Marula Mining (LSE:MARU) will pilot a lithium‑ion battery recycling and critical‑metals processing facility in Kenya through a dedicated special purpose vehicle, Urban Mining, in collaboration with WEEE Centre.
Marula Mining, an African‑focused battery metals investment and exploration company, has finalised Phase 1 of a 12‑month implementation framework that targets pre‑processing, feedstock validation and production of initial black mass.
A collaboration agreement signed in H2 2025 pairs Marula's battery‑metals and project development expertise with WEEE Centre's licensed e‑waste infrastructure and operating footprint across 18 African countries.
Marula has committed EUR 500,000 payable in staged tranches linked to technical and operational milestones, and said definitive funding agreements are under final legal review with initial funding planned for deployment in May, the company said.
Phase 1 operations are scheduled to begin in the second quarter, delivering pilot black mass and operational data to inform scale‑up and potential downstream processing and regional expansion.
Separately, a five‑year research and academic agreement with Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology began in April to develop a flowsheet to convert Kenyan manganese into battery‑grade high purity manganese sulphate monohydrate to support pre‑feasibility work.
Both initiatives are intended to shift Marula beyond primary extraction toward in‑country beneficiation, skills development and stronger participation in the battery materials supply chain.
