Sarytogan Graphite Limited (ASX: SGA) has commenced its maiden diamond drilling program at the Ilkin prospect within the Baynazar copper project in Kazakhstan, targeting a potential copper porphyry system.
The initial program will consist of four diamond drill holes for approximately 1,000 metres, with drilling expected to be completed by August and assay results anticipated in the fourth quarter.
The program follows encouraging results from earlier exploration, which have defined a large copper anomaly approximately 600 metres in diameter, supported by soil sampling, geophysics and shallow drilling. Previous work returned copper values of up to 0.5% Cu, alongside associated gold and silver, indicating a potentially significant polymetallic system.
Sarytogan’s exploration has also identified a clear zoned geochemical signature, consistent with porphyry systems, with copper concentrated in the core and broader pathfinder elements forming surrounding halos.
The drilling campaign is designed to test several priority targets, including:
- The core of the defined copper anomaly
- A historical drill hole that will be re‑tested to validate earlier results
- Additional zones linked to structural and lithological contacts
- Areas with visual copper mineralisation and supportive geochemistry
Sean Gregory, managing director of Sarytogan Graphite, commented, “The Ilkin prospect presents strong indicators of a copper porphyry system, supported by geophysics, drilling and geochemical data. This maiden diamond drilling program will provide a detailed understanding of the geology and advance the project toward identifying a potentially significant copper system.”
Ilkin forms part of the broader Baynazar project, which was acquired in 2024 as part of the company’s expansion into battery and critical minerals exploration. Kazakhstan remains a highly prospective jurisdiction for porphyry copper systems, with established infrastructure and a strong mining history.
Diamond drilling is being advanced alongside ongoing development of Sarytogan’s flagship graphite project, with the company progressing multiple workstreams across its portfolio.
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