Firebird Metals inks four MoUs for manganese product offtake deals
Last updated: 09:30 20 Feb 2025 AEDT, First published: 09:19 20 Feb 2025 AEDT
Firebird Metals Ltd has secured non-binding MoUs with four offtake partners for the supply of manganese sulphate and manganese tetra-oxide from the company’s proposed manganese production plant in Jinshi, China.
The offtake MoUs are with tier-one, China-based battery cathode manufacturers and cover up to 70% of potential manganese sulphate production (a total of 50,000 tonnes) and up to 100% of potential manganese tetra-oxide production (10,000 tonnes) from the first stage of production at the plant.
Once in production, FRB says it will be positioned as a low-cost, battery-grade manganese concentrate producer with the potential to be a highly competitive presence within the Chinese market.
Entering EV battery market
“We are extremely pleased to have secured agreements with such high-calibre offtake partners, further highlighting the exceptional quality of our products,” Firebird Metals managing director Peter Allen said.
“These agreements are another significant step forward in becoming a leading, vertically integrated and innovative producer of battery-grade MnSO4, addressing the growing demand for cost-effective, high-performance battery raw materials.
“Our strategy is focused on the rapid development of our manganese sulphate plant and technology portfolio positioning us as a near-term, low-cost producer of high-purity manganese sulphate (MnSO4) and tetra-oxide (Mn3O4) to support the rapidly growing electric vehicle battery market.
“Our Chinese subsidiary, Hunan Firebird Battery Technology (HFBT) has observed a notable evolution in the battery materials market in China over recent years, with several LFP (lithium iron phosphate) plants transitioning to LMFP (lithium manganese iron phosphate) production, highlighting manganese’s growing role in battery technology and demand from end users.
“We welcome our new offtake partners and look forward to fostering a positive and long-lasting relationship.”
Manganese sulphate solution.
The new MoUs follow directly from FRB’s recent distribution and analysis of manganese sulphate and manganese tetra-oxide samples produced at its pilot plant, which were delivered to several potential customers.
Firebird has made rapid progress on the execution of its China-based research and development facility and in 2024, secured all key environmental, energy and safety permits, industrial land for the plant, preliminary designs and now offtake for stage one of operations.
