Announcement PDF Cautionary Statement The Updated Scoping Study the subject of this announcement has been undertaken for the purpose of initial evaluation of a potential development of the Oakover Manganese Project. The Scoping Study is a preliminary technical and economic study of the potential viability of the Oakover Manganese Project as a manganese producer. The Scoping Study outcomes, production target and forecast financial information referred to in this release are based on low accuracy level technical and economic assessments that are insufficient to support estimation of Ore resources. The Scoping Study has been completed to a level of accuracy of +/- 35% in line with a scoping level study accuracy. While each of the JORC modifying factors was considered and applied, there is no certainty of eventual conversion to Ore Reserves or that the production target itself will be realised. Further exploration and evaluation work and appropriate studies are required before the Company will be in a position to estimate any Ore Reserves or to provide any assurance of an economic development case. Accordingly, given the uncertainties involved, investors should not make any investment decisions based solely on the results of the Scoping Study. Given that the results of the Scoping Study are subject to the qualifications above (including assumptions as to accuracy), any results reported in this release should be considered as approximates and subject to variances having regard for the assumptions referred to in this release. The Company has reasonable grounds for disclosing a Production Target, given that approximately 99% of the Life-of-Mine (LOM) Production Target is in the Indicated Mineral Resource category, and 1% is in the Inferred Mineral Resource category. The production target stated in this announcement is based on Firebird’s current expectations of future results or events and should not be relied upon by investors when making investment decisions. Further evaluation work and studies are required to establish sufficient confidence that the production target will be met. Firebird confirms that the financial viability of the Oakover Manganese Project is not dependent on the inclusion of Inferred Resources in the Scoping Study. The Company considers all the material assumptions in this Study (which are set out in pages 6-33 of this announcement) to be based on reasonable grounds. These include assumptions about the availability of funding. While Firebird considers all of the material assumptions to be based on reasonable grounds, there is no certainty that they will prove to be correct or that the range of outcomes indicated by the Scoping Study will be achieved. To achieve the range of potential outcomes indicated in the Scoping Study, funding of in the order of $123 million (excluding working capital and finance costs) will likely be required. Investors should note that there is no certainty that Firebird will be able to raise that amount of funding when needed. However, the Company has concluded it has a reasonable basis for providing the forward-looking statements included in this announcement and believes that it has a "reasonable basis" to expect it will be able to fund the development of the Project. It is also possible that such funding may only be available on terms that may be dilutive to or otherwise affect the value of Firebird’s existing shares. It is also possible that Firebird could pursue other ‘value realisation’ strategies such as a sale, partial sale or joint venture of the project. If it does, this could materially reduce Firebird’s proportionate ownership of the project. Given the uncertainties involved, investors should not make any investment decisions based solely on the results of the Scoping Study. The Mineral Resources underpinning the production target in the Scoping Study have been prepared by a competent person in accordance with the requirements of the JORC Code (2012). The Competent Person’s Statement is found on page 5 of this announcement. For full details of the Mineral Resources estimate, please refer to Firebird’s ASX release dated 10th March 2022 and 23 March 2023. Firebird has confirmed that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information included in that release. All material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the estimates in that ASX release continue to apply and have not materially changed. Suite 20, 513 Hay Street Subiaco WA 6008 ABN: 24 610 035 535 +61 8 6245 9818 admin@firebirdmetals.com.au ASX:FRB 1 www.firebirdmetals.com.au ASX ANNOUNCEMENT 30 August 2023 UPDATED DMS CONCENTRATE SCOPING STUDY DELIVERS OUTSTANDING RESULTS, CONFIRMS OAKOVER AS A STANDOUT MANGANESE OPERATION HIGHLIGHTS • Updated Dense Media Separation (DMS) Manganese Concentrate Scoping Study (‘SS’ or ‘Study’) results confirm flagship Oakover Project as long-life, tier-one manganese operation. Key results