Lithium aspirant$Liontown Resources Ltd (LTR.AU)$signals it will accept an improved A$6.6 billion takeover bid from the world's top producer of the battery metal$Albemarle (ALB.US)$. Such a deal reflects surging demand for the metal from carmakers amid a transition away from fossil fuels.
"Azure and Patriot have what looks to be high-quality resources, but those projects won't be in production until 2029, maybe later, so there's a long way to go," UBS resources analyst Lachlan Shaw said.
Analysts and fund managersexpect more merger and acquisition activityas dozens of other lithium explorers target production by next year.