Lithium Giant Albemarle Abandons $4.2 Billion Liontown Deal (4)

Lithium giant Albemarle Corp. has walked away from its A$6.6 billion ($4.2 billion) takeover of Liontown Resources Ltd., after Australia’s richest woman built up a blocking minority and effectively scuppered one of the largest battery-metals deals to date.

Eager to add new supply, Albemarle had pursued its Perth-based target for months, eying its Kathleen Valley project — one of Australia’s most promising deposits. Liontown agreed to the US company’s “best and final” offer of A$3 a share in September — a near 100% premium to the price before Albemarle’s takeover interest was made public in March.

Over the past ...