include: o 18-year Life of Mine o Approximate A$741.3 M NPV at a discount rate of 8% o Impressive IRR of 73.1%, with pay back in 16 months o ~4Mt annual processing, ~1.2 Mt of 30-32 % Manganese (Mn) concentrate annually o Capex estimated of A$123 million o Low mine strip ratio of 0.45:1 o Indicated material accounts for 99.2% of the material processed • Results place Firebird in a strong position to execute its vision of becoming a global leader in the manganese industry, combining mining and downstream processing with a dedication to the advancement of EV battery sector • Updated Study follows an 80% uplift in Indicated Resource at Oakover to 105.8Mt o 58.8 Mt @ 10.4% Mn Indicated Resource at Sixty Sixer deposit 1 o 33.9 Mt @ 9.7% Mn Indicated Resource at Karen deposit2 o 13.1 Mt @ 9.7% Mn Indicated Resource at Jay Eye deposit2 • Study assessed two scenarios, both utilising DMS beneficiation: o Scenario one: Full production from start-up ▪ ~4Mt annual processing, ~1.2Mt of 30-32% Mn concentrate annually o Scenario two: 2-Stage development, with a low-cost capital start-up ▪ ~1.5Mt annual processing for first 3 years, ramping up to 4Mt for following 17 years ▪ Processing plant to produce ~500kt for the first 3 years then ramping up to ~1.2Mt of 30-32% Mn concentrate annually • FRB Board to pursue scenario one, due to highly attractive economics and commencement of full-scale production at Oakover from year one • Strong ESG credentials, with proposed renewable energy package delivering significantly lower processing costs and a long-term sustainable footprint • Battery Grade MnSO4 Oakover Scoping Study well advanced, with results expected H2 2023 1 For full details refer ASX announcement dated 10/3/2022 2 For Full details refer ASX announcement dated 23/3/2023 Suite 20, 513 Hay Street Subiaco WA 6008 ABN: 24 610 035 535 +61 8 6245 9818 admin@firebirdmetals.com.au ASX:FRB 2 www.firebirdmetals.com.au Firebird Metals Limited (ASX: FRB, “Firebird” or “the Company”) is pleased to announce successful completion of the Updated Scoping Study (“SS” or “Study”) to produce manganese concentrate at its flagship Oakover Project, located 85km East of Newman, Western Australia. Completion of the Study followed an 80% increase in the Oakover Indicated Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE), which stands at 105.8 Mt @ 10.1% Mn. Combined with an Inferred MRE of 70.9Mt, the total Oakover Resource is 176.7Mt @ 9.9% Mn (all using a 7% Mn cut-off).1 2 The Board assessed two production scenarios in the Study, both utilising DMS beneficiation, to determine the most efficient and profitable path forward at Oakover. Scenario one assessed the requirements, economics and production profile of full-stage production from year-one, where ~4Mt would be processed and ~1.2Mt kt of 30-32% Mn concentrate would be produced annually. Scenario two evaluated a two-stage ramp-up to full production, with stage one being an initial lower capex option, comprised of ~1.5Mt annual processing for first 3 years and following this, stage two would commence where ~4Mt would be processed annually for the following 17 years. In the first three years, Oakover would produce ~500kt of 30% Mn concentrate annually and then ramp up to ~1.2 Mt kt of 30- 32% Mn concentrate annually. Following assessment of both scenarios, the Firebird Board made the decision to progress with scenario one, which will see full-scale production commence from year-one. The results generated from scenario one confirmed Oakover as a long-life operation with strong project economics, highlighted by an 18-year Life of Mine, approximate $741.3 M NPV and impressive IRR of 73.1%. Importantly, results from the Study have set a strong platform for the Company to successfully deliver on its vision to become a global leader in the manganese industry, combining mining and downstream processing with a dedication to the advancement of Li-ion battery sector. Firebird Managing Director Mr Peter Allen commented: “We are very pleased with the results from our updated manganese concentrate scoping study, as it has reinforced the world-class nature of our Oakover Project, which contains all the necessary elements to become a significant manganese operation. “Following major growth in the Oakover Indicated resource, which was lifted by 80% to 105.8 Mt in March this year, the Board believed it was prudent to recomplete the concentrate Scoping Study. The decision has been vindicated as we have nearly doubled the life-of-mine at Oakover from 10-years to 18-years, NPV has grown from $329 M to $741.3 M NPV and the IRR has increased from 47% to 73.1%. These are excellent numbers and a great result for the Company and our stakeholders. “Importantly, we have set a strong platform to deliver on our vision to become a global leader in the manganese industry, combining mining and downstream processing with a dedication to the advancement of EV battery sector. We are developing and pushing ahead with Oakover at the right time, as the use of manganese in EV batteries is growing rapidly. Batteries such as NCM, LMO and LMFP continue to be used more and more by car manufacturers and Tesla has stated plans for two thirds of their batteries to be manganese based. “LMFP batteries are forecasted for the biggest growth rise of all the manganese-based batteries, due to the fact it meets the key criteria of car manufacturers - cheap, safe and delivers good range. 