The Global Lithium Podcast

My guests are Summit Nanotech CEO Amanda Hall and President Joe Arencibia. Topics:Being a troublemakerDefining DLEDLE " flavors"Amanda's "rules" for SummitComplexity vs scaleWater usageRecovery ratesSurviving in a down marketStanding out vs competitorsChinese competitionDLE in 2030What's next?Rapid fire

A solo episode with comments on the royalty hearing in Arkansas this week, SQM's earnings call and a "doom & gloom" analyst call "Down Under".

Yuan Gao is one of the most experienced voices in the lithium ion battery world with more than a quarter century of experience across countries, companies and technologies. Topics:Reasons behind CATL & BYD's successThe China battery ecosystem"Dare to gamble"Is battery success possible in North America?Cathode developmentsComparing China's cost structure to ROWThe CATL "playbook"Leveraging vertical integration to lower lithium pricesPrice expectationsThe cost curveSodium ion leverage?Solid state batteriesLithium metal batteriesRapid fire

Carlos Galli is the VP of Growth & Innovation at Lithium Argentina. He is a global expert in lithium brine technology.Topics:Argentina's growing competitiveness in lithiumThe arrival of "big balance sheets" in the PunaLithium's need for transparencyLearnings from ChinaBattery/cathode techThe China lithium reprocessing industryIs lithium chloride the "NBT"?The partnership with GanfengThe DLE demo plantAdvantages of solvent of extractionWhy ponds with DLE make senseCauchari updateTeamworkWhy companies struggle with DLERapid fire

Carlos Vicens is the founder and CEO of Full Circle Lithium, a company that has developed an effective fire extinguishing agent for lithium fires. As the world moves to electric transportation and large scale BESS (battery energy storage systems) the risk to life and property from lithium fires has grown exponentially. Full Circle Lithium believes their FCL-X product is a viable solution to the problem.Topics:How significant an issue are lithium fires?Why lithium fires are so challenging to extinguishThe teamPartnershipsThe regulatory environmentShould lithium fires have a special classification?Fire testsHow FCL-X worksTraining fire departmentsPlaying with (lithium) fireNext steps

Austin Devaney has a wealth of lithium experience from a decade with Rockwood/Albemarle, his time with Piedmont Lithium and his new advisory business: Li7 Charged.Topics:The state of the industrySupply/demandChina's price strategy The importance of Rio Tinto's entryThe rush to AfricaA "China build" vs the WestThe new cost curveThe future of US lithiumCathode (ex China)Elon dramaAlbemarle's woesWhat is the incentive price?Rapid fire

Dr Frank Jackel is the co-founder and Managing Director of Metals Hub (metals-hub.com @metals-hub on X).Metals Hub is a leading software solutions provider that optimizes procurement processes. One of the most significant issues facing the lithium industry is lack of clarity on pricing. Metals Hub is part of the solution to that problem. I have no financial interest in Metals Hub. Nor was I compensated for having them on the podcast.Topics: What Metals Hub doesThe need for price transparencyAlbemarle - the first lithium clientThe mechanics of a lithium sales eventBenefits to clients beyond auctionsThe trend toward spot pricingThe advantage of being based outside ChinaProviding a level of trust in the marketWhen will the lithium market mature?The future influence of AIRapid fire

This is a solo episode answering listener questions. I also discuss what I learned at a recent conference in Florida.

Andy Leyland (@andyleyland1 on X) is the founder and MD of Supply Chain Insights (@insights_SC on X). Supply Chain Insights is a leading advisory firm on all things related to the lithium ion battery supply chain.Topics:State of the LIB supply chainChina vs the rest of the worldBattery demand growth in 2025Korea's bet on the USIs LFP "the answer" for North America?President Trump and critical metalsMarket "reset" or "new normal"CATL's lepidolite restartPrice in 2025 and beyondThe incentive price for western projectsContracts: the latest trendsThe cost curveConversion projects ex ChinaThe change industry structure (Rio, Exxon, etc)The futures market

