Cleantech Lithium Share Discussion Threads

[smackeraim] 27/4/2022 19:16

https://auto.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/auto-components/chiles-sqm-to-invest-900-million-as-lithium-capacity-expands/91117344

[hedgehog 100] 27/4/2022 17:32

Hopefully that's a CTL chart double bottom now formed at below the 30p placing price.

It's about time that CTL's progress and prospects started to be more fully reflected in its valuation.

[hedgehog 100] 27/4/2022 09:45

Thanks to Trojan on LSE for flagging up this CTL mention on Proactive Investors yesterday:

"CleanTech Lithium lifted as it signs technology deal with US group KMX

A look at the major movers on the London market on Tuesday

Nick Fletcher
15:38 Tue 26 Apr 2022

CleanTech Lithium PLC (AIM:CTL) has signed an agreement with Texas based KMX Technologies for its Laguna Verde and Francisco Basin projects in Chile.

The memorandum of understanding with KMX, a market leader in vacuum membrane distillation, will establish a commercial framework for using KMX´s technology to concentrate lithium, while achieving higher water recovery and lower energy intensity.

CleanTech said the move was in line with its strategy to produce battery grade lithium by the second half of 2024, with near zero carbon emissions and the lowest environmental impact.

CleanTech chief executive Aldo Boitano said: "This memorandum is another important step in our mission to produce sustainable battery grade lithium for the electric vehicle industry with the lowest environmental impact and CO2 footprint.

"By utilising a best-in-class technology which concentrates lithium in a single stage process with higher water recovery and lower energy usage and compliments our commitment to use 100% renewable energy and Direct Lithium Extraction process, we believe, once in production, we will be one of the greenest lithium producers globally."

CleanTech's shares are 5.44% better at 28.89p."




Interestingly, Texas is also where Tesla's main factory is located, which is perhaps a pointer to a future CTL link:

"Giga Texas
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Gigafactory Texas (also Tesla Gigafactory 5 or Giga Texas) is an automotive manufacturing facility near Austin, Texas built by Tesla, Inc. Construction began in July 2020,[1] limited production of Model Y began before the end of 2021,[2][3] and initial deliveries of vehicles built at the factory took place at an opening party called “Cyber Rodeo” on April 7, 2022.[4]

The factory is also planned to be the main factory for the Tesla Cybertruck and the Tesla Semi, and will produce Model 3 and Model Y cars for the Eastern United States.[2][5][6] It also serves as the site of Tesla's corporate headquarters.[7] It is the country's biggest factory by size as well as the second largest building in the world by volume.[8] ..."

[smackeraim] 27/4/2022 00:39

They're working with Cornish Lithium too, which is a pretty high profile project here. https://kmxtechnologies.com/kmx-and-cornish-lithium-partner-to-enhance-lithium-production/

[smackeraim] 27/4/2022 00:36

Todays news a follow up from letter of intent last year. Working closer on it now. https://kmxtechnologies.com/kmx-and-cleantech-lithium-team-up-to-enhance-cleantechs-lithium-production/Interesting technology https://kmxtechnologies.com/kmx-technology/

[hedgehog 100] 26/4/2022 18:32

26/04/2022 07:00 UK Regulatory (RNS & others) CleanTech Lithium PLC Memorandum of Understanding with KMX Technologies LSE:CTL Cleantech Lithium Plc
" ...Additionally, the Company is expecting laboratory scale DLE work that aims to produce 1Kg of battery grade Lithium from its Laguna Verde project to be completed by the end of April. Following this, the focus of process test work will be the construction of a pilot plant that aims to produce 10 tonnes of battery grade Lithium per month...."



This pilot plant should actually generate quite significant revenues for CTL.

10 tonnes of battery grade lithium (LCE) p.c.m. x c. £60K./tonne = c. £7.2 million p.a.


"Lithium prices pause in April, but not a sign of “wider market correction”

Frik Els | April 20, 2022 | 2:18 pm Battery Metals Markets China Lithium

Surging lithium carbonate and hydroxide prices in China took a breather in April, according to Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, but for chemical processors and battery manufacturers struggling to deal with prices doubling so far in 2022 the lull is unlikely to last.

The mid-April assessment by the London-HQed battery supply chain researcher and price reporting agency shows battery grade lithium carbonate (EXW China, ≥99.5% Li2CO3) down just under 1% over two weeks, but still within shouting distance of $80,000 a tonne. In April last year it was trading around $15,000. ..."

