"Future lithium contracts would only be issued as public-private partnerships with state control, he said.
The government would not terminate current contracts, but hoped companies would be open to state participation before they expire, he said, without naming Albemarle and SQM, the world's No.1 and No.2 lithium producers respectively."
The key word here is "future".
Another key statement is the government saying they hope companies would be open to state participation. There has to be some give with the take to make this appealing.
The explicit statement that current agreements would be honoured is only a good thing. It provides certainty and ensures a degree of certainty for existing operators.
It also implies the government understands the value and contribution the private sector provides.
Control does not mean complete ownership of every aspect.
Money will be made, how greedy or generous the government chooses to be is yet to be known.
What is apparent is companies can choose to be involved in exploiting resources controlled beyond the scope of the existing agreements, or they can choose to operate elsewhere.
The management have been vocal in their support of in collaboration with the government, so this is not an unknown.
LPI Price at posting:
32.5¢ Sentiment: None Disclosure: Held
