Wait till September? We are, probably, entering hybernation time for NLC and industry.
NLC is now nearly entirely in the blue-printing stage, FS, pond design....and an industry just exited it slowest historical EV sales months (Jan - Feb) and entered average one, March - August.
2021 sales were double compare to best times before that, wheter 2019 or 2020. See articles with the graph below.
If trend continue throughout the year, we may see explosive sales in Sept. - Dec. that can wipe out any remaining surpluses. I am not sure that manufactureres will even be able to keep up, but "orders" months ahead will be good enough for the market. Lithium would be in high demand.
https://insideevs.com/news/498088/global-plugin-car-sales-february-2021/
My "personal" target is 2023. I think that large scale consumption growth in 2022 will be met by entrance of LAC, expansion of ORL (though they keep missing target) and SQM, but most important re-expansion of rockS (as Li prices will rise).
However, last Australian rock expansion was based on existing mines and "one and only" Greenbushes project. By the end of 2022 all or most "low hanging fruits" helping with Li mine outputs will be taken.
As tiger mention, new mine development won't catch up and 2023, probably first year of sizable deficit.
Until then, we, probably will see gradual increase in Li prices and s/p, starting in September if history repeat itself (as it did 3 years on the row, with small exception of June 2019)