The lawsuit related to BHP's Escondida copper mine, the world's biggest, and the agreement involves the payment of compensation for environmental damage due to overdrawing water from the Punta Negra salt flat.

First, in real terms the copper price is nowhere near a record high. And the 2000s China-induced supercycle wasn’t the first to originate in Asia either.

The deal, which ends a two-year standoff between the parties, will explore financing options for the mine.

Sigma Lithium's expansion plans for its Grota do Cirilo spodumene project would rank it global no. 6 once in production in under 3 years.