Graphite, nickel and copper developer Blencowe Resources has engaged engineering firm CPC Engineering to lead, deliver and sign off on the definitive feasibility study (DFS) for its Orom-Cross graphite project, in Uganda.

Blencowe says it has confidence in CPC as the firm has extensive experience in both graphite and flotation circuits.

CPC will work with Blencowe and various other Ugandan service providers in the delivery of the DFS for Orom-Cross this year.

Blencowe executive chairperson Cameron Pearce says CPC has a “very impressive” record within the graphite market.

Blencowe reports that CPC also has extensive experience in other significant graphite projects in East Africa, having completed the DFS for Black Earth Minerals’ Maniry graphite project in Madagascar, as well as both Black Rock Mining’s Mahenge project and Evolution Energy Minerals’ Chilalo graphite project, both in Tanzania.

In Mozambique, CPC also conducted a scoping study for Triton Minerals’ Ancuabe graphite project and the detailed engineering, procurement, construction support and commissioning services for Syrah Resources’ Balama graphite project.

“CPC are recognised as one of the top tier engineering firms within the graphite sector and their sign off on the DFS will not only help optimise the project, but also provide the credibility required for project funding and market support,” he says.

Work contracted to CPC includes an enhancement of the process plant design, incorporating results of the various testwork programmes from SGS, IMO and the pilot plant works (Jilin/China) along with CPC’s expertise in design and construction of graphite process plants.

CPC will also provide updated and enhanced capital expenditure and operational expenditure for project cost and schedule certainty; provide updated project costs and schedule for the project non-processing infrastructure; and sign off on full DFS once completed to provide the third-party approval from a recognised technical firm as required to ensure project funding support.

“The graphite market continues to shift in our favour and we expect the supply-demand imbalance to widen further, as demand for graphite accelerates, given its material role within lithium-ion batteries.

“Orom-Cross has continued to exceed our expectations and we remain focused on delivering a world class project,” says Pearce.