[MEDIA] Lithium Australia (ASX:LIT) was one of the first groups...

Lithium Australia (ASX:LIT) was one of the first groups to identify the growing demand for lithium on the ASX.  However, unlike the majority of other lithium focused companies that have ambitions to discover and eventually produce lithium concentrate, Lithium Australia has plan to become a vertically integrated producer of lithium chemicals through the development of their Sileach hydrometallurgical processing technology.

Sileach aims to reduce the cost of lithium chemical production from hard rock sources by eliminating roasting, a major cost associated with chemical production,  as well as increasing by-product credit revenue.

Analyst Comment & Valuation:  If Lithium Australia (LIT)  commercialises Sileach, it could revolutionise the lithium industry, as it would reduce the cost to produce lithium chemicals from hard rock sources (potentially in-line with brine operations), whilst also making previously uneconomical lithium projects viable.  

However, as work is still required before the technology reaches this stage of development (which we detail in our risk assessment video), we have not valued LIT at this time.  Our investment analysis does however highlight the potential annual profit margins that could be achieved if the technology is commercialised.  

Takeover?: If Sileach works at the pilot plant stage of development, we believe one of the major lithium chemical producers could launch a takeover offer, as the risk of not controlling a technology that could have such a significant impact on the future supply of lithium would be too great.

Short term: Whilst Sileach remains the driver to LIT’s long term valuation potential, with exploration work due to shortly commence on the company’s vast portfolio of exploration assets, any significant discovery could see a re-rating in the company’s share price in the short-medium term.

As always, we present our analysis differently as it is shown through a series of videos.  This allows us to explain:

• Both the investment opportunity and risks associated with LIT;
• How Sileach works and the potential cost benefits; 
• The company’s portfolio of prospective lithium assets; and
• The supply, demand and pricing fundamentals for lithium.