Catalina Resources (ASX:CTN) launches RC drilling to extend wide gold zones at Laverton Project

Catalina Resources Limited (ASX:CTN) has commenced a new reverse circulation (RC) drilling program at its Laverton Gold Project, strategically positioned within one of Australia’s most productive gold districts.

The campaign is designed to extend the wide gold zones identified in earlier drilling and to test the mineralised potential of the Barnicoat Shear Zone, a regional structure known for hosting several world class deposits.

In this Q&A, Executive Director Ross Cotton provides further detail on the program, its objectives, and how it supports Catalina’s wider growth strategy.

What is the main objective of this new RC drilling program at Laverton?

The focus of the program is to expand on the wide zones of mineralisation already identified at Laverton, where earlier drilling returned strong intersections including 28 metres at 1.09 grams per tonne gold from 57 metres, with a high grade metre at 9.69 grams per tonne, and another hole recording 18 metres at 1.16 grams per tonne gold from 126 metres, including 5 metres at 2.3 grams per tonne.

These results demonstrate that the project hosts both width and grade.

“The RC drilling program now underway is targeting the halo area to refine these zones and extend them further, while also testing the strike and depth potential along the Barnicoat Shear Zone, a recognised mineralised structure that hosts several major deposits.”

By approaching the program in this way, the company is working to build a clearer picture of the scale of the system and identify the areas that remain open for further growth.

How large is the current drilling campaign and what does it involve?

The campaign will consist of 11 RC drill holes with a combined total of around 2000 metres. Hole depths range from 130 metres through to 250 metres, allowing the program to test a range of geological settings within the halo area.

“Two of the deeper holes, LVRC07 and LVRC20, are planned to reach 250 metres and are designed to specifically test the western shoot, an area where strong potential for extension has been identified.”

The program has been structured to include both infill and step out drilling.

Infill holes will confirm the continuity of zones already intersected, while step out holes will test extensions beyond them, ensuring a balance between consolidation and expansion of known mineralisation.

Why is the location of the Laverton Project considered strategic?

The Laverton Project is situated within Exploration Licence E38/3697, in the centre of a district that has long been recognised as one of Australia’s most productive gold regions.

It lies near major operations such as Sunrise Dam, Wallaby and Granny Smith, all of which highlight the proven potential of the area, and is also close to the Mt Weld rare earths deposit.

“Exploration is focused on the Barnicoat Shear Zone, a regional scale mineralised structure with several deposits scattered along its length.”

Being located in this setting is highly advantageous, as it places the project within a geological system that has consistently supported large and long life mineralised bodies.

When can investors expect assay results from this drilling program?

The assays from this program are expected to be received and released to the market in mid October 2025.

Once the results are available, they will confirm whether the mineralisation previously intersected continues at depth and along strike, while also showing if new zones of mineralisation have been identified.

The turnaround from drilling to results is relatively short, which means investors can expect timely updates that will guide the next stages of exploration.

How does this drilling program fit into Catalina Resources’ broader growth strategy?

The program is central to Catalina’s broader strategy because it directly advances one of the company’s core gold projects within a proven district.

The approach of combining infill drilling with step outs allows the company to confirm the mineralisation already established while at the same time demonstrating its potential scale.

“The Laverton Gold Project has already shown that it hosts wide zones of gold, and this campaign is about extending and defining those zones further.”

Catalina is also diversified across gold, base metals, lithium and iron ore, and its vision is to create shareholder value through exploration success and the development of projects into production.

The systematic work underway at Laverton reflects this approach, as it continues to generate new data and unlock further value from the company’s portfolio.

Looking ahead

The Laverton drilling program is an important step forward in Catalina Resources effort to refine and extend mineralisation within a proven gold district.

With results expected in mid October 2025, investors will soon gain a clearer understanding of the project’s potential. The combination of infill and step out drilling highlights the company’s commitment to both

strengthening its understanding of existing mineralisation and identifying opportunities for growth along the Barnicoat Shear Zone.

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