Australia-based Sarytogan Graphite has secured an environmental permit from the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan for the development of its graphite mine.
The Sarytogan Graphite Deposit, located in the Karaganda region of Central Kazakhstan, is 190km from the industrial city of Karaganda.
This permit is the final step before the anticipated issuance of a mining licence, expected within ten working days of the permit in January 2025.
The environmental permit authorises the proposed activities at the mine site, including open-pit mining of graphite ore, storage of mine waste, and landfill waste at the site.
Sarytogan managing director Sean Gregory said: “This is another important milestone in the development of the Sarytogan Graphite Project. It is the culmination of several years of environmental studies and engagement with the local communities. This permit will now allow the granting of the Mining Licence, expected in January 2025.”
The permit includes discharge limits for environmental emissions, covering dust, liquids, and gases. It also mandates the implementation of an environmental management system with regular reporting to the government agency.
This follows three public environmental review hearings in nearby villages, which have shown strong support for the project.
Historically, the Sarytogan Graphite Deposit was first explored during the Soviet era in the 1980s.
Exploration resumed in 2018 by Sarytogan’s wholly owned subsidiary, Ushtogan.
AMC Consultants have recently estimated an Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resource for the project, totalling 229 million tonnes at 28.9% of total graphitic carbon (TGC).
The company has produced bulk flotation concentrates with over 80% carbon content and has further upgraded the concentrate to 99.9992% carbon purity by thermal purification, without chemical pre-treatment.
A pre-feasibility study completed this August outlined a staged development plan to match market penetration, minimise initial capital expenditure, and deliver financial returns.
In August, the company also divested a 17.36% stake to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). The proceeds will be used in the company’s development activities.
In addition to graphite, Sarytogan is progressing with copper porphyry exploration, starting with its Bainazar project, and plans to assemble a portfolio of copper exploration projects across the Central Asian Orogenic Belt.
