Blencowe Resources Plc (LSE: BRES) is pleased to report further progress on its role within the European Union’s flagship Gen3 battery initiative, Project SAFELOOP, for which the Company’s Orom-Cross Graphite Project in Uganda has been selected as the exclusive supplier of natural flake graphite.

SAFELOOP is a three-year programme funded by the EU’s €100 billion Project Horizon energy transition initiative, focused on developing a next generation lithium-ion battery that delivers improved safety, sustainability and high performance while strengthening Europe’s control over its critical mineral supply chains.

Blencowe was invited to participate in SAFELOOP as the exclusive supplier of all natural flake graphite due to the high quality of graphite at Orom-Cross.  The strategic importance of Orom-Cross within SAFELOOP positions Blencowe to secure premium offtake demand directly into the EU from 2028 onwards – one of the few bulk quantity European sales routes that is available in the graphite sector.

Key Highlights

·    Orom-Cross remains the exclusive natural flake graphite supplier to SAFELOOP.

·    Graphite purified to 99.98 wt%C, meeting battery-grade standards.

·    New EV anode developed with over 68% Orom-Cross natural flake graphite content (typically anodes have majority synthetic graphite).

·    Pilot-scale testing completed through to anode and battery – results exceed expectations.

·    COO presents Orom-Cross project to SAFELOOP and EU stakeholders in Denmark.

·    New European offtake discussions underway with EU industrial partners as direct result of the SAFELOOP meeting.

Testing of Orom-Cross Natural Flake for SAFELOOP

American Energy Technologies Co. (“AETC”) and other SAFELOOP project partners have continued their test work using the Company’s natural flake graphite from the Orom-Cross project.   AETC has been designing an enhanced EV anode predominantly using natural flake graphite instead of synthetic graphite, which may have notable consequences ahead on battery makeup and flake graphite demand.

Technical Milestones Delivered (January-May 2025)

·    Battery-Grade Purity Achieved:
Orom-Cross graphite was purified to 99.98 wt%C using AETC’s proprietary Inverted Flow Sheet process.  This grade is considered premium quality within the industry and opens further opportunities for sales into defence applications and other niche markets.

·    Natural Graphite-Dominant Anode Developed:
AETC manufactured a next-generation electric vehicle anode with >68% natural flake graphite sourced solely from Orom-Cross-offering a greener, high-performance alternative to predominantly synthetic graphite within the anode.

For reference, EV’s typically employ synthetic graphite anodes; Blencowe’s natural graphite, due to its qualities, is positioned to replace the synthetic and become an enabling technology which will see the natural graphite-dominant anode commercialized in the electric vehicle market.  This is significant as it would lead to substantially more natural flake graphite used in the anode with Orom-Cross as a major source.

·    Pilot Testing Success:
Pilot plant batches of the anode were submitted to SAFELOOP industrial partners for trialling and evaluation. Testing results to date have exceeded performance benchmarks in all aspects along the battery chain evolution.

Strategic Commercial Engagement

Iain Wearing, the Company’s Chief Operating Officer, recently presented the Orom-Cross graphite project to the SAFELOOP General Assembly in Nyborg, Denmark, where the project was recognised as a strategically important resource that is aligned with the EU’s critical battery minerals supply-chain objectives.

Additionally, as a direct result of this engagement, the Company is now engaged in multiple new offtake discussions with SAFELOOP consortium members and other EU-based industrial battery partners.

Blencowe Resources COO Iain Wearing together with SAFELOOP team members in Nyborg, Denmark.

Cameron Pearce, Executive Chairman commented:

“SAFELOOP is a unique and highly strategic Western offtake opportunity. Tier-one partners such as SAFELOOP are few and far between, particularly with the scope for offtaking large volumes at premium pricing, and we are excited to be chosen as the exclusive supplier of graphite into a project of this scale and this calibre.  The test work being done at present is revolutionary as it may shift the majority of usage within the EV anode away from synthetic to natural flake graphite.  This is entirely due to Orom-Cross’ high quality of end product, and it would be ground-breaking within the industry as it would lead to more sustainable EV batteries produced.”

“SAFELOOP’s projected graphite requirements are substantial – enough to make it a potential cornerstone offtaker for Orom-Cross as both projects ramp up to commercial scale levels. Just as importantly, because SAFELOOP testing has been conducted exclusively using our graphite, we are building a unique and dedicated sales channel that peers simply cannot replicate.”

Blencowe CEO, Mike Ralston, recently provided further details on two interviews:

https://www.voxmarkets.co.uk/articles/q-a-with-blencowe-resources-ceo-mike-ralston-3e8564b

https://youtu.be/PWIacGG7bIc