Li-related News/Articles/Reports, page-6173

The facts speak volumes @Rotane. POSCO, Eramet, and now RIO have all surpassed AGY in securing environmental approvals. It's a pragmatic move for Salta Province to prioritise larger operations, particularly given the current economic circumstances. Eramet and POSCO, with their initial plants each boasting a capacity double that of AGY's (24 ktpa and 25 ktpa, respectively), naturally become more attractive for prioritisation. When I refer to "economic impact," I'm looking at it from three perspectives:

Provincial royalty from lithium revenue: Naturally, a larger operation translates to more substantial royalties for the Salta Government (and greater company tax for the federal government).

Priority for bigger players: Corporations like POSCO, Eramet, and RIO, being multi-billion dollar entities involved in various commodities, logically receive prioritisation. This is driven not only by their size but also by their potential for future large-scale investments, a prospect less likely with smaller players like AGY.

Financial capacity: Larger corporations have the financial muscle to facilitate smoother processes (i.e. bribes), and their ability to invest and potentially contribute to local development is more significant.

Lastly, it's crucial to note that AGY's cumulative 12 ktpa operation will be 90% foreign-owned by AGY holders. And it's important to avoid assumptions about the resource utilisation and financial impact of other companies, just to suit your bias as an AGY holder. Thorough research is key. In this context, Eramet and POSCO have each injected substantial capital into the Argentine economy, overshadowing AGY's contributions. I expect RIO to be much the same.