Firebird Metals (ASX:FRB): Manganese Sulphate Demonstration Plant Progress

Aditi Sarkar

29 October 2026 05:58 PM AEDT

Firebird Metals (ASX:FRB): Manganese Sulphate Demonstration Plant Progress

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Highlights

Demonstration plant work progressed at Osborne Park in Perth.
First 99.999 per cent manganese sulphate was produced after quarter end.
A$1.0 million grant instalment was received in July 2026.
First plant production is targeted for the first quarter of 2027.

Firebird Metals Limited (ASX:FRB) develops high-purity manganese sulphate and manganese-based cathode materials for battery applications. During the September 2026 quarter it advanced installation preparations for its Perth demonstration plant; subsequently it reported producing a high-purity sulphate sample. Commissioning and first plant production remain scheduled milestones rather than completed commercial operations.

Firebird Metals Limited (ASX:FRB) is developing high-purity manganese sulphate and cathode materials for lithium manganese iron phosphate and lithium-manganese-rich batteries. During the quarter it moved into the Osborne Park site for its advanced demonstration plant in August 2026, appointed Dr Chris Passmore as technical lead on 1 August, shipped the first equipment container on 2 September and prepared first feedstock from its Oakover manganese project on 23 September.

The container is due to reach Fremantle in late October, followed by delivery to site. Assembly is planned for the December quarter of 2026, including an opening ceremony, with commissioning and first production in the first quarter of 2027. Firebird Metals Limited (ASX:FRB) is also awaiting results from an October technical programme in Hunan processing Oakover ore.

Plant build and production stages

The company reported independent testing showing manganese sulphate purity above 99.99 per cent. It also reported first-cycle performance for its lithium-manganese-rich cathode material, with discharge capacity of 263.7 milliamp hours per gram at 0.1C and 211.2 at 1C. Firebird describes itself as the only Western company to have made 5N manganese sulphate; that is the company's own claim and was not independently verified here.

Firebird has a A$2 million non-dilutive grant from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency's Battery Breakthrough Initiative. The first milestone payment of A$1.0 million was received on 17 July 2026, with deliverables completed ahead of schedule and within budget. A further A$1.0 million is expected over coming quarters as plant milestones are met.

Strategic partner Taza Metal Technologies funds half of the research and development on the lithium-manganese-rich material, and contributed a A$183,000 receipt in the quarter.

Technical tests and funding support

The 5N manganese sulphate was produced after the quarter ended, on 19 October 2026, so it is not reflected in the quarter's financial figures. The report presents it as a technical milestone rather than a commercial one, and it does not say what quantity was made or whether any customer has tested it.

Cash at 30 September 2026 was A$3.317 million, down from A$3.607 million at the start of the quarter. Operating cash outflow was A$594,000. Investing activities produced a net inflow of A$319,000, which includes the A$1.0 million grant receipt offset by A$660,000 for plant equipment, A$9,000 for property, plant and equipment and A$12,000 for exploration. Financing outflow was A$15,000, mainly loan repayments. The company raised no equity during the quarter.

The Appendix 5B estimates a funding runway of 5.47 quarters at the current rate of spending.

Quarter-end cash and exploration

Oakover received only tenure maintenance and desktop planning, with no drilling. Exploration spending was about A$102,000, mostly environmental and tenement costs.

The confirmed milestones are the container reaching Fremantle in late October, assembly in the December 2026 quarter, results from the Hunan programme, a further A$1.0 million grant payment, commissioning and first production in the first quarter of 2027, and the annual general meeting on 25 November 2026.

Firebird Metals (ASX:FRB) reported the October sample separately from the quarter’s cash results. Sample purity and the intended plant commissioning schedule describe different stages of development, and neither establishes routine commercial sales.

The remaining grant instalment is linked to milestones. Firebird Metals (ASX:FRB) will need to complete scheduled installation and commissioning work before the planned production programme can be assessed.

Key Insights

Firebird Metals (ASX:FRB) has progressed testing and plant preparation, but commissioning, consistent production and customer qualification remain separate milestones.

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