The first episode of 2025 is a double episode covering the two most significant demand drivers of lithium: electric transportation and battery energy storage systems. My guests are two experts in their respective fields: Tu Le from Sino Auto Insights and Henrique Ribeiro from S&P Global. Topics: State of the NEV market The rise of PHEVs Autonomous vehicles Zeekr (Geely) & Waymo Top Chinese NEV companies Tariffs Tesla Thinning the herd Legacy OEMs: who survives? FSD Battery energy storage systems (BESS) BESS impact on lithium demand The economics of BESS Sodium ion: not ready for prime time How real is battery "second life"? BESS in 2030

Daniel Jimenez and I discuss the following topics based on listener questions: 2024 Surprises Lithium demand Trends in EV adoption PHEVs BESS growth The incentive price The cost curve Inventory Rio - Arcadium Africa's potential Price VW - Patriot Canada Argentina Ex China conversion LFP The "Trump" impact Rapid fire

This episode takes a deep dive into the Lithium Americas Thacker Pass project . My guests are LAC GM Hugh Broadhurst and R&D Manager Ryan Ravenelle.Topics:What makes Thacker Pass special?Working with a major mining partnerThe significance of the Reno Tech CenterBenefits of being in a “mining” stateProduct specificationsThe TeamInfrastructureLogisticsThe “Goldilocks” sulfuric acid plantSustainabilityCommunity supportThe project timelineChallengesThe cost curveRapid fire

Dale Henderson (@henderson_dale on X) is the Managing Director & CEO of Pilbara Minerals. I was honored to have him join me for the 200th episode. Topics: Pilbara's four strategic pillars The wild ride for lithium (& Pilbara) Swing supply created by 2022 pricing The steepening cost curve Unsustainable pricing in 2024 The coming shortage Continuing to be nimble Managing through volatility The POSCO JV & other world class partners Where Pilbara sits on the cost curve Growth and the Latin Resources acquisition The arrival of big balance sheets to lithium Brazil as a lithium jurisdiction Keeping the team motivated Two questions from Dale Rapid fire

Dan Blondal aka "the man with one tweet" is the CEO of Nano One (TSX: NANO / OTC: NNOMF). Topics: A world class suite of partners The battery challenge Why ex China cathode capacity matters China's current LFP dominance Why the west has to do LFP differently The importance of ESS as a catalyst "Design one - build many" Will Japan make a battery comeback? The importance of the DOD investment Staying the course Rapid fire

The majority of this episode is a presentation I made at the Panorama Minero "Lithium South America" event in Jujuy, Argentina on October 9, 2024. The presentation starts at ~ minute 23. The episode begins with a interview with Alejandro Columbo from Panorama Minero. We discuss what Panorama Minero does and how this event has grown over the last decade to global significance. My presentation "Lithium's Bright Future" also includes a discussion of the history of the industry and how the west's failure to act early in the last decade allowed China to become the current dominant player in lithium ion batteries and EVs. Yet the past isn't necessarily prologue.

My favorite event on the annual lithium calendar is Panorama Minero's "Lithium South America". My guests on this episode are Daniel Jimenez of iLi Markets, Roland Chavasse of the International Lithium Association and JP Vargas the MD of Galan Lithium.

Sid Subramani has global responsibility for lithium projects at Hatch (@HATCHglobal on X), a professional services and engineering company. Topics: The Hatch role in lithium A typical engagement Red flags Projects: majors vs juniors Big Energy vs Big Mining DLE – when & how significant? Common project mistakes The importance of grade Why projects are late QPs Lepidolite Lithium jurisdictions Specifications Cap-Ex: China vs others The cost curve People Rapid fire

Katie Pyfer is a Senior Director of Energy Storage responsible for global pricing at Albemarle. She has a PhD in analytical chemistry. Topics: Product analysis Managing market cycles Price discovery "Micro" managing Battery demand Commodity or specialty chemical? Tolling The blending game Qualification Competitive tension The benefit of lithium auctions Price transparency Contracts The future of "futures"

I answer listener questions on this episode. Topics: The Future of DLE Argentina production in 2025 Black Swan events Can the US work with China? The Pilbara/LRS deal Is it time for more M&A? US production in 2030 EU lithium potential Hard rock vs brine The Salton Sea Is LFP the future? Oversupply - how long? SQM as a barometer of price Rapid fire

