Lithium Podcast

The Best, The Worst, The First

E34: March Madness

Joe and Emily reveal the Global Lithium Podcast version of “March Madness.” This episode keeps it short and snappy discussing several recent developments in the lithium space.

Despite high-nickel cathode hype, lithium hydroxide prices have fallen narrowing the premium versus lithium carbonate prices.

What does the disappearance of the lithium hydroxide premium mean for players who have predicated their strategy on a continued hydroxide price gap vs carbonate (looking at you, Livent)?

SQM’s new CEO may have wished he could “take a mulligan” on the first earnings call in the top job. His confusing commentary left investors scratching their heads about whether SQM would be building up a “Strategic stockpile” or simply having continued production issues.

Emily asks the question does SQM have the ability to lead “cartel adjacent” market behavior?

By blaming his price volatility on battery innovation rather than a sub-par product, Orocobre’s new CEO fumbled in the eyes of Joe and Emily.

The Advantage CEO David Sidoo made headlines in the “Varsity Blues” pay-to-play college admissions scandal.

In the EV space, Ford’s Chairman is mulling entrance to the lithium space, Volkswagen has announced 20 more EVs to be on the road by 2025, and Chinese battery maker CATL and Tesla have announced a deal, to prompting Joe to ask: “where is all the lithium coming from?

The two close on some news from Tianqi regarding their investment in the cathode business.

E34: March Madness

 
 
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E33: Time Travelers: The Future is Now

This episode, “Time Travelers: The Future is Now” puts “global” in the Global Lithium Podcast. Joe is one day ahead; recording from Tokyo, the site of Battery Japan, on Saturday while Emily who is at the Colorado School of Mines for a Critical Materials meeting, has her feet firmly planted in Friday afternoon.

The podcast team catches up with each other as well as battery-expert Sam Jaffe of Cairn Energy to go over the latest in lithium news. They discuss the new demand forecast from Albemarle as well as SQM’s latest pricing and production information. They also review the status of the transition to high nickel cathodes and the implications on the raw material choice between carbonate and hydroxide.

Sam talks about the Chinese EV subsidy regime and how it impacts cathode decisions. Emily praises the mustache of Dr Dieter Zetsche of Daimler as well as his company’s new mobility JV with BMW. Joe calls FastMarket’s latest brine production numbers into question and revisits Morgan Stanley’s refusal to admit the error of their ways on their well worn oversupply ($8/kg carbonate price) narrative. The trio continues by chatting about Galaxy’s finally closed deal with Posco for Sal de Vida tenements and what happens next on the Salar del Hombre Muerto in Argentina.

The podcast closes with some “rapid fire” questions for Sam.

Episode 33 is brought to you by Zelandez — bringing actionable data to brine exploration companies faster. For more information please check out www.zelandez.com

E33: Time Travelers: The Future is Now

 
 
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E32: Hat Trick

In the first Global Lithium Podcast hat trick, Chris Berry is back for his third appearance—this time remotely. Joe is in North Carolina, Emily in Argentina, and Chris in New York. Together they take on the news that Nemaska is going to need CAD $375 million in additional financing, and what that is going to mean for the industry.

Chris shares his views on 2019, comparing the market to Winston Churchill and predicting falling spodumene prices as new Western Australian supply competes for currently limited conversion capacity in China.

Given that the much-hyped oversupply of lithium chemicals does not appear to be anywhere on the horizon, are automakers asleep at the wheel in what Joe describes as a “fool’s paradise?” He says the assumption is that lithium supply will magically appear without any action on automakers’ part. There three also discuss whether or not the US is willing to take the steps to take the lead in the battery space.

In light of the Livent (nee FMC) announcement that it will be exporting hydroxide produced in China, Emily takes advantage of the opportunity to pick Joe’s brain on hydroxide vs. carbonate pricing, and whether the headlong rush into hydroxide for high nickel cathodes is potentially overdone.

In case you, loyal listener, are wondering, Chris answers “rapid fire” questions and shares the story of a cheeseburger that brought him to tears.

We want to thank Zelandez for sponsoring this episode.

About our sponsor: Zelandez is made up of trusted experts in lithium brinefield exploration services. To learn more, visit their website or LinkedInPage.

