Fastmarkets’ Fast Forward podcast
Fast Forward is a podcast from Fastmarkets focused on critical minerals and battery raw materials. It offers expert analysis and insights into the dynamic landscape of these commodities, covering market trends, supply chains, and future developments. Hosted by Andrea Hotter, an experienced energy and commodities journalist who has written for the Wall Street Journal and Dow Jones.
Episodes
Betting on the battery economy
In this episode of Fast Forward, Andrea Hotter reports from the Fastmarkets Global Lithium, Battery and Critical Materials Conference in Las Vegas, exploring how the sector is shifting from an EV‑led growth story to a broader ecosystem spanning energy storage, AI and national security.
Featuring voices from the US Department of Energy, Rio Tinto and Lockheed Martin, the episode examines supply
Record crop, rising costs: The Black Sea paradox
In this short episode of Fast Forward, Masha Belikova, grain market reporter at Fastmarkets, explores why wheat prices in the Black Sea region remain elevated despite expectations of a large new crop.
Tune in for a concise overview of the key forces shaping global wheat markets, the tension between strong supply and firm pricing, and the pivotal role the coming weeks of harvest and trading act
The Pentagon's mineral reckoning
In this episode of Fast Forward, Andrea Hotter is joined by senior US Department of Defense officials, Michael Cadenazzi and Zach Boykin, for a rare, in‑depth discussion on how critical minerals have shifted from a niche supply chain concern to a core pillar of national security policy.
Drawing on insights from inside the Pentagon, they unpack the structural changes reshaping demand, the vulnera
What's driving scrap steel prices right now
In this short episode of Fast Forward, Alex Kershaw, senior analyst for steel, raw materials and ferrous scrap at Fastmarkets, unpacks the recent volatility in global scrap steel markets and what is driving price movements across key regions.
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 li
Stella Li: Driving BYD's EV story
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
Powering defense: The strategic metals shaping warfare
In this short episode of Fast Forward, Andrea Hotter speaks with Jon Stibbs, managing editor for technology and energy metals at Fastmarkets, to unpack why a handful of highly specialised materials are becoming increasingly critical to modern defense capability.
From jet engines and secure communications to night‑vision systems and ammunition, the discussion explores how these inputs enable adva
Mining stifled by capital crunch
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 mora
Copper, chaos and contrarian thinking with David Lilley, Drakewood Capital management
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 ul
Fast Forward Market Briefing Ep 1 2026
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
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 Nai
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 a
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.
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
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
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, ex
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.
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 thes
Changing gear: the road ahead for auto
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 an
Tariffs and trade: breaking China's grip on critical minerals
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 rar
Trading power: The LME's role in the energy transition
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 th
The lithium lifeline: navigating the future of energy storage
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 heav
Exploring the copper industry's future
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 connectivi
Geopolitics and the energy transition
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 p
The next battery boom: predicting material demands in 2030
Our host Andrea Hotter interviews Fastmarkets’ Head of Battery Raw Materials, Paul Lusty, as he shares his market outlook for the supply and demand of key materials used in the production of batteries and electric vehicles through 2030.
How energy diplomacy is shaping global battery raw materials markets
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 attenti
Fast Forward series trailer
Fast Forward is the brand new critical minerals and battery raw materials podcast from Fastmarkets. Listen to the teaser trailer.
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