#USA #Las Vegas #Critical Minerals #Fastmarkets #Lithium Conference

Fastmarkets Convenes World Leaders in Critical Minerals

Fastmarkets, a leading information provider, is set to host its 18th Global Lithium, Battery, and Critical Materials Conference in Las Vegas from June 22 to 25, 2026. The event will gather more than 1,250 executives from across the critical minerals supply chain, including representatives from battery materials, energy storage, defense, aerospace, government, and finance sectors. This conference comes at a crucial time when national security and industrial strategies increasingly hinge on securing energy-related materials.

The 2026 conference is expanding its scope beyond lithium to encompass a wider variety of strategic critical minerals, including nickel, graphite, rare earths, and others. One significant addition to this year's program is an Energy Storage Summit, which will provide a platform for utilities, developers, and buyers to engage with producers, transformers, and investors. Additionally, a segment dedicated to strategic materials for defense and aerospace will analyze supply chain risks and resilience in industries critical to national security.

These developments underscore the growing interconnection between energy priorities, industrial demands, and security concerns, making critical minerals a central tenet of national strategies moving forward. The event will feature high-profile speakers such as Eric Norris from Albemarle, John H Kwon from CATL, and several executives from major companies like Chevron, Rio Tinto, and ExxonMobil. These leaders, alongside representatives from the public and defense sectors, illustrate a significant paradigm shift in the critical minerals markets now defined by their inherent role in energy systems and emerging technologies.

Catherine Oates, the Event Director at Fastmarkets, highlighted the market's evolution, stating, "After two challenging years, we are entering a new phase marked by tightening supply and evolving demand, amidst increasing geopolitical concerns. Public sectors, defense, aerospace, and energy storage stakeholders are now part of the same strategic materials conversation alongside mining and battery manufacturing industries. This event exemplifies that evolution, uniting the entire supply chain at a pivotal moment."

The 2026 conference program will address several pressing issues, including:

• - The Lithium Market Turnaround: Analyzing signals that may indicate shifts in market dynamics and strategies from key players for the upcoming cycle.
• - Critical Minerals as Strategic Assets: An exploration of how national security priorities shape investment strategies, policies, and global trade flows.
• - Future Project Financing: Evaluating the next wave of capital sources for mining and processing projects.
• - China's Strategic Moves: An analysis of China’s positioning and its implications for global supply chains.

Designed to facilitate deal-making, the event will offer private tables for business discussions through the event app, Swapcard, as well as exclusive roundtable sessions restricted to invited senior executives. Additionally, delegate passes will provide access to concurrent programs on batteries and energy storage, enriching the experience for all attendees.

Registrations for the conference are now open. Interested participants can find more information at the Fastmarkets event site. Press members are also encouraged to attend and can reach out for accreditation via the provided contact details.

About Fastmarkets

Founded in 1913, Fastmarkets has established itself as a leading price reporting agency and information provider to the agriculture, forestry products, metals, carbon, and energy transition markets. Their benchmarks, analyses, forecasts, and insights are vital for clients dealing with trading, risk management, and comprehending the complexities of global markets. With over 700 employees worldwide, Fastmarkets operates across Europe, Americas, and Asia, and is supported by Astorg, a significant European private equity firm.

For media inquiries, contact Yolande Peters from Fastmarkets at their official email address.