Can Sarytogan Sustain >90% Graphite Grade Amid Feasibility Study Challenges?
Sarytogan Graphite Limited has achieved flotation concentrate grades exceeding 90% Total Graphitic Carbon in its Central Graphite Zone, marking a significant improvement over previous results and enhancing its market potential.
- Flotation concentrate grades surpass 90% TGC in Central Graphite Zone
- Recovery rates improved to 84.7%–86.8%, higher than Northern Zone results
- Enhanced concentrate quality expected to broaden market applications
- Definitive Feasibility Study underway, targeting mid-2026 completion
- Ongoing reserve drilling and metallurgical testing to support development
Breakthrough in Graphite Concentrate Quality
Sarytogan Graphite Limited (ASX, SGA) has announced a notable advancement in its metallurgical testing program, achieving flotation concentrate grades exceeding 90% Total Graphitic Carbon (TGC) from the Central Graphite Zone (CGZ) of its deposit in Central Kazakhstan. This marks a significant step up from earlier tests on the Northern Graphite Zone (NGZ), which yielded grades between 81% and 85% TGC.
The improved concentrate quality, with grades ranging from 90.5% to 91.3% TGC and recovery rates between 84.7% and 86.8%, is expected to enhance the marketability of Sarytogan’s graphite products. The company’s Managing Director, Sean Gregory, highlighted that this higher purity could open access to broader markets and potentially command better pricing.
Geological Factors Driving Quality
The superior graphite quality in the CGZ is attributed to its distinct mineralogy, particularly pronounced hematite alteration linked to proximity to a granite intrusion beneath the deposit. This geological setting has resulted in stronger graphitisation compared to the NGZ, which explains the higher flotation concentrate grades achieved.
Previous metallurgical testing focused largely on the NGZ due to sample availability, but as drilling progressed in 2022, the CGZ samples became central to testing and mine planning. The Pre-Feasibility Study completed in 2024 already identified the CGZ as the optimal starting point for mining, with plans to operate there for at least the first 25 years.
Market and Development Implications
The jump to over 90% TGC concentrate grade is expected to significantly improve the product’s appeal in traditional and advanced industrial applications, including battery materials. Sarytogan’s product suite envisages three graphite types, Micro90C for conventional uses, Ultra-High Purity Fines for advanced industries, and spherical purified graphite for lithium-ion batteries.
With the Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) underway and scheduled for completion by mid-2026, these metallurgical results provide a strong foundation for refining project economics and market positioning. Concurrently, reserve definition drilling continues on site to support the DFS and ensure robust resource delineation.
Looking Ahead
Further variability testing is ongoing, including preparation of 700 kilograms of milled graphite concentrate from the CGZ for customer sampling. These steps will be critical in validating the concentrate’s performance and securing off-take agreements. Meanwhile, Sarytogan’s broader exploration efforts include copper porphyry targets at Baynazar and Kopa, underscoring a diversified mineral portfolio.
Overall, this metallurgical breakthrough positions Sarytogan well to capitalize on growing demand for high-purity graphite, a key component in emerging clean energy technologies.
Bottom Line?
Sarytogan’s >90% graphite purity breakthrough sets the stage for stronger market positioning as feasibility studies progress.
Questions in the middle?
- Will further variability tests confirm consistent >90% TGC across the CGZ?
- How will improved concentrate grades impact pricing and contract negotiations?
- What are the timelines and risks for integrating these results into the Definitive Feasibility Study?
