Catalina expands WA copper-gold exposure

By Chloe Coutinho

Friday, 6 March 2026

Exploration & DiscoveryNews

Catalina Resources (ASX: CTN) has entered into a binding option agreement to acquire 100% of BGM Metals, including its exploration licenses in the Eastern Goldfields.

The MOU supports Metallium’s plan to develop a national network of e-waste processing facilities, strategically located near major e-waste collection hubs, rapidly expanding U.S. data centre industrial parks and regional industrial corridors with strong logistics and waste generation.

Terra Metals (ASX: TM1) has observed zones of massive sulphide mineralisation in its first diamond drillhole of 2026 at the Southwest prospect within the Dante project in WA.

Exploration & DiscoveryNews

Terra hits massive sulphides at Dante project

Terra Metals (ASX: TM1) has observed zones of massive sulphide mineralisation in its first diamond drillhole of 2026 at the Southwest prospect within the Dante project in WA.The hole, SWDD011, targeted a geophysical anomaly identified using downhole electromagnetic (DHEM) surveying, located near a previous high-grade intersection.The company reported that multiple zones of semi-massive to massive sulphides were observed within a 320m mineralised interval dominated by disseminated and net-textured sulphides.Terra managing director Thomas Line saysthe results support the company’s geological model and confirms the effectiveness of DHEM in targeting sulphide mineralisation.“The visual interception of multiple zones of massive sulphides in our first 2026 diamond hole at Southwest is a major exploration milestone and a strong validation of our geological model” he said.“The result provides compelling evidence that we are vectoring into a richer massive sulphide component within the broader Southwest magmatic PGM-Cu-Ni sulphide system.”Assays for SWDD011 are pending and expected within eight to 12 weeks.The Southwest prospect forms parts of the broader Dante project in the West Musgrave region, a large-scale multi-metal discovery of nickel, copper and platinum group elements.

Multiple holes reported high-grade intersections, including 4m @ 9.7g/t gold from 24m 25CD011 within a broader zone of 8m @ 5.1g/t gold.

Exploration & DiscoveryNews

High-grade gold discovered in the Murchison

High-grade gold discovered in the Murchison Golden Dragon Mining’s (ASX: GDR) exploration program has intersected high-grade gold close to surface at an advanced gold target within the greater Cue gold project in WA. The first phase of reverse circulation (RC) drilling confirms both the presence and continuity of a high-grade zone within a broader mineralised system at the Coodardy target. Golden Dragon says this support the interpretation that Coodardy forms part of a larger, coherent gold-bearing system with significant potential for expansion. Managing director Simon Buswell-Smith comments on the results. “The high-grade results combined with the significant results from the other recent drillholes, bodes extremely well for potential future open pit development at Coodardy,” he said. “The primary focus of the next phase of exploration will be testing this high-grade zone north and south in poorly tested areas to extend the mineralisation. “The team has interpreted the high-grade zone to plunge to the north into the fresh rock which would be a very exciting development if confirmed as we expect. “This is the first time in many decades where ownership of the entire strike length is owned by one company, which is a game changer for Coodardy and we are now in a position to unlock the broader potential of this system.” More drilling is planned to commence this month with primary focus to test along strike at Coodardy and other nearby advanced target.

NMG says gold mineralisation seen at Lydia is similar to the Crown Prince deposit.

Exploration & DiscoveryNews

NMG looks to bring Lydia online

NMG looks to bring Lydia online New Murchison Gold (ASX: NMG) has returned high grade gold results from the Lydia gold prospect, the miner’s next potential addition near Meekatharra, WA.The RC drill program consisted of 33 holes totalling 2920m and returned high-grade gold intercepts including 3m at 32.9g/t gold from 46m, including 1m at 62.4g/t gold.Lydia sits on granted mining lease M51/889 and is covered by the same Native Title and Heritage Agreement which guides the cultural and heritage arrangements for the Crown Prince gold mine.NMG says the results are encouraging and open up the opportunity to prove up additional reserves within close proximity of the current Crown Prince gold operations.“We are very pleased to provide this exploration update including high grade results for the Lydia gold prospect,” NMG chief executive Alex Passmore said.“Lydia sits on a granted mining lease very close to the Crown Prince operation. We believe we can leverage off existing infrastructure (offices, maintenance facility, crusher and sampling preparation facility) to bring Lydia online relatively quickly,” he said.“NMG is working towards including Lydia into its resources and reserves inventory.”Additional deeper RC drilling will be undertaken along the Lydia South Shear Zone to test the potential for high grade gold.

