The Global Lithium Podcast

Carlos Galli is a globally recognized expert in lithium brine technology. This is a wide ranging discussion on the lithium market in Argentina including what needs to happen from a policy perspective to fully leverage Argentina’s diverse portfolio of lithium containing salars. The importance of access to adequate quantities of fresh water for lithium projects and the great debate of how brine use should be considered in the water discussion. We review the top projects in some detail. LAC/Minera Exar, Orocobre (both Sal de Vida & Cauchari Expansion), Livent's expansion, Neolithium, POSCO, Eramet, Rincon, Lithica, Millennial, etc. Ganfeng's ambitious plans beyond Cauchari We also discuss Lake Resources and their recent commentary about their future Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) is another topic both as it relates to Argentina and other parts of the world. The discussion strays across the border on occasion as we bring Chile and Bolivia into the discussion.

My guest is Stephen Biggins the Managing Director of Core Lithium. Core is developing the Finniss Lithium Project in the Northern Territory of Australia near the capital city of Darwin.  We discuss: Their project: from metallurgy to process details and timing Relationships with two top level lithium producers – Ganfeng and Yahua Offtake details The project DFS Drilling to grow the reserve base The benefits of developing a project in the Northern Territory Lithium “fines” as a by product The market: entering the “perpetual lithium deficit” Becoming vertically integrated in the future Project execution challenges Building a team ESG Rapid fire

My guest is Dale Henderson, Chief Operating Officer, of Pilbara Minerals. Topics include: An operations update Acquiring and restarting Altura’s operations Increasing production to ~550K MT of spodumene concentrate by mid-2022 and more than a 1,000K MT by mid-decade The market and price outlook Financing Adopting new technology to reduce the operation’s carbon footprint Potential new products Company culture Lessons learned in the lean years Rapid fire Dale is on Twitter @henderson_dale  Pilbara Minerals is on Twitter and Instagram @PilbaraMinerals

Adam Panayi is the Managing Director of UK based EV and Battery consultancy Rho Motion. The key to understanding the future direction of the lithium industry is understanding the growth of EVs and batteries as well understanding the developments in cathode chemistry and solid state. Shout outs to Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, Simon Moores and Roger Atkins. In a little less than an hour we cover: How Rho Motion collects and parses data aka “how the forecast sausage is made” GWH projections for 2025 and 2030 – the driver of lithium demand The methodology of predicting Gigafactory utilization Stated Gigafactory capacity vs effective capacity EV penetration by region ESS – taking what batteries it can get (for now) Gigafactory start-up reject rates (the dirty little secret of battery producers) Warranties Why after several EV “false starts” it is different this time Cathode chemistry projections Rapid fire

Guests: Standard Lithium’s CEO, Robert Mintak and COO, Dr. Andy Robinson. Topics include: Managing a project and building a team remotely during Covid Getting the process right: scale and quality data matters The benefits of a building a new plant within a larger, established chemical operation Seeking attention and support from the Biden administration Timing of commercialization Potential of lithium from the Smackover formation beyond El Dorado The coming lithium supply mismatch with demand The actions needed from OEMs and policymakers After "rapid fire" I close the episode with comments/advice for the Biden administration on battery raw material supply chain policy

Alexi Zawadzki is the President of North American Operations for Lithium Americas (LAC).  He is currently leading the effort to bring Thacker Pass into production by mid decade. In this episode we discuss the resource (type and size), the current status of the project including pilot plant operations, LAC's commitment to sustainable project development, innovative mining and reclamation techniques, planned use of renewable energy and desire to minimize the impact to the environment.  Thacker Pass will be the first world class lithium resource to be brought online in the US in this century.

Jon Evans is one of the most effective and knowledgeable executives in the lithium world. He is also a great leader. I have known Jon for well over a decade. First as my boss when I was running FMC Lithium’s Asia operations. When I left FMC and started Global Lithium, Jon was often a source of insightful advice. He remains a mentor to me despite being a Zodiac calendar younger than I am. Yes, you can still use a mentor in your 60s. Among the topics we cover: The status LAC’s projects in Argentina (Cauchari) and the US (Thacker Pass) The positive aspects of Covid project delays Why a US critical metals supply chain will develop despite many with a “not in my backyard” mindset The high level of partnership interest in Thacker Pass and why Jon doesn’t want or need an offtake agreement LAC’s strong balance sheet and the flexibility it brings Building effective teams and how LAC hires Risk mitigation Global supply and demand The developing “broader audience” for lithium ESG Dangerous assumptions Why the industry will need to produce products beyond carbonate and hydroxide for the battery industry Rapid fire

Carlos Vicens is the CFO of Neo Lithium. We discuss the 3Qs project in Catamarca Province, Argentina. Topics include: Operating in Argentina Unexpected “benefits” of Covid in moving the project forward ESG – more than just the “E” Their partnership with global battery leader CATL Straight talk on product “cuts” The top challenges bringing a lithium project into production Setting the record straight on 3Qs logistics Price expectations DLE Financing path forward Rapid

The is part 2 of my 100th episode with highlights from some of my favorite episodes and guests.  Jon Evans - Lithium Americas Li Liangbin and Wang Xiaoshen - Ganfeng Eduardo Bitran - CORFO Ken Brinsden - Pilbara Minerals Dr Yuan Gao - ex CEO of Pulead Dan Blondal and Dr Stephen Campbell - Nano One The Lowry family

Chris Berry, President of House Mountain Partners ( www.discoveryinvesting.com ), is one of the most highly regarded battery metals analysts in the space. He was also the first guest on the Global Lithium Podcast in November of 2017. It seemed natural to bring Chris back for episode 100 especially given the recent resurgence of interest in lithium and other battery metals as the global energy transition unfolds. Known as "The Voice of Reason" Chris has a unique ability to speak plainly about complex topics. His insights regarding the increasing role of geopolitics in the development of battery supply chains makes this episode worth a listen. Chris can be found on twitter @cberry1