The likely story behind the storyChina is now giving tax credits on EVs largely to EVs that can travel longer distances without a charge. Those vehicles are largely the ones powered by LI hydroxide. Using brine to make LI HYDROXIDE takes a number of additional, expensive steps relative to hard rock LI which is readily convertible into LI hydroxide without the expensive steps.
Orocobre -to my knowledge- as no hard rock LI and is facing a lessening of demand for brine based LI carbonate. That is likely why this article is partially valid. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-australia-lithium-orocobre/orocobre-says-lithium-carbonate-prices-slump-does-not-see-recovery-soon-idUSKCN1OJ0RP
PILBF is a hard rock LI MINER and Gangfeng one of it's offtake partners is trying to use the reduction of LI cabonate prices tied to brine to negotiate down PILBF'S price for high qualityhard rock LI. My money literally is on PILBF.