Ann: Lithium Australia and Lepidico settle litigation, page-75

LiF is a quirk of solubility and isn't very soluble, hence the low lithium recoveries. They'll sort it out with some ion exchange or electromembrane or selective nanofiltration or reduction of fluorine or increase of sulphuric or something. CaF2 is insoluble and becomes a residue when the pH is adjusted for precipitation of impurities.

You're right that HF is a silly input. I strongly doubt that they would do that. They are either using natural fluorine in the ore or they are sweetening it with likely fluorite.