Blencowe Resources (BRES ) has completed all major infrastructure workstreams within the Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) for its Orom-Cross graphite project in Uganda, alongside a record drilling campaign designed to expand the mineral resource.
Much of this work aligns with milestones under the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) grant programme. DFC has provided US$4.75 million of the total US$5.0 million grant, with the balance due on DFS completion.
Two planned substations on either side of Orom-Cross will connect to Uganda’s hydropower grid, providing low-cost renewable power and redundancy. This supports the case for “green graphite” and strengthens ESG credentials sought by battery offtake partners.
A UK Government-backed upgrade to the Kitgum-Kidepo road is underway, including a major intersection to provide direct access to site. Once complete, the route from Orom-Cross to Kenyan port access will be fully sealed, improving long-term logistics as the project scales.
Water, communications and camp facilities are being established, with rail access from Gulu under consideration. The first permanent camp is under construction for the initial production phase. Together, these factors are expected to lower upfront capital intensity and shorten the pathway to production.
The Orom-Cross Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) delivered one of the lowest capital cost estimates to bring a significant new graphite project into production and the DFS is expected to show similarly positive metrics.
First assay results from the 6,750 metres drilling programme are expected shortly. These will underpin a planned upgrade to the JORC Resource, reflecting indications of extended mineralisation and a new graphite discovery at Beehive.
“Completing the infrastructure workstream is a major de-risking milestone for Orom-Cross. With grid hydropower, water, communications and upgraded road access effectively in place, we expect lower capex, shorter development timelines and a sustainable operation,” said Blencowe’s Executive Chairman Cameron Pearce.
“Our DFS is progressing well, and we look forward to showcasing something special. We anticipate being able to update the market on a completion date in the near future following the delivery of remaining technical work.”
“In the meantime, we have received guidance that the first assays from our drilling programme are expected shortly, feeding into what we expect to be a material uplift to the JORC Resource. With DFS, assays, JORC and further offtake developments all ahead, we believe Orom-Cross is on the cusp of a major value inflection."
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Completion of major DFS workstreams materially de-risks Orom-Cross while third-party spend on roads and DFC grant support add external validation.
Near-term catalysts include assays from 6,750 metres of drilling, a resource upgrade, further offtake progress and the DFS itself.