"This will only happen if there is drilling."

I agree, but doubt that drilling alone, assuming good results, will bring the likes of Tesla on board as a partner.  I think there would first have to be a partner with a history of production, and a record of meeting quotas as may be required of an off-take agreement. 

In other words, something like LBSR/Freeport + Tesla, or LBSR/BHP + Tesla will be very much more likely than LBSR + Tesla, if anything.  Having said this, I think a partnership with a junior producer is much more likely to come before one with a senior like Freeport, or BHP. 

Put Tesla out of the equation for now, at least in my opinion. 

VP