It looks like, Lithium is not that rare element at all. It is just a matter of costs. Anyway, the ambition to start production of 15ktpa (40ktpa in Phase II) in about 2 years is ridiculous. The place is in Germany (the EIA process will take ages) and I dont think, they have started, leaving aside the chemical side of it.

https://www.slashgear.com/germans-discover-enough-lithium-in-the-rhine-river-valley-to-build-400-million-evs-02671220/