Ep 26: Leadership in Lithium, EV Supply Chains & Global Partnerships with Ron Mitchell

In this episode of Hearts & Mines, we sit down with Ron Mitchell, a global commercial and business development executive with 25+ years across mining, manufacturing, renewables, and government. Ron brings deep expertise in lithium mining, battery materials, and EV supply chains— sharing insights on leadership, global partnerships, and building strategic collaboration across the clean energy sector. From his senior roles at Talison Lithium and other ASX, TSX and Tokyo-listed companies, to founding Chair of the LME Lithium & Cobalt Committee, Ron reflects on leading through growth and change.   David Beilby 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidbeilby/ Alana Bray-White 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/alana-bray-white-8b4478219/ Ron Mitchell 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/ron-mitchell-57a7642/ ivy & gecko  🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/company/ivy-gecko   Timecodes: (0:00) Introduction (1:58) Ron Mitchell's Early Life and Career Beginnings (4:34) Personal Life and Interests (6:51) Leadership Insights and Challenges (20:13) The Importance of Integrity and Resilience (26:28) Challenges in the Lithium Industry (32:45) Australia's Role in Value-Added Processing (35:00) Balancing Skills in Lithium Projects (35:25) Government Support and Power Costs (36:23) Comparing Australia and China in Downstream Processing (36:54) Opportunities in Midstream Processing (41:16) The Importance of Trust in Business (46:40) Navigating Approvals and Red Tape (50:02) The Impact of AI on the Mining Industry (56:52) Rapid Fire Questions with Ron (1:07:49) Conclusion and Final Thoughts   Follow Hearts & Mines 🌐 LinkedIn  🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/company/hearts-mines   Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in 'Hearts & Mines' are those of the podcast participants and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of ivy & gecko or any other agency, organisation, employer, or company associated with the podcast. Content provided is for informational purposes only.