Firebird, Eramet sign MOU for manganese supply in China

ASX-listed Firebird Metals has signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Eramet for the supply of manganese ore to its planned battery-grade manganese sulphate plant in China.

In the MOU, Eramet agreed to sell 80,000 t/y of ore from its Gabonese Moanda mine to Firebird’s proposed manganese sulphate (MnSO4) and manganese tetra-oxide plant (Mn3O4).

Firebird is aiming toward becoming a low-cost and near-term MnSO4 and Mn3O4 producer with the first stage of operations producing 50,000 t/y of battery grade MnSO4 and 10,000 t/y of Mn3O4.

“The agreed annual supply volume exceeds the 66,000 tonnes per annum identified in Firebird’s Feasibility Study, the additional tonnage serves as a strategic buffer, mitigating potential disruptions across the logistics chain and safeguarding uninterrupted operations,” Firebird said.