Montreal-based Manganese X Energy has completed its third metallurgical test for simplifying manganese.

Using a process designed by Canadian company Kemetco Research, Manganese X will now be able to complete its preliminary economic assessment for the Battery Hill manganese project in New Brunswick.

Testwork undertaken by Kemetco eliminated one of two major purification steps for high-purity manganese sulphate monohydrate (HPMSM) crystallisation.

Kemetco was also able to produce final crystal products of calcium and magnesium with contaminants amounting to below 100 ppm.

The new process resulted in overall manganese recoveries up to 80%, with a significant reduction in sulphuric acid consumption.

Kemetco ensured that the final product did not contain selenium, a toxic pollutant common in some HPMSM products. Eliminating selenium will improve the overall quality of downstream products which use HPMSM, such as lithium-ion batteries, Manganese X said.

Manganese X may launch a pilot project following the completion of a PEA, Manganese X chief executive Martin Kepman said.

"The key will be to ensure cost-effective production that will allow scalability," he said.

Kepman believes manganese will be a highly sought-after commodity once battery manufacturers shift away from the use of cobalt.

Manganese currently is not produced in North America, the company said. Approximately 90% is produced in China. Global production of HPMSM is around 170,000 tonnes, with a deficit likely to occur once electric vehicle manufacturing ramps up, the company said.

Tesla's new 4680 battery increasing the required manganese content in the cathode from 10% to 33%, while the new BASF EV battery cathode is 70% manganese.