Endeavour Mining plc has entered into a joint venture with East Star Resources, a Kazakhstan-based gold and base metals explorer, to target tier 1 gold deposits in the Central and Northern regions of Kazakhstan. Under the terms of the partnership, Endeavour can earn up to an 80% interest in the newly formed joint venture company through a phased investment approach. In Phase 1, Endeavour will invest $5 million over two years to earn a 51% stake by funding exploration aimed at delineating potential tier 1 targets. Subsequent phases could see Endeavour increase its ownership to 70% and then 80%, contingent on further investment and project milestones. East Star will operate the joint venture, leveraging its local expertise, while Endeavour will direct and fully fund the exploration programmes and maintain controlling votes on the joint venture's board and technical committees.