Firebird Metals Limited has cleared customs on the first container of equipment for its Australian Demonstration Plant in Osborne Park, Western Australia, with the shipment now en route to Fremantle Port and expected to arrive in early October.

Packing of the initial container was completed two weeks ahead of schedule at the company's China-based facility, following orders placed in June 2026. Subsequent containers will be dispatched over the coming months as equipment completes fabrication and testing.

In parallel, final site readiness activities at Osborne Park are nearing completion. Firebird expects assembly, installation, and commissioning of the plant to occur in the fourth quarter of calendar 2026.

This milestone follows the receipt of a $1.0 million cash payment from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency in July 2026 under the Battery Breakthrough Initiative grant program.

Once assembled, the facility will be the first fully integrated manganese battery materials processing circuit outside China, converting manganese concentrate into high-purity manganese sulphate and downstream battery materials.

“Seeing the first container of ADP equipment clear customs and set sail for Australia is a moment of real significance for Firebird and its shareholders. This shipment marks the transition from fabrication towards delivery and achieving it ahead of schedule is a credit to our engineering team and vendor partners.”

— Ron Mitchell, CEO

Site assembly and commissioning are scheduled to commence in the fourth quarter following the arrival of the equipment.

Read the full announcement: First Shipment Ahead of Schedule as ADP Advances