If you hadn't noticed, calls for the nationalisation of lithium...

If you hadn't noticed, calls for the nationalisation of lithium has been on the rise throughout this year due to the uncovering of SQM's extensive resume of dodgy and corrupt practices over multiple decades. I would never put it past politicians to enact illogical and self-harming policy in the name of populism and pettiness, they've certainly done it in the past, and will continue to do so in the future. Comparing Chilean and Australian politics is laughable. Chile has a deep rooted history in socialism, which is still well and truly entrenched in large portions of the population to this day. Socialism tends to come with a certain ideology in regards to their natural resources, including not being particularly fond of foreigners reaping the majority of the benefits from their exploitation. Chile has certainly had their fair share of crazies make their way in to the top job in the past, those types struggle to move beyond the fringe in Australia.

I've made it quite clear that I don't believe nationalisation will ever happen, but am open to the possibility that something of similar affect will be potentially be enacted ie. THE REGULATIONS CURRENTLY IN PLACE. Here is a summary of the recommendations that were made by the National Lithium Commission, which was assembled by the Bachelet Government, in regards to the creation of a new regulatory framework for lithium.

http://evworld.com/blogs.cfm?blogid=1307

Note point #2

Given its high potential for use in energy applications, the strategic character of lithium is reaffirmed and it is recommended to maintain its non-concessionable character because the existing mining concessions system is not suited to the particularity and complexity of exploitation of the salt flats. It is also recommended raising non-concessionability of lithium to constitutional status.

Bachelet came out in support of the Lithium Commission's findings, thus showing that the people in power just last year had no intentions of opening up lithium exploitation to the private sector independent of the public sectors involvement.

https://www.efe.com/efe/english/bus...ces-lithium-exploration-plan/50000265-2821602

"One of the first determinations we made was to heed the commission's call to reaffirm the strategic character of lithium, the property of all Chileans, and maintain its condition as a non-concessionable material," Bachelet said.

So you really think it's not at all possible for someone of similar, or even more extreme ilk to take back control in Chile? All these treaties and trade agreements you keep wanting to throw at me as if a free market with no restrictions among all industries is a prerequisite for being included in them, yet somehow these current laws are still in place?

We're basically in agreement on all the positives of LPI. It's just that you refuse to look beyond the current governments position, who again, I've already stated am very comfortable with their stances and the policy they are trying to push, and are a huge reason I am invested in the company. You don't need to keep telling me about their attitude towards lithium exploitation and the private sectors involvement in it, it's the reason why I am excited about our prospects in the very near future. What happens beyond the current governments reign and how management safeguards themselves from any potential sovereign risks may change the length of my investment from 3-5 years to 20+. I'd sure hope that management are looking further down the path than you are, and not just concerning themselves with what is in front of them NOW as you seem to believe they are doing. They're trying to build a business that will last decades, so need to consider how to best grow and protect shareholder capital over decades, and not be shortsighted.

I'll also say that I think its a pretty safe bet to say that neither of us are experts in Chilean law, or any law in that fact, so neither of us can safely say that a future government could not reverse decisions and policies made by the current government, or even go so far as to challenge the grandfathering of our old code tenements, which could at the very least force a halt in operations until a resolution is made after lengthy legal proceedings. And as I stated before, I never put it past politicians to act against their own best interests and the interests of their country for short term gains in popularity.