[hedgehog 100] 26/4/2022 09:22

26/04/2022 07:00 UK Regulatory (RNS & others) CleanTech Lithium PLC Memorandum of Understanding with KMX Technologies LSE:CTL Cleantech Lithium Plc

MOU Signed with KMX Technologies to Optimise Sustainability of Lithium Processing

CleanTech Lithium PLC (AIM:CTL), an exploration and development company, advancing the next generation of sustainable lithium projects in Chile, announces the signing of a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") with KMX Technologies, LLC ("KMX"), a market leader in vacuum membrane distillation, to establish a commercial framework for utilising KMX's proprietary technology, to concentrate lithium, while achieving higher water recovery and lower energy intensity, at CleanTech Lithium's Laguna Verde and Francisco Basin lithium projects in Chile.

Highlights:

-- MOU in line with the Company's strategy to produce battery grade lithium by H2 2024, with near zero carbon emissions and lowest environmental impact

-- MOU to establish a commercial framework for utilising KMX's proprietary technology in a commercial scale lithium operation

-- KMX's technology complements CleanTech Lithium's plan to utilise the direct lithium extraction ("DLE") process, further maximising water recovery and lowering energy use

-- Laboratory scale DLE work that aims to produce 1Kg of battery grade lithium from the Laguna Verde project, expected to be completed by the end of April, with pilot plant construction to commence thereafter

Commenting, Aldo Boitano, Chief Executive Officer, of Cleantech Lithium PLC, said:

"This MOU is another important step in our mission to produce sustainable battery grade lithium for the EV industry with the lowest environmental impact and CO2 footprint. By utilising a best-in-class technology which concentrates lithium in a single stage process with higher water recovery and lower energy usage and compliments our commitment to use 100% renewable energy and Direct Lithium Extraction process, we believe, once in production, we will be one of the greenest lithium producers globally."

Further Information

MOU to Strive for 'Best in Class' Lithium Processing

CleanTech Lithium and KMX today announce the execution of a MOU to establish a commercial framework for utilising KMX's proprietary technology at CleanTech Lithium's Laguna Verde and Francisco Basin lithium projects in Chile in line with the Company's strategy of developing the projects into commercial scale production by H2 2024.

KMX is the market leader in vacuum membrane distillation, a technology which can be utilised to concentrate lithium with higher water recovery and lower energy intensity. For the first stages of processing the brine pumped from sub-surface aquifers, CleanTech Lithium plans to utilise DLE, an environmentally green process, which replaces evaporation ponds in conventional lithium brine operations. Once DLE has been applied, the lithium in the brine is concentrated to up to 10% lithium. Further concentration to battery grade lithium is required and the conventional method, which CleanTech Lithium will also be trialling, relies on large evaporator and crystalliser units. KMX's membrane distillation technology has the potential to replace these units in a single stage process with significantly lower energy usage, and by using a membrane instead of an evaporator, water recovery is much higher.

Additionally, the Company is expecting laboratory scale DLE work that aims to produce 1Kg of battery grade Lithium from its Laguna Verde project to be completed by the end of April. Following this, the focus of process test work will be the construction of a pilot plant that aims to produce 10 tonnes of battery grade Lithium per month. Under this MOU, a portion of the concentrated brine produced by the DLE extraction plant will be delivered to KMX and processed in KMX's demonstration unit. Pending successful technology trials and feasibility studies, CleanTech Lithium views the use of KMX's technology in a commercial scale lithium operation as an important step in optimising the sustainability of the entire process from brine to battery grade lithium.

[hedgehog 100] 25/4/2022 10:15

Thanks to Goolang on LSE for flagging up this good comparator to CTL:

"GALAN LITHIUM LTD
ASX Code: GLN
FSX Code: 9CH
Australian based international mining company developing high grade lithium brine projects in the lithium triangle region of South America."


"Hombre Muerto West (HMW)
... In March 2020, a maidne resource estimate delivered 1.1 Mt of LCE for two of the largest concessions (pata Pila and Rana de Sal), In June 2020, the resource was upgraded to 1.4Mt of LCE (Indicated) with exploration upside remaining for other concessions in the area. ..."


"Candelas
... A Maiden, Candelas North JORC resource of 684,850 tonnes of contained lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) at 672 mg/l Li (based on a 500mg/l Li cut-off) was announced on 1 October 2019. ..."



