RE: "Sonora is home to a major lithium deposit23 Apr '22
What Lenigas is tweeting: The Sonora project [ex BCN] has been taken by the govt from the Chinese. To check: https://twitter.com/DavidLenigas Sat 23.4.22
BEFORE THE LOWER HOUSE VOTE ON LITHIUM NATIONALISATION
The implied prior rule was that many firms overseas are NOT DEVELOPING the lithium licences but merely holding them for "SPECULATION." So, those that started, COULD BE EXEMPT. So, by CLEARING LAND etc at SONORA, the big cheese may have thought this is enough but clearly isnt.
INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION
Even if it could go to international arbitration, the compensation if there is a win will not come to HUGE amounts as NOTHING HAD BEEN STARTED ie mine selling lithium etc but merely clearing land etc. International arbitration takes a LONG TIME.
STRATEGIC ASSET -LITHIUM
This was mentioned by David Lenigas's tweet today ie it is now classed as a strategic asset of the country but this was NOT SO at the TIME. So, one for the legal beagles.
BACANORA LITHIUM PLC
Still exists in this form with only 2 directors ie P.S , CEO and Director from the Chinese side. Others have resigned like Hohnen.
CHINESE
They will be asking as norm what happened - the big cheese from Sonora will have to provide an answer no doubt?
DAVID LENIGAS
As I said, Seeking Alpha [see REM forum on this site] said that the TESLA DEAL was helpful and could be used to obtain FINANCE for the mine given there is an OFF-TAKER.
Also, Seeking Alpha said that DL/REM plc did a SCOPING STUDY TO SHOW NPV ie to show shareholders of REM plc [new name KDNC] of the value of the project. The scoping study showed the NPV DOUBLE that of Ventana, Sonora [BCN].
Well, history shows the shareholders of BCN were NOT in favour of the TAKEOVER of BCN by REM plc at £1 [Chinese offered less in the end relating to the t/o of BCN].
As Observer842 stated, if REM plc had taken over Sonora, the MINE WOULD HAVE BEEN BUILT and the rest history because if taken, then BIG WONGA HAS TO BE PAID [EMH not nationalised or taken for this reason as the head of state and politicians discussed on radio etc that the international arbitration compensation would be huge given they had lost 1 case before so they know 1st hand].
Also, if the MINE was up and running, harder to take it over as cant say that firms are holding on to the licence for "speculation."
I am sure this weekend, the Chinese will be asking the big cheese what happened?
TESLA
Now, the Chinese are said to be wanting to sell lithium from Sonora to TESLA over the border. SAME PLAN AS DAVID LENIGAS WHO ACTUALLY DID GET THE OFF-TAKE FROM ELON, TESLA. But Lenigas recently said, THE BOARD REJECTED THE TESLA DEAL.
Posting for the accuracy of history.
Sat, 23 Apr 2022.
All in the public domain now and public info and HISTORY. Sorry for typos, errors as rushing off.