Catalina Resources Advances Kirkalocka Exploration with Soil Sampling Program

Soil Sampling Marks Shift to Active Exploration

Catalina Resources (ASX:CTN) has transitioned from data review to field activity at its Kirkalocka Gold Project with the launch of a systematic soil sampling program comprising approximately 1,500 samples. This initiative follows a comprehensive technical review that confirmed multiple zones of gold mineralisation within the Mid-West portfolio, positioning the company to generate high-quality drill targets.

The soil sampling is designed to refine historical gold anomalies and assess key structural corridors identified during the recent review, which highlighted significant intercepts such as 6 metres at 1.79 g/t Au and a 1-metre intercept grading 4.66 g/t Au. These results underpin the project's exploration potential adjacent to the Kirkalocka Gold Mine and processing hub, which hosts a 240,000-ounce mineral resource and is slated for restart in 2026 by Gylden Resources.

Strategic Location and Exploration Momentum

Situated within the southern Wydgee–Meekatharra Greenstone Belt, Kirkalocka benefits from proximity to established infrastructure and a greenstone belt that remains underexplored despite historical gold occurrences. Catalina’s recent technical review and field reconnaissance have identified priority target areas that remain lightly tested, with the soil sampling program intended to integrate with historical drilling, geological mapping, and geophysical datasets to prioritise reverse circulation (RC) drill targets.

Executive Director Ross Cotton emphasised the program’s role in rapidly advancing Kirkalocka towards drilling, noting that the soil sampling will help validate and enhance historical geochemical data while assessing structural trends critical to gold mineralisation. "This is just the beginning of an active exploration campaign across our Mid-West portfolio," Cotton said.

Regulatory Approval and Funding in Place

Catalina has secured approval for its Eligible Mining Activity (EMA) Notice, clearing a regulatory hurdle for the current exploration program. The company is fully funded to progress its Mid-West strategy, with soil sampling and heritage assessments underway as precursors to planned drilling.

The integration of assay results with existing datasets will shape the prioritisation of drill targets, setting the stage for a reverse circulation drilling campaign aimed at expanding the project’s gold resource base.

Catalina’s Broader Mid-West Ambitions

This soil sampling program at Kirkalocka builds on Catalina’s recent efforts to consolidate and explore its Mid-West portfolio, which includes multiple gold and base metal projects. The company’s strategic acquisitions and capital raises earlier this year have bolstered its capacity to pursue drilling and development activities near key regional infrastructure.