Australia’s Firebird Metals has announced promising results from its feasibility study for the production of battery grade manganese sulphate in China. The study, focuses on the first stage of production, uses third-party manganese ore and yielded “excellent” outcomes.

The study, Firebird says, validates its China-based lithium manganese iron phosphate (LMFP) growth strategy, which aims to establish it as a low-cost producer of battery-grade high-purity manganese sulphate and high-purity manganese tetra oxide. Both are key cathode materials in LMFP batteries for electric vehicles.

“We have already seen significant cost, development and operational advantages that can be gained by building a plant in China and, most importantly, the company has been buoyed by the incredible level of support and interest received from key government agencies and tier-one banks in assisting us establish operations in China. With their support, Firebird is well-positioned to deliver on key remaining development and financing milestones to meet our objective of commencing operations in China in the fourth quarter of 2025,” said Firebird MD Peter Allen.

He stated that support extended to ongoing discussions regarding third-party manganese offtake for Stage 1, which would expedite production capabilities and pave the way for a cash-flow-positive business.

Firebird stresses that the ongoing development of its flagship Oakover project, in Western Australia, remains a critical pillar of its manganese battery materials strategy.

Once operational, Oakover will serve as a key source of ore for the Chinese plant.

“What excites the team the most is we are executing our strategy at the right time. LMFP batteries are forecast for the largest growth of all the manganese-based batteries, due to the fact it meets the key criteria of car manufacturers which is cost competitiveness, safety and good range. We believe we are seeing a new era of Li-ion batteries with the commercialisation of LMFP and we are well-positioned to benefit greatly from this rising demand,” said Allen.