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Exploration & DiscoveryNewsPeople & Workforce

Alcoa backs out of Perth Hills bauxite plans

Alcoa Australia (ASX: AAI) has removed areas in the Perth Hills from proposed exploration plans due to “local stakeholder and community feedback”.

Victoria’s Critical Minerals Roadmap recognises the importance of local communities and Traditional Owners.

Victoria’s critical minerals race

Victoria has released its new Critical Minerals Roadmap in an effort to bring a new focus to help develop the state’s minerals resources. Victoria has many of the critical minerals needed to produce wind turbines, rechargeable batteries and electric vehicles, including zircon, titanium, rare earth elements and antimony. As part of the roadmap, the Victorian Critical Minerals Coordination Office will be established within Resources Victoria to help to reduce project approval timelines. Critical Minerals Priority Development Zones will also be defined, so that industry and communities can better understand areas with the highest likelihood of developing successful critical minerals operations. Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) Victoria executive director James Sorahan says the Critical Minerals Roadmap puts the state firmly on…

(Image source: POSCO Holdings) POSCO Holdings and Australian mining company Hancock Prospecting signed a business agreement on lithium cooperation via a video conference connecting Korea and Australia. Pictured (L-R) are POSCO Holdings rechargeable battery materials head Jun-hyung Kim, Hancock business development manager Daniel Wade, Hancock chief executive Garry Korte and POSCO Holdings lithium business team head Lee Seong-won.

POSCO Holdings, Hancock join forces

POSCO Holdings and Hancock Prospecting have formalised their collaboration by signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on lithium cooperation. Under the agreement, POSCO Holdings and Hancock Prospecting will pursue a lithium business venture with an annual production capacity of 30,000 tons. The two companies will jointly evaluate optimal sites for establishing the lithium production plant, considering multiple countries, including Korea. Subsequent stages will specify detailed aspects such as investment amounts. Through this collaboration, POSCO Holdings aims to secure an additional stable supply chain for lithium raw materials, free from regulations imposed by the Foreign Executive Order Committee (FEOC) of the United States, by leveraging Hancock’s diverse mining assets. Additionally, POSCO Holdings will enhance its lithium value chain — from lithium…

(Image source: Bravus Mining and Resources) Bravus Mining and Resources communications and community relations advisor Tanya Brown with the children at Clermont Kindergarten and Day Care Centre.

Bravus cushions Queensland from the ground up

Clermont’s littlest locals are playing on safer ground thanks to a helping hand from Bravus Mining and Resources’ Community Grant Program. Bravus Mining and Resources ESG, transformation and reputation head Kate Campbell says the business is delighted to support Clermont Kindergarten and Day Care Centre to buy 22 enormous soft fall mats to increase the use and improve the safety of the kindy’s outdoor play area. “Our Carmichael mine sits just 160km north of Clermont, so the people in the community are our neighbours, and many of the mine’s workers live in and around this region,” she said. “We’re proud to back the things that matter to our people and support the grassroots initiatives, events, and projects that make a…

Kathleen Valley achieved first production of spodumene concentrate in late July 2024 and commercial production at the processing plant was declared January 1, 2025.

Kathleen Valley’s first year results in $193m loss for Liontown

Liontown Resources (ASX: LTR) posted a $193m loss for FY25 in the company’s first year of operations at the Kathleen Valley lithium mine in WA. The statutory net loss after profit includes an $81m non-cash write-down of ore sorting potential (OSP) stockpiles, foreshadowed in the June quarter results. Liontown managing director and chief executive Tony Ottaviano comments on the loss. “While we reported a statutory loss, this was expected in a commissioning year and reflects depreciation and the treatment of stockpiles built up during ramp-up,” he said. “What matters is that the underlying performance was positive and cash neutral. “Our balance sheet was further strengthened with the equity raising completed after year-end, taking pro forma cash to $528m and ensuring we…