Mei Ri Jing Ji Xin Wen·2025-11-13 07:32Core Viewpoint - The ongoing legal dispute between Tianqi Lithium and SQM regarding the "public-private partnership" in the Atacama Salt Flat has raised concerns about shareholder rights and governance, particularly after a Chilean court dismissed Tianqi's lawsuit [1][2][6]. Group 1: Legal Proceedings and Court Rulings - Tianqi Lithium's subsidiary, Inversiones TLC SpA, had its lawsuit dismissed by the Santiago Appeals Court, which Tianqi plans to evaluate for potential further legal actions [1][2]. - The court's ruling is not final, allowing Tianqi to consider an appeal while emphasizing the need for shareholder approval for significant transactions [2][5]. - Tianqi expressed disappointment with the court's interpretation, arguing it undermines shareholder rights and sets a harmful precedent for minority shareholders [6][7]. Group 2: Partnership Agreement and Implications - SQM entered a partnership agreement with Codelco without shareholder approval, which Tianqi claims infringes on its voting rights and those of other minority shareholders [2][5]. - The partnership is seen as a strategic move by the Chilean government to strengthen control over lithium resources, with Codelco gaining majority ownership in the joint venture [4][8]. - The agreement allows SQM to extend its lithium extraction rights in the Atacama Salt Flat until 2060, increasing its production quota during this period [7][8]. Group 3: Market and Regulatory Context - The partnership has received conditional approval from China's market regulatory authority, which includes commitments to fair supply practices and timely reporting of significant supply changes [9]. - The agreement is critical for the lithium supply chain, particularly for industries like electric vehicles, highlighting the importance of stable and competitive market conditions [9].