Blencowe Resources PLC (LSE:BRES) told investors it has now completed its intended 100-tonne bulk sample metallurgical testing for the Orom-Cross graphite project in Uganda.
Work conducted at labs in China confirmed a high-grade, low impurity concentrate can be produced with Orom-Cross material, the company said in a statement.
Moreover, it noted that increased coarse flake percentage in the final mix, together with higher recoveries, will increment the overall weighted average selling price of the product.
Commercially, as a result of the testing, the company now has a onsiderably larger volume of concentrate product to send to potential end users for pre-qualification testing.
"We are very pleased with these results from the 100-tonne bulk sample programme,” said executive chair Cameron Pearce.
"We now have proof we can deliver a very high quality graphite concentrate from Orom-Cross on a commercial scale, which is a key DFS milestone.
“In parallel we are testing the upgrade of this concentrate to uncoated battery-ready 99.95% SPG (spheronised, purified graphite) and expandables as the next important step to significantly value-add our end products.”
Pearce added: “Finally, we also now have larger quantities of concentrate as bulk samples to deliver to potential buyers and engage with strategic groups.
“These groups can now proceed to test the concentrate and determine their level of interest for binding offtake agreements which will be crucial for our project financing.
“We believe these results will be attractive to a range of graphite consumers and that Orom-Cross can help deliver the shortfall of graphite expected in the market in the foreseeable future."