Catalina Resources Uncovers Wide Gold Zones in Laverton’s Maiden Drilling
Catalina Resources has reported promising wide gold mineralisation from its first reverse circulation drilling at the Laverton Project, Western Australia, signaling a potentially large intrusion-hosted gold system. Follow-up drilling is underway to explore strike and depth extensions.
- 18m at 1.16 g/t gold intersected from 127m depth
- Gold mineralisation hosted in altered quartz–feldspar volcanic rocks
- Drilling targets the Barnicoat Shear Zone within Laverton Tectonic Zone
- Immediate follow-up RC and diamond drilling planned
- Rare earth element assays pending, adding potential project value
Exploration Breakthrough at Laverton
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 company intersected wide zones of gold mineralisation, notably 18 metres grading 1.16 grams per tonne (g/t) gold starting from 127 metres depth, including a higher-grade 5-metre section at 2.3 g/t. These results confirm the presence of a significant mineralised system beneath earlier shallow aircore drilling.
Geological Context and Significance
The mineralisation is hosted within strongly altered quartz–feldspar volcanic rocks, featuring networks of sericite, pyrite, chlorite, and quartz veining. This alteration pattern is characteristic of large-scale intrusion-related gold systems, which are known to underpin several major deposits in the prolific Laverton Tectonic Zone. The drilling targeted the Barnicoat Shear Zone, a regionally important structural feature interpreted from geophysical data that traverses Catalina’s tenement E38/3697.
Strategic Location and Infrastructure
Located near established gold operations such as Gold Fields’ Granny Smith and Wallaby mines, and AngloGold Ashanti’s Sunrise Dam, the Laverton Project benefits from existing regional infrastructure and milling facilities. This proximity enhances the potential for efficient project development should further drilling confirm a viable resource.
Next Steps and Rare Earth Element Potential
Catalina has already mobilised for a second phase of drilling, combining RC and diamond drilling to test both strike extensions and depth potential of the mineralisation. Concurrently, petrology and multi-element geochemistry studies are underway to refine the geological model and guide resource targeting. Notably, previous aircore drilling intersected high-grade rare earth elements (REE), with assays pending from recent RC holes targeting these zones. Positive REE results could add a valuable dimension to the project’s prospectivity.
Outlook
While the initial results are promising, Catalina acknowledges that the true width of mineralisation is yet to be confirmed due to current drilling orientations. The company is cautiously optimistic, emphasizing the need for further drilling and assay results to fully delineate the system. The coming months will be critical in defining the scale and economic potential of the Laverton Project.
Bottom Line?
Catalina’s Laverton drilling marks a promising start, but upcoming assays and deeper drilling will be pivotal in shaping the project’s future.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the pending rare earth element assays confirm a significant by-product opportunity?
- How extensive is the gold mineralisation along strike and at depth beyond current drill intercepts?
- When can investors expect a maiden resource estimate based on follow-up drilling?