The Global Lithium Podcast

The Global Lithium Podcast

By Joe Lowry
Joe Lowry (aka @globallithium on Twitter) a 30 year lithium industry veteran & founder of advisory firm Global Lithium LLC hosts both a long form podcast with guests & answers your lithium questions in a short form Q&A podcast. Both podcast versions are here on Anchor & major podcast outlets under the Global Lithium ™ brand. The original lithium podcast.
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GLP Archives: E25 - Ganfeng "Not Lost in Translation"
One of my objectives in starting the Global Lithium Podcast was to use it as a tool to learn from the best minds in the industry. After recording over 50 episodes, a great deal of valuable knowledge has been disseminated by my guests. Beginning this week I will, on a bi-weekly basis, repost some of the best episodes and provide  commentary on what I feel the major "take aways" are. Although the lithiumpodcast.com website is still available, eventually all the episodes with guests will appear on this platform with updates and additional comments. Although I personally know many of my guests well, I learn something new each time I listen and I believe your experience will be the same. I appreciate that listening to podcasts a second time isn't for everyone which is why "Archive" episodes will be stated upfront. The Ganfeng "Not Lost in Translation" episode is one of the best not so much for the technical information revealed but more it is a "rags to riches" story about how initially one man's vision and later a "dynamic duo" can change an industry by defying conventional wisdom. I learn from Li Liangbin and Wang Xiaoshen each time we meet. It has been a privilege to watch my two friends have great success and to have been in a small way part of that success.
1:06:32
January 30, 2020
Lunar New Year Q&A
On this episode we cover everything from the twitter hype over the recent rains in the Argentina Pune and what impact it may have on production to the steadily dropping spodumene prices impacting WA producers to the EV limiting battery shortage claimed by Daimler. I am asked what a new constitution would do to lithium production in Chile and what impact the new virus in China may have on a recovery in lithium prices. Finally I respond to the often asked question of "why aren't there more women guests on the podcast?" My apologies that I didn't have time to answer every question. I am trying to keep Q&A episodes in the 25 minute range.
25:55
January 26, 2020
E56: The Digital Nomad: James Ellsmoor plus my Argentina Trip
This episode is a result of a chance meeting in Buenos Aires after seeing a tweet by James Ellsmoor aka the Digital Nomad. James has been on my list of potential podcast guests for several months so it seemed fate intervened to make this episode happen. James is an advocate for sustainability and renewables projects in rural areas and remote islands around the world. A millennial that has started several ventures but never had a "real job" is an interesting departure from my typical podcast guest.  James can be found on twitter: @jellsmoor and on Linked In and Facebook. This is another episode that was enabled by being able to quickly respond to the opportunity via use of my Iphone to record.  In addition to speaking with James, I briefly discuss the situation in Argentina, Bolivia's new "Lithium Czar", Drama in the Atacama and the recent run-up in the stock price of junior lithium stocks.  Please note that after initial publication of this episode  I inserted an "errata clip"  to correct the fact that that I misspoke about Argentina's opponent in the 1986 world cup final - it was West Germany not England.  The "hand of God" goal by Diego Maradona was actually in the quarterfinal final match vs England. Lesson: never listen to an American talking about futbol. Trivia: The picture of the Global Lithium hat was taken one year ago today in a fjord in northern Norway near Tromso.
40:27
January 19, 2020
E55: Live In Tesla's Backyard
The Global Lithium Podcast adapts the format for the "Lithium Decade".  One host, with co-hosts from time to time, same focus on high quality  guests on the long version and answering your questions on Q&A episodes. For now, Anchor will be the podcast home but we will remain available on Apple, Spotify and other major platforms. This episode was recorded in Reno, Nevada. My guests are Dr. Rene LeBlanc, CTO of Lithium Americas and Alexi Zawadzki, President of Lithium Nevada. We discuss recent developments at the Cauchari and Thacker Pass Projects before delving into other areas.  I ask and Rene explains why it is a misnomer to say "it is too difficult to make battery grade carbonate at altitude".  We both worked for FMC Lithium (now Livent) in a day when Hombre Muerto produced an excellent battery quality product above 4,000 meters in Catamarca Province Argentina.  I provide some comments on Livent's recent earnings guidance and make some brief comments on pricing and other pertinent topics. We have a cameo appearance by long time friend of the podcast Randall Burns of LAC while I ride across Reno in his EV and am chastised by Alexi for not owning a Tesla yet. Things get loud during the "five guys in a bar segment" when Alexi asks a broader group if you could go back an be alive for any one day in history - what would it be? This episode was recorded on my IPhone - please keep that in mind as you listen. I did not travel with a mic or recording software but didn't want to miss the opportunity to record the first long form episode of the new decade. Sponsorshi
42:27
January 11, 2020
The Lithium Decade Starts Today
On this episode of the podcast I have two great guests- Daniel Jimenez, Managing Director of iLi Markets and former VP at SQM plus Jingwen Sun of Minmetals Securities who give their thoughts on the market in 2020. I say 2020 a couple of times when I meant to say 2019 towards the end of the podcast but likely context will bail me out... This episode goes a little long (30 min) as I also give my thoughts on each of the "Big 4" Lithium Producers as we move into the "Decade of Lithium".  I also respond to the question: “what is the status of the Global Lithium Podcast?”. 
