In taking the stakes, Hancock has underscored its expertise in building mining projects, while Mineral Resources has said it wants to be part of projects that will sustain its growth for decades.
Hancock and Mineral Resources declined to make additional comments.
As well as Liontown, Core Lithium (CXO.AX), Leo Lithium (LLL.AX) Latin Resources (LRS.AX) Patriot Metals , Chalice (CHN.AX), Centaurus (CTM.AX) and Rex Minerals (RXM.AX) have all been cited by brokers as buyout prospects.
TWO-PRONGED SOLUTIONTheir deep pockets, risk appetite and Australia's competition laws means mining magnates have a home advantage against listed companies, industry sources say.
One example that bankers offered in the case of SQM's bid for Azure was a two-pronged solution to erode any interloper advantage.
Persons:
Gina Rinehart, Roy Hill's, Hancock, Chris Ellison, Rinehart's Hancock, Marc Upcroft, you've, Leo Lithium, Richard Lustig, Baker McKenzie, Melanie Burton, Christian Schmollinger
Organizations:
REUTERS, MELBOURNE, Mineral Resources, Australia's, PwC, Rex Minerals, Thomson
Locations:
Port Hedland, Australia, Australia's Liontown, Albemarle, Hancock, Melbourne