The Global Lithium Podcast

An extensive analysis of SQM in the Lithium Industry, examining its history, leadership, market strategies, product quality, and global connections. The speaker provides personal insights, industry comparisons, and historical context to highlight SQM's competitive position.

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.

Michael Dunne (@dunne_insights) on X/Twitter is the CEO of Dunne Insights a global intelligence & advisory service that provides insights on EVs, batteries, and charging with a particular emphasis on Asia. Topics: Son of a "car spy" China's lead in EVs The demise of Detroit in China Can the west catch-up? BYD - the early days China's other EV suppliers CATL's significance Can the US be a meaningful battery supplier? Toyota's hybrid strategy Should China be allowed in the US market? Advice for POTUS BYD in Brazil The Art (of EV) War How China out negotiates competitors Vin Fast in the US Rapid fire

This episode is brought to you by Zelandez and Mississippi Lime. It is the audio of a presentation I gave in late March at the Future Facing Commodities Event in Singapore with some additional commentary. The presentation slides can be found at: www.globallithium.net/articles Topics: In the beginning there was North Carolina hard rock Questions you should be asking about the lithium market Where did 2023 "oversupply" come from? China battery players influence on lithium price Increasing capital intensity The cost curve Negative sentiment Demand: all about batteries in 2024 Lithium price: a many splendored thing Bottom "price" fishing Supply "Swing supply" This cycle vs the last one Do the work!

Jon Evans (@jdevans4005 on X) is the CEO of Lithium Americas and one of the most influential leaders in the lithium industry. Topics: Building Thacker Pass – the largest lithium resource in North America The team The project timeline Lessons from Cauchari Lithium through a national security lens GM as a partner LFP in the US Lessons from the DOE loan process The importance of LAC’s Tech Center Partnering with local stakeholders The lithium market Dealing with the anti mining crowd Improving price discovery Why Jon didn’t take the easier career path Motivating the team in hard times Rapid fire

Seth Goldstein (@SethGMStar1 on X) is an Equity Strategist and Chair of the Electric Vehicle Committee at Morningstar. This is his third appearance on the podcast. Topics: Defining a top pick at Morningstar Why Seth believes the lithium stocks he follows are undervalued Bullish on LAC and Thacker Pass LAC’s DOE loan Incentivizing a North America battery supply chain Lithium Argentina’s impressive start-up at Cauchari Seth’s candid thoughts on Albemarle & their price strategy SQM & Arcadium Arcadium’s long struggle with expansions The global EV growth story The politics of EVs in the US BYD & Tesla Lithium prices CATL’s inventory “tells” & the impact on lithium demand Lepidolite costs ESS Rapid fire

Andy Leyland (@andyleyland1 on X) is the founder of Supply Chain Insights (@insights_SC on X). Andy has deep experience in all aspects of the lithium ion battery supply chain. Topics: What Supply Chain Insights does 2023: the "rebalancing" year The lepidolite spectrum Lithium demand - still robust The turnaround in ESS Sodium ion batteries Oversupply Inventory levels The future of conversion in China Brine: "Argentina's race to lose" Two ways of looking at price Why is lithium forecasting so bad? Getting info from China Incentive prices China's domestic lithium potential ESG hypocrisy Who actually paid $80/kg for lithium? Do fixed price contracts make a comeback? Recycling The SCI price forecast Rapid fire

Exploring the future of lithium in 2024, analyzing Woodmac's impact, WA ASX updates, the unpredictable lithium price trends, media's misunderstanding of the industry, advancements in DLE technology, the resurgence of brine, and numerous shout outs.