The Global Lithium Podcast

My guests are two voices from the brine world. Murray Brooker and Clint Van Marrewijk. Topics:Why do brine projects take so long?WA's hard rock advantagesWill brine development be faster in this cycleThe impact of big balance sheetsWhat makes a great brine project?Brine recovery ratesThe "promise" of DLENo DLE, no Smackover"Brine without borders"Modular brine productionThe brine talent poolRapid fire

Chris Reed is the Managing Director of NeometalsTopics:Status of the lithium marketWhat China got rightPivoting from urban mining to brineLFPConversion in the WestAfrica DLEThe project in UtahSPAC of the century?Oh CanadaLithium history lessonsDemand in 2030CATL's lithium strategy?Supply in 2035Geopolitics

Tu Le is the founder of Sino Auto Insights, an innovation & management consulting firm.Topics:The Global EV pictureThe final frontier for China EVsThe US "China EV" strategyGM and FordThe status of FSD (full self-driving)The changing perception of Tesla in ChinaWhat's next for BYD and Tesla?When will CATL be producing batteries in the US?The "best of the rest" China EV companiesRapid fireThe growing angst in China over lithium supply

Tom Benson (aka the "Doctor of Volcanoes") is the Vice President of Exploration at Lithium Argentina. Topics:Being creative in explorationThe major upgrade to the Cauchari - Olaroz resourceBigger than the Atacama?Tom's history at Thacker PassLithium Africa - Tom's latest focus The Africa lithium "recipe"Use of new technology & AI in exploration"Permitting Purgatory"Making Africa a lithium successComments on the Smackover & Salton SeaIt's "nice to be nice"Rapid fire

This is a short solo episode.Topics: What lithium investors are askingThe converter in TexasA tale of two earnings callsMy visit to Thacker Pass

YJ Lee is a Director and Fund Manager at Arcane Capital in Singapore. Find him on X @usuallyYJLeeTopics:The BackstoryYJ's path to lithiumThe learning processHis bullish forecasts EVs, E-trucks & BESSPicking winnersGanfeng & Tianqi turn bullishCATL's diminishing lithium market influenceIs another price spike coming?Thacker PassDLE & the SmackoverErametVulcanNemaskaCanadian potential?Rapid fire

Rene is a VP at Lithium Americas and one of the best technical minds in the industry. Topics:How the industry has changed in 20 yearsThe return of LFPFlowsheetsChina's overnight success after two decadesThe challenge for AmericaThe next cycleIs the low hanging fruit gone?What derailed high nickel cathodeTesla's Texas converter hypeBESSDLEThacker Pass update

This is a solo episode. In the past I wrote a time limited "stream of consciousness" New Year's post on LinkedIn. This year I decided to do a podcast with the same rules.

Daniel Jimenez is the founder of iLi Markets and formerly worked for SQM. On X: @D_Jimenez_SchTopics:The rapid growth of BESSCATLChina's weakening grip on lithium Hidden costs in AfricaThe tightening marketWhere is the money made in LIBChile's lithium futureArgentinaRio Tinto's next movesWhen does DLE matter?Alternatives to CO3 & LiOHThe coming price spikeConversion capacity outside ChinaRapid fire

This episode is a panel discussion that took place at the Arkansas Lithium Innovation Summit in October on the missing midstream. The panelists were:David Park, CEO of Standard LithiumDan Blondal, CEO of Nano OneHugh McDonald, Arkansas Secretary of CommerceBhageerath Vadhi, Geologist - Ford Motor CompanyTopics:What is the midstream?Why does it matter?The cathode bottleneckChina's current dominant positionMarginsNano One's LFP advantageWashington's perspective and roleEmphasizing energy storage over EVsGeopoliticsWhat does success look like?

There are three guests and a cameo appearance in this episode.Sam Pigott and Carlos Galli from Lithium Argentina are joined by Jason (Xiaofeng) Luo from Ganfeng. The cameo appearance is from Kelly O'Brien the head of investor relations at Lithium Argentina.Topics:History of the LAR - Ganfeng partnershipConsolidating assets - PPGThe "marriage" & synergyGanfeng's view of ArgentinaRIGIThe success of CauchariThe teamGanfeng's recent market growth commentsThe incentive priceComponents of demandWhen does Argentina become #1 in brine?Funding PPGGanfeng's Marianas projectWater issuesDLE Rapid fire

