Blencowe Resources (BRES) has reported further positive test results for graphite from its Orom-Cross project in Uganda, demonstrating its potential across military batteries, grid energy storage and data centres and providing a higher-value use for material generated as a by-product of the planned beneficiation process.
The latest work, conducted with US graphite specialists Apollo Energy Systems and American Energy Technologies (AETC), is focused on developing a 4HN high-performance military battery prototype to specifications required by the US Defence Logistics Agency.
The partners are progressing a laboratory demonstration prototype, with plans to establish a US pilot production line targeting 100 cells per month if the programme is successfully completed.
The programme follows earlier testing that demonstrated the performance of Orom-Cross graphite in advanced anti-radar coatings and other defence-related applications.
Blencowe said the latest results reinforce the versatility of its graphite and open additional potentially high-value sales channels across military, energy storage and other specialist markets.
A key element of the programme is the use of spheroidisation rejects generated during the planned production of uncoated spheronised purified graphite (USPG). Apollo and AETC have processed the rejects into high-surface-area expanded delaminated graphite, which has been successfully tested as a performance-enhancing additive in advanced valve-regulated lead-acid batteries.
Testing found that the Orom-Cross-derived material improves high-rate partial-state-of-charge performance, supporting potential applications including start-stop systems and grid energy storage.
The partners have spent the past six months constructing a demonstration battery that exceeds the 4HN military specification, with pilot-scale production in the US planned subject to successful completion of the prototype programme.
Blencowe Executive Chairman Cameron Pearce said: "This latest test programme with AETC and Apollo Energy opens another significant potential market opportunity for Orom-Cross graphite within the large lead-acid battery sector, demonstrating enhanced performance, higher capacity, greater charge acceptance and longer battery life.
This sets Orom-Cross apart and it means our graphite can add real value in a market that already consumes tens of thousands of tonnes of graphite each year and operates outside the Chinese supply chain.”
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The testing adds another potential market for Orom-Cross beyond conventional battery anode applications, while offering Blencowe a route to monetise a significant by-product of its planned processing operation.
The military battery programme is still at the prototype stage, so commercial volumes are not yet established. However, successful qualification and the proposed US pilot line could provide an additional niche offtake opportunity for Orom-Cross graphite and improve overall utilisation of the project's output.