Savannah Goldfields is launching a substantial 2026 drilling campaign targeting resource growth at its Georgetown and Agate Creek gold projects, aiming to bolster feedstock for its Georgetown processing plant and unlock value at Agate Creek.
- 2,000 to 6,000 metres drilling planned at multiple Georgetown targets
- Recent resource upgrades include first Indicated categories at Electric Light and Red Dam
- Metallurgical tests confirm ~71% gold recovery using existing processing circuits
- Exploration targets include shallow oxide and deeper sulphide gold mineralisation
- Agate Creek resource review underway with potential standalone processing plant
Drilling Campaign to Expand Gold Resources
Savannah Goldfields (ASX:SVG) is set to commence a significant drilling programme next week at its Georgetown and Agate Creek gold projects, aiming to grow its Mineral Resource base and support future feed options for the Georgetown processing plant. The initial phase targets 2,000 to 6,000 metres of drilling across multiple high-priority targets, building on last year’s successful exploration results that included resource upgrades and promising metallurgical outcomes.
The Georgetown project currently hosts an Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resource of 1.33 million tonnes at 3.6 grams per tonne gold, equating to approximately 152,000 ounces. Meanwhile, Agate Creek holds a substantial 15.5 million tonnes at 0.80 grams per tonne gold, containing 422,000 ounces.
Resource Upgrades and Metallurgical Confidence
Recent updates have been pivotal for Savannah, with the first-ever Indicated Mineral Resources reported at both the Electric Light and Red Dam prospects. The Red Dam resource notably increased by 59% in contained ounces, now standing at 396,000 tonnes at 4.6 g/t Au. These upgrades underpin the company’s strategy to expand mining and processing activities at Georgetown.
Metallurgical test work on sulphide gold from Electric Light and Red Dam has delivered encouraging results, confirming gold recoveries of around 71% using the existing gravity and carbon-in-leach (CIL) circuit at Georgetown. Historical data suggests flotation processing could push recoveries above 94%, with further test work planned this year to refine these findings and optimise processing strategies.
Targeting Shallow Oxide and Deeper Sulphide Mineralisation
The 2026 drilling programme is designed to explore for shallow oxide gold mineralisation at prospects like Big Reef and along the Big Wonder fault zone adjacent to the Georgetown plant. Historical drilling at Big Reef Extended uncovered high-grade gold close to surface, including intercepts such as 7 metres at 5.34 g/t Au from 12 metres depth. The Big Wonder fault, a 5-kilometre regional structure hosting multiple historic deposits, will be tested for additional oxide mineralisation, potentially supplying short-term feed to the processing plant.
Simultaneously, Savannah plans to extend sulphide gold resources at Electric Light and Red Dam through deeper and infill drilling. The 2025 campaign intersected impressive high-grade zones, including 7 metres at 9.92 g/t Au and 3 metres at 14.86 g/t Au, which have reinforced confidence in expanding these deposits. This dual focus on oxide and sulphide targets aims to secure both immediate and long-term mill feed for Georgetown.
Agate Creek Development Potential and Regional Exploration
At Agate Creek, Savannah is investigating the feasibility of a standalone processing plant to unlock value from its large Mineral Resource. A detailed geological review is underway to identify new drill targets, especially at Sherwood and Nottingham prospects, which remain underexplored despite promising geology.
Beyond these flagship projects, Savannah’s tenement portfolio includes over 80 historical workings and prospects with limited recent exploration. The company plans preliminary mapping and sampling across these areas in 2026 to generate new drilling targets, potentially extending its resource pipeline further.
Cultural Heritage and Program Timing
Cultural Heritage surveys over the key drilling zones were completed in July 2026, covering Electric Light, Red Dam, Big Reef, and areas near the Georgetown processing plant. Savannah is reviewing the survey outcomes before finalising drill hole locations. The drilling programme is expected to begin imminently and run for up to 12 weeks, marking a critical step in advancing Savannah’s exploration and development ambitions.
Bottom Line?
Savannah Goldfields’ 2026 drilling programme could significantly enhance resource confidence and feed options, but assay results and metallurgical refinements will be crucial to validate growth prospects.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the upcoming drilling extend the recent Indicated Mineral Resources at Electric Light and Red Dam?
- How might further metallurgical test work impact processing strategies and gold recoveries at Georgetown?
- Could a standalone processing plant at Agate Creek materially shift Savannah’s production profile?