This solo episode was recorded November 19th 2025 in Los Angeles while I was attending Benchmark Week.Topics:Ganfeng on supply / demand / priceCanaccord's take on the marketBESS Exxon's comments on lithiumThe midstreamDLERio's lithium future US Congress on China's predatory pricingLiontown's spod auctionIGO's Kwinana woes

The state of Arkansas is poised to be the next great lithium brine province. This week at the Arkansas Lithium Innovation Summit I interviewed Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders along with Allie Kennedy Thurmond and Jason Muller from Equinor, Ashu Sharma from Aquatech and Jesse Edmondson of Standard Lithium.Topics:Why Arkansas?Angela's storyGoing downstreamNo DLE, no SmackoverUS policy gapsStockpile optionsBuilding value chainsThe Smackover Lithium cultureForce multipliersAquatech's businessProcess optimization Li-Pro & PearlWhat's next for the Summit?

Emilie Bodoin is the founder and CEO of Pure Lithium. The mission of Pure Lithium is commercializing a rechargeable lithium metal battery. Topics:Improving how lithium metal is madeSimplifying the battery supply chainWhy making EV batteries is not the company's goalSpeedLFP and vanadiumPartnersMentorsThe commercialization planWhy solid state batteries aren't a panaceaRapid fire

Chris Berry aka "the voice of reason" is the founder and President of House Mountain Partner. Ernest Scheyder is a journalist and the author of "The War Below."Topics:The US critical metals strategyThe US trend towards state capitalismPicking winnersLAC/GM and the DOE loan "deal"Free money??The market bottomThe OPEC analogy to lithiumLithium's version of frackingDLE's future roleLithium as a "party animal"The long road to a circular economyRapid fire

Ron Mitchell has one of the lithium industry's most impressive resumes having worked for Talison, Tianqi, and a resource development project. He also chaired the LME lithium and cobalt committee for several years.Topics: The challenge of developing resourcesDe-risking projectsPriceAfrica - reality vs hypeLepidolite - mountains of residueThe beauty of vertical integrationThe hard rock cost curveIncentive pricesHard rock conversion beyond ChinaPeak spodumene in AustraliaRisk management toolsIssues with spot priceWhat's next?Rapid fire

Chris Doornbos is the Founder and CEO of E3 Lithium.Topics:Thinking differently about lithiumThe Alberta advantageThe TeamDLESorbent flexibilityTimingFinancing optionsPrice & price supportsThe "lithium buyer's club"?The cost curveInfluencing policyThe critical pathRapid fire

I provide additional perspective of why I believe the "lithium winter" is over. Chinese anti-involution measures are a contributing factor, as is continued strong demand growth and less lithium feedstock and chemical inventory in China than many people think.

My guest is Cormac O'Laoire, PhD the Managing Director of Electrios Consultants. We have a far ranging discussion on the rise of China in the lithium-ion battery space. We cover how China out competed their formerly stronger rivals in Japan and Korea and discuss the current and future state of batteries, NEVs and BESS. Given recent events we also cover lepidolite in Yichun and brine in Qinghai.

This is a solo episode where I share some thoughts regarding why I think the recent "lithium winter" is over. I believe price has bottomed and a new upward cycle has begun.

Jesse Edmondson and Arthur Orduña are playing key roles in shaping the future of lithium production and the broader battery supply chain in Arkansas. Together, they bring deep experience and a shared mission: to put Arkansas squarely on the global lithium map.In this episode, we discuss:Why major players like Exxon, Equinor, and Chevron have chosen Arkansas for their first lithium investmentsHow a small startup like Standard Lithium partnered with a Norwegian oil major—and why that collaboration makes strategic senseHow Arkansas is leveraging the Smackover Formation to build a full lithium-ion battery ecosystem through initiatives like the Arkansas Lithium Innovation Accelerator and other emerging programsWhy making cathode materials in Arkansas isn’t just possible—it’s practicalI also extend a direct invitation to Korean battery makers to partner for cathode production in ArkansasThis is a uniquely American story—about innovation, energy, and new beginnings in unexpected places.Stick around for Rapid Fire.

Sam Pigott is the CEO of Lithium Argentina. This episode was recorded in front of a live audience at the Fastmarkets event In Las VegasTopics:Sam's backstoryStatus of CauchariRelationship with GanfengThe JV model with GanfengBuilding 150K MT of new capacity in Salta ProvinceAreas of focusLong-term supply challengesLeveraging DLE for lower costProduct optionalityGrowing as a leaderInfrastructure needs in ArgentinaThe talent poolLocal politicsSuccess factorsSam's recent China visitRapid fire

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.