Happycats, Its hard to argue, except to start by applying some...

Happycats,

Its hard to argue, except to start by applying some filters to the USGS / known resources and seeing what is the "addressable" resource number as opposed to the "known" resource. I understand the definition of the term "resource" carries some weight in this regard, still would like to check, for example are "zinnwaldite" or "jadarite" resources included. Or high mg Bolivian brines. What happens to the numbers if you consider brine recovery is typically under 50%.

Is there a USGS PDF with a resource table I can easily read without a geologist qualification. Haven't managed to navigate their website successfully. Is it the same table put in the back of the Deutsche Bank report?

Also I think you've brushed aside the impurities question too quickly, and it's a question that makes it less about just cost of extraction vs end to end cost of battery construction, including refining, cathode material production vs performance and reliability. CRU group also cited hard rock resources as being increasingly relevant due to higher purity requirements for EV going forward.

If there is no defensibility to hard rock business model other than a hard to measure timing window vs brine, it's not attractive, so it is very interesting to understand why China is importing and planning to import so much more spodumene.

Aneeso