Element 25 Ltd has progressed its strategic objectives during the March 2025 quarter, achieving key regulatory approvals and securing significant funding for its vertically integrated manganese operations across Western Australia, the United States and Japan.
March quarter highlights
In Western Australia, the company received final regulatory approval to proceed with the Butcherbird Expansion Project, which will lift annual production capacity to 1.1 million tonnes of manganese concentrate.
In parallel, Element 25’s ambitions in downstream battery materials manufacturing gained significant momentum.
Consequently, the United States Department of Energy awarded the company a US$166 million (A$268 million) grant to support the development of its high-purity manganese sulphate monohydrate (HPMSM) facility in Louisiana.
In Japan, a high-level scoping study for a proposed HPMSM plant in Tokyo Bay, under a memorandum of understanding with Nissan Chemical Corporation and NC Tokyo Bay Corporation, confirmed the project's feasibility, with plans advancing to a pre-feasibility stage.
Butcherbird Expansion Project fully approved
During the March quarter, the Butcherbird Expansion Project reached full regulatory approval in March 2025.
Consequently, this enables the construction of a 1.1 million tonnes per annum manganese concentrate processing facility.
Furthermore, the Works Approval from DWER followed the earlier acceptance of the Mining Proposal and Mine Closure Plan by DEMIRS.
Read more: Element 25 garners final regulatory approval for Butcherbird Expansion Project
An updated feasibility study released in January 2025 estimated a capital cost of A$64.8 million, with a pre-tax net present value of A$561 million and a 96% pre-tax internal rate of return.
Average annual cashflows of A$70.5 million are expected over a mine life exceeding 18 years. The expansion also retains full heritage, native title and pastoral access arrangements previously established.
US$166 million grant boosts Louisiana HPMSM facility
During the quarter, Element 25’s proposed HPMSM refinery in Louisiana received a US$166 million grant from the US Department of Energy under its Battery Materials Processing Grant Program.
Notably, this is in addition to US$115 million in funding from General Motors and Stellantis, announced earlier.
The grant supports the construction of a facility targeting annual production of 135,000 tonnes of HPMSM, processed from Butcherbird concentrate.
Element 25's proprietary processing flowsheet is designed to lower energy consumption, reduce waste and deliver among the lowest reported carbon intensities for HPMSM globally.
The project is expected to create 400 construction jobs and 144 full-time operational roles, with funding structured in five milestone-based tranches.
Looking ahead, the company is now working to finalise project scheduling and secure the remaining funding required to meet the total estimated cost of US$289 million.
Tokyo Bay HPMSM facility progresses to next stage
A scoping study completed during the quarter assessed the viability of a new HPMSM processing facility in Tokyo Bay, Japan. T
The study, conducted in partnership with Nissan Chemical Corporation and NC Tokyo Bay Corporation, evaluated permitting pathways, supply chain logistics, reagent access, labour markets and cost estimates.
No fatal flaws were identified, and the parties have agreed to move forward with a detailed pre-feasibility study. The project is expected to leverage insights from the Louisiana HPMSM plant while tailoring design and operations to the Japanese market.
