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The Age of Electricity is creating enormous opportunities in the critical minerals investment thematic. Howard, Rodney and Matt provide in-depth discussions with major developers and analysts covering lithium battery metals, rare earths, and many other specialty commodities.

Episodes

Wednesday Oct 08, 2025

Is a re-rating of Argentina’s lithium brines underway? (Gabriel Rubacha)

Wednesday Oct 08, 2025

In this episode, we sit down with Gabriel Rubacha, CEO of NOA Lithium Brines (TSXV: NOAL), to discuss the Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) for NOA’s Rio Grande project in Argentina and what it may mean for investors following lithium brines, cost curves, and capital pathways.

We cover:

- PEA headline items: ~4.7 Mt LCE resource at ~520 mg/L, a two-train development (20kt + 20kt LCE), conservative use of proven evaporation with DLE optionality to be re-evaluated at PFS, and a first-phase pre-production CapEx of ~$706M.

- Route selection & flexibility: Base case carbonate; evaluating lithium chloride as a staged approach that could trim CapEx/OpEx by ~30–35% and potentially fund a downstream carbonate plant at lower elevation.

- Operating profile: Blended grade approach; north/northeast zones 600+ mg/L, central salar ~400–500 mg/L. Management frames costs as mid-pack for Argentina today, targeting a first/second quartile global position as the project matures.

- Scaling & timelines: Phase 1 infrastructure helps scheduling more than headline CapEx; PFS targeted before end-2026 with workstreams in pumping wells, freshwater, southern drilling, lab testwork, and DLE options.

- Funding & partnerships: Intention to advance toward PFS, then consider strategics/operators to bring the asset into production. Clean Elements (major shareholder) as a contrarian backer of Argentine brines; discussion of tight share register and recent placements.

- Regional context: Proximity to Mariana (Ganfeng); broader Argentina investment climate and how policy signals and elections intersect with mining capital.

- Market discussion: Why Aussie lithium equities often move earlier than North American names; U.S. policy signals around Lithium Americas and knock-on effects; China supply narratives (mine licensing cadence) and our inventory read (~35–40 days) into year-end with typical restocking after Chinese New Year.

Guest:

- Gabriel Rubacha — CEO, NOA Lithium Brines; prior roles include board/operating positions at Lithium Americas and leadership at Minera Exar JV with Ganfeng in Argentina.

Tickers Mentioned (context only): TSXV: NOAL, TSE: LIRC (Lithium Royalty Corp), plus references to producers/developers in Argentina and Australia.

Sponsors (thanks for supporting investor education):

- Lithium Royalty Corp (TSX: LIRC) — diversified lithium royalty portfolio.
| Website - https://www.lithiumroyaltycorp.com/ | X - https://x.com/Lithium_Royalty

- USCF Investments — commodity-focused ETFs (e.g., CPER copper, ZSB battery metals, USG gold, SDCI diversified commodities).
| Website - https://www.uscfinvestments.com/ | X - https://x.com/USCFInvestments

Chapters: See the chapter list in this video for quick navigation to PEA details, cost/CapEx discussion, chloride vs. carbonate, PFS roadmap, funding options, regional comps, and the broader lithium market segment.

(00:00) Introduction
(04:00) PEA Summary & Design
(06:26) CapEx, OpEx & Timeline
(07:23) Chloride vs. Carbonate
(09:47) Phase 2 & Infrastructure
(11:03) Grades & Geology
(12:08) Cost Curve Position
(13:50) Funding & Partners
(16:45) PFS Plan & Milestones
(18:26) Nearby Projects
(19:17) Shift to Market Talk
(19:59) U.S. Backing Impact
(22:00) China/Australia Equity Dynamics
(25:13) Brine vs. Hard Rock Valuation Gaps
(27:51) Clean Elements' Bet
(29:23) Argentine Brines Value
(30:51) Argentina Investment Climate
(32:48) Politics & Reforms
(34:30) Uncertainty & Sentiment
(35:08) China Supply & Licenses
(37:13) Inventories & Demand
(38:07) Closing Remarks

For investor resources and Matt’s blog on valuation gaps in Argentine brines, visit https://blog.rkequity.com/. For inquiries or meeting requests (including the upcoming London 121 dates mentioned), contact rockstockchannel@rkequity.com

