Catalina Resources Ltd (CTN.AX) High Grade Gold Targets at Pithara Gold Mine

Perth, July 30, 2026 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Catalina Resources Limited (ASX:CTN) is pleased to advise it has completed the first known comprehensive geological reinterpretation of the historical Pithara Gold Mine since mining ceased, identifying multiple high-priority drill targets immediately adjacent to the historical workings. The work has significantly improved the Company's understanding of the structural controls on gold mineralisation and established a revised exploration model for testing extensions to the historical highgrade gold system.

Highlights:

- First comprehensive geological reinterpretation of the historical Pithara Gold Mine since mining ceased identifies multiple drill-ready targets beyond the historical pit.

- Historical drilling returned exceptional high-grade gold intersections of up to 7m @ 21.8g/t Au, including 2m @ 61.5g/t Au, with the mine producing approximately 9,000oz at an average recovered grade of 15.4g/t Au.

- Integrated geological mapping, geophysics and historical datasets define a revised exploration model indicating the mineralised shear zone extends beyond the historical workings.

- New geological interpretation identifies interpreted strike and offset extensions of the high-grade system for the first time.

- 26-hole (3,120m) RC drilling program designed specifically to test the revised geological model and interpreted extensions to the historical high-grade gold system.

- Land access secured, Program of Work approved and heritage due diligence nearing completion ahead of drilling.

The Pithara Gold Mine produced approximately 9,000 ounces of gold at an average recovered grade of 15.4g/t Au, following historical drilling that intersected exceptional gold grades including 7m @ 21.8g/t Au from 20m including 2m @ 61.5g/t Au, 4m @ 11.6g/t Au (PTA055) and 6m @ 4.93g/t Au from 12m including 1m @ 16.0g/t Au (PTA012). While these results confirmed the presence of an exceptionally high-grade gold system, the broader geological architecture controlling the mineralisation did not appear to have been fully resolved when mining ceased in 2011.

The revised interpretation has identified multiple drill-ready targets, which will now be tested through a 26-hole (3,120m) reverse circulation drilling programme designed to evaluate extensions to the historical high-grade gold system.

Executive Director, Ross Cotton, commented:

"Pithara has already demonstrated its ability to produce exceptionally high-grade gold, but our work shows there is still considerable untapped exploration potential beyond the historical pit.

By integrating historical drilling, detailed pit mapping, modern geophysics and surface geochemistry, we've developed a much clearer understanding of the geological controls on mineralisation. That work has identified multiple high-priority drill targets that previous exploration either didn't recognise or couldn't effectively test.

Importantly, this program is not simply drilling around a historical mine. It is the first drill program designed around Catalina's revised geological model, which has identified compelling extensions to the historical high-grade gold system beyond the limits of previous mining."

PITHARA PROJECT

Historical Context

The Pithara Project is located within the Dalwallinu Greenstone Belt and includes the historical Pithara Gold Mine. Historical exploration identified shallow, exceptionally high-grade gold mineralisation beneath transported cover, leading to the discovery and subsequent development of the Pithara open pit.

Discovery drilling returned outstanding results including 7m @ 21.8g/t Au from 20m including 2m @ 61.5g/t Au 4m @ 11.6g/t Au (PTA055) and 6m @ 4.93g/t Au from 12m including 1m @ 16g/t Au (PTA012) (Figures 2 and 3*). Mining subsequently produced approximately 9,000 ounces at an average recovered grade of 15.4g/t Au, demonstrating the exceptional grade and economic significance of the mineralised system.

Despite the success of the mine, exploration largely ceased following mining and the broader structural controls on mineralisation remained poorly understood.

Geological Interpretation and Planned Drill Program

Catalina's recent fieldwork at Pithara has included detailed geological mapping of the existing pit to improve understanding of the lithological and structural controls on mineralisation.

Pit Geology

The pit walls are predominantly composed of granite gneiss, which forms the host rock throughout the area (Figure 4*). Multiple cm scale quartz veins have been mapped, and sampled intruding the granite gneiss, particularly along the eastern wall of the pit.

A north-south trending shear zone, interpreted as the principal mineralising structure, has been mapped within the pit. The shear zone is approximately 20 metres wide on the northern pit face and narrows southwards to approximately 10 metres in width. The shear zone comprises a sequence of mafic gneiss, hornfelsic gneiss with migmatitic textures, dolerite and associated felsic veins.

An east-west trending dolerite dyke crosscuts both the granite gneiss host and the shear zone. Mapping indicates that the shear zone is displaced eastward south of the dolerite dyke, suggesting a potential offset continuation of the mineralised structure.

Mineralisation Model

The mined quartz orebody was hosted within the shear zone and is interpreted to have pinched out towards the southern pit wall and at depth. Current geological interpretation suggests that the known quartz orebody has been fully extracted within the existing pit limits.

A recent reinterpretation of high-resolution magnetic data completed by Southern Geoscience in November 2025 identifies a distinct magnetic anomaly coincident with the historical Pithara pit. The anomaly correlates closely with the mapped mafic lithologies within the mineralised shear zone and is surrounded by magnetic lows interpreted to represent the granite gneiss host rock. This reinterpretation has enhanced the understanding of the structural controls on mineralisation and provides an important framework for targeting potential extensions to the known mineralised system.

Planned Extension Drilling

Based on the revised geological interpretation, the planned pit extension drilling program will target the continuation of the magnetic anomaly to the south and north. The program will also test a potential eastward-displaced extension of the shear zone in the south-eastern extents, where integrated magnetic and surface geochemical datasets define a compelling exploration target (Figure 5*).

A total of 26 reverse circulation (RC) drill holes are planned for approximately 3,120 metres. Drilling is designed on a nominal 50m x 50m spacing to provide systematic top-to-tail coverage of the target area, with holes planned to an average depth of 120 metres. Holes are designed with an azimuth of 045deg and a dip of -60deg to target the steeply west dipping mineralised structure.

The drilling orientation has been selected to maximise the likelihood of effectively testing the target structure. Geological mapping indicates that the quartz vein system is steeply dipping to the west, and the planned easterly-directed drill holes are expected to provide favourable intersection angles to the interpreted mineralised quartz veins. The primary objective of the program is to confirm the continuity of the mineralised shear zone and intersect extensions to the quartz-hosted mineralisation beyond the limits of historical mining.

Next Steps

Catalina has executed the required land access agreement and has an approved Program of Work (PoW) in place for the planned drilling program. Heritage due diligence is nearing completion, while negotiations with drilling contractors are underway. Drilling is expected to commence following completion of the heritage process.

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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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