Name of the Project
Orom-Cross graphite project.

Location
Uganda.

Project Owner/s
British mineral exploration and development company Blencowe Resources.

Project Description
A definitive feasibility (DFS) has showcased Orom-Cross as a tier-1 graphite project, delivering strong margins from a low capital base, and incorporating a downstream beneficiation facility to produce uncoated spheronised purified graphite product (USPG) in-country. Phase 1 (P1) envisions a smaller-scale, fast-track operation of 20 000 t/y concentrate with micronised products. 

Phase 2 (P2) production will expand the operation to 70 000 t/y of concentrate and 20 000 t/y USPG nearby. The long-term aim is to expand production to 
175 000 t/y of concentrates and 80 000 t/y of purified products. Over the 15-year life-of-mine (LoM), average production will be about 97 000 t/y.

A downstream beneficiation facility will be built near Orom-Cross to upgrade small flake concentrate to 99.95% total graphitic carbon USPG, initially producing up to 20 000 t/y.

This facility will expand in parallel to the scale-up of the mine and will serve as a long-term captive offtaker for Orom-Cross concentrates over the 15-year LoM. This will position Orom-Cross among the few commercial-scale producers of 99.95% USPG outside of China, and the first in Africa.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
The DFS states a net present value, at a 10% discount rate, of $1.09-billion and an internal rate of return of 96%.

Capital Expenditure
P1 is estimated at $40-million and P2 at $120-million. Further expansions will be funded entirely from in-house cash flow.

Planned Start/End Date
P1 is targeting first production in the first half of 2027. Within two years of the commission of P1, Blencowe intends to start P2 production.

Latest Developments
None stated.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
CPC Engineering (DFS).

Contact Details for Project Information
Blencowe Resources, tel +44 1624 681 250 or email info@blencoweresourcesplc.com.