Firebird Metals (ASX:FRB) Advances LMFP Battery Strategy Amid ASX 200 Sector Growth

Highlights:

• Firebird Metals formalises Chinese offtake MoUs and secures Eramet manganese ore supply

• Construction plans progress for Jinshi battery material plant with Sedgman engagement

• Oakover Manganese Project achieves key regulatory milestone for long-term supply pipeline

Firebird Metals Ltd (ASX:FRB), aligned with the battery materials sector and part of the broader mining and industrials segment on the asx 200, progressed its downstream manganese sulphate operations with strategic developments across supply, processing and production. During the latest quarter, the company advanced its low-carbon battery-grade manganese supply model through new commercial frameworks and technical partnerships.

China-Focused Offtake Agreements Support Product Demand

Firebird finalised four non-binding memorandums of understanding with tier-one battery cathode producers in China. These agreements cover the expected output of manganese sulphate and manganese tetra-oxide from its proposed facility in Jinshi, Hunan Province. The facility is designed to supply battery-grade materials for the lithium manganese iron phosphate (LMFP) segment, a growing focus within the global electric vehicle supply chain.

The Jinshi plant was designated a Key Construction Project by regional and provincial authorities, granting it expedited support services and funding access. This designation supports Firebird’s development timeline, which remains contingent on a final investment decision.

Supply Chain Strengthened Through Eramet MoU

Firebird also signed a non-binding agreement with Eramet SA for consistent feedstock supply. The deal follows pilot-scale tests using ore supplied by Eramet, confirming compatibility with Firebird’s proposed process flow. The arrangement supports long-term procurement needs and includes volume buffers beyond initial feasibility plans, aiming to minimise logistical disruptions.

Innovative Processing Model with Sedgman Partnership

In a further step toward project execution, Firebird appointed Sedgman Pty Ltd, a CIMIC Group company, to lead the commercial rollout of its proprietary calcining kiln. This kiln demonstrated significant reductions in energy consumption during pilot testing, creating operational efficiencies. The technology is currently under patent application and may apply across various mineral processing sectors.

Firebird’s proposed Jinshi plant incorporates a streamlined solution-based production approach, eliminating certain steps like crystallisation and packaging. This adjustment contributes to operational savings while maintaining product purity for downstream applications.

Battery Material Production and Testing Underway

Working in collaboration with Central South University, Firebird commenced production of battery-grade cathode material and initiated performance testing using button cell formats. Several batches of solution-based manganese sulphate have undergone evaluation to measure energy storage characteristics.

Plans are in place to expand testing to pouch cell formats by mid-year, with batch volumes expected to rise in the near term. This production and testing milestone marks Firebird as the first Australian company to achieve LMFP battery-grade cathode material development.

Oakover Project Secures Mining Lease for Feedstock Pipeline

In Western Australia, the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety granted Firebird a mining lease for its Oakover Manganese Project (ML 52/1086). The lease encompasses exploration areas identified for future extraction and infrastructure development.

Firebird is progressing the necessary environmental and mining studies to support a comprehensive mining proposal. The Oakover project is expected to form part of a multi-phase strategy supplying feedstock to later stages of Jinshi’s operations.

Operational Outlook and Corporate Position

Firebird concluded the recent quarter with moderate cash reserves and reported expenditure across exploration and plant development activities. Payments to directors and related parties were also recorded. Based on current spending levels, the company projects operational coverage for an extended period and continues to assess options to support capital deployment across its projects.

Firebird Metals (ASX:FRB), through its strategic progression, remains engaged in the global energy transition materials space, contributing to supply developments in the LMFP segment under broader sector activity linked to the asx 200 index.