Firebird prepares first feedstock for Australia's first demo-scale manganese processing plant
ASX-listed Firebird Metals has provided the first feedstock for its demonstration-scale manganese testwork plant at the Osborne Park facility, in Western Australia, with the plant expected to be commissioned during the fourth quarter.
The company sourced manganese ore from its 100%-owned Oakover project, having crushed, wet-milled, screened, dried and homogenised the ore to achieve the required particle size distribution and consistent feedstock for demo-scale processing.
Firebird aims to prove the viability of its integrated ore-to-chemicals and advanced battery materials pathway.
The work of the Australian demo plant will be supported by Firebird's pilot plant and research and development facility in China, where prepared ore is also being used as part of a technical programme to demonstrate process and establish technical knowledge.
Firebird aims to have first samples produced from its Australian plant during the first quarter of 2027.
The company's demonstration plant is supported by a $2-million grant from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency under the Battery Breakthrough initiative. The plant will be Australia's first demonstration-scale facility processing manganese concentrate into high-purity manganese sulphate and downstream cathode active material.
Firebird holds 234-million tonnes of manganese resources in Western Australia, led by the Oakover project, which is underpinned by an 18-year mine life and a net present value of A$741-million.
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