Early Laverton Drilling Shows Promise but Key Assays and Depth Tests Pending
Catalina Resources has reported promising wide gold mineralisation zones from its first reverse circulation drilling at the Laverton Project, Western Australia, signalling potential for a significant gold system. Follow-up drilling and pending rare earth element assays could further enhance the project’s outlook.
- 18m at 1.16 g/t gold intersected from 127m depth in maiden RC drilling
- Mineralisation hosted in altered quartz–feldspar volcanic rocks indicating a large-scale system
- Gold mineralisation remains open along strike and at depth
- Immediate follow-up RC and diamond drilling underway
- Pending assays for high-grade rare earth elements could add project value
Early Signs of a Large Gold System
Catalina Resources Limited (ASX – CTN) has delivered encouraging results from its maiden reverse circulation (RC) drilling program at the Laverton Project in Western Australia. The highlight intercept of 18 metres at 1.16 grams per tonne (g/t) gold from 127 metres, including a higher-grade 5-metre section at 2.3 g/t, confirms the presence of significant gold mineralisation beneath previously identified shallow zones.
The mineralisation occurs within strongly altered quartz–feldspar volcanic rocks, a hallmark of intrusion-related gold systems that have historically produced major deposits in the Laverton region. This geological setting, combined with the wide intercepts, suggests the potential for a substantial mineralised system yet to be fully delineated.
Strategic Location and Geological Context
The Laverton Project lies within the prolific Laverton Tectonic Zone, a well-known gold province with over 25 million ounces of historical production. Catalina’s tenement is strategically positioned near major operations such as Gold Fields’ Granny Smith and Wallaby mines, and AngloGold Ashanti’s Sunrise Dam, underscoring the district’s proven endowment.
The drilling targeted the Barnicoat Shear Zone, a significant regional structure interpreted from geophysical data, which appears to control the gold mineralisation. The mineralised envelope is steeply east-dipping and remains open in all directions, offering ample scope for expansion through further drilling.
Next Steps – Expanding the Footprint
In response to these promising results, Catalina has already mobilised for a second phase of drilling, combining RC and diamond drilling techniques. This program aims to test the strike extensions of the current intercepts and explore the depth potential of the mineralisation.
Complementary petrological and multi-element geochemical studies are underway to better characterise the system. These data will feed into a 3D geological model designed to refine targeting and accelerate resource definition.
Rare Earth Element Potential Adds Another Dimension
Adding to the project’s appeal, previous aircore drilling intersected high-grade rare earth element (REE) mineralisation nearby, including a standout 4-metre interval grading over 13,000 ppm total rare earth oxides (TREO). Catalina’s recent RC holes targeting this zone have assays pending, which, if positive, could significantly broaden the Laverton Project’s commodity exposure and strategic value.
Outlook and Market Implications
While still at an early stage, Catalina’s maiden drilling results provide a textbook indication of a large-scale intrusion-hosted gold system in a well-endowed region. The combination of wide mineralised zones, strong alteration, and proximity to existing infrastructure positions the Laverton Project as a compelling exploration story to watch.
Investors and analysts will be keenly awaiting the results of the follow-up drilling and REE assays, which will be critical in assessing the project’s potential to evolve into a significant resource.
Bottom Line?
Catalina’s Laverton drilling opens a promising chapter, but the true scale of the system hinges on upcoming assay results and deeper drilling.
Questions in the middle?
- How extensive are the strike and depth extensions of the gold mineralisation beyond current intercepts?
- Will the pending rare earth element assays confirm a viable multi-commodity project?
- How will the 3D geological model influence the targeting and pace of resource definition?
