East Star Resources Plc, a company focused on gold and copper exploration in Kazakhstan, has announced significant progress in its Rulikha Copper Project. The company, which operates through a joint venture with Kazakh firm Nova Ltd, has received all necessary approvals for drilling on Licence 3631. A drilling contract has been executed, and a drill rig has been mobilised to the site, with operations set to commence on 5 October 2026, at no cost to East Star.
The initial drilling programme will involve five drill holes across two target areas, covering approximately 1,500 metres. This effort aims to verify mineralisation that has been historically logged, a crucial step in advancing the project towards resource definition. The announcement follows a binding Heads of Agreement signed on 1 September 2026, under which Nova will farm into the Rulikha project and lead its development to production without incurring further costs for East Star. As a result, East Star will be fully carried to production and will retain a stake of between 25% and 35% in the producing mine.
Alex Walker, CEO of East Star, expressed satisfaction with the swift progress in obtaining drilling permissions and commencing operations. He highlighted the importance of the current drilling programme in converting historical exploration targets into a defined resource. The company is optimistic about the potential outcomes of the drilling and plans to keep the market updated on developments as the programme unfolds.
For those interested in further insights, a video featuring Tremain Woods, Exploration Manager of East Star, discussing the Rulikha project is available on the company’s website. This update marks a significant milestone for East Star as it continues to advance its exploration and development efforts in the promising mining landscape of Kazakhstan.
