Thanks for the observations, okiedo. 

I was thinking specifically of the proposed onsite lithium processing / battery facility that was using sulfuric acid to post-process lithium (carbonate?) to create lithium sulfate to be used in solid-state battery cathodes, that was outlined in the preliminary DFS.  I've been meaning to go back and review that document to see if I can get more clues and validate what I remember.   I need to find it again though...  

I don't know if there is any overlap with the lithium refining process and the control of waste in the tailings, but who knows.   I know very little about that process.   You're certainly right that LAC is keenly aware of environmental impacts, and that minimizing waste would be a priority.  If they can do that in a cost effective manner, and also supply the best products, it's a win-win.

Given that LAC does have long-term ambitions to produce cathode material (and maybe batteries?) onsite, it only makes sense that they would find partner(s) that have expertise in this area.  (Again, I need to validate this, but it's what I remember from the preliminary TP DFS).  Given that Joe Lowry is working with both LAC and NNO, and he's previously brought suitors to LAC, I'm making a stretch regarding what might happen here.   From the Joe Lowry angle, I haven't seen any other companies that look like they might be candidates, and LAC and NNO are perhaps the most interviewed and tweeted about companies in the JL universe.