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/rockstockchannel
Podcast:
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lithium-ion-rocks/id1457969172
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0KiMIZOPaDg8ENfPJMSINq
X (Twitter):
Howard: https://x.com/LithiumIonBull
Rodney: https://x.com/RodneyHooper13
Matt: https://x.com/matt_fernley

_________________________________________________

DISCLAIMER

NOT INVESTMENT ADVICE. DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH

Rodney and Howard are not financial advisors nor broker-dealers, this video is for information purposes only and should not be considered investment or financial advice. Please do your own independent research and read the disclaimer at the end of the video or on RK Equity’s website https://www.rkequity.com

Intro and outro audio credit: Jamie Klein

Tuesday Sep 30, 2025

Surge Battery Metals: JV with Evolution Mining & PFS Update | Graham Harris

Tuesday Sep 30, 2025

In this episode, we (Howard & Rodney) sit down again with Graham Harris, Chairman of Surge Battery Metals (TSXV: NILI | OTC: NILIF), for a focused update on the Nevada North Lithium Project (NNLP) and recent corporate developments relevant to retail investors.

We cover:

- Project Update & PEA Context: A brief recap of the June PEA and how the current workstream is geared toward the upcoming Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS).
- Exploration & By-Products: Why the team is now assaying for rubidium and cesium, how those tests fit into the 9-hole fall drill program, and what would be required for any by-product economics to matter.
- Drill Program & Timeline: The fall infill program (targeting high-grade zones, ~600 ft depths) aimed at upgrading resources for the PFS, with drilling expected to wrap late Oct/early Nov (weather permitting).
- Land & Water Access: New LOI/MOU elements around private land access and water rights with Salmon River, plus ongoing collaboration to balance hydrology, grazing, and project needs.
- Consolidation of Ground: Closing the remaining Texas Spring claims to improve siting options for future infrastructure.
- Evolution Mining LOI: A non-binding JV framework to consolidate mineral interests and fund PFS activities, subject to final structure/tax work and definitive agreements.
- Balance Sheet & Funding: A C$5M financing (closing Oct 5, no JV close condition), ~C$7M cash balance, and expectations that PFS costs are funded by the prospective JV partner.
- Sector Backdrop: Market reaction to recent Lithium Americas headlines and broader U.S. policy signals around domestic critical minerals—and what that could mean for Nevada sedimentary lithium projects.

Why watch: If you follow early-stage lithium developers, this conversation provides clear milestones to track—assay scope expansion, infill drilling results, permitting/de-risking steps, JV finalization, and the path to PFS.

Tickers Mentioned:
Surge Battery Metals — TSXV: NILI | OTC: NILIF
Lithium Americas — NYSE/TSX: LAC (context)

Key Topics for Search & Discovery:
lithium stocks, Nevada lithium, clay-hosted lithium, Surge Battery Metals NILI NILIF, Evolution Mining JV, lithium PEA vs PFS, rubidium cesium by-products, mining water rights Nevada, retail investor lithium, critical minerals policy USA

Chapters: See timestamps in the video for: company update, by-product assays, drill program, land & water agreements, Evolution LOI, financing, and sector context.

Learn more about Surge Battery Metals (NILI):
- Website: https://surgebatterymetals.com/
- X (Twitter): https://x.com/SurgeBattery
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/surge-battery-metals-inc/

If you found this content valuable, don't forget to like, subscribe and comment!

📖 Chapters
(00:00) Introduction
(03:07) Rubidium and Cesium Results
(04:16) Byproduct Potential
(04:54) Texas Spring Claims Acquisition
(05:56) Land and Water Agreements
(08:55) Drill Program & PFS Timeline
(10:44) Evolution JV Terms
(13:15) Evolution Partnership Benefits
(15:20) Capital Raise & Funding Status
(17:09) U.S. Critical Minerals Support
(20:40) Surge's Positioning & PFS Goals

🌍 Links

- Read Matt’s research blog: https://blog.rkequity.com/
- Sign up for the Lithium-Ion Bull newsletter: https://rkequity.com/
- Learn more about USCF: https://www.uscfinvestments.com/
- Learn more about Lithium Royalty Corp: https://www.lithiumroyaltycorp.com/