Current Galan Lithium (GLN) market capitalisation at AU$1.925: AU$608.77M. (c. £341M.)

GLN has more than ten-bagged since Autumn 2020, from a similar market cap. to CTL's at the moment.


Galan Lithium (GLN):

[kubera369] 22/4/2022 13:37

Bought another 34k

[kubera369] 22/4/2022 13:33

Excellent HedgeHog I'm a Happy buyer here and bought my first 34k shares and will be looking to add more

[smackeraim] 22/4/2022 10:36

CTL are at the upcoming Mines and Money https://minesandmoney.com/connect/

[smackeraim] 21/4/2022 12:49

What I like most here is.. they've got sufficient resource to get moving to production. They're not going to fart around drilling and proving up more of the acreage- they'll do that later. Get the test production done, move to pfs stage and into production within 2/3 years. Probably bringing in a Chile based partner for finance (and there's plenty heavy weights there).. The resources are vast though. In Ceo's words - they are the twice the size of central Paris."CleanTech Lithium has two projects situated in the southern tip of the triangle. Their combined area amounts to around 180 square kilometres, or "twice the size of Central Paris", as chief executive Aldo Aldo Boitano poetically puts it.It's a big landholding and at the Laguna Verde licences there's already a 1.2mln tonne JORC resource."

[hedgehog 100] 21/4/2022 10:22

Kubera,

CTL's lithium resource is also enormous:

"Project Overview
Laguna Verde is a steep valley shaped basin, rimmed by volcanos
At the low point of the basin is a deep hypersaline lake (the ‘surface brine resource’) covering 15.2km2. A deep sediment hosted aquifer lies directly beneath
Current JORC compliant resource estimate (measured and inferred) of 1.2 million tonnes of lithium at a grade of 246mg/L lithium starting from surface ..."


1.2 million tonnes of lithium (LCE) x c. £60K./tonne = in-situ value c. £72 billion.


In comparison, the lithium resource of BHL (Bradda Head Lithium) is only 0.185M. tonnes of lithium (LCE): i.e. under one sixth of the size of CTL's:

19/07/2021 07:00 UK Regulatory (RNS & others) Bradda Head Holdings Ltd Admission to trading on AIM & First Day of Dealing LSE:BHL Bradda Head Lithium Limited
" ... The Burro Creek East Project in particular has an estimated an Inferred Mineral Resource (JORC) of 42.6 Mt of lithium bearing clays at an average grade of 818 ppm lithium for 185 Kt lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE). ..."



Whereas BHL's current market capitalisation is well over double that of CTL's:

CTL: £23.71M. at 30p.
BHL: £55.66M. at 14.25p.


BHL floated last July at 5.5p, at at its recent high had trebled from its floatation price.


Bradda Head Lithium (BHL):

[kubera369] 20/4/2022 15:48

Did anyone get in on Atlantic Lithium as it has done exceptionally well since it's IPOBut there resource seems to be pretty vast Can we see a similar share price rise here?

[hedgehog 100] 11/4/2022 17:15

This is Money is part of the Daily Mail, Mail on Sunday & Metro media group, so today's article this could be a precursor to a Mail tip of CTL.

Indeed in February the Mail flagged up CTL's forthcoming floatation:

"Miner Cleantech Lithium is planning to float on AIM next month, and a valuation of about £30-£35m is expected
By FRANCESCA WASHTELL, FINANCIAL MAIL ON SUNDAY
PUBLISHED: 21:50, 5 February 2022 | UPDATED: 15:09, 6 February 2022

Miner Cleantech Lithium is planning to float on AIM early next month.

The firm, which is developing two projects in Chile, could announce the listing as soon as this week. It is expected to be valued at about £30million to £35million.

Lithium is a key metal used in the production of batteries which power electric cars.

Big mining groups are racing to set up projects. Experts at analysis group Benchmark Minerals estimate global demand will rise from 350,000 tons in 2020 to 2.5million tons a year in 2030 and more than 7million tons by 2040.

Rival Bacanora Lithium, which was listed on AIM, was recently taken private in a controversial £260 million takeover by the company's largest shareholder, the Chinese group Ganfeng.

Cleantech is planning to extract lithium from brines utilising environmentally friendly technologies and renewable energy. ..."

[hedgehog 100] 11/4/2022 16:47

Thanks, Smackeraim, for flagging up that new CTL article on the "This is Money" website.


