Final Drilling Yields 50m at 34.5% Graphite, Boosting Sarytogan Resource Upgrade
Sarytogan Graphite Limited has reported the last batch of assays from its Reserve definition drilling at the Sarytogan Deposit, confirming thick, high-grade graphite mineralisation that will underpin a resource upgrade and advance its Definitive Feasibility Study.
- Final 17 drill holes confirm significant high-grade graphite mineralisation
- Drilling targeted first 25 years of mining to 50m depth for resource upgrade
- WSP consultants engaged for Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve update
- Definitive Feasibility Study on track for mid-2026 completion
- Project designated Strategic under EU Critical Raw Materials Act
Strong Finish to Reserve Drilling Campaign
Sarytogan Graphite Limited (ASX, SGA) has announced the final results from its Reserve definition drilling program at the Sarytogan Graphite Deposit in Central Kazakhstan. The assays from 17 drill holes, designed to infill the initial 25 years of mining to a depth of 50 metres, have confirmed robust and continuous high-grade graphite mineralisation. Notably, one hole returned 50.2 metres at 34.5% Total Graphitic Carbon (TGC) from surface, including a 29.2-metre interval grading over 40% TGC.
Advancing Resource and Reserve Upgrades
These results are critical inputs for an upcoming Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve upgrade, being conducted by leading consultants WSP as part of the ongoing Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS). The drilling campaign was specifically designed to enhance the resolution of grade continuity within the ore body, a key factor for mine planning and economic assessment. The DFS, which also includes process engineering and cost estimation by Wood, remains on track for completion by mid-2026.
Strategic Importance and Project Context
The Sarytogan project holds strategic significance, having been designated under the European Union’s Critical Raw Materials Act. This status underscores the deposit’s world-class quality and its vital role in supplying sustainable graphite for battery and other advanced industrial applications in Europe. The deposit boasts a substantial Mineral Resource base of 229 million tonnes at 28.9% TGC and an Ore Reserve of 8.6 million tonnes at 30% TGC, positioning Sarytogan as a key player in the graphite sector.
Looking Ahead
With the Reserve definition drilling now complete, Sarytogan is poised to deliver an updated resource model and mine schedule that will refine the project’s economic outlook. The company’s ongoing copper exploration at its Baynazar and Kopa projects further diversifies its portfolio within the highly prospective Central Asian Orogenic Belt. Investors will be watching closely as the DFS progresses, anticipating how these developments translate into project valuation and future production potential.
Bottom Line?
Sarytogan’s final drilling results solidify its resource foundation, setting the stage for a pivotal DFS update that could reshape its market prospects.
Questions in the middle?
- How will the updated Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve impact the project’s valuation and financing options?
- What are the expected capital expenditure and operating cost implications from the DFS updates?
- How might geopolitical and regulatory factors in Kazakhstan and the EU affect project timelines and market access?