_________________________________________________

DISCLAIMER

NOT INVESTMENT ADVICE. DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH

Intro and outro audio credit: Jamie Klein

Saturday Sep 27, 2025

Lithium Rally, Goldman Sachs Outlook, Grasberg Copper Shock, China Supply Curbs, ESS Boom

Saturday Sep 27, 2025

In this Rock Stock Recap, we break down what retail investors need to know across lithium, copper, and broader commodities as of September 26. We discuss why lithium equities rallied despite "lower-for-longer" price calls, how China's evolving policies on strategic minerals (and growing recycled supply) may limit oversupply, and what shrinking market surpluses could mean for pricing once inventories normalize. We also cover the knock-on effects from Freeport's Grasberg disruption on copper balances, and practical ways to gain exposure via commodity ETFs versus single-name miners.

We examine energy storage as a structural demand driver - highlighting rapid unit-size and cost shifts (e.g., large-format ESS builds and BYD leaks), the importance of BMS and safety regulations, and scenarios for 2030 storage demand and lithium requirements (LCE). We compare the U.S. and China policy backdrop, note Argentina's improving signals for lithium names, and discuss why passive under-allocation to commodities and rising global liquidity (M2) can fuel fund flows into hard assets.

Key topics we cover:

- Lithium: sector rally, Lithium Americas sentiment, Goldman Sachs supply/demand vs price path, inventory overhangs, recycling growth, China's supply curbs.
- Copper: Grasberg outage, inventories, smelting capacity, tariffs/flows, and using CPER/COPX versus producer risk.
- ESS & Renewables: AI-driven power needs, solar-plus-storage momentum, unit scaling, safety/BMS/regulatory catch-up, 2030 LCE implications.
- Macro & Flows: passive underweight to commodities, U.S. retail dynamics, site-visit takeaways, Argentina tailwinds, liquidity and hard-asset rotation.

Tickers mentioned: LAC, LTHM, SQM, ALB, SGML, TMC, USCF (commodities ETFs), CPER, COPX, FCX, BYD, CATL, Anglo, IVN, INR, SLI, ASN.

Commodities & themes: lithium, copper, uranium, rare earths, ESS, AI power demand, China policy, Argentina lithium, recycling, inventories, cost curves, tariffs.

🔔 If you found this content valuable, don't forget to subscribe, like and comment!

📖 Chapters
(00:00) Intro
(05:53) Goldman Lithium View
(08:01) Prices, Inventories, Risks
(11:23) Demand, Cost Curve
(12:18) China Oversupply Controls
(14:43) Copper Shock: Grasberg
(19:36) Copper: ETFs vs Miners
(21:58) Secular Commodities Case
(25:44) U.S. Flows & Site Visits
(28:24) MinRes, Steel/Iron Ore Check
(31:16) AI Power: Solar + Storage
(34:28) ESS Demand, Safety, Rules
(38:58) US-China & Transition
(43:26) Liquidity & Hard Assets
(46:15) Closing Remarks

🌍 Links

- Read Matt's research blog: https://blog.rkequity.com/
- Sign up for the Lithium-Ion Bull newsletter: https://rkequity.com/
- Learn more about USCF: https://www.uscfinvestments.com/
- Learn more about Lithium Royalty Corp: https://www.lithiumroyaltycorp.com/

_________________________________________________

DISCLAIMER

NOT INVESTMENT ADVICE. DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH

Intro and outro audio credit: Jamie Klein

Wednesday Sep 24, 2025

Has Lithium America's MP Moment Arrived?

Wednesday Sep 24, 2025

Lithium Americas: Could This Be Their "MP Materials Moment"?

Howard and Matt break down the latest news on Lithium Americas (LAC), which is up over 100% on speculation that the U.S. government (DOE Loan) may take an equity stake in its Thacker Pass project. We explore what a potential public-private partnership could mean for lithium prices, investor sentiment, and valuations across the U.S. lithium sector — including names like Ioneer (ASX: INR) and Anson Resources (ASX: ASN).

