Remember why operating permits are so important - LPI has that checked and many others. PLL has made me some mad money, but that is the risk in the resources game:

https://www.mining.com/north-carolina-county-where-piedmont-plans-lithium-project-temporarily-bans-mining/

North Carolina County where Piedmont plans lithium project temporarily bans mining

For LPI on the other hand - we are shovel ready on all aspects:
All operating permits, including water rights
Definitive Feasibility Study by world class provider
Environmental Impact Assessment
Direct Lithium Extraction for stage 2
Co2 Neutral via solar power
World class resource size and quality