ArchibaldXProctor:  "I also wonder if they have another trick up their sleeve, say to further upgrade the ore using a technique like flotation that is commonly used to make concentrate from spodumene, to further increase the rate of lithium production and reduce inputs such as sulfuric acid. Have yet to hear anything on that subject, so it remains my speculation."

Thanks for bringing that up, AXP.  That takes us back to the Laboratory facility in Sparks, Nevada owned by LAC.  If I am not missing new reports I don't believe that there has been much, if anything, of "News" substance in quite a while regarding what they have recently accomplished at that facility.  The purpose of the facility is to research improved methods of bringing the lithium clay from Thacker Pass to battery grade lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide, so I perceive that progress along those lines at that facility is crucial to the success of Thacker Pass in the future.

If anyone has updated information on the activity there at the Lab I would be most interested to read it here as your contributory post.   Thanks, AXP.  It remains my "speculation" as well. 

Okiedo