ASX Today, page-35583

I’ve always wanted Liontown to go to mining alone and unencumbered. The dream scenario for me is independent, proud and strong.

But the reality is that the winds of change are blustering up into a mighty cyclone leading inevitably it seems to a JV takeover bid.

We don’t know the how (and how much!), when or whom yet but there is a decent list of possible contenders.

Gina (Hancock Prospecting) is an absolute given now and the key player in any tag team combination. Who would she work with?

Given recent events SQM is the favourite in my book and in pole position. If they’re looking at Empire Building in the soon to be burgeoning Lithium sphere then LTR is the ultimate prize. SQM have the motivation too - they’re sick of being Number 2 on the game behind Albemarle.

ALB are a mystery in a conundrum. Why is Gina happy to partner with Ricardo Ramos at SQM but not it seems with our old friend Kent Masters (‘Apprentice’) at ALB? Kent running for the hills in the face of Gina’s intimidation was a craven, terrible look and a truly awful business decision. Why would Gina work with them now?

Wesfarmers are a perfect, natural fit as @anatol has pointed out many times over the years. But why o why have they never pulled the trigger? If not now then never I believe.

Ditto Rio Tinto. Both would make compelling ‘Keeping it in Oz’ storyline’s.

Some people also rate MinRes as a contender but not me. The Azure play indicates to me that Gina sees Chris Ellison as a lightweight in this company and not able to bring anything of true value to the table. Certainly their relatively meagre financial clout imho makes them a more likely acquisition than acquirer if the Lithium landscape truly becomes the domain of one or two Super Giants.

Just my musings.

Whatever occurs with LTR absolutely ready to Rock and Roll, a successful bid now will have to be very, very compelling.

There are of course many other more left field options out there and would love to hear people’s perspectives and views in this space.