2023 is seen by many industry participants as the beginning of the new era of Li-ion batteries by commercialising LMFP and we look forward to benefiting greatly from this demand.” Suite 20, 513 Hay Street Subiaco WA 6008 ABN: 24 610 035 535 +61 8 6245 9818 admin@firebirdmetals.com.au ASX:FRB 3 www.firebirdmetals.com.au Forward-looking Statements This announcement contains forward-looking statements which are identified by words such as ‘may’, ‘could’, ‘believes’, ‘estimates’, ‘targets’, ‘expects’, or ‘intends’ and other similar words that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements are based on an assessment of present economic and operating conditions, and on a number of assumptions regarding future events and actions that, as at the date of this announcement, are considered reasonable. Such forwardlooking statements are not a guarantee of future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, the Directors and the management. The Directors cannot and do not give any assurance that the results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this announcement will actually occur and investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The Directors have no intention to update or revise forward looking statements, or to publish prospective financial information in the future, regardless of whether new information, future events or any other factors affect the information contained in this announcement, except where required by law or the ASX listing rules. Firebird has concluded that it has a reasonable basis for providing these forward-looking statements and the forecast financial information included in this release. To achieve the range of Oakover Manganese Project outcomes indicated in the 2023 Scoping Study, funding of in the order of an estimated $123 million will likely be required by the Company. Based on the current market conditions and the results of studies to date there are reasonable grounds to believe the Project can be financed via a combination of debt and equity, as has been done for numerous comparable projects in Western Australia in recent years. Debt may be secured from several sources including Australian banks, international banks, the high yield bond market, resource credit funds, and in conjunction with product sales of offtake agreements. It is also possible the Company may pursue alternative funding options, including undertaking a corporate transaction, seeking a joint venture partner or partial asset sale. There is, however, no certainty that Firebird will be able to source funding as and when required. Whilst no formal funding discussions have commenced the Company has engaged with a number of potential financiers on the Oakover Manganese project and these potential financiers have expressed an interest in being involved in the funding of the project. No commercial terms have been agreed between the parties, the discussions are incomplete, and there can be no certainty that any agreement or agreements can be reached or that any transaction will eventuate from these discussions. Accordingly, no investment decision should be made on the basis of this information. As the discussions mentioned above are at an early stage and are incomplete, any announcement of the details of these discussions would be premature and speculative. This ASX release has been prepared in compliance with the current JORC Code (2012) and the ASX Listing Rules. All material assumptions, including sufficient progression of all JORC modifying factors, on which the production target and forecast financial information are based have been included in this ASX release. Suite 20, 513 Hay Street Subiaco WA 6008 ABN: 24 610 035 535 +61 8 6245 9818 admin@firebirdmetals.com.au ASX:FRB 4 www.firebirdmetals.com.au This announce has been approved for release by the Board. For further information contact: Mr Peter Allen Managing Director +61 8 6245 9818 admin@firebirdmetals.com.au Michael Weir / Cameron Gilenko Citadel-MAGNUS 0402 347 032 / 0466 984 953 Competent Persons Statements / JORC Compliance Statement This announcement contains references to Exploration Results and Mineral Resource Estimates, which have been extracted from previous ASX announcements as referenced. For full details of Exploration Results and Mineral Resource Estimates in this release that have been previously announced, refer to those announcements. For