It's much better than it was, you won't have too much trouble running a 6" mini cell. I have been up there a few times in the last fortnight and have been able to run the 12", it's still patchy but you can pick your spots. Two weeks ago I was lazy and worked an easily accessible spot to make it easier on my kid, I had to cart paydirt about 15-20m to be able to sluice it but since then we have had some decent rain and I also have picked my spots better.
I went south today rather than heading up the Turon, the place I worked had more water than I have seen it in ages, was like ice too. It was actually annoying because all the usual bedrock/crevices were covered and it was equally as hard to find a spot to put the 12" in to sluice.
When do you plan to be in Sofala?
I was thinking of camping at the 1st crossing sometime and putting some good days in.