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Liontown had earlier granted the world’s biggest lithium chemical maker a four-week period to examine its books and enable Albemarle to put forward a binding offer. Albemarle’s due diligence is substantially complete and it requires a short extension, Liontown said.

The extension comes as Hancock Prospecting, a firm controlled by Australia’s richest person Gina Rinehart, on Wednesday increased its stake in Liontown to 19.9%, which could hamper the US mining giant’s takeover attempt.

Albemarle needs 75% support from Liontown investors in a shareholder vote to succeed with its bid. A stake of between 15% and 20% can often become a blocking stake depending on investor turnout on the day of the ballot.

Liontown had backed the A$3 per share buyout offer from Albemarle.

Hancock Prospecting, which operates iron ore mines in Western Australia, has questioned Liontown’s prospects of developing its flagship Kathleen Valley lithium project on time and within budget, and has said it would be happy to assist.