Catalina Resources is set to begin a 2,400m reverse circulation drilling campaign at its Breakaway Dam Copper Project, aiming to test high-priority electromagnetic targets and extend known copper mineralisation over an expanded strike length.
- 2,400m RC drilling targets high-priority DHEM conductors
- Interpreted copper mineralisation strike length expanded by 70%
- Previous drilling confirmed copper-rich volcanogenic massive sulphide system
- Drilling aims to assess continuity and grade for resource potential
- Project fully owned, located on native title land without royalties
Drilling Targets Expanded Copper Mineralisation
Catalina Resources Limited (ASX:CTN) is kicking off a roughly 2,400-metre reverse circulation (RC) drilling program at its Breakaway Dam Copper Project later this month. The program is designed to test the highest-priority Downhole Electromagnetic (DHEM) conductor plates and interpreted extensions to the known copper mineralisation, following a successful March 2026 campaign that expanded the interpreted mineralised strike from 700 metres to 1.2 kilometres.
Previous drilling has delivered encouraging copper intersections, including a standout 6.0 metres at 1.19% copper from 185 metres, with a 1-metre interval grading 3.86% copper (hole BDRC10). More recent work returned 1.9 metres at 2.17% copper (estimated true width) from 198 metres, reinforcing the project's status as a copper-rich volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) system.
Technical Advances Fuel Next Phase
The upcoming drilling builds on geological observations, assay results, and DHEM surveys completed earlier this year, which identified strong conductor responses in every drill hole. Modelling of these responses revealed multiple on-hole and off-hole conductive plates now prioritised for drilling. The interpreted mineralised footprint has grown by about 70%, while historical data suggests mineralisation extends over 1.8 kilometres, indicating a broad and potentially significant VMS system.
Executive Director Ross Cotton emphasised the strategic value of Breakaway Dam, noting it broadens Catalina's portfolio beyond gold and offers shareholders exposure to copper. "Each phase of exploration has expanded the mineralised system, refined our geological model and delivered increasingly compelling drill targets," Cotton said. "This next phase is designed to build on that momentum and progress Breakaway Dam towards resource definition."
Drilling Program Objectives and Logistics
The 2,400-metre program will focus on intersecting ore-grade copper zones, assessing the continuity between mineralised zones, and testing priority DHEM conductors. Two key drillholes, BDCRC26018 and 19, are planned to intersect the largest modelled conductor plates identified in March, interpreted as preserved coherent lenses within the VMS system. Data from these holes will refine understanding of conductor geometry and sulphide distribution.
The remaining holes aim to identify additional sulphide lenses, improve geological and structural models, and ultimately determine if the project merits progression towards resource-focused drilling. Mobilisation of Nexgen Drilling Pty Ltd and the geological team is scheduled for 31 July 2026.
Project Ownership and Historical Context
Breakaway Dam is located on tenement E29/1037, 100% owned by Catalina and situated on Nyalpa Pirniku determined native title land with no private royalties or encumbrances. Historical exploration dating back to the late 1990s has included soil sampling, RAB drilling, and diamond drilling by various parties, all supporting the interpretation of a copper-rich VMS system.
The project lies within the Alexandra Bore Greenstone Belt, characterised by tightly folded metasedimentary rocks between granitoid bodies. The mineralisation style and host stratigraphy are consistent with VMS deposits, supported by strong spatial relationships between sulphide mineralisation and electromagnetic conductors.
Bottom Line?
The upcoming drilling at Breakaway Dam will be a critical test of the project's potential to evolve into a defined copper resource, with results set to shape Catalina's strategic copper exposure.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the new drilling confirm sufficient grade and continuity to support a JORC Mineral Resource?
- How will the expanded strike length influence the overall scale and economics of the Breakaway Dam system?
- What impact will Breakaway Dam's copper potential have on Catalina’s broader portfolio strategy?