Hi Nexus I doubt the strategy regarding SVD will be any different than it was before , that is try and find a partner to develop it , or develop it alone ....at the moment brine isn't the flavour of the month and the sentiment in the industry is at a low.
With regards to finding a partner to develop SVD it is basically around finding one that recognises the value GXY believes SVD has, so we are relying totally on third parties acting and they will not be in a rush if GXY is holding out for the best deal in a sector where the sentiment is crap...it would have happened months ago if potential partners were prepared to meet our terms..the option is to sign a poor deal just so you could say to shareholders we have done something...I doubt very much the new MD would be any different, what he does come with is better qualifications to operate a large venture when these deals do happen.
Going alone is a very high risk move and I doubt it is being seriously considered at the moment, but they are proceeding with the pilot plant and the eventual results of any experiment work there could have large implications going forward.
The Lithium sector is going through growing pains at the moment and advances in technology can make current methods obsolete very quickly ...
The upshot IMO is don't expect much to change in the short term , they will continue improving the existing hard rock plant, proceed with Canada as fast as permits allow and probably get further into bed with their recent investments and continue talks around SDV.
Whatever they do now can have huge implications further down the track and there are times when sitting on a cash pile and watching can be a very good move indeed...one thing is certain , they have no control over the markets so the current shareprice won't alter their thinking, it's the long term future of the Company they plan around and IMO you will always be at odds with them if you think differently...
GXY have a huge advantage sitting on a pile of cash at the moment IMO..
Cheers Whisky.