We also dive into Matt’s latest RK Equity blogs, covering two key topics for investors:

🔹 Aluminum Market Outlook:
Matt explains why aluminum may have already turned the corner structurally, despite 20 years of underperformance. We discuss how China’s production cap could reshape supply dynamics, how solar, EVs, and grid buildouts are driving secular demand, and why aluminum inventories are critically low. Matt shares ideas on ways retail investors might gain exposure — from producers like Alcoa (AA) and Norsk Hydro (NHYDY) to upstream bauxite plays and ETFs like USCF’s Sustainable Battery Metals Fund (ZSB).

🔹 China Policy Shifts:
We unpack recent legislative and regulatory changes in China, including the Mineral Resources Law and new competition rules, and what they mean for critical minerals like lithium and rare earths. These moves could tighten global supply and support higher prices — a key theme for investors focused on EV supply chains and energy transition commodities.

🔔 If you found this content valuable, don't forget to subscribe, like and comment!

📖 Chapters
(00:00) Introduction
(00:50) Lithium Americas & DOE Loan
(02:29) Aluminum Market Outlook
(03:36) China's Aluminum Supply Shift
(05:26) Production Caps & Supply Crunch
(06:42) Aluminum Demand From EVs & Solar
(07:18) Aluminum vs. Copper Price Forecast
(08:10) Top Aluminum Stock Ideas
(09:58) USCF ZSB ETF for Aluminum Exposure
(11:23) China Policy & Critical Minerals
(14:38) Rare Earth Quotas & Price Impact
(16:30) Closing Remarks

🌍 Links

- Read Matt’s research blog: https://blog.rkequity.com/
- Sign up for the Lithium-Ion Bull newsletter: https://rkequity.com/
- Learn more about USCF: https://www.uscfinvestments.com/

_________________________________________________

DISCLAIMER

NOT INVESTMENT ADVICE. DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH

Intro and outro audio credit: Jamie Klein

Wednesday Sep 17, 2025

Direct Commodity Exposure vs. Mining Stocks | USCF’s John Love

Wednesday Sep 17, 2025

In this episode, we sit down with John Love, CEO of USCF Investments, the newest sponsor of Rock Stock Channel, to explore how investors can use commodity ETFs to diversify their portfolios and gain direct exposure to key market trends. USCF is best known for the United States Oil Fund (USO) but also offers funds focused on copper (CPER), sustainable battery metals (ZSB), gold with income (USG), and broad commodities (SDCI).

John walks us through the history of USCF, its role as a pioneer in the commodity ETF space, and how it differentiates itself through innovation and a focus on futures-based strategies. We discuss why investors might prefer commodity exposure over equity proxies, the benefits of diversification, and how USCF’s systematic approach helps simplify futures investing for everyday investors.

We cover four funds we believe retail investors should have on their radar:
- CPER (United States Copper Index Fund) – for direct exposure to copper prices
- USG (Gold Income Fund) – gold plus an options overlay for potential income
- ZSB (Sustainable Battery Metals Strategy Fund) – targeting the metals powering electrification
- SDCI (Broad Commodity Fund) – a rules-based, diversified commodity index strategy

We also talk about current investor sentiment, the role of commodities in portfolio construction, and whether we may be entering a new commodity supercycle driven by electrification, AI infrastructure, and global demand growth.

Learn more about USCF:
- Website: https://www.uscfinvestments.com/
- X (Twitter): https://x.com/uscfinvestments

If you found this content valuable, don't forget to like, subscribe and comment!

📖 Chapters
(00:00) Introduction
(03:49) USCF Edge & Strategy
(06:24) Why Commodity ETFs
(08:38) CPER: Copper Exposure
(12:57) USG: Gold + Income
(15:22) ZSB: Battery Metals
(19:45) SDCI: Broad Commodities
(24:14) Backwardation vs. Contango
(29:54) Sentiment & Flows
(34:21) Closing Remarks

Links 🌍

- Read Matt’s research blog: https://blog.rkequity.com/
- Sign up for the Lithium-Ion Bull newsletter: https://rkequity.com/

_________________________________________________

DISCLAIMER

NOT INVESTMENT ADVICE. DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH

Intro and outro audio credit: Jamie Klein

Monday Sep 15, 2025

SoLId Growth? REEinvesTIng in miNIng w/ The Metals Company & LIRC

Monday Sep 15, 2025

In this episode, we broadcast from Rockefeller Center and dig into three areas retail investors are asking about: rare earths valuation, titanium & advanced manufacturing (IperionX: IPX), and lithium market volatility—with updates from The Metals Company (TMC) and Lithium Royalty Corp (LIRC).

