Sam Pigott is the CEO of Lithium Argentina. This episode was recorded in front of a live audience at the Fastmarkets event In Las Vegas Topics: Sam's backstory Status of Cauchari Relationship with Ganfeng The JV model with Ganfeng Building 150K MT of new capacity in Salta Province Areas of focus Long-term supply challenges Leveraging DLE for lower cost Product optionality Growing as a leader Infrastructure needs in Argentina The talent pool Local politics Success factors Sam's recent China visit...
Jun 28, 2025•48 min
My guests are Summit Nanotech CEO Amanda Hall and President Joe Arencibia. Topics: Being a troublemaker Defining DLE DLE " flavors" Amanda's "rules" for Summit Complexity vs scale Water usage Recovery rates Surviving in a down market Standing out vs competitors Chinese competition DLE in 2030 What's next? Rapid fire
Jun 12, 2025•1 hr 4 min
A solo episode with comments on the royalty hearing in Arkansas this week, SQM's earnings call and a "doom & gloom" analyst call "Down Under".
May 31, 2025•24 min
Yuan Gao is one of the most experienced voices in the lithium ion battery world with more than a quarter century of experience across countries, companies and technologies. Topics: Reasons behind CATL & BYD's success The China battery ecosystem "Dare to gamble" Is battery success possible in North America? Cathode developments Comparing China's cost structure to ROW The CATL "playbook"Leveraging vertical integration to lower lithium prices Price expectations The cost curve Sodium ion leverag...
May 21, 2025•1 hr 7 min
Carlos Galli is the VP of Growth & Innovation at Lithium Argentina. He is a global expert in lithium brine technology. Topics: Argentina's growing competitiveness in lithium The arrival of "big balance sheets" in the Puna Lithium's need for transparency Learnings from China Battery/cathode tech The China lithium reprocessing industry Is lithium chloride the "NBT"? The partnership with Ganfeng The DLE demo plant Advantages of solvent of extraction Why ponds with DLE make sense Cauchari update...
Apr 24, 2025•1 hr 15 min
Carlos Vicens is the founder and CEO of Full Circle Lithium, a company that has developed an effective fire extinguishing agent for lithium fires. As the world moves to electric transportation and large scale BESS (battery energy storage systems) the risk to life and property from lithium fires has grown exponentially. Full Circle Lithium believes their FCL-X product is a viable solution to the problem. Topics: How significant an issue are lithium fires? Why lithium fires are so challenging to e...
Apr 18, 2025•49 min
Austin Devaney has a wealth of lithium experience from a decade with Rockwood/Albemarle, his time with Piedmont Lithium and his new advisory business: Li7 Charged. Topics: The state of the industry Supply/demand China's price strategy The importance of Rio Tinto's entry The rush to Africa A "China build" vs the West The new cost curve The future of US lithium Cathode (ex China) Elon drama Albemarle's woes What is the incentive price? Rapid fire...
Apr 12, 2025•59 min
Dr Frank Jackel is the co-founder and Managing Director of Metals Hub (metals-hub.com @metals-hub on X). Metals Hub is a leading software solutions provider that optimizes procurement processes. One of the most significant issues facing the lithium industry is lack of clarity on pricing. Metals Hub is part of the solution to that problem. I have no financial interest in Metals Hub. Nor was I compensated for having them on the podcast. Topics: What Metals Hub does The need for price transparency ...
Apr 11, 2025•1 hr 5 min
This is a solo episode answering listener questions. I also discuss what I learned at a recent conference in Florida.
Apr 11, 2025•45 min
Andy Leyland (@andyleyland1 on X) is the founder and MD of Supply Chain Insights (@insights_SC on X). Supply Chain Insights is a leading advisory firm on all things related to the lithium ion battery supply chain. Topics: State of the LIB supply chain China vs the rest of the world Battery demand growth in 2025 Korea's bet on the US Is LFP "the answer" for North America? President Trump and critical metals Market "reset" or "new normal" CATL's lepidolite restart Price in 2025 and beyond The ince...
