In this episode, Our guest speaker Henry Sanderson, Executive Editor at Benchmark Mineral Intelligence and author of "Volt Rush," delves into his book which examines the critical role of raw materials in the clean energy transition and China's control over these supply chains. Sanderson highlights the energy-intensive nature of mining and processing materials like lithium and graphite, mostly dominated by China, leading to hidden emissions and the need for cleaner supply chains. He discusses the geopolitical implications of the energy transition, focusing on the West's efforts to reduce dependence on China through challenging supply chain dependencies and significant investments. The podcast also explores the specific roles of lithium, graphite, cobalt, and nickel in battery production, China's strategic investments, and dominance in these areas, particularly in cobalt mining in the Democratic Republic of Congo and nickel processing in Indonesia. Additionally, Sanderson addresses future trends and technological developments, including sodium-ion and lithium-metal batteries, the impact of price volatility on these innovations, and the move toward vertical integration within the battery and automotive industries. Tune in for an insightful discussion on the complexities and future of the clean energy supply chain.
