East Coast Research: Analyst Report for Impact Minerals - HPA Lake Hope Project, page-52

They already pointed out that it is environmentally friendly (Lake Hope is hypersaline, low pH, very low environmental impact). Govt loves environmentally friendly projects = funding by government more likely

From scoping study:

Renewable Energy

Using renewable energy is the default position of modern integrated mining and processing operations, and Impact will seek to utilise as much renewable energy as possible. This is part of Impact’s commitment to ESG principles and to continue receiving social licences to operate. The provision of renewable energy via offtake with renewable energy providers is also eased by location within major urban areas. It eliminates the need to install dedicated renewable energy infrastructure on the proposed Mining Lease. Impact notes that construction of industrial solar farms near Kalgoorlie is ongoing for general use and mine site-specific build-outs. An integrated renewable energy will likely be mature and established within the region within the next few years. There may be opportunities to engage in commercial supply contracts that can supply renewable energy to the project.

CO2 Emissions

Impact is sponsoring a Masters-level engineering project at the University of Western Australia to study the CO2 emissions intensity of the project. This will allow disclosure of the carbon intensity of the Lake Hope Project metallurgy and its potential low-carbon credentials within the ESG Reporting Framework recently adopted by Impact (ASX Release 9th October 2023). The project aims to achieve low-carbon ESG certification to avoid carbon tax or tariff penalties. This will allow customers to book lower Scope 2 and Scope 3 emissions intensity.