Something that always seems to be overlooked in the comparisons....

Something that always seems to be overlooked in the comparisons. Sovereign risk may be outweighed somewhat by the scarcity or preciousness of the resource - ie. Gold - cobalt, REE's perhaps. However, in regard to something as abundant as Lithium, there is no need at all to add sovereign risk to your overall risk base. No-one mines iron ore or bauxite in unstable regions!

Additionally, specific to this resource, is the additional risk of transporting your product hundreds of kilometeres through tribal war zones.

There has also been discussion of a processing facility to increase margins! Really. Who in their right mind is going to invests hundreds of millions in an isolated processing plant in the middle of a corrupt regime with unstable warring factions throughout?