It’s the latest twist in tensions between SQM and its Chinese shareholder after representatives of the two companies questioned each other’s real motivations.

The German government has created a €1.1 billion investment fund to fortify the nation’s access to critical raw materials essential for high-tech and green projects.

It said that Aldo Boitano transferred his entire holding of 9,400,002 ordinary shares to a custodian account nominated by a bank. 

The amount received represents a rebate of up to 50% of eligible exploration costs at its flagship Root Lake project in Canada.

A stuttering recovery in lithium prices is providing a fresh reminder of why the dramatic rally of recent years was followed by an even more breathtaking collapse.

The deal values the lithium miner at A$1.7 billion ($1.1 billion).

Talks between the two sides on a trade pact collapsed last year with Canberra unhappy over access to EU markets for its farm goods.