I just woke up so may refine my answer later in the day as the...

I just woke up so may refine my answer later in the day as the caffeine kicks in.
But isn' it that they (E25) can produce 99.99% grade HPM:
1. without using sulphuric acid (and other shite chemicals)
and
2. that they can do it at ambient temperatures (i.e not requiring +200 degree temperatures - meaning less energy input and lower costs)

???

So the end product is probably attractive to (US, JPN, Sth K, Euro) end users for these reasons ?
(and it's non China supply but that's another conversation)

For some reason the Mn ore at Butcher Bird is amenable to this 'innovative refining process' and leaches perfectly into a 99.99% product without chemicals and high temps.
The patent part must include a substitute to the acids etc.
@PirataCzornomaz I think has previously worked out what this could be.