London-listed emerging graphite miner Blencowe Resources has completed the Stage 7 drilling programme at its Orom-Cross graphite project, in Uganda, which confirmed the continuity of mineralisation to depths below 100 m.

The drilling programme concluded with three deep drill holes at the Northern Syncline target, following on from success at the Beehive target.

Both targets have reinforced the potential for a materially larger resource at depth for Orom-Cross, which supports a longer mine life and an expanded valuation in the company’s upcoming definitive feasibility study (DFS) on the project.

All of Blencowe’s drilling to date has been focused on tenement ML 1959 that already has a 21-year mining licence in place.

The company also owns several proximal tenements covering a much larger area. Limited fieldwork on the surrounds have showed evidence of similar graphite deposits and offers potential for resource expansion.

Independent geologists have estimated that Orom-Cross may hold more than two-billion tonnes of graphite, Blencowe points out.

The Stage 7 drilling programme spanned 6 750 m across 221 resource holes, eight geotechnical holes and six deep holes, with a significant number of assays still pending.

Once all the results are received, Blencowe will further advance the DFS and publish a new mineral resource estimate (MRE).

In the meantime, the company is advancing workstreams and discussions on offtake, mine design infrastructure, permitting and environment, social and governance aspects.

“The larger and deeper resource model underpinned by consistent mineralisation at Beehive and Northern Syncline will feed into strategic engagement with offtakers and funding partners,” chairperson Cameron Pearce confirms.

He concludes that with all deep holes at Orom-Cross ending in mineralisation, the project is shaping up to be even more substantial that previously recognised.

“Both the DFS and updated MRE will have a measurable impact on the value of Blencowe. Coupled with strong graphite demand tailwinds, we are well positioned for a transformative period in the months ahead.”