Savannah Goldfields Launches Drilling to Unlock Big Reef Gold Potential
Savannah Goldfields has initiated a targeted drilling campaign at its Big Reef Extended Prospect, aiming to expand gold resources and support imminent mining plans at the Georgetown Gold Project.
- Reverse circulation drilling commenced at Big Reef Extended Prospect
- Testing 1,500 metres of gold mineralised strike extensions
- Potential to increase existing Inferred Mineral Resource of 10,000 oz Au
- Drilling to continue at Electric Light and Red Dam deposits for further exploration
- Supports Savannah’s plan to start mining at Big Reef later this year
Exploration Drilling Underway at Big Reef Extended
Savannah Goldfields Limited has kicked off a reverse circulation (RC) drilling program at the Big Reef Extended Prospect, situated just 4 kilometres south of Forsayth in North Queensland. This initial phase involves 15 to 20 holes drilled to depths of 20 to 25 metres, designed to test the shallow oxide gold potential along approximately 1,500 metres of strike extensions of the Big Reef and Big Reef Extended shear zones.
The Big Reef area is already known for its gold mineralisation, hosting an Inferred Mineral Resource of 107,000 tonnes at 3.0 grams per tonne gold, equating to roughly 10,000 ounces of contained gold. The current drilling campaign aims to validate and potentially expand this resource by exploring the strike extensions identified through recent mapping and high-grade rock chip assays.
Strategic Expansion and Follow-up Targets
Following completion at Big Reef Extended, the drill rig will move to the Electric Light and Red Dam deposits. These sites hold both oxide and sulphide gold mineralisation, with plans to drill diamond holes to collect samples for metallurgical testing. This step is crucial for understanding the processing characteristics of the ore and optimizing future extraction methods.
Electric Light and Red Dam already contain significant Inferred Mineral Resources, with grades that complement the Big Reef deposit. Savannah’s approach reflects a strategic effort to build a pipeline of feedstock for its Georgetown gold processing plant, aiming to sustain production in the short to medium term.
Historical Context and Future Prospects
Big Reef has a mining history dating back to the early 1900s and was last mined in 2013, producing approximately 22,700 tonnes at 2.5 g/t gold. The current exploration builds on this legacy, with modern geological modelling and assay data suggesting substantial potential for resource growth both along strike and down dip.
While the Exploration Target remains conceptual, the combination of historical data, recent high-grade rock chip results, and ongoing drilling provides a compelling case for resource expansion. Savannah’s CEO Brad Sampson highlighted the priority of Big Reef and Big Reef Extended in delivering additional feedstock to the processing plant, underpinning the company’s near-term mining ambitions.
Looking Ahead
The success of this drilling program could materially enhance Savannah Goldfields’ resource base and accelerate the transition to mining operations at Big Reef later this year. Investors and analysts will be watching closely for assay results and metallurgical test outcomes that will inform resource updates and production forecasts.
Bottom Line?
Savannah’s drilling campaign at Big Reef marks a pivotal step toward unlocking new gold resources and advancing mining plans in North Queensland.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the drilling confirm extensions sufficient to upgrade the Exploration Target to a Mineral Resource?
- How will metallurgical test results from Electric Light and Red Dam influence processing strategies?
- What timeline can investors expect for mining commencement and production ramp-up at Big Reef?
