Firebird Metals CEO Ron Mitchell to Unveil Battery Materials Strategy at Sharewise Investor Webinar on July 24, 2026

Webinar Information and Registration

Firebird Metals will participate in a Sharewise investor webinar on Friday, 24 July 2026 starting at 11:30am AEST. This session provides investors direct insights from senior management on the company’s battery materials development strategy and operational milestones. CEO Ron Mitchell will outline key initiatives and respond to investor questions.

Interested participants can register through the provided Zoom link, receiving a confirmation email with full joining instructions and telephone dial-in options for voice-only access. A replay of the webinar will be available on Firebird’s website after the live event, allowing investors who cannot attend live to review the presentation at their convenience.

Firebird Metals’ Advanced Battery Materials Technology

Firebird Metals Limited specializes in developing advanced manganese-based lithium-ion battery materials for electric vehicle and energy storage markets. The company’s proprietary, patented, and exclusively licensed technology enables direct processing of manganese concentrate into cathode active materials via a single integrated production line. This innovative method combines a high-efficiency kiln with advanced crystallization and downstream processing to reduce production costs and energy consumption compared to traditional manufacturing.

The company operates a pilot facility that has successfully demonstrated the full process flow from raw manganese ore to high-performance cathode active materials. This pilot validation confirms the efficiency and quality of Firebird’s process, laying the groundwork for scaling operations and attracting battery supply chain customers. Processing manganese concentrate within a unified system offers a competitive edge in the growing battery materials sector.

Progress on Australian Demonstration Plant and ARENA Funding

Firebird’s current focus is the Australian Demonstration Plant in Perth, Australia’s first demonstration-scale facility able to convert manganese concentrate into high-purity manganese sulphate and downstream battery materials including cathode active materials. The project benefits from a $2 million grant from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) under the Battery Breakthrough Initiative, supporting this vital infrastructure development. The plant is advancing rapidly throughout 2026 and will validate production processes under Australian conditions while generating high-purity manganese sulphate and cathode samples for customer qualification.

This Demonstration Plant marks a key milestone in Firebird’s commercialisation journey, bridging pilot-scale success and full commercial production. It enables refinement of operational parameters, quality validation, and development of commercial partnerships before committing to larger-scale investments.

Near-Term Production Focus on High-Purity Manganese Sulphate

Firebird is progressing near-term production plans targeting high-purity manganese sulphate (HPMSM) for the lithium manganese iron phosphate (LMFP) cathode market. This strategy creates immediate commercial revenue streams while advancing longer-term cathode active materials capabilities. The LMFP market is a vital segment within the battery materials supply chain, with growing adoption by battery manufacturers optimizing cost, safety, and performance in electric vehicles.

Concurrently, Firebird is developing lithium manganese rich cathode materials aimed at next-generation battery technologies. This dual approach allows capturing near-term opportunities and investing in advanced materials expected to command premium pricing and margins as battery technologies evolve. Management’s strategy reflects market timing and technical expertise to serve diverse battery supply chain segments simultaneously.

Robust Manganese Resource Base Ensuring Long-Term Supply

Firebird holds a substantial manganese resource totaling 234 Mt in Western Australia, providing long-term supply flexibility. The Oakover resource accounts for 176.7 Mt at 9.9% manganese, including an Indicated Resource of 105.8 Mt at 10.1% manganese, offering strong geological confidence for future mining. The Hill 616 deposit adds 57.5 Mt at 12.2% manganese, diversifying the resource portfolio across multiple Western Australian tenements.

While maintaining mining optionality, Firebird plans to source manganese ore from third-party suppliers and existing stockpiles during development phases. This strategy supports advancing the Australian Demonstration Plant and cathode materials production without immediate capital expenditure on mining, preserving flexibility for future decisions as market conditions evolve. The owned resource base provides a competitive advantage and potential value uplift as battery supply chains mature and vertical integration gains importance.

Market Trends Driving Battery Materials Growth

The expanding global electric vehicle and distributed energy storage markets continue to drive strong demand for lithium-ion battery materials, supporting cathode active material suppliers. Manganese-based cathodes offer advantages such as cost efficiency, safety, and thermal stability valued in automotive and stationary storage applications. As battery production scales to meet EV adoption targets in Europe, China, and North America, competition for cathode materials intensifies, encouraging vertical integration among battery producers.

Firebird’s focus on establishing local Australian processing capability aligns with strategic supply chain diversification goals important to battery manufacturers and automotive customers. Developing battery material production outside traditional Asian supply hubs reduces geopolitical risks and supports government initiatives to build domestic supply chains. These dynamics favor companies with proprietary processing technologies, cost competitiveness, and production security, positioning Firebird to capitalize on this industry transformation.

CEO Engagement and Investor Relations

CEO Ron Mitchell’s upcoming webinar presentation offers investors direct access to senior leadership insights on Firebird’s strategic priorities, operational progress, and market outlook. These investor engagements facilitate clear communication of complex technical and commercial strategies, enhancing institutional understanding of the company’s competitive positioning and value drivers. Investors may contact Ron Mitchell directly at [email protected] or +61 407 726 325 for inquiries outside the webinar.

Upcoming Milestones and Investor Focus Areas

Key milestones to watch include ongoing commissioning and initial production at the Australian Demonstration Plant, delivering high-purity manganese sulphate and cathode samples. Progress in customer qualification and commercial agreements for HPMSM supply will indicate market acceptance and revenue visibility. Updates on cathode active materials production rates and specifications will signal advancement toward medium-term commercial goals.

Investors should also monitor Firebird’s capital management and funding strategies for scaling from demonstration to commercial production. Announcements regarding offtake agreements, strategic partnerships, or funding arrangements may accelerate full-scale production deployment. Continued engagement with battery manufacturers and EV supply chain participants through qualification activities and pilot orders will provide insights into Firebird’s commercial readiness and market traction.