#United States #Las Vegas #Lithium #Critical Minerals #Energy Security

Fastmarkets: Connecting Leaders in Critical Minerals

Fastmarkets is set to convene over 1,250 industry leaders from around the world at the upcoming 18th Global Lithium, Battery and Critical Materials Conference in Las Vegas, taking place from June 22 to 25, 2026. This significant event reflects the increasing focus on critical minerals, which play a vital role in supporting energy security, national defense, and industrial competitiveness in the current geopolitical landscape.

As governments intensify efforts to ensure access to essential materials, Fastmarkets aims to establish a central forum for stakeholders engaged in the critical minerals ecosystem. The conference will cover a diverse range of materials, including lithium, nickel, graphite, rare earth elements, and other strategic commodities. Participants will include leaders from battery materials, energy storage, defense, aerospace, government, and finance sectors, all coming together to foster dialogue and collaboration.

A New Era for the Conference

For the year 2026, the conference will expand its scope to illustrate the heightened strategic importance of critical minerals, moving beyond a focus solely on lithium. A new Energy Storage Summit will occur concurrently, gathering utility companies, developers, and large-scale buyers alongside producers and investors in the material sectors. Additionally, a session dedicated to Strategic Materials for Defense and Aerospace will address the risks and resilience needed in supply chains that support defense infrastructure, aerospace, semiconductors, and artificial intelligence systems.

These new additions to the program signify a convergence of energy, industrial, and security agendas, as critical minerals transition from a niche topic to a foundational pillar of national strategies. The gathering will feature high-profile speakers, including:

• - Eric Norris, Commercial Director at Albemarle
• - John H Kwon, General Counsel at CATL
• - Toluwalase Seriki, CEO (Africa) at Ganfeng Lithium
• - Greg Kusinski, Lithium Asset Leader at Chevron
• - Patrick Howarth, Global Business Director at ExxonMobil
• - Dale Henderson, CEO at Pilbara Minerals
• - Jérôme Pécresse, CEO at Rio Tinto

In addition to the private discussions and networking opportunities offered through the event's app, Swapcard, exclusive roundtables for executives will foster high-level conversations about the critical transitions shaping the industry today. Catherine Oates, Managing Director of Events at Fastmarkets, stated, “After two challenging years, the market is entering a new phase characterized by supply shortages, evolving demand, and increasing geopolitical focus.” This statement underscores the urgency of the upcoming dialogues and collaborations.

Addressing Urgent Industry Challenges

The 2026 conference program aims to tackle pressing issues confronting the industry:
1. Market Turning Point for Lithium - Analytical discussions will explore signals indicating potential shifts in market dynamics and how industry players prepare for the next cycle.
2. Critical Minerals as Strategic Assets - Examination of how national security priorities shape investment, policy, and global trade flows.
3. Future of Project Financing - Discussion on where the next wave of capital for mining and processing projects will originate.
4. China's Next Move - Strategic positioning analysis of China and its implications for global supply chains.

The event is now open for registration. Interested parties can visit Fastmarkets Global Lithium Conference to obtain further details and secure their place. Media members are invited to attend and should contact [email protected] for accreditation.

About Fastmarkets

Fastmarkets is a leading provider of information and risk analysis for agriculture, forestry products, metals, carbon, and energy transition markets. With a rich history dating back to 1913 and over 700 employees globally, including offices in Europe, the Americas, and Asia, Fastmarkets is committed to delivering essential price benchmarks, analysis, and forecasts that help clients navigate the complex global markets. The company is privately owned and backed by Astorg, a prominent European private equity firm.