Ann: Albemarle indicative proposal - due diligence to commence, page-217

I am not sure whether you are asking a genuine question here btw or seeking to sling some mud over here.

General
In summary, it is not that difficult to do - it is a process flowsheet question. However your question has made me think - my overall view is that I would prefer a full takeover of LTR than having a situation where LTR remains listed but having Gina and Albermale (and say MIN) are significant shareholders of LTR. Why - the downstream processing strategy of LTR will change is my point, as probably will the BOD will change (i.e. look at DLI yesterday).

I am thinking that:
1. under a full takeover by Albermale, then the (former) LTR will simply produce 6% grade spodumene for feedstock into Albermale's Kemerton facilities. Today's ANN is relevant to producing 6% grade spodumene by the way, so LTR is still on that road to production.
2. under a full takeover offer by Gina or MIN then they either negotiate with Albermale for Kemerton (JV) as Albermale needs feedstock, or decide their own strategy. Noting Gina has no experience in spodumene production let alone downstream chemicals.
3. if Gina/Albermale/Min end up having a significant stake in LTR but LTR remains listed then I suspect a deal will be cut with Albermale, and LTR will simply be producing 6% grade spodumene.

Sulphate
As to your question - please have a read of this post, it is there Post #:69630067

In summary, you won't be putting sulphate in the front half of a lithium hydroxide process - sulphate is inputted after the sulphation stage if the end buyer buys sulphate. It would be a relatively straight forward addition in a process flowsheet for a hydroxide producer to buy sulphate and enter it in the process flowsheet - the key though is ensuring the sulphate is of the same quality as any sulphate produced by that hydroxide facility (from lithium sulphate solution stage). Note - Sumitomo was essentially looking at buying LTR's sulphate for its own hydroxide processfrom recollection.

If you think of brines, they produce carbonate first - that carbonate is sold to China largely btw, and the carbonate that is very good and is converted to hydroxide (i.e. inputted into a hydroxide process at an appropriate stage).

Back to hard rock. It can be done is my point. The more difficult part in a process flowsheet is the calcination stage (where that stage is about 6% grade spodumene) - but sulphate is produced after that stage. I was expecting LTR to enter into a form of JV with a hydroxide producer if it was intending to sell sulphate. Again the embedded post explains why you might want to produce sulphate - apart from the fact you have to be a lot more careful if selling hydroxide than sulphate.


My thoughts, but at this stage wondering what teh overall strategy is by Gina. Don't believe they care too much about mum and dad investors in LTR.

All IMO