Manganese X Energy Corp released a project update and the results from its Phase III processing and metallurgical work in conjunction with the preliminary economic assessment (PEA) that is currently underway.
The battery metals focused firm is working to develop its Battery Hill project towards production, with the intent of supplying value-added materials to the lithium-ion battery and other alternative energy industries.
The Phase III metallurgical work continues to produce flowsheet improvements that represent significant cost reductions in the production of high-grade battery material for the EV and stored energy material applications, the company said.
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The metallurgical work is a key component for the completion of the PEA, which will characterize and assess the economic and commercial viability of producing high-purity, battery-grade manganese products from the Battery Hill project located near Woodstock, New Brunswick.
"We continue to improve the economics of our flowsheet. Manganese will be a high demand commodity for battery chemistry going forward as more and more manufacturers shift from cobalt,” CEO Martin Kepman said in the statement.
“The key will be to ensure cost effective production that will allow scalability. We are well positioned for supplying the North American supply chain given our strategic location in New Brunswick close to the US border," he added.
Manganese X also provided highlights from the Phase III program, one of which was Kemetco completing the Phase III process development testwork with delivery of a complete process flowsheet.
Additionally, the company also initiated the locked-cycle testing to confirm the high projected recovery rate of leached manganese into a high purity manganese sulphate monohydrate (HPMSM) product.
“Leach optimization work has confirmed greater than 80% leach recovery using composite material from the main Moody Hill Central zone,” the press release noted.
During the testing both acid consumption and impurities were minimized. Subsequent testing has focused on an innovative purification process to maximize recovery of the extracted manganese to the high purity manganese sulphate monohydrate (HPMSM) product, to reduce costs and improve the environmental footprint.
The Phase III work is expected to be completed near the end of October. The deliverables will also include producing samples of HPMSM with EV compliant contaminant levels, a product which is in demand as a precursor material for cathode manufacturing.
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