Lakeside is a large-scale copper-gold project located 25 km from the city of Balkhash, one of Kazakhstan’s key mining centers.
The project covers more than 1,800 km² of prospective territory within the copper- and gold-bearing volcanic belts of Central Kazakhstan, along a major northwestern porphyry corridor.
The project’s strategic location provides access to existing infrastructure: the licensed areas border two operating mines, and a railroad, power lines, highways, a copper smelter, and an airport are all in close proximity.
Lakeside is located within the Balkhash Arc, one of Kazakhstan’s key copper-gold belts. The region is characterized by Devonian-Carboniferous volcanic complexes, granodiorite and granite intrusions, and a complex tectonic structure that creates conditions for the formation of porphyry Cu-Au and epithermal Au-Ag systems.
The area’s potential is confirmed by a combination of several independent geological indicators:
Metasomatic Alteration
Alunite, sericite, silica, high-temperature argillization, phyllite, and propylite zones.
Geochemical Anomalies
Cu, Au, Mo, As, Se, Pb, and Zn.
Historical Ore Occurrences
Copper and gold occurrences are known.
Regional Context
The project is located near known copper-porphyry deposits, including Konrad, Pribrezhnoe, and Borly.
As a result of comprehensive geological, geochemical, and geophysical studies at the Lakeside project, six priority porphyry Cu-Au targets have been identified. These were determined based on a combination of data on geology, hydrothermal alteration, geochemical anomalies, and remote sensing results.
The project’s key targets are Bollinger, Dom Perignon, Pommery, Chandon, Brut, and Agripart. These targets represent various types of porphyry and associated copper-gold systems and form the basis for further detailed study and drilling preparation.
As part of a systematic geological exploration program, a comprehensive dataset was compiled for the project area to prioritize targets and prepare for drilling. The work covered 1,720 km² and included 56,000 soil samples, 1,100 rock samples, 250 km² of geological mapping, 815 km² of ground magnetic surveys, and 574 km² of Vector IP surveys. The data obtained made it possible to integrate geological, geochemical, and geophysical indicators and identify priority areas for further study.
Aurora played a key role in the formation and technical development of the Lakeside project. The company consolidated 15 licenses covering a total area of 1,800 km², conducted more than 4,000 km of magnetic surveys and 1,300 km of electrical surveys, and carried out systematic geological exploration and technical preparation of the project over a three-year period. This work made it possible to establish a major exploration asset, identify priority targets, and prepare the project to attract a strategic partner and move on to the next stage of development.
First Quantum Minerals Joins the Lakeside Project
In January 2026, FQM Kazakhstan Limited, a subsidiary of First Quantum Minerals, entered into an investment option and technical cooperation agreement regarding the Lakeside Minerals project. Under the agreement, First Quantum’s global exploration team is providing technical oversight of the exploration work, and FQM has been granted an option to acquire a 51% interest in the relevant project entity within three years.
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In June 2024, Nick Tate—an international geologist with more than 35 years of experience in geological mapping and mineral exploration—visited Lakeside. His professional experience includes work in Australia, Papua New Guinea, Laos, Mongolia, and Argentina, including participation in projects related to porphyry copper-gold-molybdenum systems.
During his field visit, Nick Tate conducted an independent assessment of the geological potential of Lakeside and noted the significant potential for large-scale hydrothermal systems and copper-gold mineralization. His assessment is also presented on the Lakeside website as an independent consulting review of the project’s potential.
Lakeside Minerals has announced the start of its first drilling program at the Lakeside project in Kazakhstan. The work is aimed at further evaluating the mineralization potential of the site and refining the geological model of the deposit.
The launch of the drilling campaign is an important milestone in the project’s development and will provide new data for assessing the area’s resource potential.
Detailed information is available in the original article on the industry portal QAZBA.
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Компания Lakeside Minerals приступила к своей первой программе бурения
