Where do you suppose the spodumene is going to be processed into...

Where do you suppose the spodumene is going to be processed into hydroxide by so called ex-China offtakers?

I struggle with the ex-China narrative on so many levels.

Chinese price manipulation theories etc. The West has slowly cut China out of the equation both upstream (prohibiting Chinese ownership) and downstream EVs (taxed) but has done very little in way of providing support for miners and refiners. China had its hand forced to secure supply elsewhere, be it domestic or Africa it is a product of protectionist policies. Let's not forget much of the current technical knowledge in producing hydroxide China has is thanks to Western hydroxide producers like Albemarle, Ganfeng used to toll for Albemarle before deciding they are better going at it alone once they fine tuned their processing lines. Why does the West not take a similar approach?

Why push this ex-China rhetoric which clearly causes so much angst and will ultimately be value destructive and slow the pace of EV adoption ex-China. As opposed to working with the Chinese, learning and doing exactly what China did with hydroxide. Once you've established a production hub and expertise, be it chemicals, cathodes, batteries...decouple and run your own race.

Otherwise you rely on inefficient use of tax payers' money to subside an industry which would otherwise not be there, slowing the pace of EV adoption and innovation more generally.

Unpopular opinion sure but one that requires an open mind to digest.

This isn't a dig at ltr but a more general observation having seen so many posts on ex-China supply. As far as ltr is concerned, great asset with a rolls royce of spodumene plants, hopefully it performs to everyone's expectations and weathers the cycle.

Aimo