Firebird granted mining lease for manganese project

Highlights

• Receipt of the Mining Lease is conditional on the company’s development of a mining proposal, requiring approval from the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DEMIRS).
• Environmental surveys and mining studies supporting the mining proposal are progressing.
• The Mining Lease covers a large area of 3429.8 ha, including the Sixty Sixer, Jay Eye, and Karen Pits, as well as proposed processing plant, tailings storage, and waste dump.
• Oakover is a large, near surface, gently dipping manganese project, with a Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) of 176.7 Mt at 9.9% Mn including an Indicated Resource of 105.8 Mt at 10.1% Mn1.
• Oakover forms part of Firebird’s long-term vertical integration strategy to grow into a low-cost, manganese-based cathode material business, leveraging its world-class team, unique processes and technology, and its own mineral resources.
• The successful development of Oakover will ultimately provide Firebird with a 100% owned and secure feedstock supply for its manganese sulphate processing, reinforcing its strong and competitive position in the battery materials market.

Firebird Managing Director, Mr Peter Allen, commented:

“The granting of Mining Lease 52/1086 is a significant milestone for Firebird and the Oakover Project, marking an important step in our long-term downstream processing and vertical integration strategy.

“Oakover is a large and near-surface manganese project with robust economics and an 18-year Life-of-Mine. Our vision is to become a global leader in the manganese industry by seamlessly integrating our mining operations and innovative downstream processing solutions, to support the advancement of the Li-ion and Na-ion battery sectors. The location of our proposed manganese sulphate plant in China places us at the forefront of this market and, with the integration of Oakover, will allow us to maintain a competitive advantage by ensuring a 100% owned and secure supply of high-quality manganese feedstock.

“Securing this lease brings us closer to that goal, providing a foundation for stage two, low-cost manganese-based cathode material operations, underpinned by the successful development of Oakover.”

Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/mining/18032025/firebird-granted-mining-lease-for-manganese-project/