Firebird Metals Ltd has been granted Mining Lease ML 52/1086 for its 100%-owned Oakover Manganese Project, located 85 kilometres east of Newman in Western Australia. The lease covers a substantial area of 3,429.8 hectares, encompassing key deposits, including Sixty Sixer, Jay Eye, and Karen Pits, as well as proposed infrastructure for processing, tailings storage, and waste management.
Oakover Project location.
The approval of the mining lease is contingent on Firebird submitting a mining proposal for assessment by the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DEMIRS). In preparation, the company is advancing environmental surveys and mining studies to support its submission.
Oakover is a large, near-surface manganese deposit with a Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) of 176.7 million tonnes at 9.9% manganese, including an Indicated Resource of 105.8 million tonnes at 10.1% manganese. The project plays a pivotal role in Firebird’s long-term strategy to establish a vertically integrated, low-cost manganese-based cathode material business. By leveraging its expertise, proprietary processes, and in-house mineral resources, the company is looking to create a competitive supply chain advantage in lithium manganese iron phosphate (LMFP) cathode production.
Successful development of Oakover will enable Firebird to establish a secure and wholly owned source of feedstock for its manganese sulphate processing plant in China, strengthening its position in the battery materials sector. The company remains focused on advancing the necessary environmental and technical studies to progress the project toward development.
“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,” Firebird managing director Peter Allen said.
“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 our stage two, low-cost manganese-based cathode material operations, which is underpinned by the successful development of Oakover.”
Firebird advances battery-grade manganese sulphate plant in China
Firebird is advancing plans to establish a battery-grade manganese sulphate (MnSO₄) plant within the Jinshi High-Tech Industrial Park, a key component of its strategy to become a leading low-cost supplier of cathode raw materials.
Hunan Firebird Battery Technology Ltd has secured all critical permits for the project in under a year. Following a final investment decision (FID), construction is expected to be completed within 12 months, highlighting the efficiency and competitive advantages of operating in China. The plant, as detailed in the project's feasibility study, requires a capital expenditure (CAPEX) of US$83.5 million, reflecting its cost-efficient design.
The facility is planned to produce 50,000 tonnes of MnSO₄ and 10,000 tonnes of manganese oxide (Mn₃O₄), equivalent to 72,500 tonnes of MnSO₄. Firebird’s proprietary processing methods underpin the plant’s low capital intensity and operational costs. Approximately 60% of the required funding has been secured through indicative and non-binding agreements with strategic partners, including China Chemical and China Construction Bank.
Located at the heart of China’s electric vehicle manufacturing hub, the site benefits from an established industrial supply chain and a supportive regulatory environment. Firebird’s rapid development strategy aims to position the company as a key low-cost supplier of battery-grade MnSO₄, catering to the expanding electric vehicle battery market.