Ann: Investor Stream Update 1 23 April 2020, page-32

Nccc, with successful results, one must not underestimate the, IMO, major, objective, and that's from an active participant and, with the current SP, giving serious consideration of any dilution consequences. Therefore, someone prepared to undertake the majority of expenditure and be the operator, for, preferably, actual equity in the asset, yes, a straight out sale of a percentage of Kachi.
This sort of deal, albeit from brine and not solids:-
https://*********.com.au/european-metals-shareholders-approve-investment-czech-battery-grade-lithium-project

And, as you have said, this deal would probably be in combination with a guaranteed long term offtake agreement and Kachi is off and running and allow LKE to move up to Cauchari!!
Yes, that implies that LKE will not be the hands on operator!!!