The Global Lithium Podcast

On this episode we cover everything from the twitter hype over the recent rains in the Argentina Pune and what impact it may have on production to the steadily dropping spodumene prices impacting WA producers to the EV limiting battery shortage claimed by Daimler. I am asked what a new constitution would do to lithium production in Chile and what impact the new virus in China may have on a recovery in lithium prices. Finally I respond to the often asked question of "why aren't there more women guests on the podcast?" My apologies that I didn't have time to answer every question. I am trying to keep Q&A episodes in the 25 minute range.

This episode is a result of a chance meeting in Buenos Aires after seeing a tweet by James Ellsmoor aka the Digital Nomad. James has been on my list of potential podcast guests for several months so it seemed fate intervened to make this episode happen. James is an advocate for sustainability and renewables projects in rural areas and remote islands around the world. A millennial that has started several ventures but never had a "real job" is an interesting departure from my typical podcast guest.  James can be found on twitter: @jellsmoor and on Linked In and Facebook. This is another episode that was enabled by being able to quickly respond to the opportunity via use of my Iphone to record.  In addition to speaking with James, I briefly discuss the situation in Argentina, Bolivia's new "Lithium Czar", Drama in the Atacama and the recent run-up in the stock price of junior lithium stocks.  Please note that after initial publication of this episode  I inserted an "errata clip"  to correct the fact that that I misspoke about Argentina's opponent in the 1986 world cup final - it was West Germany not England.  The "hand of God" goal by Diego Maradona was actually in the quarterfinal final match vs England. Lesson: never listen to an American talking about futbol. Trivia: The picture of the Global Lithium hat was taken one year ago today in a fjord in northern Norway near Tromso.

The Global Lithium Podcast adapts the format for the "Lithium Decade".  One host, with co-hosts from time to time, same focus on high quality  guests on the long version and answering your questions on Q&A episodes. For now, Anchor will be the podcast home but we will remain available on Apple, Spotify and other major platforms. This episode was recorded in Reno, Nevada. My guests are Dr. Rene LeBlanc, CTO of Lithium Americas and Alexi Zawadzki, President of Lithium Nevada. We discuss recent developments at the Cauchari and Thacker Pass Projects before delving into other areas.  I ask and Rene explains why it is a misnomer to say "it is too difficult to make battery grade carbonate at altitude".  We both worked for FMC Lithium (now Livent) in a day when Hombre Muerto produced an excellent battery quality product above 4,000 meters in Catamarca Province Argentina.  I provide some comments on Livent's recent earnings guidance and make some brief comments on pricing and other pertinent topics. We have a cameo appearance by long time friend of the podcast Randall Burns of LAC while I ride across Reno in his EV and am chastised by Alexi for not owning a Tesla yet. Things get loud during the "five guys in a bar segment" when Alexi asks a broader group if you could go back an be alive for any one day in history - what would it be? This episode was recorded on my IPhone - please keep that in mind as you listen. I did not travel with a mic or recording software but didn't want to miss the opportunity to record the first long form episode of the new decade. Sponsorshi

On this episode of the podcast I have two great guests- Daniel Jimenez, Managing Director of iLi Markets and former VP at SQM plus Jingwen Sun of Minmetals Securities who give their thoughts on the market in 2020. I say 2020 a couple of times when I meant to say 2019 towards the end of the podcast but likely context will bail me out... This episode goes a little long (30 min) as I also give my thoughts on each of the "Big 4" Lithium Producers as we move into the "Decade of Lithium".  I also respond to the question: “what is the status of the Global Lithium Podcast?”.

Mac Whale is my guest. He gives his thoughts on stocks in 2020. I talk about why I believe there is one more step down in price before the bottom, Nemaska seeks protection from creditors, why I sold Livent, 2020 contract prices and SQM's recent behavior in China.

This has been a tough year for the lithium market. I would love to tell you 2020 is going to be much better but I think we will have to wait for 2021 for a significant positive change. Why? You have to listen to find out.

This episode features Vivas Kumar of Benchmark Mineral Intelligence. Vivas was previously with Tesla.  We discuss e-mobility, the "Manhattan Project" like effort the US needs to catch up in the "battery arms race", millennial attitudes towards mining and much more. 

Jose Hofer is a rare breed in the lithium world. He has experience working for a major producer (SQM) and now the freedom to leverage his knowledge as a senior analyst at Benchmark Mineral Intelligence. I have known Jose since shortly after he entered the lithium world. One of his first mentors at SQM was Daniel Jimenez, a past guest of both the Global Lithium Podcast and this podcast. Jose also known as "titanium fingers" based on his guitar prowess is someone I believe you will be hearing from for a long time.

The first Global Lithium Podcast guest makes his initial appearance on Global Lithium Q&A. Chris Berry of House Mountain Partners answers my question and then I answer two listener questions. Run time: ~18 minutes

A Cyber Monday special - I am posting E53 of the Global Lithium Podcast on the Q&A site and later today will post a regular Global Lithium Q&A episode with Chris Berry aka "The Voice of Reason".