Catalina Resources (ASX:CTN) unearths gold and rare earth promise at Laverton

Catalina Resources (ASX:CTN) has reaffirmed the potential of its Laverton Project with the release of reverse circulation (RC) drilling results that highlight both gold and rare earth element (REE) mineralisation.

The company is working in one of Australia’s most productive gold belts, but the emerging REE story may prove to be the unexpected twist that positions the ground for broader critical minerals relevance.

Highlights

• RC drilling near Mt Weld intersected 12m @ 5828 ppm TREO, including 4m @ 1.19% TREO in hole LVRC04.

• Gold assays included 18m @ 1.16 g/t Au from 127m, including 3m @ 3.41 g/t Au.

• Geochemistry points to a structurally hosted, high temperature mineralising system, consistent with major Eastern Goldfields deposits.

• Anomalous neodymium and praseodymium further demonstrate REE potential linked to critical technologies.

• Metallurgical test work will be undertaken at ANSTO, a global leader in REE recovery research.

Catalina’s five hole RC program was designed to probe both gold and REE targets, with results showing the dual potential of the ground.

The assays confirmed a multi element halo that included antimony, tungsten and bismuth.

This geochemical footprint suggests high temperature fluids derived from a nearby intrusive system, a feature consistent with some of the largest deposits in the Eastern Goldfields such as Wallaby, Granny Smith and Sunrise Dam.

While the company’s immediate focus is on gold, holes LVRC04 and LVRC05 provided more than supporting geochemistry.

They delivered clear REE anomalism that builds on earlier aircore results such as 9m at 7565 ppm TREO, including 4m at 13,406 ppm TREO.

Importantly, the mineralisation is hosted in shallow clay rich horizons beneath a modest cover sequence, which may allow for relatively low cost evaluation in future campaigns.

The presence of neodymium and praseodymium, critical rare earths required for permanent magnets used in electric vehicles and renewable energy systems, underscores the strategic flavour of the results.

In LVRC04, assays returned 0.15% Nd₂O₃ and 490 ppm Pr₂O₃.

This aligns the Laverton Project with broader global supply chain themes at a time when demand for these materials continues to intensify.

To establish how these results may convert into commercial outcomes, Catalina Resources has confirmed that metallurgical test work will be undertaken at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO).

ANSTO is widely recognised as a global leader in rare earth recovery, which provides Catalina with access to world class expertise at a formative stage of exploration.

“These results continue to highlight the potential of our Laverton Project, situated in one of Australia’s most prolific gold districts,” said Executive Director Ross Cotton. “While our immediate focus remains on advancing the gold potential, the presence of REE enrichment adds an additional dimension of interest and opportunity for Catalina.”

Catalina finds itself balancing two narratives, on one hand it is testing a structurally hosted gold system in a tier one address.

On the other, it is uncovering a growing body of rare earth anomalism that adds depth to the story and positions the project within the critical minerals sector.

With extensional gold drilling already under way and REE metallurgical test work scheduled, the next updates from Laverton will determine whether Catalina can advance from promising results into a dual commodity play that appeals to both precious metals and strategic minerals investors.

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