In this Rock Stock Recap episode, Rodney and I share our latest insights following Trump's Liberation Day and the unfolding impacts of recent U.S. tariff policies, drawing striking parallels to past global shocks such as the onset of COVID-19 and historical events like the Cuban Missile Crisis. We delve deep into Stephen Miran's pivotal analysis on restructuring the global trade system, highlighting crucial policy discussions around phased tariffs, the intentional managed decline of the U.S. dollar, and how these strategies could influence commodity markets, particularly critical minerals.

We also explore the potential "Mar-a-Lago Accords" and speculate on how shifts in U.S. monetary policy might ignite a new natural resource bull market. Additionally, we address strategic U.S.-China relations, specifically the prospects of increased Chinese direct investment into the American EV battery supply chain and its broader economic implications.

Tune in as Rodney and I dissect the broader geopolitical dynamics, key market movements, and emerging investment opportunities in lithium and other critical minerals. Stay informed on the evolving strategies shaping our global economic future. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more deep dives into critical mineral markets!

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Links 🌍

A User’s Guide to Restructuring the Global Trading System: https://www.hudsonbaycapital.com/documents/FG/hudsonbay/research/638199_A_Users_Guide_to_Restructuring_the_Global_Trading_System.pdf

Mark Carney on Scott Galloway: https://open.spotify.com/episode/78egStLrUdyUMfchC5pw4Q?si=ODg0z_iNTkGzEFszosU-tg

RK Equity Website: https://rkequity.com/

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DISCLAIMER

NOT INVESTMENT ADVICE. DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH

Rodney and Howard 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

In this episode, I sit down again with Keith Coughlan, Managing Director of European Metals Holdings ($EMH), to discuss the latest major milestone for the Cinovec lithium project in the Czech Republic. EMH has secured final approval for a significant $36 million grant from the EU’s Just Transition Fund, highlighting strong support from both the Czech government and the European Commission.

Keith shares insights into how EMH plans to use the funds to accelerate the project, including meeting important environmental assessment deadlines and progressing the definitive feasibility study (DFS). We also explore the broader context of Europe's push for strategic independence in critical minerals, potential financing pathways involving European financial institutions, and ongoing discussions with European OEMs regarding lithium offtake.

Tune in for Keith's thoughts on lithium pricing dynamics, carbonate vs. hydroxide strategy, and how EMH intends to attract top-tier European partners to finance and offtake lithium from what remains Europe's largest hard-rock lithium resource.

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Links 🌍

RK Equity Website: https://rkequity.com/

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DISCLAIMER

NOT INVESTMENT ADVICE. DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH

Rodney and Howard 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

In this episode, we continue our 'Getting to Know You' series with Jindalee Lithium (ASX: JLL). The discussion revolves around Jindalee's advancement of the McDermitt Lithium Project in Oregon and its strategic significance, especially considering the recent $3 billion investment in the adjacent Lithium America's Thacker Pass Project. The episode covers the impact of recent US government measures, including an executive order to boost American mineral production and the FAST-41 initiative, which has highlighted 10 critical mineral projects, including Jindalee's. CEO Ian Rodger delves into the project's scale, geology, and the significance of Jindalee being selected under FAST-41. Further discussions include the company's financial status, strategic partnerships, and upcoming Development Feasibility Study (DFS). The episode also addresses the broader context of the US government's support for domestic lithium production and the implications for Jindalee's future prospects.

CHAPTERS 📖

Links 🌍

RK Equity Website: https://rkequity.com/

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DISCLAIMER

NOT INVESTMENT ADVICE. DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH

Rodney and Howard 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

In this episode, we break significant news in the critical minerals and energy transition space, featuring Caspar Rawles, COO of Benchmark Minerals Intelligence (BMI). Rawles announces a landmark partnership between Benchmark and the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) to launch a suite of futures contracts for lithium, cobalt, and spodumene—marking ICE’s first move into the mining sector.

The contracts, which will be cash-settled and based on Benchmark’s globally respected price assessments, represent a major evolution in how critical minerals are traded and hedged. The offerings include lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide CIF Asia, spodumene concentrate FOB Australia, and cobalt hydroxide CIF Asia.

Rawles underscores that the lithium market remains relatively immature and volatile, with current futures options—such as those on Chinese exchanges—lacking global accessibility due to regulatory, political, and liquidity concerns. The ICE-Benchmark partnership aims to address these gaps with more transparent, accessible, and globally accepted instruments.

For investors, the implications are substantial:

- Hedging Opportunities: Companies across the EV and battery supply chains will now have access to trusted futures products to hedge against lithium price volatility—historically one of the biggest challenges in this sector.

- Market Maturity: Futures tied to Benchmark’s physical-market-oriented pricing data offer enhanced credibility and are already written into many long-term commercial contracts.

- Project Finance Enablement: By providing tools to manage commodity price risk, the contracts could make it easier for mining developers to secure financing—a critical step, given that lithium production needs to quadruple over the next decade to meet demand.

- Liquidity Roadmap: Initial contracts may offer maturities of up to two years, with the goal of extending further as liquidity builds and institutional participation deepens.

- Strategic Differentiation: The inclusion of spodumene futures, which have not previously existed in standardized form, is a unique addition, catering directly to the evolving procurement strategies of OEMs and battery manufacturers.

Rawles also discusses the structure of credit and clearing, noting that ICE Clear Europe will handle clearing functions, with most transactions expected to be routed through banks or financial institutions already active on ICE platforms.

Finally, investors are invited to attend a formal Benchmark webinar on May 1st and consider attending the Benchmark Giga USA Conference in Washington D.C. this June—key touchpoints for understanding how these market developments will impact lithium and broader energy transition investments.

