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In a landmark development for the East African mining sector, LSE-listed Blencowe Resources has announced that graphite concentrate from its Orom-Cross project in Uganda has been successfully integrated into a high-stakes rocket component testing programme in the United States. The initial test firing, conducted on a hypersonic suborbital rocket platform, marks a significant departure from the standard battery-grade narrative, positioning Orom-Cross material as a critical input for elite aerospace and defence applications. Early observations from the trial indicate encouraging performance in extreme high-temperature environments, validating the project’s potential to serve specialist markets that demand the highest levels of material integrity.
The testing was spearheaded by the American Energy Technologies Company (AETC), a specialist manufacturer of mouldings for rocket propulsion nozzles. AETC utilized Blencowe’s natural graphite concentrate to evaluate its efficacy as a replacement for synthetic graphite, which is traditionally used in these high-performance components. By assessing the durability of the Orom-Cross material under the intense thermal and mechanical stresses of rocket propulsion, the programme aims to determine if natural flake graphite can meet or exceed the rigorous standards required for hypersonic flight. The trials were observed by a high-level cohort including representatives from Pluto Aerospace, Purdue University, and various United States government agencies.
In addition to propulsion nozzles, the collaboration is exploring the utility of graphite-based coatings applied to rocket fin components. These tests are specifically designed to evaluate durability under hypersonic conditions and “icephobic” properties technologies engineered to repel ice or significantly reduce its adhesion to critical surfaces. Such applications hold immense promise not only for military hardware but also for civilian aircraft operating in extreme climates. While the full data set from the recent firing remains under analysis, the successful completion of the planned test runs suggests a robust future for Orom-Cross graphite in the advanced materials sector.
This strategic move into the aerospace value chain is a calculated effort by Blencowe to diversify its commercial model beyond standard concentrate sales. By proving the material’s worth at the pinnacle of engineering complexity, the company is paving the way for higher-value offtake agreements. With orbital testing scheduled for the latter half of 2026, the Orom-Cross project is fast becoming a beacon for how African mineral assets can transcend traditional commodity cycles and become indispensable to the frontiers of global technology and national security.
Reflecting on the strategic importance of these trials for the company’s future, Blencowe executive chairperson Cameron Pearce stated: “With further testing phases planned, including orbital testing expected in the latter half of 2026, we believe this supports higher-value offtake pathways beyond standard concentrate sales. These all help to continuously add more value to our overall Orom-Cross strategy and our commercial model.”
