CTN Adds Copper Exposure and Additional District-Scale Gold
Released
Released
Announcement PDF
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Catalina Adds Copper Exposure via Breakaway Dam and Secures
Additional District-Scale Gold Platform
HIGHLIGHTS
➢ Catalina acquires 100% of the Breakaway Dam Copper Project, a drill-ready, copper-
dominant VMS system with confirmed sulphide mineralisation
➢ Recent diamond drilling at Breakaway Dam intersected broad and higher-grade copper
sulphide zones, including 9.2m @ 0.48% Cu (including 0.95m @ 1.18% Cu and 1.7m @
1.05% Cu), confirming continuity within the VMS horizon1
➢ Additional high-grade copper and Cu–Zn intervals were intersected, including 1.47m @
1.97% Cu1
, supporting the presence of stacked sulphide zones and a pipeline of follow-
up drill targets
➢ Strong board-level copper experience underpins Catalina’s disciplined entry into a
scalable copper system
➢ Strategic placement of $0.5 million secured with Newcam Minerals Pty Ltd,
strengthening Catalina’s balance sheet and supporting near-term exploration activities
➢ Catalina to also acquire 100% of Auric North Pty Ltd, establishing a second district-
scale gold growth platform across proven Mid-West gold districts, supported by drill-
ready targets and historical gold intercepts of up to 10m @ 1.43 g/t Au ((incl. 5m @ 2.7 g/t
Au)2
Catalina Resources Limited (“Catalina” or “the Company”) is pleased to announce a strategic portfolio
repositioning with Forrestania Resources Limited (ASX: FRS), involving the acquisition of the Breakaway
Dam Copper Project and the divestment of the Laverton assets.
Executive Director, Ross Cotton, commented:
“This transaction reflects a disciplined and selective approach to adding copper exposure to Catalina’s
portfolio. Breakaway Dam stood out as an opportunity with clear exploration momentum, a well-defined
pathway for advancement and the potential to grow through a staged, considered approach.
Importantly, it complements the Company’s existing gold assets and supports a broader strategy
focused on building a balanced and scalable exploration portfolio.”
STRATEGIC RATIONALE
The proposed transaction represents a deliberate portfolio optimisation initiative by Catalina, designed
to sharpen the Company’s strategic focus and improve capital efficiency. As a result, the Company can
concentrate capital and management effort on priority growth assets, including the flagship Central
Yilgarn and other recent acquisitions, while adding copper exposure aligned with favourable long-term
market fundamentals.
ASX Announcement
13 January 2026
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The Board considers this approach to be well supported by its experience in advancing and financing
base metal exploration assets through multiple market cycles.
Details of Breakaway Dam Project and the option structure are summarised below.
DEAL SUMMARY
Under the binding agreement:
➢ Catalina will acquire 100% of the Breakaway Dam Copper Project, providing the Company with
ownership of a copper-dominant VMS system with demonstrated exploration momentum.
➢ Catalina will divest its Laverton project portfolio to Forrestania Resources as part of a portfolio
rationalisation strategy.
➢ Consideration will be satisfied through the issue of Catalina equity (all subject to shareholder
approval), rather than cash, comprising:
o 13,831,010 fully paid ordinary shares issued at a deemed price of $0.069 per share;
o 6,915,940 options exercisable at $0.115 with an expiry of 22 May 2027;
o 9,681,707 options exercisable at $0.23 with an expiry 3 years from date of issue; and
o 4,149,303 options exercisable at $0.345 with an expiry 3 years from date of issue.
➢ The Asset Swap is subject to customary terms and conditions, including conditions precedent
and regulatory and shareholder approvals for consideration.
The transaction structure provides Catalina with a scalable funding pathway through a multi-tranche
option framework, with any future capital inflows aligned to progressively higher valuation levels.
Forrestania’s participation through equity and options aligns its economic outcomes with the creation
of shareholder value in Catalina and reflects a counterparty with a demonstrated ability to consolidate
assets, advance exploration programs and attract capital support. The absence of cash consideration
preserves Catalina’s capital position and balance sheet flexibility while limiting near-term dilution.