E32: Hat Trick

 
 
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E31: California Dreamin’, Drama, and Dan

Joe and Emily kick off 2019 with a packed podcast agenda! They discuss the announced and then quickly denied Berkshire Hathaway deal for Salton Sea geothermal brine lithium production.

Their buddy Dan Blondal, CEO of Nano One calls in to discuss the recently announced Joint Development Argeement with cathode maker Pulead, and the market for LFP cathode.

The Pluspetrol buyout of Argentina’s LSC Lithium and valuation is another topic. They also touch on Fastmarkets prediction of a spot price of US $25,000/ton in 2025, and close out with the never ending Drama in the Atacama.

For more on what’s going on with geothermal brines in California, check out the links below:

https://efiling.energy.ca.gov/GetDocument.aspx?tn=225903
https://www.energy.ca.gov/geothermal/grda_workshops/

E31: California Dreamin’, Drama, and Dan

 
 
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E30: A Beautiful Day in the Lithium Neighborhood

Joe and Emily round out 2018 with a Christmas special, recorded partially in Santiago, Chile, and partially from North Carolina and Washington, D.C., respectively. In Chile, the two chat about some key takeaways from meeting Eduardo Bitran, and details surrounding the Albemarle—Mineral Resources deal. Two special guests drop by the studio: Alejandro Hess shares his views on lithium stocks, and Dr. Alonso Barros gives us some color on the situation with indigenous communities in the Atacama. Joe shares his thoughts on the failure of the wave of oversupply to materialize, and where he thinks the big banks have gone wrong in 2018. The two close with rapid fire questions about favorite podcast moments, new year resolutions, and Joe’s encounter with Bruce Springsteen (before he was a liberal).

E30: A Beautiful Day in the Lithium Neighborhood

 
 

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E29: Man on a Mission, Part Two

Due to the length and extremely high level of interest in Episode 27 “Man on a Mission” with Dr. Eduardo Bitran, it seemed that the Global Lithium Podcast’s server might have had issues keeping up with demand.

To ensure everyone gets to listen to the entire discussion without issue, E27 is being split into two parts. Each part is less than an hour in length, so this will facilitate easier downloading. E27 will remain on the website, but for those who have not listened yet it will probably simpler to download E28 “Man on a Mission, Part One” & E29 “Man on a Mission, Part Two.” Think of it as the Global Lithium Podcast’s “boxed set” gift to you. Thanks for your great support this year.

Stay warm,
Joe and Emily

E29: Man on a Mission, Part Two

 
 

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E28: Man on a Mission, Part One

Due to the length and extremely high level of interest in Episode 27 “Man on a Mission” with Dr. Eduardo Bitran, it seemed that the Global Lithium Podcast’s server might have had issues keeping up with demand.

To ensure everyone gets to listen to the entire discussion without issue, E27 is being split into two parts. Each part is less than an hour in length, so this will facilitate easier downloading. E27 will remain on the website, but for those who have not listened yet it will probably simpler to download E28 “Man on a Mission, Part One” & E29 “Man on a Mission, Part Two.” Think of it as the Global Lithium Podcast’s “boxed set” gift to you. Thanks for your great support this year.

Stay warm,
Joe and Emily

E28: Man on a Mission, Part One

 
 

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E27: Man on a Mission

In a move that will undoubtedly surprise many in the the lithium world, Joe Lowry and Eduardo Bitran sit down in Santiago to discuss the history of the “Drama in the Atacama.” Dr. Bitran shares his background – growing up in a small town in Northern Chile that led to a passion for public service and innovation. The discussion covers the history of CORFO and its relationship with SQM & Albemarle, background on how Chile’s royalty scheme for lithium was developed, and the royalty’s impact on the cost curve. Joe, Emily, and Dr. Bitran discuss the politics behind SQM and Julio Ponce, and Dr. Bitran’s views on Tianqi’s entrance into Chile. The three also review the current conflict between Chile and Albemarle over lithium pricing.

Dr. Bitran and Joe discover they agree on much more than they differ. There is even talk of a collaboration on a book and much more.

