Strategic Asset Leasing Inc (fka LEAS)

[swift440]

Rustler, thank you for a good post. first at all, i never been involved in mining, but i do understand something in chemical processing. also, i understand your general sentiment too. while, i think some points should be corrected or at least refined in your post, namely:

1. i agree with your points [1-6], but it could be done by local contractors, and specialized workforce in Chile should not be that expensive.
2. we are talking about brine extraction and raw salts separation, not "ore" or lithium minerals from stone minerals. brines, in this regard are less expensive.
3. we are talking about lithium carbonate, not pure metallic lithium. and we also keep in mind potassium chloride. or vice versa.
4. Maricunga is reach and has favorable Li/Mg ratio and low sulfite content.
5. impact on ecosystem is overemphasized. yes, the ecosysitem is unique, but still it’s just a stone desert.
6. despite some unrest in Chile, its government recently approved $67B investment in mining during next 10 years. i can’t say how it will affect lithium mining, but it certainly will help to build some infrastructures.

literature:

recent review on lithium deposits
http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2011/07/28/28greenwire-global-lithium-deposits-enough-to-meet-electri-67078.html

technical report on some salares including Maricunga
www.salareslithium.com/i/pdf/reports/salares_7_43101.pdf

Chile mining news
http://www.santiagotimes.cl/business/mining

important question here: how much money do Canadians have?