Overall, the Company considers the structure to be cost-effective relative to the scale, quality and
technical maturity of the Breakaway Dam Copper Project, enabling Catalina to focus resources on its
priority growth assets.
LEVERAGE TO A STRUCTURALLY CONSTRAINED COPPER MARKET
The proposed acquisition provides Catalina with direct leverage to the copper thematic at a time of
increasing global supply constraints and sustained long-term demand drivers.
Catalina’s exposure to copper is supported by board-level leadership with a proven track record in the
sector.Chairman Karl Simich founded Sandfire Resources, whichgrewfromdiscovery-stageexploration
into a leading Australian copper producer following the development of the DeGrussa Copper–Gold
Project. Mr Simich’s experience in recognising copper systems, securing capital and executing growth
strategies is considered highly relevant as Catalina advances a technically advanced copper exploration
asset.
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BREAKAWAY DAM COPPER PROJECT – ASSET OVERVIEW
Breakaway Dam is a copper-dominant volcanic massive sulphide (VMS) system with strong technical
foundations and demonstrated exploration momentum. Key attributes include2
:
➢ Copper-bearing sulphide mineralisation confirmed by diamond drilling
➢ A well-defined VMS stratigraphic setting supported by alteration, lithological controls and
geophysics
➢ Multiple conductive targets defined by downhole electromagnetic (DHEM) surveys
➢ A clear, staged exploration pathway incorporating follow-up drilling and further EM surveying
The Project is considered drill-ready, with a defined pipeline of targets capable of delivering near-term
exploration outcomes.
Figure 1. Breakaway Dam Regional Location
RECENT DRILLING RESULTS – BREAKAWAY DAM (FORRESTANIA)
Recent diamond drilling completed by Forrestania at the Breakaway Dam VMS Project has confirmed
copper-bearing sulphide mineralisation within the targeted stratigraphic and geophysical positions2
.
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Selected significant intercepts reported by Forrestania2
include:
Drillhole From
(m)
Interval
(m)
Cu
(%)
Zn
(%)
Comments
BDCDD2501 181.4 9.2 0.48 0.02 Broad sulphide zone; est. true width ~8.7
m
incl. 181.4 0.95 1.18 – Higher-grade core
incl. 188.9 1.7 1.05 – Higher-grade interval
BDCDD2502 227.0 1.45 0.16 1.44 Cu-Zn sulphide interval
BDCDD2502 236.35 1.47 1.97 0.24 High-grade copper interval
BDCDD2503 170.5 1.0 0.40 0.09 Consistent Cu-Zn mineralisation
Note: Downhole widths are reported by Forrestania; drillholes are interpreted to be near-perpendicular
to the mineralised horizon.
Drilling highlights:
• All completed drillholes intersected copper-bearing sulphides within the interpreted VMS
horizon, confirming geological continuity across the target area
• Mineralisation occurs as stacked sulphide zones, including broad intervals with internal higher-
grade copper shoots
• DHEM surveys identified additional strong conductors, including partially tested and untested
plates, supporting a pipeline of follow-up drill targets along strike and at depth
COMPLEMENTARY TO CATALINA’S ACTIVE DRILLING AND EXPLORATION MOMENTUM
The proposed transaction is structured to support Catalina’s continued focus on Central Yilgarn as its
primary gold growth platform, while aligning the Company with a counterparty that is actively
consolidating ground in the same broader district (figure 2).
By divesting the non-core Laverton assets, Catalina can redeploy capital and management focus toward
Central Yilgarn, where the Company is currently executing an active ~20,000-metre drilling program
across the Evanston and Yerilgee project areas.
Importantly, Forrestania Resources has recently2
expanded its footprint in the Central Yilgarn and
adjacent greenstone belts through targeted acquisitions and exploration programs. The Board considers
Forrestania’s increasing regional exposure to be supportive of the geological significance of the Central
Yilgarn and complementary to Catalina’s district-scale landholding.
Forrestania’s participation through equity and options aligns its economic interests with Catalina’s
longer-term share price performance while preserving capital discipline.
