Savannah shifts exploration drilling to Electric Light deposit, Queensland 

In a significant development for Australia’s gold mining sector, Savannah Goldfields has announced a shift in its exploration drilling campaign within the Georgetown gold project. Operations have now moved from the Big Reef site to the Electric Light deposit, marking a strategic expansion of the company’s exploration efforts in Queensland’s mineral-rich terrain.

The Electric Light deposit is situated approximately 27km north of the Georgetown gold processing plant and 480km southwest of Cairns in far north Queensland. This location represents a crucial component of Savannah’s growing portfolio of mining assets in the region.

Prior to the transition, Savannah completed an extensive reverse circulation (RC) drilling program at Big Reef and Big Reef Extended, located roughly 4km south of Forsyth. The program encompassed 15 holes, with all collected samples now dispatched to an independent laboratory in Townsville for assay. Results are expected by the end of October 2025, potentially adding significant value to the company’s resource estimates.

The recently concluded RC campaign was specifically designed to test strike extensions of 1,500 meters where previous rock chip sampling had identified promising anomalous gold deposits. These extensions could substantially expand the current inferred mineral resource at Big Reef, which stands at 107,000 tonnes at 3.0 grams per tonne of gold, equivalent to 10,000 ounces.

Meanwhile, preparations for mining operations at Big Reef continue to progress, with activities scheduled to commence in October following receipt of necessary environmental authorizations. This timeline aligns with the company’s strategy to maintain continuous production while expanding its resource base.

The RC drill rig has now been successfully mobilized to the Electric Light deposit, where a new phase of drilling has begun. This program will focus on testing the down-dip extensions of known gold mineralization at the site. Electric Light currently boasts an inferred mineral resource of 388,000 tonnes at 3.7 grams per tonne, containing approximately 46,000 ounces of gold. Importantly, mineralization at this site remains open both down dip and along strike, suggesting significant potential for resource expansion.

Following the completion of the current RC drilling program, Savannah plans to deploy a diamond drill rig to Georgetown in the first half of October 2025. This rig will conduct a four-to-eight-hole campaign at Electric Light before moving on to explore the Red Dam prospects, further diversifying the company’s exploration portfolio.

The strategic importance of these drilling campaigns was emphasized by Savannah Goldfields CEO Brad Sampson, who expressed enthusiasm about the ongoing exploration efforts. “We are excited to be well underway with exploration drilling in areas with potential to expand our gold inventory, provide near-term feed stocks and extend the oxide processing life at the Georgetown gold processing plant,” Sampson stated.

This exploration push comes at a time when gold continues to attract strong investment interest globally, with prices remaining historically high. For regional mining operations like Georgetown, expanding resource estimates can significantly enhance project economics and extend operational lifespans.

The Georgetown project represents an important asset in Australia’s gold mining landscape, with the country ranking as one of the world’s top gold producers. Queensland’s mining sector, in particular, has seen renewed interest in recent years as companies seek to capitalize on the state’s diverse mineral deposits and well-established infrastructure.

Industry analysts will be watching closely for the results of Savannah’s drilling programs, as positive findings could have implications not just for the company but for regional exploration activity more broadly in Queensland’s gold sector.