Blencowe Resources Highlights Orom-Cross Graphite Project Potential as US Imposes 160% Tariffs on Chinese Imports
London-listed Blencowe Resources has emphasized the strategic relevance of its Orom-Cross graphite project in Uganda following the US Department of Commerce’s preliminary determination to impose antidumping and countervailing duties (AD/CVD) of approximately 160% on graphite active anode material (AAM) imports from China.
These duties are subject to a final affirmative determination by the US International Trade Commission expected in March and, if confirmed, are anticipated to remain in effect for at least five years, adding to existing US trade tariffs.
Blencowe notes that these measures are expected to significantly increase the landed cost of Chinese-origin graphite AAM into the United States, creating an opportunity for diversified graphite supply chains.
Accelerating Shift Toward Non-China Graphite Supply
“As Western governments seek to support domestic and allied processing capacity, the importance of scalable, high-quality upstream graphite feedstock outside China becomes increasingly strategic,” the company said.
Blencowe positions Orom-Cross as a large-scale, long-life graphite development capable of supplying high-quality feedstock for both battery and advanced industrial applications, aligning with global supply chain diversification trends.
Ongoing resource definition at the Iyan and Beehive deposits is progressing toward updated JORC resource statements, which will underpin long-term development planning and support the project’s positioning in multiple high-value markets.
Project Development and Market Relevance
Blencowe is advancing funding and offtake discussions while continuing resource growth and technical studies. The company notes that the strengthening policy environment in the US and other Western jurisdictions reinforces the strategic importance of non-China graphite supply chains and increases the long-term relevance of Orom-Cross.
“The scale of the US AD/CVD measures highlights the structural realignment now underway in the graphite market. As trade policy reshapes supply chain economics, secure upstream graphite supply outside China becomes increasingly critical.
Orom-Cross is being developed as a scalable, long-life graphite platform capable of supporting both battery and advanced industrial applications,” said Cameron Pearce, Blencowe Executive Chairperson.
Outlook
Blencowe plans to progressively release further assay results from the Iyan and Beehive deposits, contributing to updated JORC resource statements and reinforcing Orom-Cross’s long-term development case.
With global policy shifting toward secure, diversified supply chains, Orom-Cross is positioned to become a strategic upstream supplier of high-quality graphite, meeting the growing demand for EV batteries, energy storage systems, and advanced industrial applications.
This combination of resource scale, technical readiness, and favorable market dynamics highlights Orom-Cross as a key development project in the global graphite sector.
About the Author
