The major factor in the lithium space, is the uncertainty of a...

The major factor in the lithium space, is the uncertainty of a formally accepted price for all lithium products and that is the main reason why finance is so difficult to obtain. Prices are all over the place, a dog's breakfast as it's often referred to, and all products are being thrown into the one category "lithium".
Banks and lenders cannot do the Due Diligence necessary to take on the large debt that is necessary for sustainable lithium exploration and production if they don't have a market acceptable benchmark to work with and indirectly, nor can major fund managers!!

This will be the answer

LME announces lithium committee to aid development of futures contract By WILLIAM CLARKE Published: Tuesday, 29 October 2019.

The London Metal Exchange announced this week that industry members will form a committee to represent the views and interests of lithium stakeholders while the exchange plans the launch of a lithium futures contract.

The committee is made up of representatives of major lithium producers and consumers: Jaguar Land Rover, Albemarle Corp, Lithium Corp, Pilbara Minerals, Transamine Trading, BASF, Tianqi Lithium Australia, and Tesla.

The LME is planning to launch a lithium futures contract in response to demand for price transparency and liquidity.

Lithium demand is seeing long-term support from the electric vehicle industry, which is increasing the need for battery raw materials.

On June 10, the LME announced that it had selected Fastmarkets as its partner for developing a globally accepted lithium price to underpin a futures contract.
"As the lithium market grows, there is considerable demand for trusted and transparent prices and a liquid derivatives market," the LME said.

https://www.indmin.com/Article/3877889/Fastmarkets-LME-partnership-will-pave-way-for-lithium-futures-contract-says-exchange.html