• Blencowe to publish maiden Iyan graphite resource estimate
• Orom-Cross could become Uganda’s first graphite mine
• Project targets 2027 production, $160 million capex

Blencowe Resources said on Tuesday it plans to publish a maiden resource estimate for the Iyan exploration target this quarter. The target lies within its Orom-Cross graphite project in Uganda.

The company said encouraging drilling results support the upcoming estimate, which could improve the project's development outlook. Orom-Cross could become Uganda’s first graphite mine.

The current mine plan is based on resources identified at the Camp Lode and Northern Syncline deposits. A maiden resource estimate for Iyan would make it the project’s third deposit, adding to the planned mine’s resource base.

“With the maiden Iyan JORC estimate imminent, these results demonstrate the size and quality of the resource,” Executive Chairman Cameron Pearce said. He added that this would support ongoing funding discussions by reinforcing the project’s long-life, large-scale potential.

Blencowe expects to begin production at Orom-Cross in the first half of 2027. The development plan outlines a two-phase operation over 15 years. Phase one targets annual output of about 20,000 tonnes of graphite concentrate.

Phase two would raise production to 70,000 tonnes of concentrate and add 20,000 tonnes of uncoated spheronised purified graphite (USPG), a higher-value product used in electric vehicle battery anodes.

Total capital expenditure is estimated at $160 million, including $40 million for the first phase.

The company is accelerating development efforts as graphite markets remain under pressure. Global oversupply has weighed on prices, affecting projects such as the Balama mine in Mozambique.

Aurel Sèdjro Houenou