Fastmarkets’ Fast Forward podcast

Fastmarkets
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Fast Forward is your ultimate podcast for all things critical minerals and battery raw materials. We’re your go-to experts as we look at what’s ahead in this ever-changing landscape. Hosted by Andrea Hotter, who has a rich background in energy and commodities reporting, including writing for the Wall Street Journal and the Dow Jones.

  1. India’s metals moments: A new global powerhouse?

    11/25/2025

    India’s metals moments: A new global powerhouse?

    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 industrialization, urbanization and electrification are driving domestic demand, enabling India to scale production while reducing global reliance on China. However, the road ahead isn’t without its challenges. This episode puts the spotlight on Vedanta’s ambitious $10 billion pipeline, unpacking the opportunities and obstacles shaping India’s future as a critical player in the global metals market.   Fastmarkets is your source of critical minerals and battery raw materials market analysis, forecasting and price data, keeping you ahead of the competition. To discover more about our products visit https://www.fastmarkets.com/podcast/

    52 min
  2. Stockpiling critical minerals: From scarcity to strategy

    10/28/2025

    Stockpiling critical minerals: From scarcity to strategy

    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 unpacks the strategies shaping the future of resource security. Tune in to explore the challenges, opportunities, and global collaborations driving this essential initiative.  Fastmarkets is your source of critical minerals and battery raw materials market analysis, forecasting and price data, keeping you ahead of the competition. To discover more about our products visit https://www.fastmarkets.com/podcast/

    48 min
  3. Decoding China's mineral moves

    09/30/2025

    Decoding China's mineral moves

    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 operational hurdles, this conversation unpacks the complexities of reshaping global supply chains and the role collaboration could play in the future.  Fastmarkets is your source of critical minerals and battery raw materials market analysis, forecasting and price data, keeping you ahead of the competition. To discover more about our products visit https://www.fastmarkets.com/podcast/

    46 min
  4. Tracks of influence: The Lobito Corridor

    08/26/2025

    Tracks of influence: The Lobito Corridor

    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 modern trade corridor.    Fastmarkets is your source of critical minerals and battery raw materials market analysis, forecasting and price data, keeping you ahead of the competition. To discover more about our products visit https://www.fastmarkets.com/podcast/

    40 min
  5. Corridors of power: Africa's strategic rise

    07/29/2025

    Corridors of power: Africa's strategic rise

    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 two-part special, Andrea takes you to the heart of Luanda, uncovering the continent’s pivotal role in the critical minerals race and the tug-of-war between global powers. Fastmarkets is your source of critical minerals and battery raw materials market analysis, forecasting and price data, keeping you ahead of the competition. To discover more about our products visit https://www.fastmarkets.com/podcast/

    50 min
  6. Swiping right on carbon credits: Exploring voluntary markets

    06/24/2025

    Swiping right on carbon credits: Exploring voluntary markets

    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 carbon capture and reforestation and examines how transparency and trust are reshaping the market. Whether you’re a policy geek or a climate-conscious consumer, this episode is packed with insights to inspire action. Listen now wherever you get your podcasts.  Fastmarkets is your source of critical minerals and battery raw materials market analysis, forecasting and price data, keeping you ahead of the competition. To discover more about our products visit https://www.fastmarkets.com/podcast/

    51 min
  7. Black gold: How big oil is fuelling change in the global EV market

    05/27/2025

    Black gold: How big oil is fuelling change in the global EV market

    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 technology, the "why now" behind this shift, and how ExxonMobil plans to reshape the battery materials supply chain. With insights into regulatory hurdles, the global lithium market, and the growing interplay between energy security and the energy transition, this episode offers a unique glimpse into the future of energy. Listen now and discover how lithium might just become the "new oil."  Fastmarkets is your source of critical minerals and battery raw materials market analysis, forecasting and price data, keeping you ahead of the competition. To discover more about our products visit https://www.fastmarkets.com/podcast/

    50 min
  8. From mine to magnet: rewiring the rare earth ecosystem

    04/29/2025

    From mine to magnet: rewiring the rare earth ecosystem

    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 of the periodic table are indispensable, yet surprisingly difficult to secure. From China’s dominance in mining and processing to the years-long timelines to develop new projects, Ahmad and Rowena unravel the complexities of supply chains and discuss why sustainability measures, such as recycling and substitution, are gaining urgency. With trade tensions and geopolitical factors influencing the rare earth market, this timely discussion reveals the collaborative efforts required to develop alternative supply chains and secure future technological advancements. Packed with insights, expert analysis, and actionable ideas, this episode sheds light on a world few of us think about but depend upon every day. Fastmarkets is your source of critical minerals and battery raw materials market analysis, forecasting and price data, keeping you ahead of the competition. To discover more about our products visit https://www.fastmarkets.com/podcast/

    50 min
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Fast Forward is your ultimate podcast for all things critical minerals and battery raw materials. We’re your go-to experts as we look at what’s ahead in this ever-changing landscape. Hosted by Andrea Hotter, who has a rich background in energy and commodities reporting, including writing for the Wall Street Journal and the Dow Jones.

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