Firebird Metals (ASX:FRB) has produced 99.999% ‘ultra-high-purity’ (5N) manganese sulphate at its Hunan Pilot Plant in China.
The program used a manganese-specific extractant and an in-line impurity extraction process. Most impurities fell below lower detection limits, with iron measuring 1 part per million (ppm) or less, against 10ppm for China’s HG/T 4823-2023 superior grade. Third-party testing returned iron below 5ppm.
Firebird says it is the only Western company to have made 5N manganese sulphate at this purity. The product reportedly carries a 33% price premium over standard battery-grade material because of its scarcity.
The process uses no fluorine-containing reagents, removing the need for fluoride-resistant equipment and fluorine-bearing waste residues. It treats low-grade, high-impurity ores, waste materials, and wastewater, and is designed for continuous, automated operation.
The company has started a second program at Hunan, processing a representative subsample of ore from its Oakover Manganese Project into ‘ultra-high-purity’ manganese sulphate monohydrate.
According to Firebird, this second program aims to support preparations for the upcoming Australian Demonstration Plant (ADP) in Osborne Park, Perth, in 2027. It will then repeat the program as the first experimental campaign at the ADP during commissioning.
Firebird intends to report purity results once independent testing and validation finish.
CEO Ron Mitchell says producing 5N manganese sulphate is a “testament to the processing capability that Firebird has developed”.
“Ultra-high purity battery input materials are essential for application in advanced, high-performance battery chemistries and these results are an important step in preparing our Australian technical team for the assembly, commissioning and operation of the Australian Demonstration Plant in Perth in 2027,” Mitchell says.
“Beyond the ADP, this is a process that can be applied to a commercial-scale facility, and this commercialisation pathway will be a key workstream for the company throughout 2027.”
The ADP is bolstered by a $2 million grant from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency under the Battery Breakthrough Initiative.
Firebird holds 234 million tonnes (Mt) of manganese resources in Western Australia, including Oakover at 176.7Mt @ 9.90% manganese (Mn) and Hill 616 at 57.5Mt @ 12.20% Mn.
Firebird Metals is a mineral explorer and downstream processing company focused on manganese and electric vehicle battery materials.
Write to Paula Fabe at Mining.com.au
Main image: Firebird Metals