"SMALL CAP SHARE IDEAS: Newly-listed CleanTech Lithium with green credentials plans to get into production by the end of 2024

By ALASTAIR FORD, PROACTIVE INVESTORS, FOR THISISMONEY.CO.UK

PUBLISHED: 14:52, 11 April 2022 | UPDATED: 14:52, 11 April 2022

If there's one place in the world that's synonymous with production of the world's number one green commodity, it's the area known as the Lithium Triangle.

Why a triangle? Because it straddles the three-way border between Chile, Argentina and Bolivia.

On most reckonings, this part of the world holds around 75 per cent of the world's known lithium resources, and some of the world's leading lithium production companies have long been established there.

But there's still plenty of open ground and room for newcomers, especially on the mining-friendly Chilean side of the Triangle.

The latest company to venture into the area is CleanTech Lithium, which listed on Aim in the middle of March.

CleanTech Lithium has two projects in the southern tip of the Triangle.

Their combined area amounts to around 180 square kilometres, or 'twice the size of Central Paris', as chief executive Aldo Boitano poetically puts it.

It's a big landholding and at the Laguna Verde licences there's already a 1.2million tonne JORC resource, so CleanTech isn't starting from scratch – it's already up and running and ticking boxes.

Which is why, supported by strong sentiment towards green commodities, a great address, a solid resource base, and a clear timeline to production, CleanTech's shares got off to a solid start on their first day of dealing last month.

And, with the newsflow that Aldo Boitano's got lined up for the company, the support he's already found ought to continue on throughout the current year and into the next.

The plan, ultimately, is to get into production by the end of 2024. But it's the manner of execution that'll really impress investors. Because this is likely to be about as close to zero-carbon emissions an operation as you're likely to get.

And given that the end product is also destined for use in greening the economy, the ESG credits being built up here are significant.

One key to that low level of emissions is the location.

We've already mentioned that activity in the Lithium Triangle is widespread, but towards the southern tip, where CleanTech is, there's also a fair amount of activity in gold and base metals mining.

Gold mining giant Kinross isn't far away, for example. Those other miners have already created a fair amount of electrical infrastructure, like substations, for CleanTech to tap into.

How much it will need to do so, though, remains moot, as there is the potential for the company to tap geothermal power from its ground.

More generally, Chile arguably offers the most renewable electric grid of any country in the world, and makes extensive use of solar, geothermal and hydroelectric power.

And the green credentials don't end there, because CleanTech is pursuing a different production route from most of its peers in the Lithium Triangle.

Not for CleanTech Lithium the time-intensive, water-intensive method of extraction from brines that uses ponds.

Instead, CleanTech will use a direct lithium extraction technology. The trade-offs here aren't just green, either.

'The traditional way of working extracts around 40 per cent of the lithium' says Boitano.

'We skip the ponds with a mechanical and chemical process. The opex is larger, because it's more energy intensive, but we're saving a lot of capex.'

Put another way, the company won't be tying up a year or more's worth of production as it processes in ponds, but it will have to pay for more plant and machinery to run.

All-in, though, that proposition still ought to look pretty compelling to investors, particularly in London where there's a high level of awareness about green issues in investing.

So, what's next? Drilling results earlier this month confirmed the presence of sub-surface aquifers at both the CleanTech projects.

Unlike most companies operating on brine projects, CleanTech is fortunate in that it controls the whole basin in which its asset lies.

This allows it room for manoeuvre when it comes to extraction, and also means that there is no issue putting back the lithium-free brines where they came from after extraction has taken place – simple.

The £5.6million that CleanTech raised on its listing will be put towards taking the company through the feasibility stage.

In the more immediate term, an update to the resource estimate at Laguna Verde, and a maiden resource at Francisco Basin can be expected.

'We're fully-funded to the pre-engineering and construction,' says Boitano.

A final decision on exactly how much CleanTech will produce is some way down the line, but it could be in the order of 5,000 or 10,000 or even 20,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent per year.

Off-takers are already taking an interest, and you get the feeling that in this investment climate, CleanTech's projects ought not to be hard to finance. Watch this space."

[smackeraim] 11/4/2022 15:42

https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/investing/article-10707967/SMALL-CAP-SHARE-IDEAS-Newly-listed-CleanTech-Lithium.html

[hedgehog 100] 10/4/2022 12:08

Tesla has recently started production of its own lithium-ion batteries, and so sensibly has been signing off-take agreements for the supply of the lithium, nickel, and cobalt etc. that it needs for this.

