Catalina Resources Ltd (CTN.AX) Central Yilgarn Drilling Supports Gold Mineralisation Model

Viper Prospect RC Drilling Supports Gold Mineralisation Model

Perth, Feb 18, 2026 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Catalina Resources Limited (ASX:CTN) is pleased to provide an update on results from the Phase 1 RC drilling program at the Viper Prospects, part of the Evanston Project within the Central Yilgarn Gold District of Western Australia (figure 1*).

HIGHLIGHTS

- Phase 1 Reverse Circulation (RC) drilling completed at the Viper Prospects, Central Yilgarn Project with drilling intersecting gold mineralisation associated with mafic and banded iron formation (BIF) lithology

- Assays returned to date for the Viper Prospects include:

o 1 m @ 2.45 g/t Au from 77 m (25EVRC002)
o 1 m @ 1.60 g/t Au from 7 m (26EVRC019)
o 2 m @ 1.16 g/t Au from 28 m (26EVRC020)
o 1 m @ 1.43 g/t Au from 84 m (26EVRC021)
o 1 m @ 0.67 g/t Au from 9 m (26EVRC023)

- Gold mineralisation is interpreted to be associated with a mafic and banded iron formation (BIF) sequence and to dip moderately to the north-west, informing follow-up drill targeting

- Drilling outcomes continue to reinforce the prospectivity of the Evanston Project, supporting the potential for a coherent and structurally controlled gold system within the Central Yilgarn tenure

These results form part of an ongoing Phase 1 drilling campaign totalling ~10,000m of RC and aircore (AC) drilling across the Central Yilgarn Project, with drilling and assay results from multiple targets still pending.

The Phase 1 program commenced prior to the Christmas period and forms the initial focus of Catalina's broader Central Yilgarn drilling campaign. Drilling was designed to follow up and test the continuity of previously reported anomalous gold mineralisation intersected in historic drilling.

Executive Director, Ross Cotton, commented:

"The Viper drilling represents another encouraging step in the advancement of the Evanston Project. The intersections and geological observations continue to align with our exploration model and highlight the broader potential of the system we are testing. Importantly, these results are being integrated into ongoing targeting as Phase 1 drilling progresses, with further assays pending across multiple prospects.

Catalina considers Evanston to be developing into a highly compelling component of the Central Yilgarn Project".

PHASE 1 RC DRILLING RESULTS - CENTRAL YILGARN PROJECT

Drilling Summary - Viper Prospect

Results reported in this announcement relate to drilling completed at the Viper North and Viper South Prospects, both of which form part of Catalina's Phase 1 drilling program.

Catalina's RC drilling program at Viper comprised 17 drill holes for a total of 2,694 metres, being:

- 3 RC holes for 463 metres at Viper North; and

- 14 RC holes for 2,231 metres at Viper South.

The program was designed to follow up anomalous gold mineralisation identified in historical AC drilling, including:

- 2m @ 0.95g/t Au in BARAC0153
- 15m @ 1.5 g/t Au including 3m @ 6.7g/t Au in BARAC0136; and
- 33m @ 0.3 g/t Au including 3m @ 0.9 g/t Au in BARAC0945.

Drilling targeted the interpreted south-west strike extension of this mineralisation, consistent with the regional structural trend associated with the Evanston Mine within the Leeuwin Metals Ltd (ASX:LM1) Marda Gold Project (Figure 2*).

Drilling at Viper North targeted a large, coherent soil anomaly that had remained largely untested by previous drilling. Historical shallow AC drilling indicated shallow bedrock, while deeper gold intercepts in adjacent southern drill holes suggested potential for mineralisation at depth. Assay results for Viper North drilling have been received.

Drilling at Viper South was guided by historical shallow AC and deeper rotary air blast (RAB) drilling, with several historical holes terminating in anomalous gold (0.7-0.9 g/t Au). This supported the interpretation of potential mineralisation at depth and provided the basis for follow-up RC drilling.

Assay results have been partially received, with remaining results pending.

Geological Observations and Results

Drilling intersected a mafic lithological sequence comprising basalt and amphibolite, together with associated banded iron formation (BIF). Observed mineralisation within the BIF is consistent with styles recognised elsewhere within the Evanston Project area, including Evanston Mine.

Gold mineralisation is interpreted to be associated with the mafic and BIF sequence and is interpreted to dip approximately 40 degrees to the north-west. This interpretation provides a basis for ongoing targeting and future drill design.

Drilling along strike has confirmed the interpreted mineralisation model, with intersections including:

o 1m @ 2.45 g/t Au from 77m in 25EVRC002
o 2m @ 1.16 g/t Au from 28m in 26EVRC020

These results confirm continuity of gold mineralisation along strike and at depth and support the interpretation of a coherent mineralised system at the Viper Prospect.

The interpreted mineralised zone is developed within a mafic and banded iron formation stratigraphic sequence and exhibits continuity along strike, consistent with the geological model tested during the Phase 1 drilling program. Drill hole locations, significant gold intersections, and projected mineralised trends are shown to provide spatial context for reported results.

This interpretation provides a framework for refining follow-up drill targeting and assessing the broader potential of the Viper Prospects within the Evanston Project area.

Representative RC Rock Chip Images

Rock chip observations, supported by geological logging, indicate that gold mineralisation is predominantly hosted within amphibolite, basalt, jasperoid and banded iron formation. The images are not indicative of grade, tenor, or continuity of mineralisation, but assist in demonstrating the geological setting, alteration styles, and structural characteristics relevant to ongoing interpretation and follow-up targeting.

Ongoing Phase 1 Drilling and Assay Status

Phase 1 drilling of approximately ~10,000 metres of combined AC and RC drilling is continuing across the Evanston and Yerilgee Projects, with multiple target zones tested as part of the current campaign.

Assay results from all other Phase 1 target areas are currently pending, with samples submitted to the laboratory. These results will be reported progressively as they are received, validated, and interpreted.

Catalina considers the Viper results to represent one component of a broader, active exploration program, with further updates expected as the Phase 1 campaign continues.

*To view tables and figures, please visit:
https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/AIAF28KR

About Catalina Resources Ltd

Catalina Resources Ltd (ASX:CTN) is a mineral exploration company focused on discovering and advancing gold and multi-commodity projects in tier-one jurisdictions. Backed by a technically experienced team with deep industry knowledge, Catalina is committed to creating value through focused exploration across highly prospective and underexplored regions in Western Australia.

The company's core assets are located in the Central Yilgarn and Laverton regions, two of the most historically productive and geologically endowed gold provinces in the country. Both projects have demonstrated the potential to host significant mineralisation, with early-stage drilling already delivering promising results.

  

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