The Global Lithium Podcast

This is a solo episode where I share some thoughts regarding why I think the recent "lithium winter" is over. I believe price has bottomed and a new upward cycle has begun.

Jesse Edmondson and Arthur Orduña are playing key roles in shaping the future of lithium production and the broader battery supply chain in Arkansas.

Together, they bring deep experience and a shared mission: to put Arkansas squarely on the global lithium map.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why major players like Exxon, Equinor, and Chevron have chosen Arkansas for their first lithium investments

• How a small startup like Standard Lithium partnered with a Norwegian oil major—and why that collaboration makes strategic sense

• How Arkansas is leveraging the Smackover Formation to build a full lithium-ion battery ecosystem through initiatives like the Arkansas Lithium Innovation Accelerator and other emerging programs

• Why making cathode materials in Arkansas isn’t just possible—it’s practical

I also extend a direct invitation to Korean battery makers to partner for cathode production in Arkansas

This is a uniquely American story—about innovation, energy, and new beginnings in unexpected places.

Stick around for Rapid Fire.

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

Rapid fire

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

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".

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 leverage?

Solid state batteries

Lithium metal batteries

Rapid fire

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

Teamwork

Why companies struggle with DLE

Rapid fire

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 extinguish

The team

Partnerships

The regulatory environment

Should lithium fires have a special classification?

Fire tests

How FCL-X works

Training fire departments

Playing with (lithium) fire

Next steps

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

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

Albemarle - the first lithium client

The mechanics of a lithium sales event

Benefits to clients beyond auctions

The trend toward spot pricing

The advantage of being based outside China

Providing a level of trust in the market

When will the lithium market mature?

The future influence of AI

Rapid fire