🔍 What we cover:

- Rare earths—how to value early-stage names: Matt explains why NdPr-equivalent (neodymium–praseodymium) is a better lens than Total REO, and how we compare companies using market cap per contained NdPr-equivalent rather than headline grades alone.

- IperionX site visit takeaways: Scrap-to-titanium, additive manufacturing and fasteners opportunity; why execution risk is falling; and how a “Bessemer moment” for titanium could reset costs versus aluminum/stainless.

- TMC regulatory progress: NOAA confirms application compliance and priority rights; we discuss timelines, executive-order context, and what “big needle-mover” funding could look like in the U.S. framework.

- Battery chemistry mix: Where nickel chemistries sit versus LFP as autonomy and energy density needs rise; manganese’s role (LMR) and the potential to produce manganese sulfate from nodules.

- Lithium market now: CATL lepidolite restart chatter, demand growth still tracking ~high-20s % y/y, Chinese capex decelerating, and why restarts and cost curves matter for price formation through 2026–27.

- Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE): Asset-by-asset reality check—costs and capex can be higher than conventional routes; not automatically first-quartile on the cost curve.

- Royalty model for retail investors: LIRC’s portfolio (e.g., Sigma Lithium) and why royalties can provide exposure to Argentine brines and production growth while reducing operating cost risk.

Learn more about IperionX (IPX):
- Website: https://iperionx.com/
- X (Twitter): https://x.com/iperionx

Learn more about The Metals Company (TMC):
- Website: https://metals.co/
- X (Twitter): https://x.com/themetalsco

Learn more about Lithium Royalty Corp (LIRC):
- Website: https://www.lithiumroyaltycorp.com/
- X (Twitter): https://x.com/Lithium_Royalty

If you found this content valuable, don't forget to like, subscribe and comment!

📖 Chapters
(00:00) Introduction
(03:15) Rare Earths: NdPr Valuation
(08:20) IperionX: Scrap-to-Titanium
(18:03) Heavy Rare Earth by-products
(23:41) TMC: NOAA Compliance & Timeline
(26:19) TMC: Priority Rights & Scale
(27:47) Manganese & LMR Batteries
(30:42) Industry Signals: Lockheed & Partners
(33:01) Nickel vs LFP; Autonomy
(35:55) U.S. Funding Paths & Structure
(43:05) Lithium Royalty Corp Overview
(45:09) Exposure to Argentine Brines
(46:53) Volatility: CATL, Demand, China CapEx
(50:56) DLE: Costs, CapEx, Fit
(56:18) Restarts & Cost Curve
(58:56) Price Recovery Outlook

🌍 Links

- Read Matt’s research blog: https://blog.rkequity.com/
- Sign up for the Lithium Ion Bull newsletter: https://rkequity.com/

_________________________________________________

DISCLAIMER

NOT INVESTMENT ADVICE. DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH

Intro and outro audio credit: Jamie Klein

Sunday Sep 07, 2025

Lithium & Rare Earths LIVE DISCUSSION | X Spaces

Sunday Sep 07, 2025

We are redistributing over latest discussion on X Spaces as a Rock Stock Channel episode, sharing where we think we are in the lithium & rare earths cycle, what’s changed, and how we’re positioning as RK Equity for a potential “risk-on” turn in mining equities.

In this conversation, Howard, Matt and Rodney (with guests including YJ Lee, Chris Berry, Tom Woolrych, Jody Dahrouge, Christopher Williams and others) walk through what matters now for retail investors across lithium, rare earths and broader critical minerals.

What we cover:

- Macro & sentiment: Why risk appetite is re-emerging across gold, uranium, Bitcoin and critical minerals—and how policy (IRA, infrastructure/CHIPS, deregulation/reshoring) may shape capital flows and listings.
- Lithium demand vs. supply: Normalized inventories, China supply-cut narratives, and why demand (EVs + grid-scale storage) is the swing factor. We discuss falling battery costs, global price competition, and EV penetration beyond China into emerging markets.
- BESS is breaking out: How grid batteries could be the “next trillion-dollar business” and what multi-year storage growth implies for LCE demand.
- Processing drives cost curves: A clear explainer on DMS vs. flotation for hard-rock—capex/opex, grind size, recoveries, and real-world lessons (e.g., Sigma’s DMS-only, whole-of-mine float cases).

