I read this morning that the big players are not offering higher...

I read this morning that the big players are not offering higher wages so much as bonuses - eg Gina at Roy Hill is apparently giving staff a bonus of 50% of annual wages… and a gold mine a few months back was paying staff who ‘signed on a friend’ a $10,000 reward.
… But yes I agree there is a labour squeeze and back in January Chris Ellison was openly squeezing other companies the hardest.

- apparently he offers great money and onsite perks including physio treatments and psychology sessions​

I guess he has been enjoying those IO margins too?

And that story notes increased workers at Wodgina:
.. “Under the deal, Mineral Resources ended up with a 40 per cent stake in the mine and in Kemerton stages 1 and 2.
There are reports of what appears to be more activity and workers on-site at Wodgina in recent weeks as resurgent near-neighbour Pilbara Minerals captures remarkable prices for spodumene.”

IMO Brad Thompson is an honest reporter with an ear to the ground.
Maybe Wodgina will ‘open’ sooner than expected ?

cheers