Introduction

The battery metals industry is at the forefront of our shift from a fuel-intensive to a materials-intensive energy system. This course will help you better understand one of the key aspects of this energy transition. 

The shift to fully electric vehicles using lithium-ion battery technology is well underway and the rate of production of electric vehicles is set to accelerate. New lithium-ion battery factories are being built and more planned to meet this demand. Battery component supply pipelines will struggle to keep up with such a sharp rise in demand. 

This introductory course provides  an overview of the Battery Metals industry. The content includes a brief history of battery technology, the factors that are driving and influencing the market, the supply chain, and future predictions. 

Learners explore battery metals with a holistic approach. You will gain insight into the complex business, political, social, and environmental factors influencing and driving the industry.  Discover these considerations through an ethical standpoint as well as a business and financial perspective.

Case studies, infographics and supplemental resources introduce learners to industry terminology, trends and key topics and provide the learner with an overview of battery metals.

Who is the Course For

This course explores concepts that will be useful for those entering the battery metals industry and is suitable for beginner to intermediate levels. 

Examples of those who may be interested include: investors, geologists, chemists, engineers, government officials, regulators, data scientists, policy setters, non-governmental organizations, procurement specialists, academics, finance professionals, sustainability experts, lawyers, and administrative staff.

Recommended Background

We recommend “Introduction to Modern Mining” to give learners a baseline understanding of the mining industry, terminology and the value chain.

Course Content

This course consists of 12 modules of 15 - 30 minutes each with supporting resources and knowledge checks. Course duration is equivalent to approximately 4 hours.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, learners will be able to:

• Define and properly use key terms that relate to the battery metal industry.
• Identify the regulators that are driving the energy transition.
• Outline the rise of electric vehicles and how that has driven the growth in the battery metal industry.
• Identify the components of a lithium-ion battery as well as the corresponding metals and materials used
• Explain the key areas of focus around each of the battery metals including source, need, market and stakeholders.
• Identify the stages of the supply chain that are at risk of disruption and what strategies are being implemented to reduce those risks.
• Examine how changing technology could impact the battery metal industry

Author

Alison Saxby BEng (Hons)

Short bio:

Alison Saxby has 35 years’ experience of consultancy and market coverage

of critical metals and minerals. Previously at Roskill, latterly as Managing Director, she drove the direction of the company research and products with critical minerals, and

sustainability at the forefront of the company's research. Recently she has formed Buchanan Saxby Associates is an independent consultancy company focused on critical and strategic minerals. Alison has a B.Eng (Hons) in Minerals Engineering and is a Professional Member of the IOM3.

Duration: 4 Hours

Category: Mining

Level: Introductory