Editor’s Note
Recent testing confirms that graphite from Blencowe Resources’ Orom-Cross Project is suitable for producing synthetic industrial diamonds, highlighting the material’s quality and potential for high-value applications.
Blencowe Resources Plc is pleased to announce the results of additional test work confirming that graphite concentrates from the Orom-Cross Project are suitable for the manufacture of synthetic industrial diamonds, further validating the quality, versatility and downstream optionality of the Company’s graphite feedstock.
The test work was undertaken by American Energy Technology Co. (“AETC”) in Chicago and forms part of Blencowe’s value-addition programme focused on demonstrating commercially viable, non-China downstream applications for Orom-Cross graphite.
Crucially, the test work achieved a diamond conversion yield of 53.6wt%, exceeding the typical industry benchmark of approximately 50%. AETC notes that this threshold is widely regarded as critical in determining whether synthetic diamond production can be undertaken economically outside China, given the highly competitive cost structure of the industry. Conversion yields below this level typically necessitate lower-cost Chinese processing to remain viable.
Production of industrial diamonds provides Orom-Cross with another significant value-adding enhancement opportunity beyond sale of graphite as concentrates and Blencowe will be seeking offtake opportunities in this sector ahead as it continues to drive towards first production.
AETC further observed that many natural graphites, including several deposits across East Africa, are less suitable for synthetic diamond manufacture due to thicker, less compressible flake structures, which inhibit efficient diamond formation. In contrast, the fine, compressible flake characteristics of Orom-Cross graphite proved highly conducive to diamond synthesis, representing a distinctive quality signature of the deposit.
Cameron Pearce, Blencowe’s Executive Chairman commented.
