Blencowe Resources updates on drilling at Orom-Cross, as it works towards substantial resource upgrade
Blencowe Resources () has completed infill drilling at the Orom-Cross graphite project in Uganda, and has now mobilised a third rig to fast track step-out drilling.
The current campaign started in January, and is focussed on gathering geotechnical information to support mine design, conducting infill drilling on the existing two deposits with the aim of converting significant volumes of existing resources to reserves, as well as step-out exploration drilling at two new exploration targets to expand the overall resource base.
Orom-Cross currently holds a JORC resource of 24.5 million tonnes of ore grading 6.0% total graphite.
The company is targeting a substantial upgrade.
Geotechnical drilling completed in February.
Step-put drilling continues on schedule, with two rigs from Ugandan contractor ADT operating on site and a third soon to be mobilised to accelerate exploration at the Northern Syncline, Western Limb and new GT-01 targets.
28 infill holes at the Northern Syncline deposit have been drilled, logged, and sampled, with 26 now ready for assay.
A further 11 holes at the Camp Lode deposit are complete, with sampling and logging underway. Initial observations suggest consistent geology in line with existing resource models. This would support the goal of significantly increasing the Orom-Cross resource and reserve, and underpin a longer mine life and higher production volumes in the ongoing DFS.
It is anticipated that work thus far will have a materially positive impact on DFS results.
Blencowe has also completed eight geotechnical holes for pit slope assessment, with samples now being tested in South Africa.
Meanwhile, the company has commenced construction of a permanent on-site exploration camp, with prefabricated units imported from Turkey now being installed. This tangible step demonstrates visible project advancement to key stakeholders, including the Ugandan Government.
"This latest drilling program continues to progress well, with both geotechnical and infill drilling now completed,” said Blencowe’s executive chairman Cameron Pearce.
“We are encouraged by the consistent, high-quality graphite being intersected, and excited to begin testing new targets at Northern Syncline and GT-01. Independent estimates suggest Orom-Cross deposit could hold two-three billion tonnes of graphite. While we don't need to drill all this out at once it does show that we have scale, and we know our graphite quality is very high, so future demand will always be there. This scale means we can drill out additional resources and reserves in the future to meet accelerated demand forecast as the energy transition gathers pace.”
View from Vox
With a high-quality product, scale, and a fast-track development strategy, Orom-Cross is increasingly standing out as a compelling graphite project. Just how compelling will be revealed when the feasibility study is released shortly.
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