E27: Man on a Mission

 
 

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E26: Keep Lithium Weird

Joe and Emily catch up with the Lithium Americas leadership team in Buenos Aires, Argentina. On this episode, LAC’s new President/COO, Jon Evans, shares some of his past experiences, including as Joe’s boss at another lithium company and his thoughts on the lithium brain drain.

John Kanellitsas and Tom Hodgson share their insight on the recent change from SQM to Ganfeng as their JV partner in the Argentina Cauchari project.  We discuss their LAC’s philosophy on team building and cherry picking talent across the lithium world.

Some listeners may notice that this episode was shorter than normal. Tom Hodgson arrived in the studio after meeting the President of Argentina with partner, Ganfeng. Since some members of the team needed to catch a flight, studio time was limited.t.

As normal in season two, the episode closes with rapid fire questions. Joe and Emily learn how to make money off of stocks, what the various lights on airplanes mean, and they find out why John Kanellitsas wants to keep the lithium industry “weird.”

E26: Keep Lithium Weird

 
 

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E25: (Not) Lost in Translation (没有）迷失在翻译中

Joe and Emily are back in Buenos Aires to record a special first anniversary episode of the Global Lithium Podcast!

Li Liangbin the Chairman of Ganfeng and Wang Xiaoshen, the Vice Chairman came to the studio to record episode 25 immediately after meeting with President Mauricio Macri to discuss the lithium market and their investments in Argentina.

Joe spent the prior two days with Messrs. Li and Wang visiting Ganfeng’s projects in Salta and Jujuy provinces. He also joined Ganfeng’s celebration with Lithium Americas at their jointly owned Minera Exar Cauchari project where the governor of Jujuy and the National Mining secretary joined in the ceremonial starting of the pump to fill the massive pond system that will likely result in Minera Exar becoming Argentina’s largest lithium producer.

This is the Global Lithium Podcast’s first bilingual episode – English and Chinese. The show has a growing audience in China and felt Mr. Li’s comments should be in his native tongue, as well as translated into English very capably by Wang Xiaoshen. The four cover Ganfeng’s early days, their rapid growth, their strategy to partner with all of the “Big 3” which ultimately led to Ganfeng becoming a major player. They then discuss why Mr. Li could never sell his “baby” and how the baby ultimately became the Yao Ming of lithium. As the episode progresses it becomes clear Joe has a lot of shared history with his friends from China.

Joe and Emily were honored that Ganfeng took time out of their whirlwind Argentina trip to spend time with them. Wang Xiaoshen gave Emily a bit of advice near the end of the episode—telling her she should spend more time in China. Time constraints limited the topics they were able to cover so Joe and Emily plan to have follow-up episode—in China.

——-

乔和艾米丽回到布宜诺斯艾利斯，录制全球锂电播客一周年特别节目。
赣锋锂业董事长李良彬和赣锋锂业副董事长王晓申在与阿根廷总统马克里会面后立即来到录音室录制第25集，讨论锂市场及其在阿根廷的投资。

前两天，李先生和王先生一起参观了赣锋在萨尔塔省和胡胡伊省的项目，还参加了与Lithium Americas 共同拥有的Minera Exar Cauchari项目的庆祝活动。Jujuy省长和国家矿业部长也参加了开工仪式，按下按钮向锂矿蒸发池注入第一批卤水。这个项目可能使Minera Exar成为阿根廷最大的锂生产商。

这是我们的第一部双语剧集 – 英文和中文。我们在中国的受众越来越多，我们认为李先生的评论应该用他的母语，并由王晓申先生翻译成英文。我们谈论了赣锋的早期发展，他们的快速增长，他们与所有“三巨头”合作的策略，最终赣锋成为主要参与者。我们讨论为什么李先生永远不会卖掉他的“孩子”以及这个小孩最终如何成长为锂行业中的姚明。随着本集的录制，乔与他的中国朋友也分享了很多他们过去的交集。

我们很荣幸赣锋从旋风般的阿根廷旅行中抽出时间与我们共度时光。王晓申在本集结束时给了Emily一些建议，告诉她应该在中国呆更多时间。时间限制了我们能够讨论的话题，所以我们计划不久后在中国再录制一集。

 

E25: (Not) Lost in Translation (没有）迷失在翻译中

 
 

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E24: Cathodes, Cailin & Questions

 

 

Content Warning: This episode will reveal spoilers to A Star Is Born, the Hollywood tearjerker featuring Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper.

