London-listed Blencowe Resources has received full Mineral Services Partnership (MSP) accreditation for its Orom-Cross graphite project, in Uganda.

The MSP, a global initiative backed by 14 countries and the EU, promotes public and private investment in responsible critical minerals supply chains worldwide.

The company says accreditation provides international exposure at the highest level, enhances the project's credibility with Tier 1 offtakers and enables access to potential new funding sources.

“This milestone further affirms the high quality of the Orom-Cross graphite project and its growing status as a leading new graphite project globally, as it moves towards first production,” it says.

Following a series of successful meetings over the past few months between Blencowe and senior officials in Seoul, South Korea nominated Orom-Cross for MSP accreditation, which the company says was unanimously approved at the most recent MSP Forum.

South Korea, which assumed the MSP chairmanship in June, played a pivotal role in championing Orom-Cross and securing this achievement.

The MSP, which comprises the US, Germany, India, Japan, South Korea, the UK, Australia and other leading nations, as well as the European Commission, seeks to bolster critical mineral supply chains to support the clean energy transition.

Blencowe explains that MSP-accredited projects are assisted to deliver concrete results through collaboration between member nations and tangible support.

It notes that Orom-Cross “stands out” as one of the world's largest estimated graphite deposits with a unique mix of several key competitive advantages that will enhance its chances of success, including lowest percentile operating costs, low capital startup requirements, and proven very high quality of end products, both as concentrates and purified, battery-ready 99.95% spheronised purified graphite (SPG).

The company says these qualities align with the MSP's goals of securing high-quality, long-life graphite supplies outside of China, crucial to meeting accelerating demand for graphite in lithium-ion batteries.

Blencowe adds that Orom-Cross’ strong environment, social and governance (ESG) credentials are another important factor in MSP compliance.

Blencowe's recently announced strategy to build an in-country downstream purification facility in Uganda to upgrade graphite concentrate to battery-ready SPG, was also instrumental in achieving MSP certification.

The company says this proposed in-country beneficiation facility would be one of very few delivering 99.95% purified graphite products outside of China.

While the full scope of all the benefits this accreditation will bring is still being explored, Blencowe says it immediately elevates Orom-Cross status within all 14 MSP member countries and their networks.

Blencowe says it will now work closely with MSP members, and specifically the government of South Korea, to explore new funding avenues, offtake agreements and additional opportunities to advance the project.

"Achieving MSP accreditation is a huge step milestone for Blencowe, further differentiating Orom-Cross as one of only a select few top-tier critical minerals projects worldwide to have received this rare MSP status. We are excited and honoured at this recognition and look forward to working closely with the MSP to explore opportunities that will unlock further Orom-Cross development.

"With the end-product prequalification process now completed we can look forward to additional news flow relating to offtake in the near term. Furthermore, we have other exciting initiatives that we intend to bring to market soon that will continue to differentiate our strategy and our project from our graphite peers,” says Blencowe executive chairperson Cameron Pearce.

“This accreditation from the MSP marks a significant achievement for Blencowe's Orom-Cross graphite project, underscoring its key competitive advantages - low operating costs, premium battery-grade graphite, and strong ESG credentials.

“The recognition not only boosts the project's credibility but also aligns it with the MSP's mission to secure responsible critical mineral supply chains globally, enhancing Orom-Cross's profile across all 14 member nations,” adds natural resources development company Jangada Mines executive chairperson Brian McMaster.

Jangada Mines holds a 10% interest in Blencowe.