Vancouver-based Euro Manganese (EMN) has allocated 55pc of the first year's production at its Czech Republic demonstration plant to testing and supply chain qualifications for five potential customers.
The Australia and Canada-listed company is developing the Chvaletice project that will produce high purity electrolytic manganese metal and high purity manganese sulphate monohydrate from reprocessing manganese ore tailings.
The project aims to become a supplier of high purity manganese products for the lithium-ion battery industry with secondary markets in specialty steel, chemicals and aluminium alloys, the company said in a project update.
EMN is in discussions to allocate the remainder of its initial demonstration plant capacity to potential customers for product testing and the eventual signing of an offtake agreement. The company was also recently admitted to the European Battery Alliance that aims to create a sustainable battery manufacturing chain in Europe.
Customers currently utilising the plant include a global chemicals and specialised material company that produces precursors for permanent magnets, two companies in the NMC811 — nickel, manganese, cobalt — battery cathode supply chain and a specialised steel producer.
EMN is continuing a feasibility study on the Chvaletice project that has Europe's largest historic manganese deposit. The study's findings to date support those of a preliminary economic assessment already completed.
