Highlights

  • Early works are materially complete at the Butcherbird Expansion Project in Western Australia.
  • Main process plant construction is scheduled to start in Q4 2026 and finish in Q1 2027.
  • Element 25 is progressing toward financial close on a A$50 million NAIF financing package.
  • The expanded operation targets 1.1Mtpa of medium-grade, high-silica manganese concentrate.

Element 25 Limited (ASX:E25) has progressed to the main construction phase at its Butcherbird Expansion Project in Western Australia. Managing Director Justin Brown said the project continues to advance strongly across all major work fronts.

Early Works Materially Complete

Early site works under the SP1 package, delivered by Qetra, are materially complete. Work included site clearing, bulk earthworks and construction of a new process water pond with pumping and pipelines.

Existing administration facilities were relocated, and new transportable offices and amenities were installed with power, communications, potable water and wastewater services. The existing process water pond will be decommissioned and rehabilitated once the new pond is commissioned.

Main Construction and Engineering

The main process plant package is scheduled to start in Q4 2026 and finish in Q1 2027, while the electrical and instrumentation package is in final tendering and is expected to run alongside it. Main construction contract awards are nearing finalisation.

Detailed engineering is substantially complete, with issued-for-construction packages released across all disciplines. Altris Engineering has moved into a procurement and construction support role, and all major equipment packages have been awarded, ordered and are in manufacturing.

Financing, Agreements and Production Target

Element 25 is working toward financial close on a A$50 million financing package with the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF), with due diligence advanced across legal, technical, financial, environmental and commercial areas.

Mining services, ore haulage, engineering services, offtake and camp lease agreements are complete, while port services and power supply agreements are advanced. Operational readiness planning is well progressed. The expanded operation targets 1.1Mtpa of medium-grade, high-silica manganese concentrate. Separately, the company plans a high-purity manganese sulphate refinery in Louisiana, USA, supported by a US$166 million U.S. Department of Energy grant.

Key Takeaways

  • Butcherbird has moved from early works into main construction.
  • Engineering is substantially complete and major equipment is in manufacturing.
  • A A$50 million NAIF financing package is progressing toward financial close.
  • The expanded operation targets 1.1Mtpa of manganese concentrate.