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#BRES Blencowe Resources PLC – Hydropower Study Confirms Sustainable, Low-Cost Power Supply for Orom-Cross
Blencowe Resources Plc (LSE: BRES) is pleased to announce the completion of an initial hydropower study for its Orom-Cross Graphite Project in Uganda. The study confirms the availability of abundant, low-cost, and renewable hydropower from the Ugandan national grid, providing a strategic advantage for the Project’s future mining and processing operations. This marks a major step towards Blencowe’s commitment to sustainability and its ambition to deliver a net-zero graphite operation.
Key Findings of the Hydropower Study
· Plentiful renewable energy: Two high-capacity power transmission spurs extend to the regional grid near to Orom-Cross, one from the Bujagali Hydroelectric Dam in Jinga and the other from the Isimba Hydroelectric Dam, both located on the Nile River. This ensures a reliable supply of renewable energy to Orom-Cross, including redundancy.
· Low Cost Advantage: Uganda’s hydropower tariffs are significantly lower than regional African comparisons, positioning Orom-Cross as one of the lowest-cost graphite producers globally.
· Ample Capacity: Uganda currently has over 1,000 MW of installed hydropower capacity, with additional hydro-projects underway. Orom-Cross’s power demand of 12MW (Phase 2) rising to 40MW at full production can be comfortably accommodated.
· Advancing towards Power Purchase Agreement (PPA): The Company is now working towards securing a long-term PPA with Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL) to formalise the supply of low-cost hydroelectricity for the Project.
· Net-zero Potential: Access to 100% renewable energy for strengthens Blencowe’s ability to achieve net-zero production, making Orom-Cross one of the most environmentally responsible graphite projects globally, a critical factor for funding providers and offtake partners in Europe and North America.
Strategic Importance of Hydropower for Orom-Cross
Reliable, green, and cost-effective energy is a major advantage as Blencowe moves towards first production in 2026. Orom-Cross will require 12MW for Phase 2 commercial scale production, scaling to 40MW at full ramp up, making power a critical cost factor. The study reinforces confidence that Orom-Cross can operate with one of the lowest carbon footprints in the graphite sector, aligning with global ESG and sustainability standards.
Hydropower access strengthens Blencowe’s appeal to OEMs, battery manufacturers, and critical mineral end-users seeking to secure sustainable supply chains. It also enhances discussions with potential offtake and funding partners, particularly in Europe and North America where securing non-China supply is a priority.
Downstream Beneficiation
A key differentiator for Orom-Cross is Blencowe’s plan to develop a beneficiation facility near the Karuma Power Station, (190kms from site) in partnership with one of the most world’s leading SPG producers (“SPG Partner”). This facility will upgrade 96% small fines graphite concentrate to 99.95% SPG (spheronised purified graphite) significantly increasing value and returns.
A low-cost, high-capacity power source is essential for this process. Blencowe intends to leverage its SPG Partner’s proven thermal purification technology which requires considerable energy. This technology eliminates the need for acid leaching and avoids associated environmental concerns.
The availability of abundant, cost-effective hydropower makes this downstream processing strategy viable and highly competitive, reinforcing Orom-Cross’s position ahead as a premier graphite supplier.
Next Steps
Blencowe will continue discussions with UETCL and the Ugandan Government to finalise a PPA and integrate renewable energy planning into the ongoing Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS). Additional studies will be conducted to assess potential power demand scenarios as Orom-Cross scales up production.
Executive Chairman Cameron Pearce commented:
“Access to abundant, low-cost hydropower directly from Uganda’s national grid represents a major strategic advantage for Orom-Cross. This will enable us to operate sustainably with one of the lowest carbon footprints in the graphite sector while keeping production costs highly competitive.”
“We are committed to building one of the world’s most ESG-friendly graphite projects, and securing clean energy is a critical milestone towards that goal. With work now progressing to formalise a PPA, we are securing ensuring a long-term, sustainable power solution that aligns with our development timeline.”
Conclusion
The integration of hydropower into the Orom-Cross development plan underscores Blencowe’s strategic vision to establish a low-cost, high-purity, and net-zero graphite operation. As the Company advances its DFS and project financing discussions, securing sustainable energy further enhances Orom-Cross’s appeal to global investors, end-users
Blencowe remains focused on delivering a world-class graphite project with industry-leading sustainability credentials and looks forward to providing further updates as the PPA process advances.
Figure 1: Isimba Hydroelectric Power Station, Uganda
For further information please contact:
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Blencowe Resources Plc Sam Quinn |
www.blencoweresourcesplc.com Tel: +44 (0)1624 681 250
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Investor Relations Sasha Sethi |
Tel: +44 (0) 7891 677 441
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Tavira Financial Jonathan Evans |
Tel: +44 (0)20 3192 1733
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Twitter https://twitter.com/BlencoweRes
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/72382491/admin/
Background
Orom-Cross Graphite Project
Orom-Cross is a potential world class graphite project both by size and end-product quality, with a high component of more valuable larger coarse flakes within the deposit.
A 21-year Mining Licence for the project was issued by the Ugandan Government in 2019 following extensive historical work on the deposit. Blencowe completed a successful Pre-Feasibility Study on the Project in July 2022 and is now within the Definitive Feasibility Study phase as it drives towards first production.
Orom-Cross presents as a large, shallow open-pitable deposit, with an initial JORC Indicated & Inferred Mineral Resource of 24.5Mt @ 6.0% TGC (Total Graphite Content). This Resource has been defined from only ~2% of the total tenement area which presents considerable upside potential ahead. Development of the resource is expected to benefit from a low strip ratio and free dig operations together with abundant inexpensive hydro-electric power off the national grid, thereby ensuring low operating costs. With all major infrastructure available at or near to site the capital costs will also be relatively low in comparison to most graphite peers.