Feb 08, 2025•1 hr 1 min
The first episode of 2025 is a double episode covering the two most significant demand drivers of lithium: electric transportation and battery energy storage systems. My guests are two experts in their respective fields: Tu Le from Sino Auto Insights and Henrique Ribeiro from S&P Global. Topics: State of the NEV market The rise of PHEVs Autonomous vehicles Zeekr (Geely) & Waymo Top Chinese NEV companies Tariffs Tesla Thinning the herd Legacy OEMs: who survives? FSD Battery energy storage...
Jan 11, 2025•1 hr 29 min
Daniel Jimenez and I discuss the following topics based on listener questions: 2024 Surprises Lithium demand Trends in EV adoption PHEVs BESS growth The incentive price The cost curve Inventory Rio - Arcadium Africa's potential Price VW - Patriot Canada Argentina Ex China conversion LFP The "Trump" impact Rapid fire
Dec 21, 2024•1 hr 5 min
This episode takes a deep dive into the Lithium Americas Thacker Pass project . My guests are LAC GM Hugh Broadhurst and R&D Manager Ryan Ravenelle. Topics: What makes Thacker Pass special? Working with a major mining partner The significance of the Reno Tech Center Benefits of being in a “mining” state Product specifications The Team Infrastructure Logistics The “Goldilocks” sulfuric acid plant Sustainability Community support The project timeline Challenges The cost curve Rapid fire...
Dec 09, 2024•1 hr 8 min
Dale Henderson (@henderson_dale on X) is the Managing Director & CEO of Pilbara Minerals. I was honored to have him join me for the 200th episode. Topics: Pilbara’s four strategic pillars The wild ride for lithium (& Pilbara) Swing supply created by 2022 pricing The steepening cost curve Unsustainable pricing in 2024 The coming shortage Continuing to be nimble Managing through volatility The POSCO JV & other world class partners Where Pilbara sits on the cost curve Growth and the Lat...
Nov 20, 2024•1 hr 2 min
Dan Blondal aka "the man with one tweet" is the CEO of Nano One (TSX: NANO / OTC: NNOMF). Topics: A world class suite of partners The battery challenge Why ex China cathode capacity matters China's current LFP dominance Why the west has to do LFP differently The importance of ESS as a catalyst "Design one - build many" Will Japan make a battery comeback? The importance of the DOD investment Staying the course Rapid fire...
Nov 01, 2024•1 hr 3 min
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 fa...
Oct 19, 2024•1 hr 13 min
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.
Oct 12, 2024•57 min
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...
Sep 13, 2024•1 hr 8 min
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"...
Sep 05, 2024•1 hr 8 min
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
Aug 23, 2024•50 min
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 M...
Aug 06, 2024•1 hr
Iola Hughes is the Head of Research at Rho Motion, a battery information services company that is part of Benchmark Mineral Intelligence. Iola is @RhoMoIola on X Topics: Cathode chemistry GWH growth numbers China's amazing performance Pack sizes The EV slowdown (ex China) ICE-EV price parity Does BYD need the US? Will Tesla get the boot in China? Revival of the hybrids India Sodium ion OEM strategies Solid state batteries The ESS market Rapid fire...
Aug 01, 2024•1 hr 6 min
My guest is industry veteran Daniel Jimenez. This is my first live podcast recorded in Fastmarket's "Live Lounge" during their recent Lithium and Battery Raw Materials Conference in Las Vegas. Topics: Lithium market sentiment Excess capacity across the lithium ion battery supply chain Recalibrating unrealistic North American and EU EV expectations Africa – opaque on volume and quality? SQM as a barometer of the industry Codelco and the Chilean state Tianqi’s failed dream in Chile SQM in Australi...
Jul 03, 2024•1 hr 1 min
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 ...
Jun 22, 2024•1 hr 2 min
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.
Jun 14, 2024•40 min
Over the years SQM has declined multiple invitations to be a guest on the podcast. I am devoting this episode to my thoughts on SQM: past, present and future.
May 29, 2024•57 min
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 t...
May 11, 2024•51 min
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 repe...
Apr 30, 2024•44 min
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 y...
Apr 12, 2024•56 min
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 fo...
Apr 07, 2024•1 hr 3 min
