Lake Resources share price slides 18% amid market rout and project dispute

The ASX lithium share is well and truly sinking on Wednesday.

Key points
  • Lake Resources shares are on the move today following an update on its Kachi Pilot plant 
  • A dispute has arisen with respect to certain earn-in milestones from its collaborator on the project 
  • The Lake Resources share price is up more than 144% in the past 12 months 

The Lake Resources N.L. (ASX: LKE) share price is on the move in early trade on Wednesday following a company announcement.

At the time of writing, shares in the lithium explorer are down 18% at $1.04 apiece.

A businesswoman ponders why her boat is sinking in the ocean.

Image source: Getty Images

What did Lake announce?

The company updated investors on the progress made on its Pilot Project Agreement, dated for around 21 September 2021 with Lilac Solutions Inc.

Lake says that Lilac will "earn in to the Kachi Project, up to a 25% stake, based on achievement of certain milestones under the agreement by an agreed date".

Such milestones include completing at least 1,000 hours of operations and producing a lithium carbonate feed totalling at least 2,500 kg from the site.

However, it's understood that a dispute has arisen with respect to the timing of these milestones.

Whilst work has been continuing at Kachi, a dispute has arisen between Lake and Lilac as to the date by which these milestones need to be achieved, with Lake considering the milestones must be achieved by 30 September 2022 and Lilac considering it has until 30 November 2022 to do so.

To resolve the dispute, Lake has exercised its rights to have the dispute resolved either by agreement of both Lake and Lilac or by arbitration.

If the milestones are not achieved by the required date, then Lake has certain buy back rights under the agreement which it may exercise at its option.

Until the matter is sorted, work continues to progress on the definitive feasibility study (DFS) at the site.

More updates regarding any resolution and the ongoing DFS will be released from Lake in due course.

Motley Fool contributor Zach Bristow has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on Resources Shares

Gold nugget in a miner's hand amid black rocks.
Resources Shares

Evolution Mining vs Northern Star Resources: Which gold stock is better for a $1,000 investment?

Evolution Mining and Northern Star Resources go head-to-head — see which gold stock I’d back with $1,000 today.

Read more »

A happy young boy in a wheelchair holds his arms outstretched as another boy pushed him.
Resources Shares

Capricorn Metals vs PDI Gold: Which high-flying ASX gold stock has more upside left?

Capricorn Metals and PDI Gold are booming gold stocks, but which has more room to run after surging more than…

Read more »

Young successful engineer, with blueprints, notepad, and digital tablet, observing the project implementation on construction site and in mine.
Resources Shares

3 reasons why the Rio Tinto share price could be a buy

Let’s dig into the potential of this mining giant.

Read more »

Green arrow with green stock prices symbolising a rising share price.
Resources Shares

Benz Mining Corp vs EQ Resources: Both up more than 500% in 5 years, which is more likely to keep climbing?

Both ASX All Ords miners have delivered outstanding returns. But which is more likely to keep the rally going?

Read more »

Two mining workers on a laptop at a mine site.
Resources Shares

Down 29% so far in 2026: What do brokers tip next for Fortescue shares?

The ASX mining shares are climbing higher again today. Can they keep going?

Read more »

A mining worker clenches his fists celebrating success at sunset in the mine.
Resources Shares

Fortescue vs Rio Tinto: Which ASX mining giant is the better buy today?

Fortescue vs Rio Tinto: See how the mining giants compare on yield, valuation, and recent share price momentum.

Read more »

Two workers on a tablet at a mine site, with mining machinery behind them.
Resources Shares

Fortescue vs BHP: Which ASX miner is better for passive income in October?

Comparing Fortescue vs BHP shares for passive income—who pays the bigger franked dividend, and which miner I'd buy today for…

Read more »

Female miner standing smiling in a mine.
Broker Notes

3 ASX mining shares with 43% to 322% upside ahead: brokers

The miners remain on an upward trajectory despite the broader market weakening in 2026.

Read more »