details of the Company’s previous scoping study for the Oakover project, which the updated study replaces, refer to the Company’s announcement dated 20 July 2022. The Company confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information included in the said announcements, and in the case of estimates of Mineral Resources, that all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the estimates in the relevant market announcements continue to apply and have not materially changed. Suite 20, 513 Hay Street Subiaco WA 6008 ABN: 24 610 035 535 +61 8 6245 9818 admin@firebirdmetals.com.au ASX:FRB 5 www.firebirdmetals.com.au Scoping Study Introduction The Scoping Study contemplates mining, processing and exporting manganese concentrate from the Oakover Project (‘Oakover’ or ‘the Project’), which is located 85 km east of Newman in the Eastern Pilbara region of Western Australia. Access to the Project is via Great Northern Highway, Marble Road and Jigalong Road. Oakover comprises of three granted exploration licenses, with the central license E52/3577 holding the Sixty Sixer, Jay Eye & Karen prospects, which host an MRE of 176.7 Mt @ 9.9% Mn, with 105.8 Mt @ 10.1 % Mn in the Indicated Mineral Resource category and 70.9 Mt at 9.6 % Mn in the Inferred Mineral Resource category. The MRE is based on the results from a total of 482 drill holes (22,918 m) comprising 473 (22,630.2 m) reverse circulation percussion (RCP) and 9 (287.6 m) diamond drilling (DD) holes completed between 2010 and 2022. Drilling, logging and sampling defined revealed the geology of the Oakover project to predominantly comprise shales of the Balfour Formation. These shales are variously enriched in manganese, with a higher grade, semi-massive manganiferous domain that is semi-continuous along and across strike at both Sixty-Sixer/JayEye and Karen. This domain is sub-horizontal, approximately 10 - 15m thick and contains grades that range from 10-14% Mn. Immediately beneath the semi-massive horizon is a lower grade manganiferous shale unit with grade averaging 5-10% Mn. A thin, discontinuous supergene duricrust domain also occurs over Karen and Sixty-Sixer (though is absent at Jay-Eye) averaging ~5m thick with grades ranging up to 28% Mn. There remains a significant number of exploration targets on the Oakover tenement that require further work and could potentially extend the mine life of the Project (Figure 1: Oakover Historical Drilling and Rock Chips / Stage 2 Exploration targets). The recommended mining method is conventional open cut mining using truck and shovel, to focus on the semi-massive manganese and supergene duricrust domain, without sterilising the potentially economic Manganiferous Shale domain. This is a very common method which allows better targeting of the highest-grade ore and specific rock types, depending on the processing plant throughput requirements and customer contract specifications. The Study considered two scenarios, the first scenario of processing 4Mt per annum and second scenario of staging CAPEX and processing 1.5Mt tonne per annum for three years then ramping up to 4Mt per annum manganese concentrate, processing includes crushing, scrubbing and DMS. Firebird is targeting a renewable energy power generation for its processing plant, incorporating solar, wind and battery energy storage system. A diesel/solar hybrid power plant will be used for the first phase of production. The Logistics Study explored the requirements to transport approximately 0.5Mt to 1.2Mt per annum of bulk manganese concentrate from the Oakover mine site to Port Hedland export facilities. The Study included identification of the haul route from the mine to the Port of Port Hedland, including the establishment of road ownership (Main Roads WA or Local Government Authority) and confirmation of route approved vehicle and axle mass ratings. Road ownership was considered to seek, in principle, acceptance of the Accredited Mass Management Scheme level three operations. Suite 20, 513 Hay Street Subiaco WA 6008 ABN: 24 610 035 535 +61 8 6245 9818 admin@firebirdmetals.com.au ASX:FRB 6 www.firebirdmetals.com.au Furthermore, this included the review of proposed haulage configuration options with the highest maximum net payload with consideration to Performance Based Standards vehicle assessment framework. Figure 1: Oakover Historical Drilling and Rock Chips Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) ESG methodologies and future objectives form a significant reflection in how Firebird plan and conduct business, including corporate governance systems, people management systems, support for local communities and management of our operations. Firebird identifies the importance of ESG affairs while advancing the Oakover Project and this Study has been approached with key ESG metrics in mind. Key consideration will be the integration of clean energy technologies where possible. A