Fastmarkets’ Fast Forward podcast

In this episode of Fast Forward, Andrea Hotter sits down with Raj Surendran, CEO of Tianqi Lithium Energy Australia, to explore the West's efforts to decouple from China in the critical minerals space. Raj shares his unique perspective on the challenges of building non-China supply chains, the misconceptions about China's dominance and the practical realities of diversification versus decoupling. From geopolitical tensions to opera...

In the second part of Fast Forward's special on Africa, join Andrea Hotter as she journeys along the Lobito Corridor, a transformative trade route reshaping Africa’s economic landscape. Discover how the historic Lobito Atlantic Railway is becoming a critical minerals lifeline, connecting Africa’s resources to global markets. Meet the people driving this ambitious project and explore the challenges and opportunities of building a mo...

Experience Angola like never before. In this on-the-ground episode, Andrea Hotter takes listeners to Angola, where the Lobito Corridor is emerging as a symbol of Africa’s economic transformation. From the bustling US-Africa Business Summit to the corridors of power, discover how this ambitious project is redefining trade, critical minerals and global partnerships in a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape.

In the first of this t...

What are voluntary carbon markets and why do they matter in the global fight against climate change? Join Fastmarkets’ Andrea Hotter as she dives into this evolving space with experts Enric Arderiu, global head of environmental products at Mercuria, and Stuart Evans, chief economist and head of carbon at Fastmarkets.

This episode uncovers the potential and pitfalls of voluntary carbon credits, explores innovative projects like car...

What happens when big oil turns its sights to critical minerals? This episode of Fast Forward dives into ExxonMobil's unexpected pivot into lithium extraction and its role in the energy transition. Andrea Hotter sits down with Dan Holton, Senior VP of Low Carbon Solutions at ExxonMobil, to discuss how the company's deep expertise in oil drilling is being repurposed to unlock lithium from brines. 

Explore the ground breaking technol...

In this episode of Fast Forward, host Andrea delves into the world of rare earths with industry experts Ahmad Ghahreman, Co-Founder and CEO of Cyclic Materials, and Rowena Smith, Managing Director and CEO of Australian Strategic Materials (ASM).

Together, they explore the critical role rare earths play in manufacturing electric vehicles, wind turbines, and defense systems. They break down why these 17 elements located at the bottom...

Join us for the next episode of Fast Forward, where host Andrea Hotter dives deep into the world of electric vehicles (EVs) alongside special guest Quentin Willson. Quentin, a renowned motoring journalist, former Top Gear presenter, and transport campaigner, brings decades of experience to the conversation. Now a leading advocate for EV adoption, he shares his expertise on the energy transition and the challenges surrounding the gl...

The Fast Forward podcast is back with a highly anticipated new season! Join host Andrea Hotter, special correspondent at Fastmarkets and co-host Will Adams, head of battery and base metals research, as they explore the dynamic world of critical minerals.  This season begins with an in-depth discussion on securing supply chains, tariffs and the West's reliance on China for vital resources like rare earths, graphite and lithium. Fea...

In this sixth episode, we delve into the pivotal role of the London Metal Exchange (LME) in the global energy transition. Joined by Matthew Chamberlain, CEO of the LME, this episode uncovers the exchange's rich 147-year history and its critical position in trading essential minerals like lithium, nickel, cobalt, and copper. Discover how the LME is shaping the future of metals markets, explore the intersection of global trade and ...

Join Andrea Hotter, special correspondent at Fastmarkets, in the fifth episode of Fastmarkets’ Fast Forward podcast as she delves into the pivotal role of lithium in the global energy transition.

This episode reveals the indispensable nature of lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles and energy storage systems. Despite its critical importance, the lithium market faces turbulent pricing and heavy reliance on China's supply chain,...

In this episode, Kathleen Quirk, CEO and president of leading copper producer Freeport-McMoRan, shares her insights on the current buzz surrounding copper. The conversation explores the driving forces behind copper’s surging demand, its persistent supply challenges and the revival of interest in M&A as companies seek to buy, not build. Discover how decarbonization, urbanization and connectivity are reshaping the landscape for ...

In the latest episode we delve into the influence of geopolitics on the energy transition with Jeremy Weir, the Executive Chairman and CEO of Trafigura. Jeremy brings a wealth of experience in critical minerals, navigating the realms of metals, minerals, oil and renewables. Get ready for an insightful discussion that transcends individual markets and explores the dynamic intersection of global politics and the evolving commoditie...

In this pilot episode, we're joined by Helaina Matza, Special Coordinator for Global Infrastructure and Investment at the US Department of State.

Come with us as we find out exactly what minerals-focused development looks like. Join the discussion on the impact of the IRA in the US, what is going on in Indonesia, what’s the latest in China and what regulatory factors should you be paying attention to that you might not be aware o...