30:50
December 31, 2019
Year End Wrap-Up Episode
Mac Whale is my guest. He gives his thoughts on stocks in 2020. I talk about why I believe there is one more step down in price before the bottom, Nemaska seeks protection from creditors, why I sold Livent, 2020 contract prices and SQM's recent behavior in China.
20:46
December 24, 2019
Thoughts on 2019 and a look at 2020
This has been a tough year for the lithium market. I would love to tell you 2020 is going to be much better but I think we will have to wait for 2021 for a significant positive change. Why? You have to listen to find out.
25:40
December 16, 2019
Episode 54 of the Global Lithium Podcast "The Lithium Manhattan Project"
This episode features Vivas Kumar of Benchmark Mineral Intelligence. Vivas was previously with Tesla.  We discuss e-mobility, the "Manhattan Project" like effort the US needs to catch up in the "battery arms race", millennial attitudes towards mining and much more. 
54:33
December 9, 2019
Episode 13: Q&A with Jose Hofer - Young Gun of Lithium
Jose Hofer is a rare breed in the lithium world. He has experience working for a major producer (SQM) and now the freedom to leverage his knowledge as a senior analyst at Benchmark Mineral Intelligence. I have known Jose since shortly after he entered the lithium world. One of his first mentors at SQM was Daniel Jimenez, a past guest of both the Global Lithium Podcast and this podcast. Jose also known as "titanium fingers" based on his guitar prowess is someone I believe you will be hearing from for a long time.
20:45
December 7, 2019
Episode 12: Chris Berry aka "The Voice of Reason" Gives His Perspective on Energy Metals in 2020.
The first Global Lithium Podcast guest makes his initial appearance on Global Lithium Q&A. Chris Berry of House Mountain Partners answers my question and then I answer two listener questions. Run time: ~18 minutes
18:00
December 2, 2019
Episode 53 of the Global Lithium Podcast: "Boyz in the Hood" with Benchmark Mineral Intelligence
A Cyber Monday special - I am posting E53 of the Global Lithium Podcast on the Q&A site and later today will post a regular Global Lithium Q&A episode with Chris Berry aka "The Voice of Reason". 
1:09:10
December 2, 2019
Episode 11: A week in Asia
I spent the past week in Japan and China meeting leading cathode and battery producers. I give you my "take aways" on the transition to high nickel cathode, price and quality. I also make comments on the SQM earnings call and Galaxy's recent Sal de Vida announcement.
10:39
November 22, 2019
E52 of the Global Lithium Podcast "The Geek Squad"
Joe and Emily are joined in Los Angeles by the newly minted “geek squad,” the label intended as the ultimate compliment to four technical experts. All are veterans of the podcast. We are guided through the lithium value chain from the ground to lithium chemicals to cathode and ultimately the battery. Dr. Tom Benson of Lithium Americas shares how lithium is formed inside the earth, and how the fact that lithium “Can’t Be Tamed” is what makes it so practical for batteries. Dr. Yuan Gao of Pulead and now a Lithium Americas Board Member takes us through extracting lithium from raw materials and making cathodes. Dr. Gao, or the “Lithium OG”, explains the concept of excess lithium and why it matters even more in a high nickel world. Dr. Dr. Rene LeBlanc of Lithium Americas explains how the process to separate lithium can be the reverse of how it's formed, and shares how the physical separation process for the sedimentary material at Thacker Pass is like the process for extracting gold.. Dan Blondal of Nano One explains the different purposes served by cobalt, as a stabilizer of layered nickel structure or active material in LCO batteries. We give a shout out to the Real Clear Politics discussion of Minerals: The Overlooked Foundations of our Future, where Emily was a panelist and felt like she knew the cool kids when Alexi Zawadski and Thacker Pass were name dropped by Carl Cannon, Executive Editor & Washington Bureau Chief of RealClearPolitics, as a carbon-neutral project. Our guests close with what they experience as most misunderstood lithium myths, and as always we end with rapid fire questions.
