I think this presents as DLE being a valid alternative to ponds...

I think this presents as DLE being a valid alternative to ponds for situations where either the source brine is of lower concentration or there is inadequate water to facilitate ponds, assuming DLE proves to be more resource efficient across the full process cycle.

What DLE is probably doing is boosting the global overall % of recoverable lithium, which will eventually be required given it is a finite resource, this factor helps to create a longer term use for DLE if it is not immediately economically viable.

For LKE though that obviously wouldn't be a good outcome, so let's wait and see what the numbers end up at to determine if their process, paired with their resource will be profitable in the near future market.