Samso News: Firebird Metals – LMR Cathode Equipment Commissioned – A Vertically Integrated Manganese story that is Driven with A Battery Materials Optionality.
- Noel Ong
- 4 hours ago
- 6 min read
Announcement
FRB Completes Equipment Commissioning for Advanced LMR CAM – 12 January 2026 (view the announcement)
This is another new addition to our Samso News coverage, coming in the form of a downstream Manganese narrative. The general Manganese mining has been gaining traction within the ASX lately, and it is definitely stirring my thoughts. Manganese is simplistically a bulk commodity story that, like Silver has been playing second fiddle to gold for decades.
I have just come across the Firebird story, and it reads like it is worth having a good old DYOR for the Samso community.
Firebird Metals Limited (ASX: FRB) has completed the installation and commissioning of its proprietary cathode active materials (CAM) equipment at its wholly owned China pilot plant, marking a key step in advancing lithium-manganese-rich (LMR) cathode development. The milestone supports Firebird’s vertically integrated ore-to-cathode strategy, with initial LMR CAM production scheduled to commence in February 2026 and customer sampling planned for the second half of 2026.
The Business of Firebird Metals: Downstream Manganese
Firebird Metals is positioning itself as an integrated manganese technology company servicing electric vehicle (EV) and energy storage system (ESS) markets. The Company’s strategy spans manganese resources, high-purity manganese sulphate monohydrate (HPMSM), and advanced cathode materials, including LMFP, LMR, and NCM, supported by proprietary processing technologies and energy-efficient equipment platforms.
Highlights – Commissioning Milestone Advances LMR Pathway
Firebird has successfully received, installed, and commissioned proprietary CAM equipment at its China pilot plant to enable production of advanced LMR cathode materials (Figure 1).
Figure 1: Recently commissioned LMR reactor vessel at Firebird’s China pilot plant (source: FRB)
Initial LMR CAM production is scheduled for February 2026, with customer samples planned for H2 2026 to support qualification and technical engagement programs.
The LMR development program is co-funded by strategic partner Taza Metal Technologies, which is funding 50% of research and development activities, materially reducing Firebird’s capital exposure.
LMR cathodes target materially higher energy density than conventional LFP, with performance comparable to certain high-nickel chemistries while significantly reducing nickel and cobalt content through high manganese substitution (≥50% Mn) (Figure 2).
Figure 2: Slide from General Motors' presentation at the 25th Advanced Automotive Battery Conference (AABC) (source: FRB)
Firebird has established an integrated pathway from manganese concentrate through HPMSM to LMFP, LMR, and NCM CAM, to be demonstrated at its Australian Demonstration Plant (ADP) in 2026.
The ADP is intended to provide a world-first capability to produce and demonstrate LMR, NCM, and LMFP CAM within a single integrated facility.
The LMR and CAM production pathway is illustrated in Figure 3.
Figure 3: Firebird’s LMR CAM production process flow (source: FRB)
Leadership Commentary
Firebird CEO, Mr Ron Mitchell, commented:
“Commissioning our LMR cathode active material equipment is a key milestone in delivering Firebird’s ore‑to‑cathode strategy and validating our integrated pathway from manganese concentrate through HPMSM to advanced CAM products. This program positions us to demonstrate the production of high‑energy, manganese‑rich cathode materials that can reduce reliance on nickel and cobalt while meeting the performance, safety and cost requirements of next‑generation EV and energy storage markets. Deploying this process at our Australian Demonstration Plant in 2026 will allow us to showcase LMR, NCM, and LMFP CAM in a single facility and deepen engagement with global customers seeking a secure, sustainable supply of advanced battery materials.”
About the Project
The LMR program forms part of Firebird’s broader vertically integrated processing pathway, extending from manganese concentrate through HPMSM into advanced cathode materials. The Company’s proprietary synthesis know-how, energy-efficient process design, and high-efficiency kiln platform underpin its ability to deliver manganese-rich cathodes with improved energy density and lower critical metal dependency.
Momentum for LMR cathodes is building globally, driven by OEM demand for safer, lower-cost, and higher-performance battery chemistries across EV and ESS markets, with emerging applications also including eVTOL aircraft and humanoid robotics.
Near-term Milestones to Watch
Commencement of LMR CAM production at the China pilot plant in February 2026
Progression toward customer sampling and qualification programs in H2 2026
Deployment of LMR CAM equipment and process flow at the Australian Demonstration Plant
Ongoing engagement with global OEM and battery manufacturing partners
Samso Concluding Comments
Firebird’s ore-to-cathode strategy is in the battery materials sector, which is searching for scalable, secure, and lower-risk supply chains. The commissioning of LMR CAM equipment signals that the Company is moving beyond concept and into demonstrable capability.
The strategic relevance of manganese continues to grow as OEMs reduce exposure to nickel and cobalt volatility. Firebird’s integrated pathway positions it to benefit from this structural shift rather than relying on a single chemistry outcome.
The Australian Demonstration Plant is emerging as a pivotal asset, offering a unique platform to showcase multiple cathode chemistries within one integrated facility. This capability may prove important in customer engagement and future commercial negotiations.
For investors, Firebird represents a blend of bulk commodity optionality and advanced battery materials exposure. As always, execution, timelines, and customer validation will remain key variables to watch closely.
Market Implications
The Samso coverage has come just after the recent rise in the FRB share price in late December 2025, and it seems that there is a great amount of interest in the narrative.
Figure 4: Firebird’s share price chart as of 16th January 2026 (source: CommSec)
With a market cap of AUD $53.22M, this makes an interesting proposition for investors looking for something that is potentially vertically integrated. A company that may have the ability to have the whole spectrum of the business looks cheap at the AUD $50M market capitalisation, which would be a great time to do the good old DYOR.
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