- Firebird Metals (FRB) gets high-grade results from previous diamond core samples taken from its Oakover Manganese Project in Western Australia
- Grades peaked at 29.3 per cent manganese at the Sixty Sixer prospect, 13.2 per cent at Jay Eye and 12.8 per cent at the Karen prospect
- These results support the company’s current development plans to position the project as a manganese sulphate producer for the battery and metal industries
- As part of this, Firebird is progressing an 11,500-metre drilling program and metallurgical test work
- Company shares are up 16.1 per cent to trade at 54 cents
Firebird Metals (FRB) has received results from diamond drill core from its flagship Oakover Manganese Project in Western Australia.
Positively all nine holes demonstrated significant, near-surface manganese intercepts across the Sixty Sixer, Jay Eye and Karen prospects.
Best results from the Sixty Sixer prospect include 29.3 metres at 10.1 per cent manganese from 16 metres and 30.9 metres at 11.8 per cent manganese from 2.8 metres.
Best results from the Jay Eye prospect include 20 metres at 13.2 per cent manganese from five metres and 28.8 metres at 10.7 per cent manganese from surface.
As for the Karen prospect, best results include 32.4 metres at 12.8 per cent manganese from surface and 19.3 metres at 10.83 per cent manganese from surface.
These results come from untested and historical drill core from drilling in 2011 and 2012 and support the company’s current development plans.
Managing Director Peter Allen said the discovery of the drill core was a “real bonus for us”.
“The results clearly support the previous exploration work carried out and demonstrate significant manganese intercepts that are typically higher than the inferred mineral resources estimate carried out previously.”
The remainder of the core will support further metallurgical test work while Firebird progresses reverse circulation drilling.
Firebird Metals began an 11,500-metre drilling program across the three prospects at the start of August. At the time of today’s announcement, FRB has drilled 2928 metres.
The metallurgical and drilling programs are key parts of its rapid development program which is supporting a long-term strategy of manganese sulphate production for the battery or electrolytic manganese metal industries.
Company shares were up 16.1 per cent to trade at 54 cents at 2:27 pm AEST.