Firebird Metals Ltd has taken another step in commercialising its innovative calcining kiln technology by engaging Sedgman Pty Ltd to drive technical marketing of the kiln in Australia and internationally, excluding China.
Under patent application, the calcining kiln provides significantly greater energy efficiency than existing alternatives, thus addressing rapidly growing demand for an energy-efficient mineral processing solution.
Energy savings
Firebird has completed trials of the pilot-scale calcining kiln and positive results have been generated with the kiln operating at only 80-100 kWh per tonne, an energy saving of 70%.
This translates to a cost reduction of US$30 per tonne of product, or 5% of total production costs.
Sedgman, a CIMIC Group company, has more than four decades of experience in minerals and metals project development and novel process technology adoption across critical and energy transition commodities, industrial minerals and precious metals.
In this regard, Sedgman has become an industry leader in pioneering the use of new technologies to drastically improve the performance and efficiency of processing plants. Its regional experience spans major markets around the world.
Proven track record
Firebird managing director Peter Allen said: “Partnering with Sedgman is a key step forward for Firebird as we look to commercialise our groundbreaking calcining kiln in the international markets and support the ongoing and exciting work of our innovative research and development technical team in China.
“Sedgman is an industry leader that has been pioneering the use of new process technologies to improve the performance of processing plants for over four decades. Sedgman brings a proven track record of commercialising novel equipment and solutions to advance efficiency within our industry.”
Like Firebird, Sedgman is committed to embracing and advancing new methods, materials and technologies that generate value and improve the efficiency of the industry.
Highly scalable
Compared to conventional kilns, which typically require more than 300kWh per tonne of feed, FRB’s pilot kiln operates at only 80-100kWh per tonne.
The calcining kiln technology is highly scalable, and in addition to applications in manganese-related mineral processing, will also be assessed for use across industries such as iron ore beneficiation and lithium sulphate production.
There are expectations by Firebird for further energy savings as the calcining kiln moves from pilot to full-scale production due to economies of scale.
Aligns with battery strategy
"Firebird’s calcining kiln presents not only an opportunity to improve the cost efficiency of our processes as we become an effective producer of manganese-based cathode materials but also an opportunity to bring that same efficient and emerging technology to the global mineral processing industry,” Allen said.
“Sedgman, alongside Sunward, are high-calibre development partners for our calcining kiln and engaging them for this project reinforces our commitment to advancing innovative and efficient emerging technologies, in alignment with our LMFP Battery Strategy.”
Firebird has already received a number of inquiries about this technology internationally.
Engaging Sedgman with its proven record of experience in innovative technologies, will support Firebird to capitalise on the growing demand for energy efficient solutions for mineral processing.