The Global Lithium Podcast

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

In this discussion, Iola Hughes, Head of Research at Rho Motion, sheds light on the dynamic landscape of battery technology and electric vehicles. She dives into cathode chemistry, the impressive growth of GWH, and China's standout performance in the EV market. Iola explores the EV slowdown outside China, contentious issues surrounding BYD and Tesla, and the rise of hybrids in India. With insights on sodium-ion and solid-state batteries, she offers a glimpse of the rapid evolution in the energy storage sector and the future of OEM strategies.

Industry veteran Daniel Jimenez discusses various topics in the lithium industry, including market sentiment, oversupply, Africa's role, Big Oil's interest, DLE technology, and building supply chains outside China. The conversation also touches on project developments in Argentina, challenges in the EV market, and competition among countries in the lithium-ion battery supply chain.

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.