strategy plan for energy consumption / energy management has been developed by engaging suitably qualified expert consultants. Our energy management plan will ensure the local population and environment are of core consideration. Where integration of clean energy technologies and processes can improve the local quality of life, Firebird will endeavour to incorporate them. The Oakover projects sits approximately 10 kilometres from the Jigalong community. Significant and ongoing consideration and engagement will be made with the community as Firebird develops Oakover in line with our key ESG principals. Our aim is to work with the communities to develop training and apprenticeship programs for the locally based people and Firebird will endeavour to employ local personnel from nearby communities wherever possible. Suite 20, 513 Hay Street Subiaco WA 6008 ABN: 24 610 035 535 +61 8 6245 9818 admin@firebirdmetals.com.au ASX:FRB 7 www.firebirdmetals.com.au As Firebird grows, systems and processes will be implemented to support and develop the Company’s workforce through employee assistance programs, traineeships, apprenticeships, graduate recruitment and training. We will continue to review capabilities and prioritise courses that align with our corporate performance indicators. Figure 2: Jigalong School children with donated sporting goods Geology Oakover is situated in the Collier Basin near the edge of the Pilbara Craton. A major portion of the tenement is covered by Quaternary cover with some calcrete along drainages. Several outcrops of the Middle Proterozoic Bangemall Group (Manganese subgroup), including various sediments of the Balfour Formation, Jigalong Formation and the Stag Arrow Formation are found on E52/3577 (Rohde, 2010). The manganese mineralisation occurs as multiple seams or bands of varying thickness within a highly weathered shale (Balfour Formation). The mineralisation was generally found to be shallow (mostly within 20 m of the surface), gently dipping and laterally extensive across the target area. The lateritic profile and subsequent manganese mineralisation show the zonation within the regolith and distribution of manganese mineralisation. The higher-grade (or nearer-surface supergene/lateritic) manganese material is generally located within the upper portion of the regolith profile at shallow depths (0–15 m). Suite 20, 513 Hay Street Subiaco WA 6008 ABN: 24 610 035 535 +61 8 6245 9818 admin@firebirdmetals.com.au ASX:FRB 8 www.firebirdmetals.com.au Figure 3: Oakover Project Mineral Resource Suite 20, 513 Hay Street Subiaco WA 6008 ABN: 24 610 035 535 +61 8 6245 9818 admin@firebirdmetals.com.au ASX:FRB 9 www.firebirdmetals.com.au Area Mineral Resource classification Tonnes (Mt) Mn (%) Fe (%) SiO2 (%) Al2O3 (%) P (%) Sixty Sixer Indicated 58.8 10.4 9.2 40.2 10.1 0.1 Sixty Sixer Inferred 43.7 9.4 8.5 38.3 9.7 0.11 Sixty Sixer Sub-Total 102.5 10 8.9 39.4 9.9 0.11 Jay Eye Indicated 13.1 9.7 7.6 34.2 8.3 0.1 Jay Eye Inferred 22.1 10.1 6.9 31.5 8.8 0.06 Jay Eye Sub-Total 35.2 10 7.1 32.5 8.6 0.07 Karen Indicated 33.9 9.7 8.9 39.4 9.9 0.1 Karen Inferred 5.1 8.2 9.1 42.3 10.5 0.11 Karen Sub-Total 39 9.5 9 39.8 10 0.1 Oakover Indicated 105.8 10.1 8.9 39.2 9.8 0.1 Oakover Inferred 70.9 9.6 8 36.5 9.5 0.09 Oakover Grand Total 176.7 9.9 8.6 38.1 9.7 0.1 Table 1: Oakover Mineral Resource Estimate – March 2023 Notes: • Mineral Resources reported at a cut-off grade of 7% Mn. • Due to the effects of rounding, the total may not represent the sum of all components. • There is a low level of geological confidence associated with Inferred Mineral Resources and there is no certainty that further exploration work will result in the determination of indicated mineral resources or that the production target will be realised. The MRE is based on the results from a total of 482 drill holes (22, 918 m) comprising 473 (22,630.2 m) reverse circulation percussion (RCP) and 9 (287.6 m) diamond drilling (DD) holes completed between 2010 and 2022.GDA94 Zone 51S coordinate system was used for the Project. Drilling, logging and sampling has defined a number of geological/mineralisation domains at the project. Basal lithologies at the project are manganiferous shale of the Balfour Formation, with total grades ranging from 5-10% Mn. Mineralisation is hosted with lenticular layers of ferruginous/manganiferours shale, within host silty / cherty shale. The higher grade semi-massive manganese domain is a sub-horizontal shale horizon that has been preferentially enriched with manganese oxides and is ~15 m thick. This domain sits beneath a thin veneer of waste shale (silty/cherty shale) that is generally unmineralized and ranges from 010 m thick. Grades of the semi-massive domain vary from 10-15% Mn. A surficial duricrust of supergene enriched lateritic manganese occurs discontinuously over the top of Sixty-Sixer and Karen deposits but is notably absent at Jay-Eye. This