Jurisdictional deep-dives:

- Quebec/Ontario hard-rock: Permitting realities, low-cost hydro power, conversion “missing middle,” and why project geometry (thickness, dip, heterogeneity) matters.
- Brazil: Low-cost power, DMS suitability, and why the country has the raw materials stack to host more of the battery supply chain.
- Conventional brines (Argentina/Chile): Why high-grade salar projects can be through-cycle low-cost—and why the market may be mispricing them relative to hard-rock.
- DLE—promise vs. timeline: Where it fits (including boosting recovery on conventional brines), technical pitfalls (feed variability, oilfield impurities), and realistic scale-up expectations.
- Rare earths primer: MP Materials’ U.S. push, magnet REEs (NdPr, Dy, Tb), ionic clay vs. hard-rock deposits, purity challenges, and the role of defense vs. broader tech/e-mobility demand.

Companies & themes mentioned (not recommendations)

MP Materials (NYSE: MP), Lynas Rare Earths (ASX: LYC), Sigma Lithium (NASDAQ/TSX-V: SGML), Pilbara Minerals (ASX: PLS), Core Lithium (ASX: CXO), Patriot Battery Metals (TSX: PMET | ASX: PMT), Winsome (ASX: WR1), Frontier Lithium (TSX-V: FL), Galan Lithium (ASX: GLN), Lithium Argentina (NYSE: LAR), NOA Lithium (TSX-V: NOAL), Wildcat (ASX: WC8), Lithium Ionic (TSX-V: LTH), Atlas Lithium (NASDAQ: ATLX), Talon Metals (TSX: TLO), Rio Tinto (NYSE: RIO), BYD, CATL—plus topics like SPACs, EV truck adoption, and restocking into year-end.

Why it matters for retail investors:

- Cost & flow-sheet choices (DMS vs. flotation) can make or break project economics.
- BESS + EVs expand the addressable market faster than many models assume.
- Jurisdictional power costs & permitting (e.g., Québec hydro) directly impact margin.
- Conventional brines may offer mispriced, through-cycle optionality.
- Rare earths remain strategically important—focus on magnet REEs and realistic ramp timelines.

Stay connected:

- Follow on X:
Rock Stock Channel: https://x.com/rkequityrocks
Howard: https://x.com/LithiumIonBull
Rodney: https://x.com/RodneyHooper13
Matt: https://x.com/matt_fernley
- Read Matt’s research blog: https://blog.rkequity.com/
- Sign up for our Lithium-ion Bull newsletter at https://rkequity.com/
- Subscribe on YouTube / Spotify / Apple Podcasts for Rock Stock Channel updates.

📖 Chapters
(00:00:00) Market Backdrop
(00:10:00) Lithium Inventories & China Restocking
(00:15:00) EV Price War, BYD Exports & BESS Surge
(00:19:00) Rare Earths Reset: MP Deal & Demand
(00:32:00) Ionic Clay REEs: Brazil/Africa
(00:52:20) Quebec Hard Rock: Q2 Metals, Patriot
(01:08:20) Quebec Edge: Permitting, Power, By-Products
(01:13:40) The “Missing Middle”: Bécancour Refining
(01:36:20) Demand Outlook: EVs, Storage, Heavy Trucks
(01:51:00) DLE Reality Check: China & Brines
(02:05:00) Argentina Brines: Low Cost, Mispricing
(02:09:20) Brazil DMS Edge & WA Developers
(02:17:40) Closing Thoughts & Rio Watch-Items

🌍 Links
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/rockstockchannel
Podcast:
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lithium-ion-rocks/id1457969172
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0KiMIZOPaDg8ENfPJMSINq

_________________________________________________

DISCLAIMER

NOT INVESTMENT ADVICE. DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH

Rodney, Matt and Howard are not financial advisors nor broker-dealers, this video is for information purposes only and should not be considered investment or financial advice. Please do your own independent research and read the disclaimer at the end of the video or on RK Equity’s website https://www.rkequity.com

Intro and outro audio credit: Jamie Klein

Friday Sep 05, 2025

Rock Stock Recap: What Really Matters Next for Lithium Prices

Friday Sep 05, 2025

Lithium Market Reset? August Scoreboard, Price Drivers & Developers To Watch (with Howard, Rodney & Matt)

After a bullish summer for mining equities, we break down the August 31 lithium scoreboard, the bounce in chemical producers and spodumene names, and what really matters next for lithium prices. We cover inventories in China, the impact of CapEx cuts, and why low-cost producers and DMS-only developers may be the best risk/reward right now.

