Delays and Approvals: What’s Next for Savannah’s Georgetown Gold Project?
Savannah Goldfields reports steady gold production at its Georgetown plant, with new feedstock from historic sites and a third-party toll treatment agreement supporting continuous operations.
- Recent gold pours total 12.45 kg doré with cumulative 2025 output at 151.661 oz Au
- Processing blend includes Agate Creek high-grade ore and Georgetown tailings
- New feed from Big Ben rock piles and third-party toll treatment secured
- Mining at Big Reef planned to supply 18,000 tonnes of inferred resources
- Agate Creek mining to resume in Q2 2026 pending environmental approvals
Steady Gold Production at Georgetown
Savannah Goldfields Limited has provided a robust update on its Georgetown Gold Processing Plant (GGPP) operations in Far North Queensland. The company poured 12.45 kilograms of gold doré in December, adding to a cumulative 2025 production tally of 151.661 ounces of gold and 90.851 ounces of silver. These pours reflect the ongoing reliability and safety of the GGPP, which resumed processing in early November after blending high-grade Agate Creek ore with tailings from Georgetown.
Expanding Feedstock with Historic and Third-Party Sources
In a strategic move to extend processing continuity, Savannah’s geologists identified gold mineralisation in rock piles at the nearby Big Ben site, less than 500 meters from the plant. An initial 5,000-tonne parcel of this material is set for transport and processing imminently. Additionally, the company has secured a toll treatment agreement with a third-party miner to process approximately 2,500 tonnes of ore estimated to contain over 5 grams per tonne of gold. Environmental approvals for this tolling have been granted, enabling immediate commencement of processing once delivery is complete.
Looking Ahead – Big Reef Mining and Agate Creek Resumption
Looking forward, Savannah plans to begin mining at Big Reef, targeting up to 18,000 tonnes of inferred mineral resources to feed the GGPP. While the start is contingent on the arrival of a drill and blast contractor, mining is expected to commence shortly. Meanwhile, the company has applied to amend the Agate Creek Environmental Authority to support expanded mining activities, with operations anticipated to resume in the second quarter of 2026 following regulatory approval.
Strategic Vision – Georgetown as a Regional Processing Hub
The Georgetown plant is uniquely positioned as the sole processing facility within a 400-kilometre radius, surrounded by numerous historic mines and prospects. Savannah is advancing plans to modify the plant to handle sulphide ores, which have been largely unexploited historically. This hub-and-spoke strategy aims to attract joint ventures and toll treatment opportunities, leveraging the plant’s capacity to process stranded gold deposits in the region. Discussions with multiple local miners indicate potential for scaling operations and increasing throughput at Georgetown.
Bottom Line?
Savannah’s strategic feedstock diversification and regional hub ambitions set the stage for sustained growth at Georgetown.
Questions in the middle?
- When will mining at Big Reef definitively commence given contractor delays?
- What will be the final assay results from the recent doré pours awaiting mint outturn?
- How quickly can the Agate Creek Environmental Authority amendment be approved to resume mining?