Peter,

I my mind the world of trade in regards to battery metals is slowly being divided into 3. The East (China). The West (North America).. and those in between (Europe). This view may be a little extreme, but these are the areas of the world that matter in this repect in my view. Those in the middle, Europe, will have to pick a side to do trade with. So, they had best choose wisely. Moves of this sort by BHP and others show that many are of the mind that Canada is a safe, reliable and responsible jurisdiction to do business with. Something the investment world sees as a must. 

The days of cheap and volitile mining companies in third world countries under dictatorships are slowly changing to those that offer diplomacy and free trade, which in itself may be expensive, but  secure. It is more important these days to be able to source what you need as close as possible to your own backyard. 

TM.