This episode also features a catchup interview with Q2 Metals' (TSXV: QTWO) CEO, Alicia Milne, and VP Exploration, Neil McCallum following their September 4th press release on the Cisco Lithium Project in Quebec, Canada. Topics include: Q2’s C$26M financing, increased drill activity with multiple rigs, upcoming assay results, infill drilling strategy, and the roadmap toward their first mineral resource estimate (targeted Q1 2026). Neil details the latest metallurgical testing (HLS/DMS), recovery rates, and next steps in bulk sampling, while Alicia outlines marketing and investor outreach plans across Hong Kong, Korea, Japan, New York, London, and Zurich.

What You’ll Learn:
- Market Check: Why the rally looks more like a technical correction than a new supercycle—so far.
- Price Drivers: Why falling inventories (days of supply in China) matter more than headlines.
- Strategy: Focus on low-cost brine & hard-rock producers and DMS-only developers (lower CapEx/opex).
- CapEx Crunch: How investment slowdowns set up supply tightness 2–4 years out.
- Energy Storage Boom: Solar + BESS economics improving fast; tech leaps from 2 MWh to 5–9 MWh containers.
- Due Diligence: Watch cash flow vs. reported costs—reporting standards vary widely in lithium mining.
- Q2 Metals Deep Dive: Financing, drill program ramp-up, Cisco exploration update, metallurgical test results, and global investor roadshow plans.

Companies & Themes Mentioned:
Producers/Developers: Lithium Argentina, Sigma Lithium, Atlantic Lithium, Q2 Metals, Lithium Ionic, Atlas Lithium, Core Lithium, Sayona–Piedmont (NAL), Vulcan, Standard Lithium, POSCO.
Topics: DMS vs. flotation, DLE brine, spodumene, inventories in China, incentive prices, CapEx cuts, EV batteries, BESS, solar + storage, rare earths (MP Materials, Lynas).

👍 If you value independent lithium analysis, hit Like, subscribe, and turn on notifications.
💬 Tell us which developer you think is most undervalued—and why.

📖 Chapters
(00:00) Introduction
(03:18) Bottom Call & Scoreboard
(04:26) YTD Leaders & Equity Signals
(05:10) Strategy: Low-Cost Producers & DMS
(07:40) Price Outlook: Inventories & Incentives
(09:38) Capex Cuts & 2-4 Year Setup
(11:06) Solar Boom & Storage Demand
(14:45) Mining Margins & Reporting
(16:37) Scoreboard Segments, Raises & M&A
(20:38) Vetting Developers & Key Names
(24:31) Quebec: Sayona-Piedmont & NAL
(27:11) Q2 Metals
(30:16) Assay Results and Exploration Strategy
(33:25) Winter Drill Program and Resource Estimate Goals
(34:35) Assays Beyond Lithium
(35:39) Metallurgical Testing and Results
(37:41) Next Steps in Metallurgy and Bulk Sampling
(41:57) Exploration Focus and Upcoming News Flow
(43:31) Permitting, Camp Development, and Operations Update
(44:14) Marketing and Global Investor Outreach
(45:30) MRE Timeline
(45:46) Closing Remarks

🌍 Links

- Read Matt’s research blog: https://blog.rkequity.com/
- Sign up for the Lithium Ion Bull newsletter: https://rkequity.com/
- Catch our 2.5-hour Spaces replay with 1,500+ listeners: https://x.com/i/spaces/1kvJpMDgAyLxE

- For Q2 Metals research coverage (Canaccord, Argonaut), email: rockstockchannel@rkequity.com
- Q2 Metals Website: https://www.q2metals.com/
- Follow Q2 Metals on X: https://x.com/Q2Metals | LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/company/q2-metals-corp

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DISCLAIMER

NOT INVESTMENT ADVICE. DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH

Intro and outro audio credit: Jamie Klein

Thursday Sep 04, 2025

Lithium Refining Meets Silver Recycling | Lithium Universe Iggy Tan

Thursday Sep 04, 2025

Howard and Rodney return with another Rock Stock Channel update, speaking with Lithium Universe (ASX: LU7) Chairman Iggy Tan. In this interview, we cover the company’s evolving strategy as it balances long-term lithium ambitions with a new entry into solar panel recycling and silver recovery.

