Blencowe advances Orom-Cross graphite project with new battery technology breakthroughs
Blencowe Resources announced promising new test results demonstrating Orom-Cross graphite’s superior performance across multiple advanced battery technologies. This follows recent successful testing in anti-radar coatings and other defense-related applications, opening valuable new sales channels.
In collaboration with leading US graphite specialists Apollo Energy Systems Inc. and American Energy Technologies Corporation (AETC), Blencowe is progressing a laboratory demonstration prototype for a 4HN high-performance military battery designed to meet specifications set by the US Defence Logistics Agency (DLA). Upon successful prototype completion, the partners plan to establish a US pilot production line targeting the manufacture of 100 lead-acid cells per month.
These latest results highlight the versatility of Orom-Cross graphite across a broad range of applications including military batteries, grid energy storage, data centers, and other advanced battery markets. Notably, the project’s beneficiation process produces a waste product, spheroidisation rejects, that will be repurposed as a performance-enhancing additive in Apollo’s advanced lead-acid batteries, creating a higher-value market for approximately 30% of the end product from the planned Ugandan facility.
Key Highlights
- Joint development of a 4HN military battery prototype meeting US DLA requirements
- Plans for a US pilot production line targeting 100 cells per month after prototype success
- Expansion into high-value markets including military, grid storage, data centers, and specialist applications
- Utilization of waste from the beneficiation process as a performance additive in advanced lead-acid batteries
- Support for Blencowe’s strategy to maximize the value and utilization of Orom-Cross graphite concentrates
- Independent tests confirm Orom-Cross graphite’s high purity, superior conductivity, and adaptability across multiple markets
Blencowe’s ongoing cooperation with Apollo and AETC underscores the strategic importance of Orom-Cross graphite in meeting demanding energy storage and defense sector needs worldwide. This initiative not only enhances the commercial prospects of the project but also supports sustainable resource use by turning beneficiation waste into valuable battery components.
Blencowe Resources remains committed to advancing the Orom-Cross project to deliver innovative, high-quality graphite products that meet evolving global demands across energy and defense sectors.
Executive Chairman, Cameron Pearce commented:
“This latest test programme with AETC and Apollo Energy opens another significant potential market opportunity for Orom-Cross graphite within the large lead-acid battery sector, demonstrating enhanced performance, higher capacity, greater charge acceptance and longer battery life.
This sets Orom-Cross apart and it means our graphite can add real value in a market that already consumes tens of thousands of tonnes of graphite each year and operates outside the Chinese supply chain.
These findings build on earlier work by American Energy Technologies under the SAFELOOP programme, where Orom-Cross achieved 99.99 wt%C purity and recorded the highest performance score ever seen by AETC for a natural graphite project. Together, they reinforce Orom-Cross as a globally competitive, next-generation graphite source suited to multiple battery technologies.
As we move the project towards first production, we will keep adding further options to our broader marketing strategy, particularly in higher value western markets. These results also continue to validate the quality of our product and demonstrate how Orom-Cross can successfully differentiate from peers in what it sells and to whom.”
