Leveraging the data from a time domain electromagnetic (TDEM) survey, Sarytogan Graphite Ltd (ASX:SGA) has identified several electromagnetic (EM) anomalies at the Kenesar Graphite Project in northern Kazakhstan that point to graphite-rich mineralisation.
The company will now use shallow, low-cost drilling to test beneath thin dirt and sand cover at Kenesar and sample the graphitic schist basement rocks identified with the survey.
At the same time, SGA is actively progressing pre-feasibility study (PFS) activities for the flagship Sarytogan Graphite Project, where the company has already defined a mineral resource estimate (MRE) of 229 million tonnes at 28.9% graphite, an exceptionally high-grade graphite deposit.
Expanding battery metals portfolio
“While we progress the important project development activities for our namesake Sarytogan Graphite Project, our in-country team’s geological exploration skills and detailed knowledge of the Kazakh regulatory framework are being applied to expand our portfolio of battery metal projects in Kazakhstan,” Sarytogan Graphite managing director Sean Gregory said.
“The EM anomalies identified at Kenesar will now be targeted with first-pass drilling that we hope will confirm the presence of rich layers of graphitic schist under shallow cover.”
At the Sarytogan Project, SGA is advancing geotechnical drilling, metallurgical test work, and first mining schedules, while pump testing recently completed water bores.
Once bulk concentrate flotation testing on Sarytogan graphite is complete, the company will proceed to either an alkaline-acid flowsheet, or an alternative thermal purification flowsheet, before spheroidising the graphite and testing its battery anode performance later in the year.