Ann: Open pit mining operations commence at Kathleen Valley, page-168

in my opinion, We are largely, still burning things for energy (eg:-combustion engine)and Lithium is not a fuel. Lithium is a solution for a energy crisis that is getting worse by the day. Which is when we make energy wastage is huge compared to what we actually use. Demand for energy growing with demand for efficiency for handling energy grows. Because we are running out of things to burn in near future. Untill we find better solutions to create energy Lithium will be the hot ccomodity.
Luckily we have lithium lightest metal with density only half of water. Perfect and only metal at the moment to serve the purpose of storing excess energy that otherwise go to waste.
When the EV batteries actually worth lot less than changing a buggered transmission of a new ICE car and EVs basically only need a Battery and a motor for mobility, normalizing Lithium prises might means something very opposite to what one might have in their mind.