January 24, 2026

Processing Trump’s Minerals Policy

20 minutes

In this episode, I (Howard Klein) connect fast-moving signals across critical minerals, power markets, and U.S. industrial policy coming out of Saudi Arabia’s Future Minerals Forum, Davos/DERVOS, and Washington, DC.

Chapters

(00:00) Introduction

(08:31) Tesla Refinery

(10:26) Policy signals from Washington

(15:04) DERVOS panel highlights

(17:41) Chamath Palahapitiya on Power

(19:16) Albemarle

(19:28) Sigma Lithium

DERVOS 2025 Panel: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4XnNN8QmghJsUZd7tDcccR?si=kM0uILyBR3ymguUFQ6B2GQ

Washington looks increasingly like it’s moved from policy papers to capital allocation: the SECURE Minerals Act, renewed focus on stockpiling and protecting mining returns, and references to deals/platforms involving MP Materials, Lithium Americas, Korea Zinc, Orion Mine Finance, and TechMet.

At the same time, power markets are getting political. A joint letter tied to the National Energy Dominance Council and governors to PJM Interconnection pushed for capacity market reform—price certainty for new generation, clearer cost allocation to data centers, and consumer protections—fueling broader debate about grid strain, AI load growth, and investment needs.

The connective tissue: batteries and materials are now central to mineral policy, grid design, AI infrastructure, and capital markets. With Tesla’s 50,000 tpa lithium hydroxide refinery now operating and the U.S. likely needing many more plants, I argue lithium price stability is the missing link—and why a Strategic Lithium Reserve (SLR) matters.

Clips included from DERVOS (a “Davos for DERs”) featuring Drew Baglino (Heron Power/ ex-Tesla), LG Energy Solution, and Ember Energy on scaling storage and the shift from petrostates to electrostates.

Sponsors

- Lithium Royalty Corp (TSX: LIRC) - diversified lithium royalty portfolio.

(Website: https://www.lithiumroyaltycorp.com/ | X: https://x.com/Lithium_Royalty)

- USCF Investments - commodity-focused ETFs (e.g., CPER copper, ZSB battery metals, USG gold, SDCI diversified commodities).

(Website: https://www.uscfinvestments.com/ | X: https://x.com/USCFInvestments)

Links

- Strategic Lithium Reserve (SLR) White Paper: https://blog.rkequity.com/2025/12/08/strategic-lithium-reserve/

- Read Matt's research blog: https://blog.rkequity.com/

- Sign up for the Lithium-Ion Bull newsletter/Matt's Blogs: https://rkequity.com/

Have a question? Drop us an email: [email protected]

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/rockstockchannel

Podcast:

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lithium-ion-rocks/id1457969172

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0KiMIZOPaDg8ENfPJMSINq

X (Twitter):

Howard: https://x.com/LithiumIonBull

Rodney: https://x.com/RodneyHooper13

Matt: https://x.com/matt_fernley

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DISCLAIMER

NOT INVESTMENT ADVICE. DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH

Howard, Matt and Rodney are not financial advisors nor broker-dealers, this video is for information purposes only and should not be considered investment or financial advice. Please do your own independent research and read the disclaimer at the end of the video or on RK Equity's website https://www.rkequity.com

Intro and outro audio credit: Jamie Klein

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