• Blencowe Resources confirmed a new graphite deposit at its Orom-Cross Graphite Project, expected to become Uganda’s first graphite mine.

• The new Iyan deposit hosts an inferred resource of 16.9 million tonnes grading 6% graphite.

• The discovery increases the overall mineral potential of the project by 66%, although it does not yet change near-term production plans.

British mining company Blencowe Resources announced on March 6 the discovery of a new deposit at its Orom-Cross Graphite Project in Uganda.

The company named the new discovery the Iyan deposit. The discovery represents the third deposit incorporated into the mining plan for the project, which developers expect to become the first graphite mine in the East African country.

Meanwhile, the mining plan initially relied on two deposits already identified on the site. The operator continues exploration work in order to expand the overall resource potential.

Blencowe stated that exploration drilling produced the discovery. The company conducted 87 exploration drill holes across the Iyan prospect.

The work identified an inaugural inferred resource of 16.9 million tonnes grading 6% graphite.

These additional resources complement the deposits known as the Northern Syncline and Camp Lode. Together, these deposits increase the overall mining potential of the Orom-Cross project by 66%.

The company considers the Iyan discovery a significant development for the project. The discovery strengthens the possibility of extending the mine’s estimated operating life, which currently stands at around 15 years.

However, the discovery does not yet affect the production profile.

Engineers must still convert the newly identified resources into mineable reserves through additional technical work. Only the Northern Syncline and Camp Lode deposits currently meet this requirement and therefore support short-term production plans.

Developers expect the Orom-Cross Graphite Project to start production in 2027.

The first phase will target annual production of 20,000 tonnes of graphite concentrate. The company plans a second development phase to increase output to 70,000 tonnes per year.

At the same time, Blencowe Resources continues discussions with financiers in order to raise the $160 million required to build the mine.

Meanwhile, the company plans to continue exploration work at the Iyan deposit and at another prospect called Beehive.

This article was initially published in French by Aurel Sèdjro Houenou

Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum