Catalina Resources (ASX: CTN) Set for Deeper Diamond Drilling at Rock Lodge in Spring 2024

A fresh round of deeper diamond drilling is planned for the spring of 2024 at the Rock Lodge Project, where Catalina Resources Limited (ASX: CTN) is well-positioned to further its exploration operations. This calculated action comes after all site preparations have been finished.

Furthermore, all necessary approvals have been obtained from the NSW Resource Regulator. Situated in the highly promising Lachlan Fold Belt, the project is expected to reveal new mineralization zones and furnish vital structural information for upcoming exploration endeavors.

Highlights

• Spring 2024 Diamond Drilling: After site preparations and the wet winter, Catalina Resources Limited (ASX: CTN) intends to start deeper diamond drilling at Rock Lodge.
• Obtaining Regulatory Approvals: Approval for the planned exploratory activities at exploratory Licence (EL) 9155 has been given by the NSW Resource Regulator.
• Important Historical Findings: Multiple stacked gold and silver lenses were discovered by previous reverse circulation (RC) drilling in 2022, indicating a promising future for further development.

Catalina Resources Gears Up for Diamond Drilling

The Rock Lodge Project of Catalina Resources Limited (ASX: CTN) will see the start of a deeper diamond drilling campaign in the spring of 2024. This comes following the region's wet winter season and the completion of site preparations in compliance with the Aboriginal Heritage Impact Permit (AHIP). Drilling two or three deeper angled diamond drill holes beneath previously drilled RC holes is the company's primary goal starting in 2022.

Situated in the Lachlan Fold Belt, the Rock Lodge Project has already demonstrated a great deal of promise. Upon completion of the RC drilling program in April 2022, several stacked gold and silver lenses were discovered. Significantly, from 75 to 99 meters downhole, the deepest hole, SRLRC05, intersected four distinct gold zones. Future drilling may find further mineralized zones towards the end of SRLRC05, given the persistent existence of extensive hydrothermal alteration there.

Exploration Strategy and Techniques

As part of the exploratory plan, oriented structural data from the diamond drilling will be gathered. This data will give important information on the dips and strikes of mineralized veins. Planning next drill holes and precisely estimating the exact widths of mineralization depend on this data.

Furthermore, the use of Down Hole Electromagnetic (DHEM) surveys is a viable strategy to explore for off-hole conductors, which might potentially reveal broader zones of massive sulphide mineralization than those detected in the preceding reverse circulation drilling stage.

The NSW Resource Regulator has given the firm the all-clear, rescinding the suspension notice for EL 9155 that was issued in the middle of 2022. The regulator has conveyed its contentment with the observance of the rules and the fulfillment of the legally binding commitment about the suspension.

Significant Mineralization and Future Potential

The 163 km² Rock Lodge Project is located 35 km south of Cooma and shows potential for orogenic, skarn-related, and intrusion-related gold systems (IRGS) mineralization. A broad zone of stacked vertical lenses of polymetallic mineralization was discovered during the April 2022 RC drilling; four major mineralized zones spanning a 24 m width were intersected by RC hole SRLRC05.

Cross section C-C’ at Rock Lodge, indicating the broad zone of polymetallic mineralization

Additionally, 8m @ 1.08 g/t Au, including 3m @ 2.12 g/t Au, were intersected by drilling in SRLRC02 west of SRLRC05. In addition to historical drilling, the intersections of SRLRC02 and SRLRC05 form a significant 60-meter-long mineralized envelope of stacked vertical lenses. This envelope indicates high-temperature fluid activity and the presence of elements such as Bi, As, Cu, Sb, Pb, Cd, and Zn, reflecting a robust signature of mineralization.

Conclusion

The planned diamond drilling at the Rock Lodge Project by Catalina Resources Limited (ASX: CTN) represents a major advancement in the company's exploration activities. The project has a good chance of finding large mineralized zones because of its promising historical finds and use of cutting-edge exploration methods.

As of June 12, 2024, trading at AU$0.003 per share.