LSE-listed graphite, nickel and copper miner Blencowe Resources has engaged consultancy firm ERM specifically relating to lifecycle sustainability and environmental, social and governance (ESG) credentials.

ERM has led the way in this field globally for some time and its involvement with Blencowe will greatly assist both the company and its two resource projects deliver a more sustainable pathway into the future, the miner says.

ERM has been engaged to consider a more sustainable pathway into Blencowe’s and its two resource projects' future, as well as to map out a series of initiatives that will propel Blencowe to be a significant and green graphite player in the market.

Blencowe, with projects in Uganda, says green graphite is delivered with a low environmental footprint, including energy efficient production.

Graphite is an important mineral in technological development of electric vehicle (EV) and general decarbonisation efforts, with the efficient production of this mineral playing a key role in the clean energy transition.

Graphite is the primary anode material and the single largest component of lithium-ion batteries and, as such, has an important role within this drive towards sustainability, both in terms of what the end product is used for, as well as how it is produced.

However, Blencowe states that, while graphite is principally used in lithium-ion batteries powering EVs, it is also important to produce graphite within a mining and processing environment that is life cycle sustainable and delivers as low emissions as possible.

As such, Blencowe believes that delivery of green graphite will increase the demand for its products as end-users are all coming under increasing pressure to audit their supply chains more closely to ensure the products they use are delivered by companies with strong ESG credentials.

Further, Blencowe believes its Orom-Cross graphite project will be more likely to attract investors to finance production if it has reputable ESG credentials. As a result, the company has engaged ERM to work with it to deliver a range of policies, targets and initiatives to ultimately deliver green graphite.

In embracing ESG, Blencowe seeks to publicly acknowledge global ESG initiatives and develop policies to ensure it is managing its projects and, ultimately operations, to the required and associated standards.

The company also intends to put policies in place to consider key areas such as “climate control”, supply chain responsibility, human rights, indigenous engagement, risk management and cultural awareness.

In addition, Blencowe seeks to actively support social responsibility within the local and regional communities, ensure governance is managed to highest possible standards and continue to place environmental impact at the forefront of its strategic development initiatives.

Going forward, Blencowe plans to consider all of these focal points in its day-to-day activities, as well as the various feasibility studies it is preparing to take the Orom-Cross graphite project into production in 2023.

As practical examples, Blencowe is already considering options to replace diesel-generated power at Orom-Cross with solar farms, while hydroelectric power from the national grid will serves as backup.

The company is also considering electric methods of drying product through the processing facility, in addition to using dry tailings to improve the environmental footprint as well as the most energy efficient logistics solution to move end-product to market.

Blencowe executive chairperson Cameron Pearce says the company believes it “should do more than lip service” to ESG matters as it plays a role within the climate change revolution by constantly improving its environmental efficiency, as well as building its social and governance credentials.