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Highlights
- RC drilling at Laverton confirmed a structurally hosted high-temperature mineralising system with anomalous multi-element geochemistry.
- Rare earth mineralisation was intersected in LVRC04 and LVRC05, with intercepts including 12m @ 5828 ppm TREO from 64m including 4m @ 1.19% TREO.
- High-grade REE zones also contained critical minerals such as neodymium (Nd₂O₃ at 0.15%) and praseodymium (Pr₂O₃ at 490 ppm), both essential for EV and renewable energy technologies.
- Metallurgical test work will be carried out at ANSTO, Australia’s national authority on critical minerals processing.
- Follow-up extensional gold drilling is underway, with REE testing integrated through portable XRF analysis and targeted laboratory assays.
Catalina Resources Ltd (ASX:CTN) has released the final results from its maiden five-hole reverse circulation (RC) drilling program at the Laverton Project. The drilling program, conducted in July 2025, targeted dual exploration objectives: gold and REE discovery.
The results have confirmed the presence of a structurally hosted high-temperature mineralising system consistent with major deposits in the Eastern Goldfields, while also identifying repeatable and geologically consistent REE mineralisation.
Gold Mineralisation with Multi-Element Geochemistry
Drilling targeting gold mineralisation (in holes LVRC01, LVRC02 and LVRC03) also intersected anomalous multi-element geochemistry including antimony (Sb), tungsten (W), arsenic (As), bismuth (Bi), molybdenum (Mo) and scandium (Sc). These signatures suggest laterally continuous mineralisation that may extend to depth. This geochemical fingerprint is a feature of high-temperature, granite-related gold systems that have supported several of the Eastern Goldfields’ largest deposits.
Previously announced gold results included 18m @ 1.16 g/t Au from 127m, including 3m @ 3.41 g/t Au (LVRC02). Earlier aircore drilling returned 28m @ 1.09 g/t Au from 57m (LVAC049), further supporting the continuity of gold mineralisation across the project area.
Significant REE Anomalism Confirmed
Rare earth mineralisation was intersected in holes LVRC04 and LVRC05. Key intercepts include:
- LVRC04: 12m @ 5828 ppm TREO from 64m, including 4m @ 1.19% TREO at 68m and 12m @ 2398 ppm TREO from 20m
- LVRC05: 8m @ 2137 ppm TREO from 24m; and 8m @ 1935 ppm TREO from 52m.
The company highlighted that the REE anomalism seen in LVRC04 and LVRC05 drilling builds on results reported from earlier aircore programs.
REE anomalism occurs within a saprolite-rich clay horizon beneath 15–20m of transported colluvium, confirming both repeatability and geological consistency of mineralisation, further demonstrating the case for Mt Weld intrusive influence.
Critical Minerals Potential
Within the high-grade REE zone of LVRC04, drilling also recorded anomalous neodymium (Nd₂O₃ at 0.15%) and praseodymium (Pr₂O₃ at 490 ppm). These are critical rare earth elements widely used in permanent magnets for electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies, highlighting broader critical minerals potential at the Laverton Project.
Geological interpretation suggests the REE anomalism might reflect influences from both Mt Weld-related fluids and underlying granite-derived clays. This unique REE signature complements the project’s established gold potential.
Metallurgical Test Work at ANSTO
Catalina has confirmed that metallurgical test work will be undertaken at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), the national authority on critical minerals processing and a global leader in REE recovery research.
Follow-up extensional gold drilling is already underway, with REE testing integrated into the workflow through portable XRF analysis and targeted laboratory assays. While gold remains the company’s primary exploration focus, the REE results provide an additional dimension of opportunity at the Laverton Project.
CTN shares were trading at AUD 0.004 per share at the time of writing on 19 September 2025.