final mineralised domain is up to 15 m thick (though averages 2-5 m) and has grades that very widely up to 28% Mn. The Mineral Resource of the Oakover Project has been classified using the JORC Code guidelines. The Mineral Resource was classified as a combination of Indicated and Inferred based upon the Suite 20, 513 Hay Street Subiaco WA 6008 ABN: 24 610 035 535 +61 8 6245 9818 admin@firebirdmetals.com.au ASX:FRB 10 www.firebirdmetals.com.au geological understanding of the deposit, geological and mineralisation continuity, drillhole spacing, search and interpolation parameters and analysis of available density information. Material that has been classified as Indicated has a drill spacing between 50 m x 50 m and 100 m by 50 m in X and Y directions. The variograms for areas with a drill spacing of 50 m x 50 m demonstrate good grade continuity along and across strike. The area also contains sufficient density data to be estimated by ordinary Kriging. Preliminary metallurgical test work has been encouraging, but not conclusive and further test work is in progress. Areas with a drill spacing of 100 m by 50 m demonstrates good geological continuity, however grade continuity is not well demonstrated. Infill drilling will help improve the grade continuity in these areas. Material that has been classified as Inferred has a drill spacing wider than 100 m by 50 m in X and Y directions. Geological continuity and grade continuity are considered implied based on the sampling pattern and assigned density were largely used in these areas. Mining The recommended mining method is conventional open cut mining using truck and shovel, to focus on the two current economical rock domains, without sterilising the potentially economic manganiferous shale rock domain. This very common method allows better targeting of the highest-grade and specific rock types, depending on processing plant throughput requirements and customer contract specifications. The Scoping Study has demonstrated the Project is economically viable, with 22.3Mt of 30 to 32% Manganese product generated over an 18 to 20-year life of mine. The optimised shell captured 100% of the modelled Supergene material above an 8% Mn cut off and 91% of the Massive Manganese material. This is due to the shallow ore body, thin overburden on top of the ore and persistent grade throughout the mineralised zone. The generated phases have the Indicated Resource of Sixty Sixer pit mined first, followed by Karen and lastly Jay-Eye. A mining rate for scenario one of between approximately 4.6 to 9.5Mt per annum will provide the required feed of the proposed processing plant fixed capacity of 4Mt per annum, with a stockpile of no greater than 426,000 tonnes of Indicated materials when looking at 6-monthly periods. A mining rate for scenario two of between approximately 3.7 to 8.4Mt per annum will provide the required feed of the proposed processing plant capacity of 2Mt per annum for the first three years and a ramp-up of 4Mt per annum the fourth year, with a stockpile of no greater than 418,000 tonnes of Indicated materials when looking at monthly periods. Indicated material accounts for 99.2% of the material processed, approximately 70.95Mt, with Inferred making up the remaining 0.8%. Suite 20, 513 Hay Street Subiaco WA 6008 ABN: 24 610 035 535 +61 8 6245 9818 admin@firebirdmetals.com.au ASX:FRB 11 www.firebirdmetals.com.au Figure 4: Sixty Sixer Indicated and Inferred Figure 5: Jay Eye Indicated and Inferred Figure 6: Karen Indicated and Inferred Suite 20, 513 Hay Street Subiaco WA 6008 ABN: 24 610 035 535 +61 8 6245 9818 admin@firebirdmetals.com.au ASX:FRB 12 www.firebirdmetals.com.au Test Work The Study has been based on metallurgical test work conducted on composite batches derived from diamond (PQ) core taken from Sixty Sixer, Jaye Eye and Karen3. Figure 7: Manganese ore concentrate Metallurgical testing included ore sorting trials on two composite samples sourced from diamond core. Scrubbing and screening was employed to generate feedstock (-32+8mm) for ore sorting test work, which delivered excellent product grades up to 31% Mn. Preliminary heavy liquid beneficiation test work was completed on -8+1mm material, which also delivered excellent product grades up to 32.8% Mn. Composites generated from the diamond core available represent a mix of manganiferous shale, massive manganese and internal gangue dilution from the Sixty Sixer and Karen deposits; typically the deeper manganiferous shales are of a lower grade than massive ore zones which are near surface. The core composites were crushed to a top size of 32 mm, to ensure adequate feed presentation to the ore sorters. Future work proposes a much coarser crush top size circa 50-70 mm. Crushed products were then, scrubbed and screened at 8 mm and 1 mm. Beneficiation test work employed ore sorting for coarse material (-32+8 mm) and heavy liquid separation for the finer materia