Sarytogan Graphite has secured a second copper exploration project in Kazakhstan, targeting three promising anomalies within the Koskuduk Caldera, a region known for its prolific porphyry copper mines. The 120-square-kilometer Kopa license, granted for six years with extension rights, is located approximately 100km northwest of Almaty.
This new project complements Sarytogan’s existing Baynazar copper project, where recent aeromagnetic surveys and soil sampling have already identified several copper anomalies. The Kopa targets were identified through research of historical exploration data, which revealed three centers of base metal anomalism at Sholak, Bastau, and Zholbars.
“Kopa is the second copper exploration project added to Sarytogan’s portfolio,” said Sarytogan Graphite Managing Director Sean Gregory. “It complements our Baynazar project where in less than one year an aeromagnetic survey and soil sampling have generated exciting copper porphyry targets.”
While previous exploration in the Kopa area focused primarily on gold, Sarytogan’s interest lies in the significant copper-lead-zinc anomalism present, as well as a rare fluorine occurrence. The targets are associated with mapped exposures of secondary quartzites and clay alteration within the caldera’s volcanic tuffs and lavas.
The Koskuduk Caldera is situated within the Balkhash volcanic belt, part of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt, which hosts the majority of Kazakhstan’s porphyry copper deposits, estimated to contain over 25 million tonnes of copper. Sarytogan has noted hydrothermal alteration and prominent litho-caps, indicative of porphyry-type mineralization, at several Kopa prospects. Litho-caps are often prime exploration targets for porphyry and epithermal deposits due to their size, distinctive geochemistry, and potential to host high-sulfidation epithermal gold and copper.
Sarytogan plans to deploy its field team to Kopa next month for soil sampling and an aeromagnetic survey to further define targets. The company will also soon begin additional soil sampling and drilling at its Baynazar copper project.