Lithium Universe began with the goal of building a lithium carbonate refinery in Bécancour, Quebec, supported by a completed DFS. While awaiting a lithium market recovery, the company has diversified through the acquisition of global rights to a PV cell recycling technology developed at Macquarie University. This innovation could unlock value by separating solar panel materials efficiently and recovering silver at scale.

Key topics discussed:
- Lithium Universe’s counter-cyclical approach to lithium refining in Canada
- Why margins in lithium conversion remain robust despite market volatility
- The scale of end-of-life solar panel waste and silver recovery potential
- Details of Macquarie University’s microwave and electrochemical recycling process
- Outlook for silver demand, supply deficits, and pricing trends
- Upcoming milestones: pilot work, potential partnerships, and grant applications
- Broader lithium supply-demand dynamics in North America, Europe, and China

With a market cap of ~A$16 million and a share price up nearly 3x from its June placement, Lithium Universe offers investors exposure to both critical battery metals and emerging recycling opportunities.

📖 Chapters
(00:00) Introduction
(01:48) Iggy Tan's Lithium Background
(02:59) Lithium Universe Strategy and Refinery Plans
(05:13) Economics of Lithium Conversion Outside China
(07:30) Global Push for Renewable Energy and PV Adoption
(09:03) Solar Panel Waste and Recycling Opportunities
(10:57) Macquarie University Recycling Technology
(16:05) Commercialization and Global Expansion Plans
(16:57) Next Steps: Pilot Plant and Partnerships
(17:43) Milestones for Investors (6-12 Months)
(19:40) Lithium Market Dynamics: Supply, Demand, and Recovery
(23:23) Closing Remarks

🌍 Links
LU7 Website: https://www.lithiumuniverse.com/
Follow on X: https://x.com/lithiumuniverse | https://x.com/TanIggy

RK Equity Website: https://rkequity.com/
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/rockstockchannel
Podcast:
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lithium-ion-rocks/id1457969172
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0KiMIZOPaDg8ENfPJMSINq
X (Twitter):
Howard: https://x.com/LithiumIonBull
Rodney: https://x.com/RodneyHooper13
Matt: https://x.com/matt_fernley

_________________________________________________

DISCLAIMER

NOT INVESTMENT ADVICE. DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH

Intro and outro audio credit: Jamie Klein

Tuesday Aug 26, 2025

Lithium Prices, Graphite Tariffs & China’s Strategy | Matt Fernley & Cormac O'Laoire

Tuesday Aug 26, 2025

In August 2025's Recharge podcast, co-presenters Matt Fernley (Battery Materials Review) and Cormac O'Laoire (Electrios Energy) discuss some of the recent key talking points in the battery industry, including:

- The China lithium shutdowns, their impact on the industry and outlook
- Development on US tariffs and anti-dumping duties in the battery supply chain, with a particular focus on graphite and anode materials
- The MP Materials/DoD deal and potential impacts on the battery chain
- What do price floors mean for materials markets and projects?
- EV sales update and discussion
- Discussion on commercial vehicle sales

CHAPTERS 📖
(00:00) Introduction
(02:01) Lithium Prices and Chinese Regulations
(06:55) Impact on Supply and China's Strategy Shift
(12:33) US Tariffs on Graphite and Anode Materials
(18:00) Graphite Industry Outlook & Silicon Anodes
(23:53) US Defense, Rare Earths, and Price Floors
(36:50) Global EV Market Trends & BYD Expansion
(42:58) Commercial EV Growth and Battery Swapping

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Links 🌍

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DISCLAIMER

NOT INVESTMENT ADVICE. DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH

Intro and outro audio credit: Jamie Klein