With so much unfolding in China across the battery metalsspace, we sat down with YJ Lee at the perfect time.

YJ runs a fund focused on the energy transition and bringsdeep expertise in both metals and battery markets. In this conversation, we dig into China’s policy pivot toward anti-involution and its knock-on effects for lithium and EVs. From there we dive deep into lithium itself – covering the demand and supply outlook, the surge in BESS, why inventories are often misunderstood, and plenty more.

Follow YJ on Twitter: @usuallyYJLee

Recorded 19 August 2025.

TIMESTAMPS

(00:00) Introduction

(02:06) China's Anti-Evolution Policy Impact on Lithium Markets

(04:40) China's Competitive Market Dynamics

(14:20) Licensing in China's Lithium Industry

(20:00) The Growing Demand for EVs

(24:14) Astounding Growth in BESS

(25:17) China's Commercial Battery Economics

(27:37) Solar and Battery Integration

(28:33) LFP Dominance

(29:25) CATL and Sodium-Ion Batteries

(31:36) Lithium Market Dynamics

(40:06) Global EV Adoption Trends

(42:51) Overrated or Underrated: Quick Fire Segment

(45:40) Closing Remarks and Reflections

……………

Join 14k+ subscribers to the ⁠⁠⁠Director’s Special⁠⁠⁠: one daily email with all the news that matters in mining

……………

PARTNERS

Thank you to the mining services businesses that make this content possible:

· ⁠⁠Axis Mineral Services⁠⁠ – Crushing services for all requirements in mining, milling & civil applications | jason.orourke@axisminerals.com.au

· ⁠⁠⁠Sandvik Ground Support⁠⁠⁠ – The only ground support you’ll ever need

· ⁠Africa Down Under⁠ – Get your tickets for Australia’s premier African-focused conference, running from Sept 3 – 5

· ⁠⁠Focus by Marketech⁠⁠ – All your mining news and market needs in one powerful platform | ⁠⁠10-day free trial⁠⁠

……………

FOLLOW & CONNECT

• YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠@MoneyofMine⁠⁠⁠

• Twitter / X: ⁠⁠⁠@moneyofminepod⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠

• Travis Ricciardo: ⁠⁠⁠@TRAVmoneyofmine⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Jonas Dorling: ⁠⁠⁠@JDmoneyofmine⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Email us Word on the Decline: gc@moneyofmine.com

……………

JOIN THE GROUP CHAT

• Step 1: Join the ⁠⁠⁠MoneyMiners Facebook Group⁠⁠⁠

• Step 2: Request access to the ⁠⁠⁠HOOTEROO chat⁠⁠⁠

……………

DISCLAIMER

All information in this podcast is for education and entertainment purposes only and is of general nature only. Please ensure you read our ⁠⁠⁠full disclaimer⁠⁠⁠.