Totally agree, yes Mali has its political / sovereign risks, as we all know well!
Rio's problems are not confined to Argentina, the massive Jadar project in Serbia has been halted, the government bowed to the pressures of the "activist group SEOS" declaring that it would stop the project. After months of protests the government stop issuing permits for the project, Rio is continuing lead up work but it is more confined to "internal" studies as it waits for a new government.
https://balkangreenenergynews.com/rio-tinto-to-complete-feasibility-study-for-jadar-lithium-project-in-serbia/BMM's Lithium project (Serbia), has also stalled (hasn't actually got off the ground last time I looked) but it was interesting the MD of BMM, (Ross Cotton) blatantly and publicly on social media played down the impact the environmental activists would have and went into a online (I'll loosely use the word), discussion with some of the activists! At one point it had John Langley Hancock as a top 20 holder, not sure if they have given up on the Serbian Lithium but they did pick up an acquisition in Canada.
ASX:ARE had their core business copper asset in Zambia basically ripped from the hands in the midst of fast tracking a PFS, alleged mining department corruption and the project mining licence was approved to new owners ~~ the company is still assisting the government and legal teams to recover the project but nearly 12 months on and although promised by the newly elected government to clean up their country's investment image -- nada!
ASX:AVZ -- most would be aware of the issues they are having, give them their dues though, they are still progressing/drilling whilst waiting an outcome.
The list goes on and on!!
The hidden sovereign risks in Australia are not so hidden now after Rio's destruction of the Aboriginal Sacred site / caves at the Juuken Gorge, with heritage surveys and elders approvals required for any ground breaking activities (including site roads/tracks),
ASX: EQN has been delayed by months and months, and cancelations of planned drilling, to meet and satisfying "requests" inclusive of providing suitable (isolated) quarters (ie: not a common communal workers camp) for any of the heritage survey party participants, some of the "new" surveys also include endangered species of fauna & flora across the tenement.
The other risks, specifically mining in Western Australia is being crippled with skill shortages, WA has less unemployed registered than job vacancies but overall Australia has the worlds 2nd worst labour shortage behind only Canada.
LLL's time will come . . . . . .
cheers
(20min delay)