In 3Q 2024 Blencowe introduced a Joint Venture concept with experienced downstream graphite processing partners to ultimately produce upgraded 99.95% SPG in Uganda. This strategy has several key advantages plus substantial cost savings which will assist deliver a world class project once DFS is completed.
#TM1 Technology Minerals – £4 million convertible bond facility
Technology Minerals Plc (LSE: TM1), the first listed UK company focused on creating a sustainable circular economy for battery metals, is pleased to announce that it has entered into a £4.0 million convertible bond facility (the “Facility”) with Macquarie Bank Limited (“MBL”) and Atlas Capital Markets LLC (“ACM”).
Use of Funds
The Facility would be used primarily to enable the Company to:
·Ramp up of the first phase of operations at the Tipton lead-acid battery recycling plant and prepare to commence industrial-scale processing through an automated plant following approval from the Environmental Agency
·Support operating costs and capital expenditure required to accelerate the Company’s twin-track growth strategy to create a circular economy for battery metals to capture the industrial scale opportunity for recycling Lithium- ion and lead-acid batteries
Details of the Proposed Facility
Under the Facility, MBL and ACM will provide a £4.0 million convertible bond facility with a coupon of 5% per annum over the SONIA rate, payable quarterly in cash or in shares at the Company’s discretion. The Facility can be drawn in eight tranches of up to £500,000 with each tranche being called at Technology Mineral’s discretion once the previous tranche has been fully converted and subject to certain conditions. MBL and ACM will purchase the convertible bonds at a fixed price equal to 95% of the principal amount. MBL will purchase the first tranche, and each subsequent tranche will be purchased by MBL or ACM pursuant to the terms of the subscription agreement among the parties.
MBL and ACM can convert the convertible bonds to Technology Minerals shares (“Shares”) by issuing a conversion notice with the price set at 90% of the 3-day Volume Weighted Average Price of the Shares, where the 3 days may be consecutive or not and are selected by MBL or ACM (as applicable) from the 20 days prior to the issue of a conversion notice by MBL or ACM. The convertible bonds shall have a maturity of two years from issuance.
The Company will pay a transaction fee equal to 3% of each tranche (the “Commission”). The Commission is payable in cash, and may be deducted from the amount payable by MBL or ACM (as applicable) to Technology Minerals for each tranche.
In addition, warrants amounting to 30% of each tranche will be attached to each tranche of the convertible bonds. The warrants will have a strike price fixed at 30% premium to the Volume Weighted Average Price of the Shares for the 5 consecutive days prior to the issue date of each tranche. The warrants will expire two years after issuance.
The convertible bonds would be capable of redemption at any time by the Company with 60 business days’ notice at par plus 10% premium of the principal amount remaining.
MBL and ACM would be unable to convert the convertible bonds to Shares where such conversion would mean that it would become interested (as defined in the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (the “Takeover Code”)) in shares that in aggregate carry more than 29.9 per cent of the of the voting rights of the Technology Minerals.
Shareholder Approval
The Company will seek shareholder approval should this be required in order to issue the convertible bonds in accordance with the tranches which may be drawn under the Facility.
Alex Stanbury, CEO of Technology Minerals, said: “We are delighted by the confidence Macquarie Bank and Atlas Capital Markets have shown in us and look forward to working with them closely as we turn our focus to scaling operations domestically and overseas. The £4.0m convertible bond facility complements our fundraise in November and strengthens the Company’s position as we look to ramp up our operations at Tipton and progress with our twin-track growth strategy to create a circular economy for battery metals.”
Enquiries
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Technology Minerals Plc |
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Robin Brundle, Executive Chairman Alexander Stanbury, Chief Executive Officer |
+44 (0)20 4582 3500 |
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Oberon Investments Limited |
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Nick Lovering, Adam Pollock |
+44 (0)20 3179 0535 |
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Arden Partners Plc |
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Ruari McGirr |
+44 (0)207 614 5900 |
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Gracechurch Group |
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Harry Chathli, Alexis Gore, William Dobinson |
+44 (0)20 4582 3500 |
Technology Minerals Plc
Technology Minerals is developing the UK’s first listed, sustainable circular economy for battery metals, using cutting-edge technology to recycle, recover, and re-use battery technologies for a renewable energy future. Technology Minerals is focused on extracting raw materials required for Li-ion batteries, whilst solving the ecological issue of spent Li-ion batteries, by recycling them for re-use by battery manufacturers. With the increasing global demand for battery metals to supply electrification, the group will explore, mine, and recycle metals from spent batteries. Further information on Technology Minerals is available at www.technologyminerals.co.uk
Macquarie Bank Limited
Macquarie Bank Limited (ABN 46 008 583 542), a corporation constituted with limited liability under the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia and authorised to carry on banking business in, amongst others, the Commonwealth of Australia, and the United Kingdom. Macquarie Bank’s expertise covers asset finance, lending, banking and risk and capital solutions across debt, equity and commodities.
Atlas Capital Markets LLC
Atlas Capital Markets (“ACM”) is an investment company based in London, founded in 2012. ACM is managed by a team of experienced professionals that has originated, structured and managed over $10bn in special situation financing and asset-orientated investments globally. ACM takes pride in the relationship fostered with each portfolio company and the added value we bring in expertise and strategic introductions in addition to our invested capital. ACM’s management has decades of experience and has executed numerous deals across the world successfully.