The Global Lithium Podcast

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?

Sam Piggott, CEO of Lithium Argentina, shares insights into the partnership with Ganfeng, emphasizing their journey since 2017. Carlos Galli, an Argentine lithium expert, discusses the geological advantages and community engagement essential for sustainable operations. Jason Luo, Ganfeng's president for South America, highlights Argentina's appeal for investment, new market dynamics, and infrastructure challenges. They also delve into the future of lithium demand and Argentina's potential to become the top brine producer, alongside innovative water management strategies.

In a solo session, Joe dives into the current dynamics of lithium demand and pricing, discussing Ganfeng's optimistic forecasts and Canaccord's bullish outlook. He highlights the growing battery market's impact on US EV demand and reveals updates on Thacker Pass's progress. Joe critiques Rio Tinto's uncertain strategy while addressing Congressional findings on Chinese price manipulation. The conversation also touches on Exxon's long-term approach and the complexities of the Kwinana refinery partnership. It's a rich exploration of the evolving lithium landscape.

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.