Lisa Rebora is the Head of Global Lithium at Equinor, a global energy company (NYSE: EQNR). Equinor recently invested in two of Standard Lithium's projects in Arkansas and Texas but has lithium ambitions beyond the US. Topics: Who is Equinor? Capital commitment to low carbon solutions Why lithium? The long look at DLE Why Arkansas & Texas? The relationship with Standard Lithium The importance of Koch as a partner Building a lithium team Strength in Partnerships Challenges getting to market Market volatility The lithium growth story M&A The million dollar question The British invasion in Arkansas Rapid fire

Iola Hughes is the Head of Research at Rho Motion, a battery information services company that is part of Benchmark Mineral Intelligence. Iola is @RhoMoIola on X Topics: Cathode chemistry GWH growth numbers China's amazing performance Pack sizes The EV slowdown (ex China) ICE-EV price parity Does BYD need the US? Will Tesla get the boot in China? Revival of the hybrids India Sodium ion OEM strategies Solid state batteries The ESS market Rapid fire

My guest is industry veteran Daniel Jimenez. This is my first live podcast recorded in Fastmarket's "Live Lounge" during their recent Lithium and Battery Raw Materials Conference in Las Vegas. Topics: Lithium market sentiment Excess capacity across the lithium ion battery supply chain Recalibrating unrealistic North American and EU EV expectations Africa – opaque on volume and quality? SQM as a barometer of the industry Codelco and the Chilean state Tianqi's failed dream in Chile SQM in Australia ALB – strategy or tactics? Big Oil's move into lithium Can the oil companies use DLE to transform the industry? Arcadium – synergy? Chile – outside of the Atacama Argentina's lithium future Bolivia Brazil's hard rock boom Canada as a lithium province The future of US lithium Who will be the marginal cost producer? The incentive price Lepidolite Building lithium ion supply chains ex China Galan's project Rapid fire Auction advice for Albemarle Eramet - DLE's first full scale plant or another black eye?  

My guests are Standard Lithium CEO Robert Mintak and Dr Andy Robinson, President and COO. Topics: Equinor - another great partner Focusing on high grade brine De-risking DLE with Koch Project timelines What the OEMs are looking for Why the Smackover is so significant 3 projects with a consistent flowsheet The Equinor deal structure Arkansas & Texas as lithium jurisdictions Continuing to build the team Managing 3 projects vs 1 Carbonate or hydroxide? Standard's place on the cost curve What's next? Rapid fire

I take a deep dive into Ganfeng's history and what drove their success. I question why the world's largest lithium company, Albemarle, doesn't have the same vision and ability to get things done as Ganfeng. The episode opens with MLC CEO Paul Hogan briefly explaining why lithium may be a significant part of his company's future.

Over the years SQM has declined multiple invitations to be a guest on the podcast. I am devoting this episode to my thoughts on SQM: past, present and future.

My guests are Gene Morgan and Clint Van Marrewijk, founders of brinefield services provider Zelandez Gene is @ZelandezGene on Twitter/X Clint is @Clint_Van on Twitter/X Topics: The "Schlumberger" of lithium Speeding up brine projects "ErLi" - modular lithium production The impact of price cycles Operating in Argentina vs Chile vs Bolivia Water use The Zelandez treasure trove of brine data DLE and brine reinjection The team and the culture The "BFT" Challenges working at altitude To "BG" or not to "BG" Competition Rapid fire

In this episode I give my current thoughts on price as well as discussing my past calls both good & bad. I explain how I believe China has taken control of the lithium price narrative and the spodumene market, why I think brine based lithium returns to the lithium pole position in the coming decade and then I answer listener questions on everything from Canada, to what I invest in, to Brazil's lithium future to solid state batteries potential impact on the lithium supply chain. I likely repeat myself a few times given that tends to happen when I talk for 40 minutes without a script.

This episode includes three guests: Mac Whale of Cormark, Cole McGill of Stifel and Daniel Jimenez of iLi Markets. I joined the group on a site visit to Minera Exar's Cauchari operation. Minera Exar is a JV between Lithium Argentina and Ganfeng located in Jujuy Province, Argentina. We discuss what we saw and how each guest evaluates a project that is ramping up: 1) What were they key questions they wanted answered? 2) What was their overall impression of the project? This episode is brought to you by Zelandez and Mississippi Lime.

