Sarytogan Graphite Hits 318m of Copper at Ilksan With Deeper Hole Results Due
Key Takeaways
- DDH-IL26001A returned 318m at 0.14% Cu from surface, extending the copper porphyry system confirmed in DDH-IL26002 which returned 229m at the same bulk grade — both holes hitting peak mineralisation in the same 159–165m depth range.
- 93% of assays across the full 318m hole returned greater than 500ppm Cu, confirming continuous mineralisation from surface to end of hole rather than isolated high-grade zones.
- B-veins and bornite identified in deeper intervals are textbook indicators of proximity to the porphyry core under the Lowell and Gilbert model, suggesting grades could improve with depth.
- The third and deepest hole, DDH-IL26003 at 452m, was drilled directly below DDH-IL26001A with samples submitted to the lab on 12 August 2026 — assay results are the key near-term catalyst.
- Kazakhstan hosts 4 of the 5 lowest-cost copper mines in the world, providing a structural cost advantage for any future bulk-tonnage porphyry development at Baynazar.
Copper porphyry system grows at Ilksan as second drill hole delivers 318 metres of mineralisation
Sarytogan Graphite has announced results from the second of three diamond drill holes completed at the Ilksan prospect within the Baynazar copper exploration project in central Kazakhstan. DDH-IL26001A returned 318m @ 0.14% Cu, 0.027ppm Au from surface to end of hole, extending the copper porphyry mineralisation confirmed in DDH-IL26002 (reported ASX 12 August 2026), which returned 229m @ 0.14% Cu, 0.027ppm Au from surface to end of hole.
Both intercepts are reported as down-hole lengths; true widths have not yet been determined. A deeper third hole, DDH-IL26003, has been drilled to 452m depth with assays pending, representing the key near-term catalyst for investors.
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What the assays reveal: higher-grade zones within a fertile porphyry system
DDH-IL26001A key intercepts
At a 0.2% Cu cutoff, the higher-grade zones within the 318m hole include:
- 18.9m @ 0.29% Cu, 0.093ppm Au from 5.0m
- 8.6m @ 0.25% Cu, 0.081ppm Au from 41.2m
- 15.2m @ 0.40% Cu, 0.082ppm Au, 1.8ppm Ag from 163.4m
Notably, 93% of assays returned greater than 500ppm Cu across the full hole length, underscoring the continuity of copper mineralisation from surface to end of hole.
How DDH-IL26001A compares to DDH-IL26002
Both holes returned an identical bulk grade of 0.14% Cu from surface, and both show their strongest higher-grade zones in the 159–165m depth range, a consistency that points to a coherent, continuous mineralised system between the two drill locations.
The copper porphyry mineralisation at Ilksan was first confirmed by DDH-IL26002, which returned 229m at 0.14% Cu from surface and established the bulk grade benchmark that DDH-IL26001A has now matched across a longer intercept.
| Hole ID | Total Intercept | Key Higher-Grade Zone 1 | Key Higher-Grade Zone 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| DDH-IL26001A | 318m @ 0.14% Cu, 0.027ppm Au from surface to EOH | 18.9m @ 0.29% Cu, 0.093ppm Au from 5.0m | 15.2m @ 0.40% Cu, 0.082ppm Au, 1.8ppm Ag from 163.4m |
| DDH-IL26002 | 229m @ 0.14% Cu, 0.027ppm Au from surface to EOH | 11.6m @ 0.26% Cu, 407ppm Mo from 33.8m | 16.2m @ 0.36% Cu, 0.12ppm Au, 1.4ppm Ag from 159.7m |
What is a copper porphyry system, and why does it matter?
A copper porphyry deposit is a large-tonnage, low-to-moderate grade mineralised system formed through magmatic-hydrothermal processes, where copper-rich fluids from cooling igneous intrusions permeate the surrounding rock. They are typically the world’s most significant source of copper and often carry by-products including gold, molybdenum, and silver.
What makes the geology of DDH-IL26001A particularly noteworthy are three specific indicators. The hole shows widespread potassic alteration, characterised by K-feldspar with secondary biotite. It contains B-veins (quartz-biotite-magnetite-K-feldspar-chalcopyrite), which the source material describes as a strong indicator of proximity to the porphyry core. And bornite, a copper-rich sulphide mineral, has been identified in the deeper intervals.
These features align with the classic Lowell and Gilbert 1970 porphyry ore deposit model, which describes a zonation of alteration and mineralisation types radiating outward from a central high-grade core. Proximity to that core is significant because it typically signals higher-grade mineralisation and a larger overall system. The results from Ilksan suggest the current drilling is approaching, but has not yet confirmed, the centre of the system.
Kazakhstan’s copper credentials and SGA’s broader project context
The Baynazar project was pegged by the company in 2024, located 25km south-west of the Sarytogan Graphite Deposit and within the Central Asian Orogenic Belt. The exploration licence (#2788-EL) covers 282 km² and was issued for six years from August 2024.
Kazakhstan carries strong copper credentials. According to a miningvisuals.com October 2024 infographic cited in the announcement, 4 of the 5 lowest-cost copper mines in the world are located in Kazakhstan, attributed to low power, diesel, and skilled labour costs.
Alongside the Baynazar copper project, the company also holds the Sarytogan Graphite Deposit (225Mt @ 29.2% TGC), which holds Strategic Project designation under the European Union’s Critical Raw Materials Act. Together, these assets position SGA as a dual-commodity battery metals explorer across Kazakhstan.
The Sarytogan Graphite Project DFS is being advanced with EBRD funding support, adding institutional financial backing to an asset that already carries Strategic Project designation under the EU Critical Raw Materials Act.
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Third hole results and what comes next
DDH-IL26003 was drilled 150m north along the section line, angled 70 degrees south, and terminated at a depth of 452m, directly below DDH-IL26001A. It is the deepest hole of the programme. Samples were submitted to the analytical laboratory on 12 August 2026, with assays expected within the coming weeks.
That result is the key near-term catalyst. The deeper hole will test whether copper grades improve at depth, consistent with what the porphyry model would predict closer to the mineralised core.
Sean Gregory, Managing Director
“The diamond drill core and assays at Ilksan demonstrate the presence of a fertile copper porphyry system. The elevated copper grades, potassic alteration and presence of B-veins indicate that we are close to the core of the system. The results of the deeper 3rd hole are eagerly anticipated.”
Near-term milestones to watch include:
- DDH-IL26003 assay results, expected within coming weeks
- Further drilling to test lateral and depth extensions across Baynazar tenements
- Ongoing advancement of the Sarytogan Graphite Deposit product development
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