On reflection, a cheap Phase 1 plant will serve as...

On reflection, a cheap Phase 1 plant will serve as aproof-of-concept pilot plant will be the foundation for a final study and support of any larger capex for larger plant (will they choose to incrementally grow production or go straight from phase 1 to a ~3Mtpa plant?).

This is indeed the plan which makes sense and they can do as they are already permitted/mining licence which differentiates LIN from other players. Their operation is much simpler than the average REE operation so hopefully this means they can deliver to plan and keep costs relatively low.

All environmental and mining permits are sorted. They are well engaged with the community and local government. They are approved for a medium scale mining operation. They will need more approvals once they expand to large scale mining and the government will then be entitled to acquire an interest in the operation (i can't remember 10-15% rings a bell).