Michael Dunne (@dunne_insights) on X/Twitter is the CEO of Dunne Insights a global intelligence & advisory service that provides insights on EVs, batteries, and charging with a particular emphasis on Asia. Topics: Son of a "car spy" China's lead in EVs The demise of Detroit in China Can the west catch-up? BYD - the early days China's other EV suppliers CATL's significance Can the US be a meaningful battery supplier? Toyota's hybrid strategy Should China be allowed in the US market? Advice for POTUS BYD in Brazil The Art (of EV) War How China out negotiates competitors Vin Fast in the US Rapid fire

This episode is brought to you by Zelandez and Mississippi Lime. It is the audio of a presentation I gave in late March at the Future Facing Commodities Event in Singapore with some additional commentary. The presentation slides can be found at: www.globallithium.net/articles Topics: In the beginning there was North Carolina hard rock Questions you should be asking about the lithium market Where did 2023 "oversupply" come from? China battery players influence on lithium price Increasing capital intensity The cost curve Negative sentiment Demand: all about batteries in 2024 Lithium price: a many splendored thing Bottom "price" fishing Supply "Swing supply" This cycle vs the last one Do the work!

Jon Evans (@jdevans4005 on X) is the CEO of Lithium Americas and one of the most influential leaders in the lithium industry. Topics: Building Thacker Pass – the largest lithium resource in North America The team The project timeline Lessons from Cauchari Lithium through a national security lens GM as a partner LFP in the US Lessons from the DOE loan process The importance of LAC's Tech Center Partnering with local stakeholders The lithium market Dealing with the anti mining crowd Improving price discovery Why Jon didn't take the easier career path Motivating the team in hard times Rapid fire

Seth Goldstein (@SethGMStar1 on X) is an Equity Strategist and Chair of the Electric Vehicle Committee at Morningstar. This is his third appearance on the podcast. Topics: Defining a top pick at Morningstar Why Seth believes the lithium stocks he follows are undervalued Bullish on LAC and Thacker Pass LAC's DOE loan Incentivizing a North America battery supply chain Lithium Argentina's impressive start-up at Cauchari Seth's candid thoughts on Albemarle & their price strategy SQM & Arcadium Arcadium's long struggle with expansions The global EV growth story The politics of EVs in the US BYD & Tesla Lithium prices CATL's inventory “tells” & the impact on lithium demand Lepidolite costs ESS Rapid fire

Andy Leyland (@andyleyland1 on X) is the founder of Supply Chain Insights (@insights_SC on X). Andy has deep experience in all aspects of the lithium ion battery supply chain. Topics: What Supply Chain Insights does 2023: the "rebalancing" year The lepidolite spectrum Lithium demand - still robust The turnaround in ESS Sodium ion batteries Oversupply Inventory levels The future of conversion in China Brine: "Argentina's race to lose" Two ways of looking at price Why is lithium forecasting so bad? Getting info from China Incentive prices China's domestic lithium potential ESG hypocrisy Who actually paid $80/kg for lithium? Do fixed price contracts make a comeback? Recycling The SCI price forecast Rapid fire

A solo episode. What I see in 2024 off the top of my head. I recorded it but haven't listened to it yet. Topics: Woodmac and the damage done. A couple WA ASX updates Price - where to from here? Why the press doesn't get lithium DLE The comeback of brine A lot of shout outs

Blair Way is the CEO of Patriot Battery Metals (@Patriot_Battery on X aka Twitter) PMET on the TSXV, PMT on the ASX and PMETF on the OTC Topics: Humble beginnings in Quebec The maiden resource Drill program The team How big a resource? The lake Production timing Realistic goals Why scale matters The “Brinsden” effect Albemarle Top 3 challenges Will Patriot own Corvette at start-up? Rapid fire

My guests are Chris Berry (@cberry1 on X) and Daniel Jimenez (@D_Jimenez_Sch on X). Both gentlemen are multi episode guests that bring a wealth of expertise to any lithium conversation. We discuss the highlights and lowlights of a dramatic year in lithium and also look to the year ahead.