In a special edition of the Global Lithium Podcast, Joe and Emily catch up with Cailin Lowry to get updates on her short film The SocietyTM, which was crowdfunded by many members of the lithium community. Before speaking with Cailin, the Global Lithium Podcast team discuss developments in the Drama in the Atacama stemming from the approval of the sale of 23.8% of SQM to Chinese giant Tianqi. Emily and Joe give a shout out to Alejandro Hess for his great coverage of an opaque export market. After speaking with Cailin, Emily asks Joe a few rapid fire questions, including how Joe has learned from mistakes in the past and how he views the world, including how he has learned patience (sort of) and why listening to his wife and daughters makes sense.

E24: Cathodes, Cailin & Questions

 
 

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E23: A Man from a Land Down Under

Joe and Emily are joined by Ken Brinsden, CEO of Pilbara Minerals. They reminisce with the “man from a land down under” about their trip to the Pilbara mine in early 2018, and how quickly the project was built and started producing. The two then learn about Ken’s connection to a US president! There is a discussion of the nitty gritty of offtake agreements, and the push in Australia to stop producing minerals and start producing chemicals. Stay tuned till the end of the podcast and hear some rapid fire questions that include Ken’s “chalk and cheese” moments, and learn a few things about the tremors underground mining can cause.

E23: A Man from a Land Down Under

 
 

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E22: Lithium Culture Club

Joe and Emily catch up with Anthony Tse, managing director of Galaxy and newly christened (by Emily) “Messiah of Lithium,” in Newport Beach, California. Anthony shares his journey from growing up in London to his decision to reconnect with his cultural roots and move to China. We discuss the Galaxy’s dark days, and Anthony’s role in restructuring a company mired in debt and turning it into a major player in the industry. Anthony shares his views on where Galaxy is going to be in five years, and some dreams for the future.

E22: Lithium Culture Club

 
 

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E21: Bridge Over Troubled Water

In an exciting lead up to season two, Joe and Emily record a special “bridge” episode to cover the lithium industry news over the last month. First they talk about all of the Drama in the Atacama, from Albemarle’s ongoing legal dispute with Corfo and the nuclear agency, to SQM’s efforts to block Tianqi’s acquisition of company shares. They discuss Ganfeng’s IPO in Hong Kong and the spinoff of “Livent” or LTHM from FMC, and what the outcomes spell for the industry. With all the interest in price transparency, especially in light of the LME’s efforts to launch a lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide contract price, Emily peppers Joe with annoying questions regarding whether that can really happen. All in all, the Global Lithium Podcast team is caught up and ready for Season 2!

E21: Bridge Over Troubled Water

 
 

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E20: Simon Says

Joe and Emily are joined by the Benchmark Minerals team of Simon Moores and Andy Miller in James Bond’s hometown of London, England for a cheeky game of Simon Says. In perhaps their most comprehensive episode yet, the four start by discussing the definition of “lithium” as it relates to price.

From there, they discuss prices inside and outside China, and differences by contract length and other variables.

Next they get into why “lithium spot price” is a misnomer, and how prices are determined.

The London conversation then moves on to lithium contracts, markets, and the prices stakeholders should be paying attention to. The conclusion is that so called spot prices in China aren’t a great bellweather for the industry price as a whole. They then discuss the outlook for the hydroxide and carbonate markets, and what needs to happen for a true “benchmark”price to emerge. Simon shares a lithium-inspired James Bond plot, and the Benchmark Boys don’t leave empty-footed.

Fortune has smiled on Global Lithium Podcast listeners because Emily forgot has agreed to send a few kimono/t-shirt themed podcast kooziesone to listeners who leaves who leave a review and send a screenshot to globallithiumpodcast@gmail.com.

E20: Simon Says

 
 

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E19: The Lithium Times

Joe and Emily sit down with Henry Sanderson of the Financial Times, one of the lithium industry’s most reliable voices. In a typical X-Men fashion, Henry shares his origins story involving Hong Kong during the handover and Beijing during the Olympics. Although he didn’t get superpowers, Henry explains how the daily reality of pollution inspired his interest in electric vehicles and a green energy future.

