A scoping study has produced “impressive” manganese concentrate findings at Firebird Metals’ flagship Oakover Project in Western Australia’s Pilbara region.
Completion of the study follows the recent and significant 170 per cent increase in the Oakover mineral resource estimate (MRE) to 172 million tonnes at 9.9 per cent manganese.
The report indicated net present value of $329 million and an internal rate of return of 47 per cent, a 10-year life of mine, and a processing plant throughput of about 4 million tonnes annually, to produce about 900 kilotonnes of 30 per cent manganese concentrate annually.
Firebird managing director Peter Allen said the results confirmed the outstanding potential of Oakover, and the “exciting opportunity” to establish a significant, long-term WA manganese operation that would deliver significant value to all stakeholders.
“The sizeable MRE upgrade at Oakover from our successful maiden drill program enabled the opportunity for Firebird to consider large-scale production over a long life of mine,” he said.
“We believe Oakover has all the necessary requirements and characteristics which include resource size, near-surface, gently dipping geology and multiple processing options, provide a suitable production pathway, which If successfully executed and developed, will ultimately deliver superior long-term value and position Firebird as key supplier of high-quality manganese to a growing market.
“ We are dedicated and focused on executing our growth strategy at Oakover and importantly, continue to tick the boxes required to progress towards the development stage.”
