That last statement, Cal, was key for LAC because without it the deal announced back in Feb of this year would have fallen through.  I believe most LAC investors just assumed that the Feb 2020 deal with Ganfeng was completed back in February....not true in the least.  It all hinged on the final development mentioned in that last sentence you posted from the conclusions of Matt Bohlsen.

"Lithium Americas announces NDRC approval for transaction with Ganfeng Lithium"

If the NDRC had not given its approval then Ganfeng would not own 51% of Cauchari-Olaroz and LAC would not have the profit from that transaction to apply toward its plan for Thacker Pass.  This was not a critical step in that transaction, it was THE critical step in that transaction.