1:03:50
November 20, 2019
Episode 10: Live From Cathodes 2019
This episode reviews some highlights from Cathodes 2019 and my feedback to listeners on their criticism of the podcast. One gaffe is when I say spodumene carbonate instead of spodumene concentrate but most of you would understand what I meant anyway.
16:14
November 15, 2019
Episode 9: Ponds, ALB Earnings, Price and the Future
Questions about Ponds, ALB earnings, Price and the Future
21:36
November 9, 2019
Episode 8: Earnings, Livent, ALB, Bolivia, Altura and Ganfeng
Five questions: from Livent earnings to why I am critical of ALB but not of Ganfeng. Does Bolivia matter? Do I ignore Altura? plus rapid fire.
23:15
November 7, 2019
E51 of the Global Lithium Podcast "Stormy (Lithium) Weather"
This is the first episode of the final season of the Global Lithium Podcast we are releasing on Global Lithium Q & A as a test of the Anchor platform for the longer GLP. Daniel Jimenez (ex Commercial VP of SQM) is our guest to discuss the situation in Chile, We discuss Albemarle, Livent, Galaxy, Posco, Rio Tinto, Goldman Sachs recent report plus rapid fire.
55:47
November 1, 2019
Episode 7: A Question from Down Under & More on the Argentina Election
In this Episode, I answer a question on hydroxide reprocessing and then we hear four more opinions from Argentina on the results and potential impacts of the recent Presidential election. Carolina Millan, Buenos Aires Bureau Chief for Bloomberg, Waldo Perez, CEO of Neolithium, Gene Morgan MD of Zelandez and my good friend and former co-worker, logistics expert David Valdez all give their perspective. I close responding to a rapid fire question.
30:45
October 30, 2019
Episode 6: Argentina: Lithium Expectations After the Election
On this episode I speak with three residents of Argentina who are all close to the lithium industry. Ignacio Celorrio, David Guerro and Emily Hersh provide their perspective on the results of the presidential election in Argentina and potential impacts on lithium producers and projects.
18:29
October 29, 2019
Episode 5: More Drama in the Atacama
More on the social unrest situation in Chile. In this episode we hear from Alonso Barros, an attorney and Cambridge PhD.  Alonso is involved in many things, among them serving as an advisor to various  Indigenous Groups in Chile.  Dr. Barros knows the details of the situation between various stakeholders in the world's largest lithium brine producing region well. 
08:09
October 27, 2019
The Big (Lithium) Chill?
This is a special episode of Global Lithium Q&A with guests former SQM Commercial VP Daniel Jimenez and Alejandro Hess. Both gentlemen are from Chile and provide local insights to the current situation of social unrest along with the potential short and long term impacts on the lithium industry. 
12:04
October 26, 2019
Episode 3: Rio Tinto, Tianqi, ORE, Goldman & Nemaska
It has been a busy week for announcements in the lithium world. I cover the topics in the title and answer a couple rapid fire questions.  If you have been blocked by me on Twitter there is probably a good reason but feel free to voice message me via Anchor and tell me why I shouldn't have blocked you in the first place.
17:41
October 23, 2019
Episode 2 - Lithium Q&A
A large number of questions came in after episode 1:  I answer four of them including: the hydroxide shelf life issue, "are we at a market bottom?" ,  the value of Fastmarkets' pricing product, and my take on Russia pursuing a lithium project in Chile.  Of course there is a rapid fire question. 
15:28
October 18, 2019
Lithium Q & A Episode 1
This bare bones short form podcast is to give listeners the ability to ask specific lithium questions and get the answers back without having to commit an hour to listening. Whether I continue will be based on listener interest.
09:56
October 15, 2019