"Given that the lithium industry is relatively new, there is...

"Given that the lithium industry is relatively new, there is also a shortage of the specialised talent to find the best areas of metal and drill them.

“You’ve got to have the right team, the sustaining power to raise capital, and you’ve got to have the right assets,” Mr Sidoo says.

For Emily Hersh, a lithium expert at US-based consultants DCDB Group, many potential schemes in Argentina “will never see the light of day” for lack of knowhow and funding. Circumstances, therefore, are expected to lead to consolidation of the best-equipped contenders in the market to take advantage of the metal’s potential.

“Lithium is very abundant but getting it out of the ground on an economic basis is very challenging,” says John Kanellitsas, executive vice-president of Canada’s Lithium Americas, which also has a project in Argentina.

His company has drawn talent from the energy and petrochemical industry, and from China’s Ganfeng Lithium, a project partner. “You have to look for global solutions,” he adds."


Which is what I believe AT is talking about, at least in part, when he refers to our negotiations with the potential partners for SDV and the process involving JP Morgan and the final seven contenders. The synergies between our skills and resources and the vertical integration possibilities that each potential partner can bring to the table - all seven will be able to bring the money, but which one brings the best fit for a minimum 40 year partnership in processing and sales as a combined project.