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Figure 2. Catalina’s Projects proximity to Leeuwin Metals Marda Operations and Forrestania Resources
Operations which include the recently acquired Goldzone Investments tenements2
ACQUISITION OF AURIC NORTH PTY LTD
In addition to the acquisition of Breakaway Dam Catalina is also pleased to announce it has executed a
binding agreement to acquire 100% of Auric North Pty Ltd (“Auric North”), the holder of a contiguous,
district-scale portfolio of gold exploration projects across Western Australia’s Mid-West region (figure 3).
Catalina Executive Director, Ross Cotton, commented:
“This is a timely and strategic opportunity for Catalina to secure a high-quality second district in Western
Australia. Auric North’s ground sits in the middle of a proven gold region where operating mills and major
shear systems provide clear commercial relevance for any discovery we make.
The acquisition is low-cost and gives the Company full flexibility while we continue advancing our
20,000m RC program at Evanston and Yerilgee.
As consolidation continues across key WA greenstone belts, Catalina considers opportunities of this
scale and location increasingly difficult to secure. This acquisition aligns with our broader multi-district
strategy and supports our long-term exploration objectives heading into 2026.”
The acquisition provides Catalina with an additional major exploration hub broadening the Company’s
footprint across highly prospective Archean gold systems. With low-cost, low-risk and fully exclusive
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pathway to materially expand its exploration footprint at a time when high-quality greenstone positions
are increasingly scarce across the State.
Figure 3. Auric North’s Mid-West Region Project Portfolio
ACQUISITION SUMMARY
Under the binding agreement:
➢ Catalina to acquire 100% of Auric North Pty Ltd
➢ The consideration payable at settlement will comprise a payment to the vendors or nominees of
$45,000 cash and $75,000 in CTN shares based on a 20 day VWAP. The shares will be issued
within the next seven days without the need for shareholder approval, using the Company’s
existing Listing Rule 7.1 capacity, together with the assumption of existing royalties and a 0.5%
NSR on tenements not currently subject to royalty
➢ The Company will also pay a facilitation fee for the transaction of $125,000 in CTN fully paid
ordinary shares based on a 20 day VWAP. The shares will be issued within the next seven days
without the need for shareholder approval, using the Company’s existing Listing Rule 7.1
capacity
Catalina considers the overall structure to be cost-effective relative to the size, location and geological
setting of the portfolio, while preserving capital and maintaining flexibility during evaluation phase.
PORTFOLIO OVERVIEW
The Auric North portfolio comprises five exploration licences and one prospecting licence covering
approximately 45,000 hectares (~413 km2)
) within the Mid-West region. The project areas include:
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➢ Deflector North
➢ Peak Hill
➢ Big Bell North
➢ Big Bell South
➢ Boodanoo
Catalina considers this portfolio to represent a rare opportunity to secure a contiguous land position
within an established mining district that hosts:
➢ Multiple operating gold mines and mills
➢ Regionally significant shear systems
➢ Favourable structural and geological settings
The acquisition grants Catalina immediate access to undertake technical review, site inspections and
data verification across the highly prospective WA portfolio.
AURIC NORTH PORTFOLIO HIGHLIGHTS
Deflector North
Located approximately 6 km from the Deflector Gold Mine, the Deflector North area is considered
prospective for near-surface gold mineralisation based on historical drilling results and structural
interpretation.
Peak Hill
Located approximately 150km northwest of Meekatharra the Peak Hill project is drill-ready project
adjacent to WestGold’s Fortum Operations (figure 4) which includes their Durack Deposit. In March
2025 Westgold announced that their Durack deposit hosts an Indicated and Inferred Resource of 2.9Mt
@ 1.2g/t Au for 111Koz.3
Auric North’s Peak Hill project contains widespread air-core gold anomalism with fresh rock remaining
untested. The project provides immediate follow-up targets for RC drilling, subject to a technical review
and approvals.
Historical results include:
➢ 10m @ 1.43 g/t Au from 65m (incl. 5m @ 2.7 g/t Au) (PHAC0184)2
➢ 5m @ 0.25 g/t Au from 75m (PHAC0180)2
Big Bell North & Big Bell South
These tenements form a combined ~14,500-hectare land position along strike from the >5 Moz Big Bell
system and include a mapped ~9 km shear-zone extension and to Catalina’s knowledge has not been
drill tested. The area provides a significant medium-term target corridor for structural and geochemical
work.
