Firebird Metals Ltd has signed four non-binding MoUs with China-based battery cathode manufacturers for the offtake of manganese sulphate and manganese tetra-oxide from its proposed production plant in Jinshi, China.
The agreements cover up to 70% of manganese sulphate production (50,000 tonnes) and up to 100% of manganese tetra-oxide production (10,000 tonnes) from the plant’s first stage.
Once operational, Firebird aims to position itself as a low-cost, battery-grade manganese concentrate producer, strengthening its presence in the Chinese market.
The company stated that securing agreements with high-calibre offtake partners highlighted the quality of its products and supported its strategy to become a vertically integrated supplier of high-purity manganese sulphate (MnSO₄) and manganese tetra-oxide (Mn₃O₄).
Firebird’s subsidiary, Hunan Firebird Battery Technology, has observed a shift in China’s battery materials market, with several LFP plants transitioning to LMFP production, increasing demand for manganese.
The MoUs follow the distribution of product samples from Firebird’s pilot plant. The company has also secured environmental, energy and safety permits, industrial land and preliminary designs for its China-based research and development facility.