AUS
NZ
UK
CA
USA
IND
Highlights
- Advancing Water Infrastructure: Additional drilling and pump tests underway to secure water supply.
- Future Expansion: Data to support water licensing and feasibility studies.
- Project Milestone: Water security as a critical step toward long-term operations.
Sarytogan Graphite (ASX:SGA) is making significant progress in securing a stable water supply for its graphite project in Kazakhstan. As part of its strategic initiative, the company is conducting further drilling and pump tests on existing bores to ensure reliable water availability, a key component for the project's long-term success.
Ongoing Drilling and Testing
Currently, Sarytogan Graphite is engaged in drilling two additional water wells while also carrying out pump tests on seven of the eleven existing water bores. These efforts are focused on the Sherubainura River Aquifer, identified in the company's Pre-Feasibility Study as the most viable water source for sustaining project operations. With an annual water demand of up to 454 megaliters (ML), establishing a dependable water supply is a crucial step in the project’s development.
Laying the Groundwork for Future Operations
The data gathered from the current drilling and pump tests will play a pivotal role in the company’s water licensing process with Kazakh regulatory authorities. This is a vital requirement to secure the necessary approvals for long-term water access. Beyond water security, Sarytogan Graphite is also advancing multiple other aspects of its Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS). These include power and transport studies, metallurgical variability tests, and the preparation of customer samples—key factors that will shape the project's commercial potential.
Strategic Importance of Water Supply
A reliable water source is fundamental for any large-scale mining operation, and Sarytogan Graphite is well-positioned with access to a fresh water supply near its project site. Managing Director Sean Gregory emphasized the significance of securing water, stating that it represents a major step in reducing project risk and enhancing overall viability. He highlighted that water security is essential to unlocking the full potential of Sarytogan’s high-quality graphite project.
With ongoing feasibility studies and early-stage project development progressing as planned, securing the water licence will mark another milestone in Sarytogan Graphite’s journey. The company remains committed to executing key infrastructure initiatives to position the Kazakhstan graphite project for long-term success.
