Catalina’s Rock Lodge Drilling Signals Potential but Multi-Element Assays Pending

Diamond Drilling Advances Understanding of Rock Lodge Gold Potential

Catalina Resources Limited (ASX: CTN) has announced the receipt of gold assay results from its recently completed diamond drilling campaign at the Rock Lodge Project, situated in the Lachlan Fold Belt of New South Wales. The two-hole program, conducted in November 2024, was designed to follow up on promising gold mineralization previously identified in shallow reverse circulation (RC) drilling.

The standout result came from drill hole SRLRCD001, which intersected an 11-metre zone averaging 0.88 grams per tonne (g/t) gold starting at 193 metres depth. Notably, this included a higher-grade 1-metre interval at 5.25 g/t gold. Additional significant intercepts within the same hole included 1 metre at 1.87 g/t and 1 metre at 1.4 g/t gold at varying depths, confirming the presence of multiple mineralized zones.

Geological Context and Mineralization Style

The mineralization is hosted within a bleached and altered quartz sulphide breccia, characterized by pyrite and pyrrhotite minerals, with cross-cutting quartz carbonate veins. These features are consistent with orogenic and intrusion-related gold systems typical of the Lachlan Fold Belt, a region known for significant gold and base metal deposits.

The Rock Lodge Project covers 163 square kilometres and has a history of exploration by several companies over the past five decades, but Catalina’s recent drilling is the first to systematically test deeper targets beneath historical shallow workings. The diamond drilling intersected broad zones of pervasive alteration and sulphide veining within siltstone host rocks, suggesting a substantial mineralizing fluid system.

Next Steps and Exploration Outlook

While gold assay results are promising, Catalina is awaiting multi-element assay data for copper, lead, zinc, bismuth, silver, and arsenic from SGS Laboratory, expected within weeks. These results will be critical in refining the geological model and planning further exploration activities, potentially including additional diamond drilling to test lateral and depth extensions of the mineralized zones.

The company’s exploration strategy is supported by geophysical surveys and geochemical anomalies that have yet to be fully tested, indicating that Rock Lodge remains a highly prospective target within the East Lachlan Fold Belt, a prolific mineral province hosting major mines such as Cadia and Lake Cowal.

Importantly, Catalina has navigated regulatory challenges earlier in 2024, with exploration activities resuming after compliance issues were addressed, underscoring the company’s commitment to responsible and continuous exploration.

Broader Implications for Catalina Resources

This drilling campaign marks a significant step in unlocking the potential of the Rock Lodge Project. The presence of high-grade gold intercepts at depth, combined with the geological setting and historical data, positions Catalina Resources to potentially delineate a meaningful gold resource. Investors and analysts will be watching closely as further assay results and exploration plans unfold.