[Ferro-Alloys.com] Firebird Metals Ltd  has signed a mining lease agreement with the Karlka Nyiyaparli Aboriginal Corporation (KNAC) for Mining Lease 52/1086 at the company’s 100%-owned Oakover Manganese Project in the East Pilbara manganese province of Western Australia. The agreement with KNAC covers key areas related to future development work and commencement of operations at Oakover, including all necessary commercial considerations regarding financial benefits once manganese production is achieved.   KNAC is a registered Native Title Body Corporate holding the Native Title under the Nyiyaparli Determination in trust for the Nyiyaparli People. 

Significant milestone

Firebird managing director Peter Allen said: “The signing of the agreement with the Karlka Nyiyaparli Aboriginal Corporation for Mining Lease 52/1086 is a significant milestone for Firebird and the Oakover Project. “I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the KNAC and the Nyiyaparli people for their efforts and professionalism in finalising this agreement. “We look forward to working with KNAC and the Nyiyaparli people through the ongoing development of Oakover and delivering long-term value to all stakeholders involved with Oakover and to the communities we operate within.” 

The agreement addresses key aspects related to the future development and production of Oakover, including: 

All necessary commercial considerations including royalties and other financial benefits payable to the KNAC.

Protecting Aboriginal cultural heritage.

Facilitating ongoing engagement between Firebird and the KNAC in relation to the conduct of operations at Oakover.

Minimising the impact of project operations on Native Title rights and interests, Aboriginal cultural heritage and the environment.

Providing compensation to the Nyiyaparli People for any impact on Native Title from the grant of project tenure, the conduct of project operations and the issue of project approvals.

Recording the terms of the KNAC’s consent to the grant of project tenure and the conduct of operations.

Oakover Manganese Project

The successful development and commencement of operations at Oakover — a large, near-surface project which boasts a mineral resource estimate (MRE) of 176.7 million tonnes at 9.9% manganese, including 105.8 million tonnes at 10.1% manganese in the indicated category — is a critical long-term objective for Firebird. “Oakover is a large and near-surface manganese project with excellent economic numbers and an 18-year life-of-mine,” Allen said. “Firebird’s vision is to become a global leader in the manganese industry by seamlessly combining mining and downstream processing, with a focused dedication to the advancement of Li-ion and Na-ion battery sectors.”

Work ahead 

“Stage One of our battery-grade manganese sulphate operations will be in China, where we are successfully working towards establishing a battery-grade manganese and tetra-oxide plant in Jinshi, Hunan Province, China." Following Stage One of battery-grade manganese sulphate and tetra-oxide operations in China, Firebird will look to commence Stage Two operations in China and a future western location.  Key work streams at Oakover over the next 12 months remain focused on the completion of environmental studies and surveys as the company works its way to EPA referral for the project. “Stage Two of downstream processing operations will be located both in China and a future western location and will place Firebird in a strong position to supply the growing demand from non-Asian countries at the end of this decade. 

“Stage Two will be reliant on the successful development of Oakover to utilise ore from operations.” Oakover is Firebird’s flagship project within its portfolio of exploration and development projects in the East Pilbara manganese province. Its other key project is Hill 616, which contains an inferred MRE of 57.5 million tonnes at 12.2% manganese and shares similar geological traits to Oakover.  Firebird is focused on combining mining and downstream processing with a dedication to advancing the EV battery sector. 

The company is progressing a unique China-focused lithium manganese iron phosphate (LMFP) battery strategy, which will develop Firebird into a near-term producer of high-purity, battery-grade manganese sulphate, a key cathode material in LMFP batteries for electric vehicles.

• [Editor:tianyawei]