Untested EM Targets at Breakaway Dam Pose Exploration Risks and Rewards
Catalina Resources’ recent drilling at Breakaway Dam validates a copper-rich volcanogenic massive sulphide system, revealing significant mineralisation over 700 metres and promising broader exploration potential across 16 kilometres.
- Diamond drilling confirms copper-rich VMS mineralisation
- Significant copper and zinc over 700 metres strike length
- Multiple untested high-conductance EM targets identified
- Broader 16-kilometre prospective stratigraphic trend
- Gold potential under assessment with planned assays
Breakaway Dam Drilling Validates Copper-Rich VMS System
Catalina Resources Limited has announced compelling results from recent diamond drilling and downhole electromagnetic (DHEM) surveys at its Breakaway Dam Copper Project in Western Australia. The work, conducted by Forrestania Resources, confirms the presence of a copper-rich volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) system, a style of mineralisation known for hosting significant copper and zinc deposits.
All four drill holes intersected sulphide-rich horizons with strong geophysical responses, underpinning the continuity and scale potential of the mineralised system. Notably, copper and zinc mineralisation has been delineated over approximately 700 metres of strike within the central project area, with copper grades reaching up to 1.97% over narrow intervals.
Geophysical Surveys Highlight Untested Targets
Downhole EM surveys revealed multiple high-conductance plates, some of which remain untested, presenting clear priority targets for follow-up drilling. Geological interpretation suggests that sulphide mineralisation may be structurally concentrated along plunge directions influenced by post-mineral deformation, offering vectors for expanding the known mineralised footprint.
Beyond the central corridor, the project’s prospective stratigraphic trend extends for about 16 kilometres, indicating district-scale exploration potential. This broad trend remains largely untested, suggesting opportunities for further discovery within the Alexandra Bore Greenstone Belt.
Gold Potential Adds Another Dimension
While the primary focus has been on base metals, Catalina is also investigating the potential for gold mineralisation. The geological setting near a major shear zone is considered prospective for orogenic gold, and fire assay analysis of drill pulps from the recent campaign is planned to assess gold presence within the VMS system.
Strategic Implications and Next Steps
The drilling results materially strengthen Catalina’s technical understanding of Breakaway Dam and support the rationale for its proposed acquisition of the project from Forrestania Resources. Completion of this transaction remains subject to conditions previously announced. Upon completion, Catalina intends to advance systematic exploration, including gold assays, testing untested EM plates, and broader regional drilling to assess continuity and scale.
Executive Director Ross Cotton emphasised that these results provide a solid platform to unlock the project’s potential, highlighting the importance of further drilling to delineate the system’s full extent and test for gold mineralisation.
Bottom Line?
Catalina’s Breakaway Dam results set the stage for a potentially transformative exploration campaign with copper, zinc, and gold prospects in play.
Questions in the middle?
- Will Catalina complete the acquisition and fully control the Breakaway Dam project?
- How will upcoming gold assay results influence the project’s valuation and exploration focus?
- What scale of resource might be delineated with follow-up drilling along the 16-kilometre trend?
