ESG credentialing will only get you so far.
I agree the company has done a stellar job and as I said in my post, it has set the standard.
The reality, however, is LPI does not have the resources nor the backing (currently) to take a dominant position in the Marigunga.
The Marigunga salar is small relative to the Atacama, (and I can't talk to the potential of other areas) and whilst the potential of 15 to 20Mt is compelling, it'll ultimately be money that decides who the government's preferred partner is.
The engagement has already been done, the community have endorsed, and the blessings have been granted.
It could be easy to argue that LPI have very little to add for the government because they (LPI) do not have experience, billions in cash, or anything of real value outside of their fully permitted status (which is incredibly valuable - don't get me wrong).
LPI have demonstrated that world class community engagement can, and should, be done. If we can do it, surely others can also. It's not something we can patent.
The point I'm trying to make is if LPI can do it, others can do it also. Will it be as efficient for others do in the future? Dunno. Will it matter? Probably not. Do LPI have a repeatable framework? Maybe. Is it going to be the reason that decides if the government chooses LPI over someone with more cash and experience? Definitely not.
"At best" I believe LPI have a future in the Marigunga, and the value of stage 1 is somewhat known, and what's up for debate is the role moving forward.
The government wants to unlock other regions as close to "now" as possible. That'll take cash, experience and scale - 3 things we don't have.
Major lithium players (SQM, Albemarle etc) and governments (Japan, US etc) all want the now and the future of Lithium in Chile.
LPI can provide the "now" aspect, but not "the future" - in my humble opinion.
Given SQM have the most to lose of the 3 players in the Marigunga, I believe LPI need to force their hand.
Waiting another 36, 24, 12, 6 or even 2 months does nothing to strengthen our position, in fact, I believe the longer we wait, the weaker our hand becomes (time is if the essence).
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