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Australian-owned Firebird Metals Limited (ASX: FRB, Firebird or the Company) is pleased to announce that subsequent to entering into a binding strategic collaboration agreement with Central South University (CSU) of Hunan in October 2024, Firebird and CSU have commenced testing of a combination of solid and co-precipitation methods for the production of lithium manganese iron phosphate (LMFP) cathode active material (CAM).
HIGHLIGHTS
- LMFP cathode material testwork is underway at Firebird’s state-of-the-art R&D centre, located in Jinshi, Hunan Province, China. Five batches have been completed, with LMFP button batteries already produced from this early round of testing.
- 100 batches expected to be completed - each batch to be turned into button batteries for full evaluation and analysis. Program being completed with Central South University (CSU) of Hunan, under a binding strategic collaboration agreement.1
- Production of LMFP fits within Firebirds growth strategy of becoming a near-term, low-cost manganese-based cathode material business, to deliver products into the growing electric vehicle battery market.
- Substantial cost advantages expected to flow through to manganese sulphate operating costs through this innovative LMFP production process, which retains manganese sulphate in solution, eliminating the need for sulphate crystallisation, packaging and other ancillary costs.
- Bypassing the packaging and crystallisation steps, combined with reduced handling within sulphate process, will yield a ~32% or US$167/t saving in the projected manganese sulphate operating cost. 2
- Leveraging its unique processing methods and technology, Firebird expects this streamlined approach will not only significantly reduce costs but will result in a higher-quality LMFP product, strengthening Firebird's position in the market.
- Testwork results will be used to undertake a Scoping Study and, once completed, Firebird will assess options to expand the current pilot plant to produce approximately one metric tonne per day of LMFP.
Image 1: Button batteries made with Firebird LMFP. Note: Battery industry standard to conduct battery testing on button batteries
Firebird Managing Director Mr Peter Allen commented:“The commencement of testwork and first production of LMFP batteries with CSU is an exciting and transformative step forward for Firebird in the commercialisation of our LMFP cathode materials, which will ultimately be distributed directly into global battery markets.
“This achievement places Firebird in a very small select group of non-Chinese owned companies (first Australian company) to have produced LMFP batteries. Manganese sulphate is a critical element within LMFP and our manganese processing knowledge and IP enables Firebird to drive significant value by co-precipitation.
“We expect our process to translate into substantial cost advantages in sulphate production by bypassing the manganese sulphate crystallisation process, which is the largest component of our operating cost. This streamlined approach not only reduces costs but also results in a superior quality LMFP product, strengthening our position as a cost-effective, high-quality leader in the market.
“The progress we have made in a short period of time is testament to our dedicated and innovative team and partners who have been instrumental in fast-tracking our journey toward becoming a leading manganese chemical business.
“The production of LMFP batteries is aligned with our growth strategy of establishing Firebird as a leading and low-cost manganese-based cathode material business. We are well-positioned to deliver on this strategy and through our sector leading manganese team and proposed, tier-one manganese sulphate plant, the Company is fully focused on establishing operations and continuing to innovate through our leading technology processes to generate strong stakeholder returns.
“The future for Firebird is very exciting and we look forward to delivering on a busy 2025.”
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This article includes content from Firebird Metals Limited, licensed for the purpose of publishing on Investing News Australia. This article does not constitute financial product advice. It is your responsibility to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any information provided here. Please refer to our full disclaimer here.
FRB:AU
Strategic US Antimony Acquisition, Coyote Creek
Highlights:
- EVR has reached agreement with a private US Investor to acquire 49 unpatented claims over the Coyote Creek Antimony Project in Utah, USA.
- The claims cover both old workings and waste from historical antimony mining up to the 1920’s.
- A historical non JORC resource estimate of 12.7 million metric tons grading 0.79% Antimony was estimated by the Utah Geological and Mineral Survey in 1975.
- The historical estimate above is not reported in accordance with the JORC Code. A competent person has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimates as mineral resources or ore reserves in accordance with the JORC Code, and it is uncertain that following evaluation and/or further exploration work that the historical estimates will be able to be reported as mineral resources or ore reserves in accordance with the JORC Code.
- The USA currently has no operating antimony mine and imports all its antimony concentrates.1
The USA imports all of its antimony concentrates at present1 and the Coyote Creek Project appears to have the potential to become a domestic supplier of antimony at a time of well documented supply shortages.
This acquisition follows EVR’s recent announcement of the proposed acquisition of 70% of Los Lirios, an open pit antimony mine in Oaxaca state Mexico. The Coyote Creek Project fits with EVR’s preference to develop an Americas antimony division based upon open pit mining opportunities. (See ASX announcement “Acquisition of Los Lirios Antimony Mine (EVR 70%) Mexico” dated 28th January 2025).
Background to Coyote Creek Antimony Project
The demand for raw materials for the defense effort during the 2nd World War prompted a review of the Coyote Creek Project, and field work including trenching was conducted between November 1941 and February 1942.
Location
The Coyote Creek claims are located in Garfield County, Utah, 11km east of the town named Antimony. The Canyon in which it is located is referred to variously as Coyote Creek Canyon or Antimony Canyon. Access to the project is via paved roads and then unpaved forestry roads navigable with a low clearance vehicle.
Map 1 Location of the Project
Map 2 Claims at Coyote Creek
Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from Ev Resources Limited, licensed for the purpose of publishing on Investing News Australia. This article does not constitute financial product advice. It is your responsibility to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any information provided here. Please refer to our full disclaimer here.