Through its subsidiary Hunan Firebird Battery Technologies, Firebird Metals (ASX:FRB) has signed a deal with China-based Zhongji Sunward Technology for the commercialisation of Hunan’s energy-saving rotary kiln system.
The patent-pending calcining unit reduces energy usage by 80%, thereby enhancing potential cost-efficiencies at Firebird’s proposed plant in Hunan Province, China.
Under the agreement, Sunward will fund half of the cost of the pilot plant — estimated at a total of US$200,000 ($150,000) — and manage engineering design and manufacturing activities.
Should Sunward deem the system commercially viable, Firebird will earn a royalty of 5% on every kiln sold that utilises Hunan’s rotary system.
Firebird Managing Director Peter Allen says the agreement with Sunward further validates the work Firebird is undertaking in China.
“The agreement with Sunward is a great way for us to determine the commercial viability of the energy recycling system that we have developed, and if the technology works on a commercial scale, it could lead to significant operating cost reductions in our manganese sulphate plant,” he says.
“Further, Sunward is a great example of the high-quality calibre of the partners we are attracting in China, as we progress the development of our proposed battery grade manganese plant in China.”
Zhongji Sunward Technology is a joint venture between Changsha Nonferrous Metallurgical Design and Research Institute and Sunward Intelligent Equipment Company.
The company focuses on research, development, design, and manufacture of high-tech equipment and its control automation for the process support of non-ferrous metal beneficiation and smelting industry.
Firebird Metals is a manganese developer focused on mining and downstream processing with a focus on advancing the EV battery sector.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: Firebird Metals
