Reading through the last few pages here i see some very productive conversation
@cmonaussie@WhatsTheTip@w27Some smaller companies with smaller lithium resources are now looking at DSO operations (as you guys have pointed out)
This is very smart particularly if the resource is small (as is with ESS's case) - the key here is having a mining license already (to get up and running much more quickly to take advantage of the high prices) obtaining a mining license can take a while - hence why the ones that already have a mining license (and a resource) are in a better position to take advantage of DSO. I see ESS have applied for a mining license just recently, that's a good step doing this now. The earlier the better (would have been better if they thought of it earlier)
The fact is that to bring the full operation online (concentrate) the timeline is correct, the earliest production would be mid 2025 going by the MD or 2026 factoring in delays (and FID in 2024) - and i believe the only companies to be deemed viable for concentrate production for the long term are the ones with bigger resources. This is why DSO comes into play (quicker to market)
I would want to see the MD pivot and talk about a DSO operation (users here mentioned the MD didn't seem interested in a DSO operation) - otherwise i would probably think ESS will remain a cheap take-over target