Boodanoo
Boodanoo is a large-scale ~26,500-hectare package covering ~40 km of largely untested greenstone belt
with early indications of a fertile gold system3
. The project offers longer-term, frontier-style exploration
potential.
PLACEMENT
The Company has agreed to a placement with NewCam Minerals Pty Ltd to raise $500,000 through the
issue of 7,246,376 fully paid ordinary shares at an issue price of $0.069 per share. The shares will be
issued within the next seven days without the need for shareholder approval, using the Company’s
existing Listing Rule 7.1 capacity.
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The Company considers the participation of Newcam Minerals Pty Ltd in the placement to be
strategically significant, reflecting third-party validation of Catalina’s acquisition and growth strategy by
an experienced, privately held mine operator with a demonstrated track record of progressing projects
from development through to production.
ABOUT NEWCAM
NewCam Minerals Pty Ltd is a privately held mining company with gold and iron ore assets in the Mid-
West of Western Australia. The Company has advanced the Mt Gould Iron Ore Project from orebody
definition through to mining, haulage and export via the Port of Geraldton, and operates as a fully
integrated mine operator with in-house drilling, mining and haulage capability and an experienced
operational team.
Contacts
Investors/ Shareholders
Ross Cotton
Executive Director
T: +61 (0)8 6165 8858
References (ASX)
This Report contains information extracted from ASX market announcements reported in accordance
with the 2012 edition of the “Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources
and Ore Reserves” (“2012 JORC Code”). Further details (including 2012 JORC Code reporting tables
where applicable) of exploration results referred to in this announcement can be found in the following
announcements lodged on the ASX:
1. Refer FRS ASX announcement 18 November 2025 Drilling Completed at Breakaway Dam VMS
Prospect
2. Refer ALY ASX announcement 8 July 2019 Bryah Basin JV Exploration Update
3. Refer WGX ASX announcement 30 April 2025 March 2025 March 2025 Quarterly Exploration
Results
4. Refer S3N ASX announcement 17 November 2022 New Gold Mineralistaion from first Aircore
drilling at Boodanoo, identified using Sensore’s DPT technology.
The Company confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the
information in the original reports, and that the form and context in which the Competent Person’s
findings are presented have not been materially modified from the original reports.
Forward-Looking Statements
This announcement contains forward-looking statements that are subject to a range of risks and
uncertainties. These statements relate to the Company’s expectations, intentions, or strategies
regarding the future. These statements can be identified by the use of words like “anticipate”, “believe”,
“intend”, “estimate”, “expect”, “may”, “plan”, “project”, “will”, “should”, “seek” and similar words or
expressions containing same. These forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s views and
assumptions with respect to future events as of the date of this release and are subject to a variety of
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unpredictable risks, uncertainties, and other unknowns. Actual and future results and trends could
differ materially from those set forth in such statements due to various factors, many of which are
beyond our ability to control or predict. These include, but are not limited to, risks or uncertainties
associated with the acquisition and divestment of projects (including risks associated with completing
due diligence and, if favourable results are obtained, proceeding with the acquisition of the Beasley
Creek Project), joint venture and other contractual risks, metal prices, exploration, development and
operating risks, competition, production risks, sovereign risks, regulatory risks including environmental
regulation and liability and potential title disputes, availability and terms of capital and general
economic and business conditions.
Given these uncertainties, no one should place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements
attributable to the Company, or any of its affiliates or persons acting on its behalf. Subject to any
continuing obligations under applicable law the Company disclaims any obligation or undertaking to
disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements in this announcement to reflect
any change in expectations in relation to any forward-looking statements or any change in events,
conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.
ABOUT CATALINA RESOURCES LIMITED
Catalina Resources Limited is an Australian diversified mineral exploration and mine development
company whose vision is to create shareholder value through the successful exploration of prospective
gold, base metal, lithium and iron ore projects and the development of these projects into production.
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