What role will oil companies and mining companies play in this future? The three look at the London Metals Exchange and other efforts to standardize pricing. They compare and explain the general sentiment surrounding stocks. There may be some challenges with forecasting, but these three heroes can take on pricing and institutional money.

E19: The Lithium Times

 
 

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E18: London Calling

Exhausted after recording two other Global Lithium Podcast episodes (which will be coming soon), Joe and Emily do a quick recap of the biggest stories in lithium news. SQM is out and Ganfeng is in for Lithium America’s Cauchari project in Argentina. Lithium suffers from a serious “brain drain” so what does that mean for companies looking to acquire talent? There’s a new Drama in the Atacama over water rights and it will put a serious kibosh on the whole “tsunami of oversupply” idea.

Joe and Emily suspect a certain journalist in the lithium space may in fact be a bot, and react to a bit of cyberbullying. In the swag space, Emily’s forgetfulness turns into Global Lithium Podcast listeners’ lucky day. The podcast has has a new kimono/t-shirt style koozies that can be yours! Just leave the Global Lithium Podcast a review on iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts, take a screenshot, and send it to globallithiumpodcast@gmail.com!

E18: London Calling

 
 

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E17: Lithium Stocks: There Will Be Blood

The Global Lithium Podcast team convenes for an emergency session to address the pain being felt in the stock market by lithium investors. Joe and Emily take a look at FMC’s quarterly earnings call, specifically whether increased prices or volume from the Argentina operation have led to increased revenue(*spoiler alert* – it’s prices). We review Orocobre’s claim that “if desired,” they could produce 100% “battery grade” onsite. Our main story is the bloodbath lithium stocks are experiencing in the market and an examination of potential causes, including oversupply fears, price concerns, short term trading, EV demand, Chinese subsidies, and global macro conditions. We do some dramatic reading from a recently released report by the “Mad Macqs” from Macquarie that refers to a “Lithium Thunderdome” that is “sleepwalking into a tsunami of supply”. Joe and Emily conclude by congratulating Cailin Lowry on getting close to reaching her fundraising goal for her short film The Society. If you haven’t contributed yet, what are you waiting for? Get on it!

E17: Lithium Stocks: There Will Be Blood

 
 

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E16: “Changes” – The Past Week in the Lithium World

The past week in the lithium world has been marked by changes at the top of some of the industry’s biggest players. Joe and Emily catch up and discuss FMC’s name change to livent (pronounced lye-vent), and compare it to some past branding faux pas in FMC’s corporate history. On a personal note, Joe reflects on his relationship with the new president of Albemarle and whether or not he has the operational competence to execute what’s needed at La Negra II in Chile.

In a different kind of “drama in the Atacama,” friend of the Global Lithium Podcast SQM’s CEO Patricio de Solminhac has departed, and Joe and Emily talk about what that means for SQM going forward both in Chile as well as in Argentina, Australia, and the world. Talison is expanding Greenbushes mine in Australia – but as Joe and Andy Miller of Benchmark told Marcos Barrientos at El Mercurio in Chile, this news hasn’t – and shouldn’t – rock the industry. Altura has taken a little bit of heat this week about the viability of their proposed offtaker Shaanxi – but this is likely just the tip of the iceberg and the rule rather than the exception for the majority of conversion capacity announced.

Emily published her assessment of the proposed “Lithium Valley” on Linkedin this week, which contains some problematic apparent misunderstanding of lithium carbonate vs. lithium metal – which leads to 2025 estimates about 16x what Joe and other analysts predict. Joe and Emily discuss similarities between this proposal and other nationalistic, protectionist policies that are contrary to innovation. We touch on the continued negative sentiment affecting lithium stocks, and round off by thanking Cameron Henry for helping former podcast guest Cailin Lowry get closer to her short film “The Society’s” funding goal. Check Cailin’s project out here.

We’re all excited to announce that Anthony Tse of Galaxy will be a guest on a future podcast, and Joe and Emily will be reunited in person in London to welcome guests Simon Moores of Benchmark and Henry Sanderson of The Financial Times to chat pricing.

E16: “Changes” – The Past Week in the Lithium World

 
 

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