Savannah Goldfields Secures Approvals to Process 18,000 Tonnes at Big Reef in 2025
Savannah Goldfields has secured crucial environmental approvals to restart gold production at its Georgetown Gold Project, with mining at Big Reef set to begin in October 2025. The company also received approval for a tailings storage facility expansion to support future processing.
- Environmental approval granted to process Big Reef material at Georgetown Gold Processing Plant
- Mining at Big Reef planned to commence in October 2025
- Approval received for phase 1 expansion of tailings storage facility (TSF)
- Exploration drilling underway at Big Reef Extended prospect
- TSF expansion construction scheduled for early 2026 to support 2026 processing
Environmental Approvals Pave Way for Production Restart
Savannah Goldfields Limited has taken a significant step forward in its operational plans by securing two key environmental approvals from the Queensland Government’s Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation. These approvals enable the company to process ore from its Big Reef deposit at the Georgetown Gold Processing Plant (GGPP) and to expand the tailings storage facility (TSF) to accommodate future production needs.
The green light to process Big Reef material is particularly important as it allows Savannah to move ahead with mining activities scheduled to begin in October 2025. This follows detailed geochemical assessments and regulatory engagement, underscoring the company’s commitment to responsible and compliant mining operations.
Big Reef, A Strategic Focus for Savannah
Located about 50 kilometres south of the Georgetown plant near Forsayth, the Big Reef project holds an inferred mineral resource of approximately 10,000 ounces of gold at a grade of 3.0 grams per tonne. Mining at Big Reef is not new territory for Savannah, with historic open pit operations having taken place in 2013. The company plans to extract around 18,000 tonnes from the inferred resource this year, feeding the GGPP and marking a return to production after a period of dormancy.
In parallel, Savannah has initiated a reverse circulation drilling program at the Big Reef Extended prospect. This exploration aims to test strike extensions of up to 1,500 metres, potentially expanding the resource base and enhancing the project’s long-term viability.
Tailings Storage Facility Expansion Supports Growth
To support the anticipated increase in processing volumes, Savannah has also received approval for the phase 1 expansion of the GGPP’s tailings storage facility. This expansion will add approximately 125,500 tonnes of capacity, constructed with modern geosynthetic lining and designed to manage environmental risks effectively.
Construction is planned to commence in the first quarter of 2026, following the wet season, and will be overseen by a leading tailings engineer to ensure quality and safety standards. This phased approach to TSF expansion reflects Savannah’s strategic planning to align infrastructure with production growth.
Looking Ahead
CEO Brad Sampson expressed appreciation for the prompt and professional support from the Queensland Government, highlighting the collaborative approach to advancing the Georgetown Gold Project. With mining at Big Reef set to begin imminently and infrastructure expansion underway, Savannah is positioning itself to resume gold production in line with shareholder expectations and market opportunities.
Bottom Line?
Savannah Goldfields is poised to reignite gold production at Georgetown, but upcoming exploration results and TSF expansions will be critical to sustaining momentum.
Questions in the middle?
- How will the results from the Big Reef Extended drilling program impact resource estimates?
- What are the projected production volumes and timelines following the resumption at Big Reef?
- How might weather and construction challenges affect the TSF expansion schedule?