Patrick Howarth leads the lithium effort within ExxonMobil's Low Carbon Solutions Group. Exxon is currently drilling lithium brine wells in Arkansas with a plan to be in commercial production by 2027 using Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE). The company intends to become a major lithium producer by 2030. Exxon also developed the first lithium ion battery prototype in the 1970s. Topics: Exxon's Low Carbon Solutions Group Leveraging Exxon's technology capabilities to decarbonize Drilling for lithium vs oil & gas The Smackover DLE Lithium “surprises” Arkansas as a lithium province Hard rock ambitions? Supply & Demand Price The Team “Lithium years” Beyond Arkansas A tribute to Dr Stanley Whittingham Rapid fire

Ernie Ortiz is the CEO of Lithium Royalty Corp (@Lithium_Royalty on X). Topics: Ernie's backstory The LRC business model Primary vs secondary royalties Building the portfolio Why the focus on hard rock assets? The team The brand Does market negativity create opportunity? Price Competition ESG The IRA Improving lithium industry performance Rapid fire

A solo episode where I discuss my recent trip to Korea & Japan, price & index worries, and offer a lithium history less. Topics: Korean worries about the IRA Japan: the land of the "setting sun"? How many legacy OEMs survive? Price - what's next? Concern about the usefulness of indexes SQM ALB #ChrisGina Argentina elections

Part 2 with the Money of Mine podcast team: Matt Michael, Travis Ricciardo, and Jonas “JD” Dorling. The Money of Mine Podcast began in April of this year when Matt, Travis and JD quit their day jobs to begin building a “media empire.” I met them on a trip to Australia in September and was invited to be a guest on their show. I am now a regular listener. You can access their daily content via YouTube and all major podcast platforms. On X (aka Twitter) @moneyofminepod Topics: Piedmont Lithium Albemarle Ioneer The “Donald Trump” of Oz North & South America “field trip” Lithium or “midstream” chemicals? Price bifurcation Investing $5 million in ASX lithium stocks Common mistakes made by retail investors Podcast – lessons learned Interacting with the fan base Canaccord's “Mr. October” Rapid fire

My guests are the Money of Mine podcast team: Matt Michael, Travis Ricciardo and Jonas "JD" Dorling. The Money of Mine Podcast began in April of this year when Matt, Travis and JD quit their day jobs to begin building their "media empire". I met them on a trip to Australia in September when they invited me to be a guest on their show – a link to that episode on YouTube is here. You can get their daily content via YouTube and all major podcast platforms. On X, they are @moneyofminepod Topics: The Money of Mine origin story The endgame Liontown drama Announcing: “Chrisgina” Australia's lithium future SQM's next moves Wesfarmer's future Mineral Resources – where to from here? The Aussie lithium diaspora Albemarle You will have to wait for part 2 for rapid fire Other social media links Instagram: https://tinyurl.com/2p9p4xpd - LinkedIn: https://tinyurl.com/kvszkse3 - Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/yck4vx9p Personal Twitter accounts you can follow too: - Matty: https://twitter.com/mattymikals - JD: https://twitter.com/JDmoneyofmine - Travis: https://twitter.com/TRAVmoneyofmine

Tu Le is the Founder and Managing Director of Sino Auto Insights. He is also co-host of the China EVs & More Podcast. @SinoAutoInsight on X Topics: The UAW Strike The future of the "Big 3" US automakers Tesla's huge EV lead in the US Modifying IRA rules The long road to NA/EU battery competitiveness The German auto retreat in China EV = battery & software The China EV market The India EV market China market misinformation LFP in North America Rapid fire

Iggy Tan is the Non-Executive Chairman of Lithium Universe (ASX: LU7) and the Managing Director of Altech Chemicals. He was formerly the CEO of Galaxy Lithium. Topics: The Backstory At Greenbushes in the 1990s Trying to make carbonate in Oz in the 1990s Iggy's time at Galaxy Mt Cattlin and Zhangjiagang China's first “western” lithium plant Building Galaxy's lithium portfolio Time away from lithium Creating a “Lithium Universe” The team The business model for Canada The industry's biggest mistake Design considerations Iggy the author Rapid fire

A summary of my recent 12 day trip to Australia.