Not only with existing producers, but also with junior mining sector companies developing new projects.

But Tesla will need increasing quantities during this decade, as EV (electric vehicle) production ramps up.

And large-scale off-take agreements with new mining projects are likely to be the key to limiting even bigger supply squeezes.

This will be good for both parties, and will help to bring these new projects into production.


CTL would be a logical off-take partner to supply more lithium to Tesla, in view of its large lithium resource, green approach, and geographical location - i.e. in the Americas.

It will be interesting to see what CTL says about this in its Investor Meet presentation and Q&A in a couple of days:

"CleanTech Lithium PLC (AIM:CTL), an exploration and development company, advancing the next generation of sustainable lithium projects in Chile, is pleased to announce Aldo Boitano, CEO and Steve Kesler, Non-Exec Chairman, will provide a live investor presentation via the Investor Meet Company platform on 12 April at 1:00pm BST.

The live presentation is open to all existing and prospective investors. Following the Company's recent Admission to AIM, the presentation will provide an update on the Company's activities as it seeks to produce material quantities of battery grade lithium by H2 2024, with near zero carbon emissions and low environmental impact, offering the EU EV market a green lithium supply solution.

The live presentation will be followed by a Q&A session, held on the Investor Meet Company platform."

[hedgehog 100] 08/4/2022 17:33

08/04/2022 15:06 UK Regulatory (RNS & others) CleanTech Lithium PLC Holding(s) in Company LSE:CTL Cleantech Lithium Plc

" ... 3. Details of person subject to the notification obligation (iv)
Name
Regal Funds Management Pty Ltd as Trustee for certain funds and investment adviser for certain funds
City and country of registered office (if applicable)
Sydney, Australia ..."




Interesting to see that this Aussie investment manager acquired 9.32% of CTL in its IPO placing.

They certainly know their lithium stocks Down Under, and have plenty of choice on the ASX, but were doubtless attracted by the compelling value and story here.

This reflects a snippet from CTL's CEO's recent video interview, where he revealed that they had achieved worldwide strategic investment into their IPO, from sophisticated investors.


"CleanTech Lithium list on AIM to deliver value for stakeholders from two lithium projects in Chile

Katie Pilbeam
08:18 Thu 17 Mar 2022

CleanTech Lithium's chief executive Aldo Boitano joins Proactive London after raising £5.6mln to help its aim of producing battery-grade lithium from its two assets in Chile as it begins trading on London’s AIM today.

The company will receive a net £4.8mln from the initial public offer and have an initial market capitalisation of £23.7mln at the 30p placing price.

Its two projects, including the 1.2mln-tons Laguna Verde project, are being developed to produce lithium at low or zero emissions, with the environmental impact reduced by using direct lithium extraction technology."

[hedgehog 100] 04/4/2022 18:46

There's clearly a stream of positive CTL developments expected in the near term, and the company looks like they will be keeping the market well-informed of progress.

From the current undervalued level of 30p, that sets a good basis for a positive rerating, especially as more of the investment community becomes aware of this opportunity.

Hopefully this late-reported £30K. CTL buy will have cleared out a lot of the available stock:
01-Apr-22 11:33:30 30.00 100,000 Unknown* 28.00 32.00 30.00k O


04/04/2022 07:01 UK Regulatory (RNS & others) CleanTech Lithium PLC Operations, Corporate Update & Resource Drilling LSE:CTL Cleantech Lithium Plc

" ... Sampling and Resource Estimation Update

Brine sampling at holes LV01 and LV02, on Laguna Verde, will be completed this week and submitted for laboratory analysis. Results for this first batch of brine samples is expected in early Q2 2022 which will be announced to the market. Brine samples from remaining holes drilled at both projects in the current season will be received over the course of Q2 and further announced to the market. Based on completion of the four-hole drill programme at Laguna Verde and two holes at Francisco Basin, an upgraded resource estimate for Laguna Verde and a maiden resource estimate for Francisco Basin is also expected to be completed in the second quarter. ..."

