Firebird Metals (ASX:FRB) has signed a mining lease agreement with the Karlka Nyiyaparli Aboriginal Corporation for the Oakover Manganese Project in Western Australia, mapping out a pathway for future development.
The agreement addresses a number of key aspects, including all necessary commercial considerations such as royalties and financial benefits payable to the Karlka Nyiyaparli Aboriginal Corporation (KNAC).
Firebird, which has a market capitalisation of $14.23 million, says other aspects include protecting the Aboriginal cultural heritage and environment, facilitating ongoing engagement between both parties related to operations at Oakover, and providing compensation to the Traditional Owners.
Managing Director Peter Allen says the company looks forward to working with KNAC and the Nyiyaparli people through the ongoing development of Oakover.
“Oakover is a large and near-surface manganese project with excellent economic numbers and an 18-year life-of-mine,” Allen says.
“Firebird’s vision is to become a global leader in the manganese industry by seamlessly combining mining and downstream processing, with a focused dedication to the advancement of lithium-ion and sodium-ion battery sectors.
“Stage one of our battery grade manganese sulphate operations will be in China, where we are successfully working towards establishing a battery-grade manganese and tetra-oxide plant in Jinshi, Hunan Province, China.”
Allen adds that stage two of the downstream processing operations, located in China and a future western location, will place Firebird in a position to supply the growing demand from non-Asia countries at the end of this decade.
“Stage two will be reliant on the successful development of Oakover to utilise ore from operations,” he says.
Over the next 12 months, Firebird says it will focus on completing environmental studies and surveys as it works towards an environmental protection authority referral for Oakover.
The mining lease application covers 3,429 hectares and includes the Sixty Sixer, Jay Eye, and Karen pits, as well as a proposed processing plant, tailings storage, and waste dump.
Oakover has a mineral resource of 176.7 million tonnes at 9.9% manganese including an indicated resource of 105.8 million tonnes at 10.1% manganese.
Firebird Metals is an advanced manganese developer focused on combining mining and downstream processing with a dedication to advancing the EV battery sector.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: Firebird Metals
