Blencowe Resources (BRES) has hit more strong mineralisation at the newly identified Iyan deposit, located immediately adjacent to the Northern Syncline at the Orom-Cross graphite project in Northern Uganda.

Assays from two further deep holes, L908B and L910B, confirm continuous, thick graphite mineralisation from or near surface to around 100 metres, with all deep holes ending in graphite. 

This indicates a robust, open system with clear multi-decade production potential, extending well beyond the initial 15-year mine life defined in the definitive feasibility study.

This confirms Iyan as a major new deposit, not included in the current Orom-Cross JORC resource.

Grades ran as high as 13.9% total graphitic content, with multiple other high-grade intercepts. 

Meanwhile, the first deep-hole assays from Beehive, the second new deposit identified in Stage 7 drilling, are expected by Christmas, and first Iyan shallow and step-out assays expected early into the New Year.

And 186 remaining shallow and step-out assays from both Iyan and Beehive prospects are pending. These results will underpin a JORC resource upgrade in early 2026, which will include Iyan.

"These follow-up deep-holes confirm Iyan as a major new graphite deposit alongside Northern Syncline, with continuous mineralisation to around 100 metres and every hole ending in graphite,” said executive chairman Cameron Pearce.

“This points clearly to multi-decade production potential which is a key message in ongoing discussions with strategic groups seeking secure long-term supply. The presence of high-grade zones, including two metres at 13.92% TGC, underlines the quality of this discovery. Iyan sits within our 21-year mining licence and close to the proposed plant site, making it a strategically located addition to our development pipeline. With more than 180 shallow and step-out holes still being processed, we anticipate significant newsflow ahead and remain confident of a material resource upgrade in early 2026. The Beehive deep holes are next in line, and we are hopeful they will mirror the exceptional continuity and grade seen at Iyan. Orom-Cross is fast emerging as one of the most significant long-life graphite projects globally, and these results further enhance engagement with strategic groups focused on multi-decade supply security."

 

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Looks like Blencowe is likely to hit 2026 running, with multiple further assay results due, to be followed by the resource upgrade. That will all go towards emphasising the project’s long-term potential with customers and potential funding partners. We know Orom-Cross is big. The question that’s now being answered is: how big?