[hedgehog 100] 04/4/2022 18:07

Thanks also to Trojan on LSE for flagging up this new CTL video interview today:

"CleanTech Lithium's chief executive provides an update on two of its projects

Katie Pilbeam
14:16 Mon 04 Apr 2022

CleanTech Lithium's chief executive Aldo Boitano sat down with Proactive London to discuss the company's discovery of surface brine aquifers at both of its projects in the prolific Lithium Triangle in Chile.

Drilling at Laguna Verde and Francisco Basin is progressing well, and it hopes to provide investors with an updated resource estimate in the near future.

CleanTech was also accepted as a new member of The National Mining Society, a Chilean trade association."

[hedgehog 100] 04/4/2022 13:50

Thanks to Trojan on LSE for flagging up this new CTL article today:

"Cleantech Lithium confirms the presence of sub-surface brine aquifers at Laguna Verde and Francisco Basin

Net carbon emissions from the CleanTech projects are likely to be zero or close to zero

Alastair Ford
08:22 Mon 04 Apr 2022

CleanTech Lithium PLC (AIM:CTL) has confirmed the presence of sub-surface brine aquifers at both of its projects in the prolific Lithium Triangle in Chile.

Resource drilling at Laguna Verde and Francisco Basin is progressing well and as planned.

Results from six holes are expected during the second quarter of this year, as are an upgraded JORC resource for Laguna Verde and a maiden resource estimate for Francisco Basin.

The updated resource estimate at Laguna Verde will provide the basis for a pre-feasibility study.

Separately, CleanTech has been admitted as a new member of the National Mining Society in Chile - SONAMI, a Chilean trade association that represents and supports the advancement of mining activity in Chile.

"As outlined in our recent Admission to AIM announcement, it is our intention to produce low or zero emissions lithium, a critical advantage in the fast-growing EU market, by the second half of 2024,” said Aldo Boitano, chief executive of CleanTech Lithium PLC (AIM:CTL).

“The resource drilling programmes, which commenced in January 2022 at Laguna Verde and in March 2022 at Francisco Basin, are progressing well and importantly, in line with management's expectations, confirming the presence of sub-surface brine aquifers at both projects.”"

[hedgehog 100] 02/4/2022 15:03

I'm changing my longer term view on CTL to more bullish.

The outlook for the lithium price looks more resilient than I had thought, despite the big move up.

In addition, Clean Tech's plans were apparently made some time ago and are based on much lower Lithium prices than we have at the moment.


I'd still be wary of some lithium stocks that have already moved up so massively to vast valutions, e.g. ASX-listed stocks Core Lithium (AU$2.35 billion market cap.) and Liontown Resources (AU$4.12 billion market cap.).

But CTL looks very undervalued, and I think could potentially ten-bag over the next couple of years, from its current share price of just 29p.

It could also potentially see some reinvestment from other lithium shares that have already multibagged.

[hedgehog 100] 02/4/2022 14:39

"Carmakers will ‘pay through the nose’ for lithium: Brinsden
Michael Bennet WA reporter
Updated Apr 1, 2022 – 2.09pm, first published at 7.00am
Outgoing Pilbara Minerals chief executive Ken Brinsden has tipped lithium miners to keep “winning” the margin battle in the electric vehicle supply chain as prices surge, arguing supply is simply too far behind demand – and carmakers will have to keep “paying through the nose” for the key battery material. ..."



A slightly belated thankyou Andrbea for flagging us those 2 new lithium articles yesterday.

Combined with the recent Fox Davies report, research suggests that long-term lithium price assumptions should be revised upwards:

"Mining 01/02/2022
IPO-Research: Cleantech Lithium
Lithium Disrupter: Meet the Next “Big”, while it is still Small
... It is now increasingly obvious that the long-term price assumptions (long-term consensus numbers are still averaging ~$15kt LCE) are too bearish...."




Especially in view of the Ukraine-Russia war:

"Before invasion, Ukraine’s lithium wealth was drawing global attention
Ukrainian researchers have speculated that the country’s eastern region holds close to 500,000 tons of lithium oxide, a source of lithium, which is critical to the production of the batteries that power electric vehicles.
By: New York Times |
March 3, 2022 2:08:57 pm
Written by Hiroko Tabuchi
... Ukraine’s potential for lithium production had started to attract global attention. In November, European Lithium, an Australian firm, said it was in the process of securing rights to two promising lithium deposits in the Donetsk region, in eastern Ukraine, and Kirovograd, in the center of the country. The company said at the time it aimed to become Europe’s largest lithium supplier. ..."