Fastmarkets’ Fast Forward podcast

From the US and Europe to Turkey and China, the discussion explores how rising energy and freight costs, partly driven by the Middle East conflict, are lifting prices despite weak stee...

In this episode of Fast Forward, Andrea Hotter speaks with Stella Li, executive vice president at BYD, one of the world’s fastest-growing electric vehicle and battery companies.

From ultra-fast charging and vertical integration to global expansion and shifting consumer expectations, Stella explains how BYD is redefining what it means to be a carmaker, positioning the vehicle as a technology hub rather than simply a mode of tr...

In this episode of Fast Forward, Andrea Hotter sits down with Sir Mick Davis, former CEO of Xstrata and founder of Vision Blue Resources, to explore the paradox of mining finance. Despite unprecedented demand for critical minerals to fuel the energy transition, the rising cost of capital and complex risk landscape are stifling growth. From geopolitical challenges to permitting hurdles and the moral hazard of mining i...

In this episode of Fast Forward, host Andrea Hotter dives deep into the unpredictable world of copper markets with industry veteran David Lilley of Drakewood Capital Management. Together, they explore how copper has shifted from a supply-and-demand-driven commodity to one influenced by fear, forward expectations and geopolitical tensions. 

Discover why raw materials like copper could become the ultimate constraint in an A...

As we wait for the next long‑form episode of Fast Forward, we introduce a shorter‑form market update that will be published across the year. Delivering timely, bitesize insights and stories from across the commodities landscape, these episodes are designed to help listeners keep pace with developments that have caught the attention of our editorial team.

In this episode, Fastmarkets editorial and pricing director Andrew Wells intro...

In the season finale of Fast Forward, we explore whether India is having its ‘metals moment’ on the global stage. With policies like the National Critical Minerals Mission and ambitious investment incentives, India is positioning itself as a politically stable and diversified hub for key commodities like aluminium, copper and zinc. Host Andrea Hotter speaks with Vedanta Resources’ CEO, Deshnee Naidoo, about how in...

In this episode of Fast Forward, host Andrea Hotter dives into the world of strategic stockpiling with insights from Major General (Ret) Alberto Rosende, the CEO of M2i. Discover how governments and private sectors are building critical mineral reserves to safeguard against supply chain disruptions and geopolitical risks. From the role of AI in predicting shortages to the importance of recycling and domestic mining, this episode un...

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 b...

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 ...

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 li...

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 te...

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 b...

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...

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 ...