Barton Gold Holdings (ASX:BGD) completed phase-two resource upgrade drilling at its Tunkillia gold project in South Australia, according to a Thursday filing with the Australian bourse.

The five-month campaign included 38,760 meters of reverse circulation and diamond drilling covering 311 holes, per the filing.

"Results to-date have generally exceeded expectations, with positive surprises in some zones offering material upside potential," said Barton Managing Director Alex Scanlon.

The company is targeting the release of a pre-feasibility study for large-scale gold production in the first quarter of 2027.