I think AKE's resource (hard rock AND brine) and global distribution is perfectly positioned for a transition away from hard rock if that should EVER happen.
AKE does not need Livent's helping hand in the form of a reverse take over for that.
AKE already has resource diversification!!!!
But honestly, hard rock will be a critical source of lithium chemical for a long time.
Why?
Because of the much longer lead time, higher Capex and complexities of individual salars to develop a lithium brine resource into a producer when compared to hard rock?
How many brine resources versus hard rock mines became producers in the last 5 years?
Produciton forecast by type and country:
Spodumene is going to stay with us for a little while longer!!!!
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F@#$ the merger!
SAY NO to a reverse take over by a US company under the leadership of an ex-merchant banker (Goldman Sach Group, Honkong, Resource Investment Asia-Pacific).
Some may have forgotten what GS was involved in (and convicted for) in Malaysia in 2012/2013, and what their involvement in the lithium bear market was a little after that!