Tony Ottaviano is the CEO of Liontown resources. This episode was recorded at Liontown's offices in Perth, Australia the day after I visited their Kathleen Valley project. Topics: Building a culture Alignment The onboarding experience Relationship with the Tjiwarl The Dragonfly camp design Using renewable energy Empowerment Documentation & control Operational readiness Supply contracts / customer visits The Albemarle deal Going downstream? Price Where to next? Peak Australia LCE production Rapid fire

Lithium Americas will separate into two entities in the fourth quarter of 2023. LAC's South American assets will become Lithium Argentina (@Lithium_ARG on X aka Twitter). I spent a few days with the team last week in Buenos Aires and Salta, Argentina. Recording a podcast seemed like a natural thing to do. John Kanellitsas, Franco Mignacco, Ignacio Celorrio, Carlos Galli and Tom Benson joined me with a cameo appearance by Kelly O'Brien. Topics: The journey to becoming Argentina's third lithium chemical producer The importance of finding and retaining the right people Combining cultures in the Minera Exar JV The Lithium Americas separation Politics in Argentina The growing significance  of lithium to Argentina Why it is too soon for Argentina should focus on making batteries Doing lithium “differently” The 500,000 ton goal for Argentina Leveraging talent from other industries Bringing new technology to exploration Pastos Grandes Talent wars “The Signal and the Noise” The five year vision for Lithium Argentina

On this episode I enlist the help of Rene LeBlanc & Tara Berrie to help me answer listener questions that cover a broad cross section of interests from how to evaluate lithium projects to the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act to where price may be heading. Shout outs to Daniel Jimenez and Chris Berry.

Denis Geoffroy is the Chief Commercialization Officer at Nano One. Denis has spent a quarter of a century in the lithium ion battery space and was responsible for the only commercial North American LFP operation in Candiac, Quebec. We discuss his journey in LFP and how Nano One's “One Pot” technology will enable a resurgence of LFP production in North America. Topics: LFP – born in Texas and the early days in Quebec LFP's recent resurgence in the market How China came to dominate the market The current state of LFP supply Nano One: “Changing How the World Makes Battery Materials” LFP – the “mass market” EV cathode The original “million mile” battery Bringing LFP production back to North America Nano One partnerships Recycling LFP Learning from cathode “OG” Dr Yuan Gao Rapid fire

Chris Gale is the founder and MD of Latin Resources. www.latinresources.com.au / @LatinRes on Twitter Topics: Backstory – the long, winding road to lithium Raising capital Going to South America How a lithium explorer survives Why Brazil? The long odds against explorers becoming producers Upgrading the resource Learning from Sigma's experience What is a tier 1 lithium deposit? First steps in developing a project The Team The importance of getting a lithium legend on the BOD Potential off-takers Rapid fire Rest in peace Dr John Goodenough

Tu Le is the founder & Managing Director of Sino Auto Insights (@SinoAutoInsight on Twitter) and a Co-Host of the China EVs & More Podcast. Tu had significant experience with at Ford, GM and Apple before making his way to China and the EV world. Topics: China's current & future position in the global EV market Average battery sizes The return of EV incentives in China ? EV price cuts Tu Le: "BYD is what Tesla wants to be" Why is GM's CEO saying they can't build a profitable EV in the $30-40K price range in this decade China EV plans for North America The coming consolidation of EV producers in China Why legacy OEMs are on the decline in China E-Mobility "smartification" & ACES Why software leads the way in EV development North American & EU decoupling from China - easier said than done Changing the US driving mindset E- Mobility growth in India The critical metals angst of OEMs Sodium Ion battery impact on EVs ONE - Our Next Energy The top five global EV/Mobility companies in 2030 Rapid Fire

Ron Mitchell is the Managing Director of Global Lithium Resources (ASX GL1) and a veteran of the lithium industry with more than a decade of prior experience at Talison and Tianqi. Topics: Ron's backstory Early days doing business in China Building relationships Negotiating in China How does the industry 10X supply? Ron's spodumene price “crystal ball” Global Lithium Resources' two projects Building the team at GL1 Partners Offtake Going downstream? Doing mining differently Geopolitics A question for Ron from Tara Berrie Rapid fire from me as well as Alex Cheeseman Closing comments on China's "interesting" price narrative