpretation of the historical Pithara Gold Mine since mining ceased has identified multiple drill ready targets beyond the historical pit.
Historical drilling returned gold intersections of up to 7m @ 21.8g/t Au, including 2m @ 61.5g/t Au, while mining produced approximately 9,000oz at an average recovered grade of 15.4g/t Au.
Integrated geological mapping, geophysics and historical datasets define a revised exploration model indicating the mineralised shear zone extends beyond the historical workings.
A 26 hole, 3,120m RC drilling program has been designed to test the revised geological model and interpreted extensions to the historical high grade gold system.
The Pithara Project is located within the Dalwallinu Greenstone Belt and includes the historical Pithara Gold Mine. Historical exploration identified shallow, high grade gold mineralisation beneath transported cover, leading to the discovery and subsequent development of the Pithara open pit.
Discovery drilling returned historical intersections including 7m @ 21.8g/t Au from 20m, including 2m @ 61.5g/t Au, 4m @ 11.6g/t Au and 6m @ 4.93g/t Au from 12m, including 1m @ 16g/t Au, with subsequent mining producing approximately 9,000oz at an average recovered grade of 15.4g/t Au.
While the historical mine produced high grade gold, Catalina said the broader geological architecture controlling mineralisation was not fully resolved when mining ceased in 2011.
The company said the revised interpretation improved its understanding of the structural controls on gold mineralisation and established a revised exploration model for testing extensions to the historical high grade gold system.
Recent fieldwork included detailed geological mapping of the existing pit to improve understanding of the lithological and structural controls on mineralisation.
The mapping identified a north south trending shear zone interpreted as the principal mineralising structure, with the shear zone approximately 20m wide on the northern pit face and narrowing southwards to approximately 10m.
The shear zone comprises mafic gneiss, hornfelsic gneiss with migmatitic textures, dolerite and associated felsic veins.
Mapping also identified an east west trending dolerite dyke crosscutting the granite gneiss host and the shear zone, with the shear zone displaced eastward south of the dyke, suggesting a potential offset continuation of the mineralised structure.
The revised interpretation incorporates high resolution magnetic data completed by Southern Geoscience in November 2025.
Catalina said the reinterpretation identified a distinct magnetic anomaly coincident with the historical Pithara pit, with the anomaly correlating closely with mapped mafic lithologies within the mineralised shear zone and surrounded by magnetic lows interpreted to represent the granite gneiss host rock.
Catalina Executive Director Ross Cotton said the company’s revised geological model had identified multiple drill targets through the integration of historical drilling, pit mapping, modern geophysics and surface geochemistry.
“By integrating historical drilling, detailed pit mapping, modern geophysics and surface geochemistry, we’ve developed a much clearer understanding of the geological controls on mineralisation. That work has identified multiple high-priority drill targets that previous exploration either didn't recognise or couldn’t effectively test.”
The planned RC drilling program will target continuation of the magnetic anomaly to the south and north, as well as a potential eastward displaced extension of the shear zone in the south eastern extents where integrated magnetic and surface geochemical datasets define an exploration target.
A total of 26 RC drill holes are planned for approximately 3,120m, with drilling designed on a nominal 50m x 50m spacing and holes planned to an average depth of 120m.
The program is designed to confirm continuity of the mineralised shear zone and intersect extensions to quartz hosted mineralisation beyond the limits of historical mining.
Catalina has executed the required land access agreement and has an approved Program of Work in place for the planned drilling program.
Heritage due diligence is nearing completion, while negotiations with drilling contractors are underway, with drilling expected to commence following completion of the heritage process.
With land access secured, the Program of Work approved and heritage due diligence nearing completion, Catalina is progressing the next stage of work at Pithara ahead of the planned RC drilling program.