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Links 🌍

Benchmark Webinar: https://www.benchmarkminerals.com/events/bmi-ice-the-next-stage-in-lithium-price-transparency

RK Equity Website: https://rkequity.com/

_________________________________________________

DISCLAIMER

NOT INVESTMENT ADVICE. DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH

Rodney and Howard 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

In this episode, Howard and Rodney speak with Craig Shesky, CFO of The Metals Company (NASDAQ: TMC), discussing recent developments and strategic direction in deep-sea mining. The conversation highlights TMC’s business model focused on collecting polymetallic nodules containing nickel, cobalt, manganese, and copper from the seabed in the Clarion Clipperton Zone, between Hawaii and Mexico.

Craig outlines TMC’s recent decision to pursue permitting through existing U.S. legislation—the Deep Seabed Hard Minerals Resource Act of 1980—instead of waiting for the International Seabed Authority (ISA) to finalize its mining code. He explains NOAA's (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) role in this process and expects permitting completion by 2026.

The episode also covers TMC’s project economics, referencing Cantor Fitzgerald's analysis that values the company's NORI-D project alone at approximately $4 billion (NPV10), with projected production of 103,000 tons of nickel, 68,000 tons of copper, and 6,000 tons of cobalt annually at full capacity. The project's capital-light model anticipates upfront capital requirements of around $170 million, supported by partnerships with marine contractor Allseas and Japanese processing firm PCO.

Additionally, Craig addresses broader market dynamics for nickel, particularly Indonesia’s dominance and how TMC’s resource quality (around 3% nickel-equivalent grade) positions the company competitively. He further provides insights into TMC’s shareholder structure, recent funding activities—including a $17.5 million equity raise at $1 per share—and outlines near-term milestones, including submission of permitting applications and the anticipated release of an updated Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS).

Investors will find detailed discussions on regulatory considerations, environmental impact assessments, geopolitical implications, and financial outlooks that underscore TMC’s potential role in reshaping critical minerals supply chains amid increased geopolitical tensions.

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Links 🌍

TMC Investor Deck: https://investors.metals.co/static-files/a3609ed1-fab9-4b97-a00f-63a255091de9

RK Equity Website: https://rkequity.com/

_________________________________________________

DISCLAIMER

NOT INVESTMENT ADVICE. DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH

Rodney and Howard 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

In this episode, Howard sits down with Ashley Zumwalt-Forbes, former Director of the Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains Program at the U.S. Department of Energy, to discuss the evolving landscape of critical minerals and energy policy in the United States. They explore the key differences between the Biden and Trump administrations' approaches to EV batteries and critical minerals, the future of lithium and other essential battery materials, and whether America can remain competitive in a rapidly shifting global market. Ashley shares her insights on how geopolitical tensions, policy instability, and market volatility are impacting investment decisions, and why she remains cautiously optimistic about the potential for building a robust domestic supply chain.

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Links 🌍

Ashley on Fastmakrets:

Ashley on Benchmark Minerals:

RK Equity Website: https://rkequity.com/

_________________________________________________

DISCLAIMER

NOT INVESTMENT ADVICE. DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH

Rodney and Howard 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

In this episode, I join Ash Bennington on Real Vision to discuss the dramatic shifts happening in the world of critical minerals, lithium pricing, and global energy policy. We explore lithium's recent price collapse, why I'm still bullish long-term, and how geopolitical forces—including tariffs and supply chain realignments—are reshaping commodities markets. I also highlight key investment opportunities across lithium, copper, uranium, and broader mining ETFs. Stay tuned until the end as I briefly spotlight one overlooked opportunity in the electrification space.

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Links 🌍

RK Equity Website: https://rkequity.com/

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DISCLAIMER

NOT INVESTMENT ADVICE. DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH

Rodney and Howard 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

In this episode, we sit down once again with Bill Willoughby, CEO of Century Lithium (TSXV: LCE.V, OTCQX: CYDVF), to discuss the latest developments at their Nevada-based lithium project, Angel Island. We cover the company’s unique chlor-alkali processing method, recent optimization studies, and the impact of the U.S. government’s executive order to accelerate domestic mineral production. Bill shares insights on Century’s permitting progress, strategic partnerships, and the potential for significant CAPEX reductions.

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Links 🌍

RK Equity Website: https://rkequity.com/

_________________________________________________

DISCLAIMER

NOT INVESTMENT ADVICE. DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH

Rodney and Howard 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

In this episode, we sit down with Alex Wylie, CEO of Volt Lithium (TSXV: VLT, OTCQB: VLTLF), to discuss the company's innovative approach to lithium extraction from oilfield brines. Alex shares insights on Volt's low-CAPEX strategy, proprietary technology, and rapid scale-up from pilot projects to commercial operations. With significant opportunities in the Permian Basin, Texas, and expansion plans in North Dakota's Bakken, Volt Lithium aims to become a leading domestic lithium supplier serving the underserved U.S. industrial market.

CHAPTERS 📖

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Links 🌍

RK Equity Website: https://rkequity.com/

_________________________________________________

DISCLAIMER

NOT INVESTMENT ADVICE. DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH

Rodney and Howard 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

In this episode, Eric Desaulniers, CEO of Nouveau Monde Graphite provides insights into the company's significant investments and development journey, including their $150 million expenditure on demonstration plants. He discusses the binding offtake agreements with GM and Panasonic, their updated feasibility study, and potential grant funding opportunities. Eric also covers the increasing traction of LFP Cathode technology, its impact on graphite usage, and anticipates a potential supply deficit in the graphite market within three years.

CHAPTERS 📖

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Links 🌍

RK Equity Website: https://rkequity.com/

_________________________________________________

DISCLAIMER

NOT INVESTMENT ADVICE. DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH

Rodney and Howard 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