General Discussion Topics, page-13168

I believe that is already on the cards isn't it Split. At Ford's Oakville plant which is NORTH of Detroit and where Fords has committed to around CAD $1.8 billion to upgrade the plant for EV's.

I understand that they expect to start rolling off an estimated 5 EV models by 2025 and full production by 2028.

On top of that the Ontario Government has committed CAD $295 million with Ottawa matching this amount in an agreement to up the total Investment in the Ford Plant by a further total CAD $590 million.

Ottawa's commitment comes on top of their already circa $300 million shelled out for the roll out of its fast charging network and around CAD$239 million for EV $4,000 rebates to Canadians who have already purchased an EV.

Currently , the Ford Oakville's plant employs around 3,400 employees where up until last year were facing a very uncertain future whereas now , it is expected that Ford's plan for EV production at this facility will save over 3,000 jobs as well as creating another 2,000.

On a separate note , I wouldn't dismiss the FACT that Sayona's NAL plant has the capability of producing BOTH Lithium Carbonate as well as Lithium Hydroxide. And 22,000 tonnes of Carbonate capacity would certainly not be small change given Ioneer Ltd just signed off in June an off-take for around 35% of its first 3 years of production with one of the worlds largest battery cathode materials materials manufacturers in the South Korean EcoPro Innovation Co.

As we should all know , this off-take deal represents between 2,000 tonnes and 7,000 tonnes of Carbonate from its Rhyolite Ridge project in Nevada .

For the record , INR is now trading at market cap of AUD $800 million and trading 20% higher than when they announced the deal on 30th June.

So the point here is that the ' true ' valuation of NAL's plant is a combination of it's total options available and how fast they can progress these options and at what minimal cost in order to convert their raw spodumene assets.

So whether its about how they get Authier up and running in contributing its ore , or how much is required to produce EARLY carbonate sales to the longer term question of how , how much , and when they can produce their FIRST hydroxide production will really be the major drivers of the SP as they strive to optimize these production variables.

And as we know , it's all about the sales dollars here , and with Carbonate prices tracking not all that far away from Hydroxide prices in relatives terms to that of spodumene , it makes perfect sense to choose the Pathway which potentially could return you 10 x's the revenue dollars from 22,000 tonnes of Carbonate than that of 2,000 initial starter capacity tonnages of Hydroxide.

And this also makes sense that the revenue and profit dollars from the FASTER and easier achievable Carbonate production ultimately bankrolls the Hydroxide plant and Capex. This would be the more conservative approach and one which aligns nicely to the 6 year initial Hydroxide production window.