Sarytogan managing director Sean Gregory said: “The shallow KGK drilling at the Ilkin prospect has exceeded expectations by delineating a 600m wide strong bedrock anomaly of up to 0.5% copper. The lithology, alteration and geochemistry are all consistent with a possible copper porphyry system. The next step is deeper 200m to 500m diamond drill holes, subject to specific funding being allocated to the copper project.”
The Baynazar project sits in Kazakhstan’s Central Asian Orogenic Belt, a globally significant mineral province that hosts multiple large copper systems and some of the world’s lowest-cost copper mines. The project area is dotted with volcanic calderas and intrusions, providing fertile plumbing for porphyry-style mineralisation. Notably, an operating copper porphyry mine lies on the opposite margin of the same regional caldera system.
All this puts Sarytogan Graphite in an interesting position. While the company’s primary focus remains its world-class graphite project, which is advancing through feasibility with European strategic backing, Baynazar is shaping up as a genuine blue-sky opportunity. Management says the next logical step is deeper diamond drilling of 200 to 500 metres to test whether the shallow anomaly connects to a larger copper body at depth.
For now, at least, the shallow drilling appears to have done its job. It has reduced geological risk, sharpened targets and delivered a compelling case that something significant could be lurking below.
If deeper drilling delivers what the shallow work has hinted at, Baynazar could quickly evolve from a side story into a serious second act for Sarytogan. With copper firmly back in favour and large porphyry systems prized for their scale and longevity, the company may soon find that its graphite flagship is no longer sailing alone.
Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: mattbirney@bullsnbears.com.au
