Catalina Resources (ASX: CTN) has obtained high-grade tungsten and polymetallic results from a recent rock-chip sampling program at the Santy prospect within its Tallering project in Western Australia.

"Our recent work at Santy, including rock-chip sampling and geological mapping, combined with historical drilling and geophysics, is significantly advancing our understanding of the prospect," executive director Ross Cotton said.

"The results are building a very different geological picture to that targeted by previous explorers and provide further evidence for what we believe is an emerging tungsten-polymetallic system," he said.

"Importantly, strong tungsten-molybdenum-bismuth mineralisation coincides with the largely untested eastern IP anomaly. With historical drilling completed before the IP survey, this target has never been systematically drill tested under the emerging geological model and provides a clear focus for our next phase of drilling."

Cotton said the company is moving quickly to advance Santy against a strengthening tungsten market, targeting drilling, broader soil sampling and further fieldwork before the end of 2026. Tungsten — which has the highest melting point of any metal and is used extensively in hardmetals, cutting tools, electronics and defence applications — is designated a critical mineral by Australia, the United States and the European Union, while China dominates both global mine production and processing of the metal. China's February 2025 export controls on tungsten, molybdenum and bismuth-related items — the same metals identified in Santy's mineralisation — sit alongside Western critical minerals strategies aimed at diversifying supply.

Reinterpreted geological model

Historical exploration at Santy was predominantly focused on gold and base metals, with previous explorers largely targeting a VMS-style (volcanogenic massive sulphide) system. In 2021, BPM Minerals subsequently defined a 2.2km-long gold anomaly at the prospect.

Catalina's recent field activities, combined with a detailed review of historical exploration results, have now shifted the interpretation of Santy towards an intrusion-related tungsten-polymetallic system, a deposit style commonly associated with tungsten-molybdenum-bismuth assemblages. IP (induced polarisation) surveys, which map variations in the electrical chargeability of subsurface rocks, are widely used to outline sulphide-bearing mineralised zones. Notably, historical RC drilling predates the most recent IP survey, leaving the eastern conductivity anomaly largely untested and a priority target for drilling.

Rock-chip sampling program

Catalina recently completed reconnaissance geological mapping and collected 25 rock-chip samples across Santy, Santy South and Nightjar within the broader Tallering project. Rock-chip sampling is a selective, early-stage technique in which mineralised material is collected from surface outcrops; while useful for confirming the presence of mineralisation and prioritising targets, individual samples are not necessarily representative of average grades, which is why follow-up soil sampling and drilling are the customary next steps. Santy and Nightjar are considered particularly prospective and have been identified as two key prospects within the wider project area.

Following completion of heritage clearances, the company is targeting completion of the next phase of exploration at Santy before the end of 2026. Planned activities include drill testing of the IP target and the blue quartz zone, soil sampling across the broader Santy prospect, and additional geological mapping and fieldwork.

Market snapshot

Prior to markets opening, CTN shares were steady at 5.5 cents, with a market capitalisation of $10.08 million.