Ann: Exclusive option to Acquire Renard Project, page-324

There's a few things going on in your question - of course they can, how likely I don't know (depending on who they are, they may elect to wait until after the deal is signed), the company is cashed up so is in a strong position vis pressure to issue new equity. It also sounds like the major holders of Stornoway are keen to have some of their sunk capital returned through owning part of a successful lithium business, so will probably take stock instead of cash in payment. This will strongly limit how much 'predatory' funding WR1 will need to seek in the medium term. As for partner-strategics, they'd need to have a very good offer to tie down WR1 at this stage and having some stock already is better than a business card to get a placement.