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Highlights
- Element 25 reports substantial increase in Butcherbird’s measured and indicated manganese resources.
- New estimate highlights longer mine life and extended reserve potential for Butcherbird.
- Expansion aligns with Element 25’s plans for low-carbon battery materials production.
Element 25 Ltd (ASX:E25) has reported a notable 142% increase in the measured and indicated mineral resource estimate (MRE) at its 100%-owned Butcherbird Manganese Project in Western Australia’s Pilbara region. This upgrade brings Butcherbird’s total resource to 274 million tonnes at 10% manganese, with 47% now classified in higher-confidence measured and indicated categories. This milestone underscores the project’s capacity and aligns with Element 25’s broader objectives in sustainable manganese production.
The recent expansion supports Element 25’s strategic Stage 2 development plan, with the updated MRE reinforcing the project’s overall viability. "The increased measured and indicated resources are expected to bolster our mining reserve, extending Butcherbird’s operational life," commented Justin Brown, Managing Director at Element 25. This improved reserve estimate aims to provide a significant boost to the company’s project financing and operational outlook, offering stability and continuity for long-term production goals.
The significant growth in the MRE is attributed to an extensive infill drilling campaign, resulting in the addition of 130 million tonnes at a manganese grade of 10.23%. This update reflects the continuity and scalability of the Butcherbird deposit. Recent estimates incorporate contributions from various deposits, including Yanneri Ridge, Coodamudgi, Richies Find, and Mundawindi, solidifying the resource’s potential.
Element 25 engaged MEC Mining to prepare these updated estimates, integrating data from recent drilling to support the project’s extended mine life. As part of this initiative, mine pit optimization and scheduling activities are ongoing, with an updated ore reserve statement in development to reflect the new findings.
Since acquiring Butcherbird, Element 25 has undertaken targeted operational enhancements, including over 1,400 meters of underground development and nearly 40,000 meters of diamond drilling. These drilling efforts, spanning from 2010 to 2024, have refined geological interpretations and confirmed the project’s scale. The October 2024 update included a total of 717 drill holes, encompassing reverse circulation and aircore techniques, to ensure comprehensive resource estimation.
Beyond traditional manganese mining, Element 25 is pioneering advancements in battery materials. The company aims to boost Butcherbird’s output to 1.1 million tonnes of medium-grade, high-silica manganese ore annually, serving traditional and energy-focused markets. Concurrently, Element 25 is advancing proprietary technology to produce high-purity manganese sulfate monohydrate (HPMSM) for electric vehicle batteries, positioning itself as a major player in low-carbon battery materials. With plans to establish an HPMSM refinery in Louisiana, USA, in partnership with General Motors and Stellantis, Element 25 is setting the stage to become a key supplier for the US electric vehicle sector.
This latest resource upgrade signals a positive trajectory for the Butcherbird project and Element 25’s role in the future of sustainable battery materials.
