Troy Minerals advances Tsagaan Zalaa silica project in Mongolia, achieving key registration milestone and targeting full mining license by early 2026.
Troy Minerals Inc. has announced that its subsidiary, Grand Samsara Consulting LLC (“Grand Samsara”), has achieved a pivotal regulatory milestone in Mongolia. The Tsagaan Zalaa Silica Project (“Tsagaan Zalaa” or the “Project”) in Dornogovi Province has now been officially registered with the Mineral Resources and Petroleum Authority under the Ministry of Industry and Natural Resources of Mongolia. This registration constitutes one of the most crucial steps in the multi-phase process required to secure a full operational mining license.
The Tsagaan Zalaa Project is strategically located in Saikhandulaan soum, Dornogovi Province, in southeastern Mongolia. It enjoys excellent connectivity, with a road linking it to Sainshand—the provincial capital—situated roughly 95 km to the east. Sainshand lies along the Trans-Mongolian Highway and Railway, which connects Mongolia’s capital, Ulaanbaatar, with China, and is approximately 200 km from the Chinese border. This makes it a significant hub for the export of silica and other minerals. The Project itself spans 1,670.28 hectares and is only 18 km from the local community of Saikhandulaan soum. Its location positions it optimally to serve growing demand for high-purity quartz silica (HPQ) in regional markets.
The geological profile of Tsagaan Zalaa is highly promising, featuring massive, high-purity quartz veins up to 5 metres wide, exposed at the surface and hosted by Upper-Middle Devonian sediments. In February 2025, Troy announced the submission of its Mining License application, and the recent registration marks a decisive regulatory confirmation that allows the Project to move toward the final operating approval stage.
Yannis Tsitos, President of Troy Minerals, commented: “Obtaining a Mine Operating License is a complex undertaking, not only in Mongolia but globally. However, the official recognition of our Mining License application by Mongolian ministerial authorities represents a crucial milestone. It reinforces Troy’s commitment to advancing Tsagaan Zalaa toward production and developing the Company into a cash-generating entity. We anticipate completing the remaining administrative steps over the coming weeks, with a full Mine Operating License expected between the end of Q4 2025 and Q1 2026.”
To support the license application, Grand Samsara submitted comprehensive historical and contemporary data, including technical, environmental, hydrogeological, community, and archaeological studies. Following assessments by independent experts appointed by the Mongolian authorities, along with recommendations from the 15-member Mineral Resources Professional Council, the authorities approved the granting of a Mining License for HPQ mining activities at Tsagaan Zalaa.
Next Steps
Grand Samsara is actively progressing through the remaining administrative and technical requirements needed for the issuance of a Mine Operating License. These include conducting detailed technical and economic studies for resource utilization and export, a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment, securing a local government agreement with an appropriate Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) plan, applying for a Blasting Permit, and completing land quality assurance procedures. Simultaneously, Troy has initiated HPQ product offtake discussions, including metallurgical sampling by independent Chinese clients. The Company aims to finalize the Mine Operating License by the end of 2025 or, at the latest, early 2026.
