LITHOS podcast episodes - RAW MATTER
"Why critical mineral supply chains have become battlefields" [Jones & Poliscanova, RM #1]
lean energy, electric mobility, digital/AI technologies, and modern defense capabilities all rely on one foundation: critical minerals. Hosted by Peter Tom Jones (Director SIM² KU Leuven) and Julia Poliscanova (Senior Director at T&E), the podcast brings together leading voices from around the world. Whether you’re a policymaker, researcher, investor, or simply curious, RAW MATTERS is your gateway to the critical minerals debate in a world where critical mineral supply chains are becoming battlefields.
“Can Europe set up its own battery sector without the help of China?” [Sanderson, RM #3]
In Episode #3 of RAW MATTERS Julia Poliscanova (she/her) and Peter Tom Jones spoke at length with Henry Sanderson, author of VOLT RUSH and China expert/journalist, about the China Speed-model. How does it work? What is the secret of the success of fully-vertically integrated giants such as CATL and BYD? How sustainable is China’s export-driven model? What is the impact on Europe of China’s export restrictions and licenses?
“Why does the ESG debate always forget the worker’s perspective?” [Kirton-Darling, RM #5]
In Episode #5 of RAW MATTERS Peter Tom Jones (SIM2 KU Leuven) and Julia Poliscanova (T&E) speak at length with Judith Kirton-Darling, General Secretary of industriAll Europe. Judith Kirton-Darling is widely considered as one of Europe’s leading and most eloquent voices representing 7 millions of industrial workers. The discussion is triggered by the recent speech of Bart De Wever, the Belgian Prime Minister, who recently stated:
“How China can switch off Europe's wind turbines” [Alberic Mongrenier, RM #6]
In Episode #6 of RAW MATTERS, hosts Julia Poliscanova and Peter Tom Jones speak with Albéric Mongrenier, Executive Director of the European Initiative for Energy Security (EIES). Together, they explore how critical raw materials, energy security, cybersecurity, and military demand are becoming tightly interlinked in today’s unstable geopolitical landscape.
"Do we really need 293 new (critical mineral) mines - or just a new mindset?" [Bryan Bille, RM#7]
Do we really need 293 new (critical mineral) mines for the energy transition – or just a new mindset? Will some of those copper, lithium, graphite, rare-earth… mines be built in the EU or will Europeans continue to ask the Global South to carry the burden? Bryan Bille of Benchmark Minerals joined the RAW MATTERS podcast to unpack China’s dominance, Europe’s execution gap, and the brutal realities of the global critical minerals race.
The Umicore perspective on why battery recycling isn’t scaling in Europe (yet) [Cédric Demonthy, #RM8]
In this episode of RAW MATTERS, hosts Peter Tom Jones and Julia Poliscanova sit down with Cédric Demonthy, Vice-President of Battery Recycling Solutions at Umicore, to unpack one of the most critical - and misunderstood - pillars of Europe’s clean energy transition. From cutting-edge technology to hard economic realities, this conversation goes far beyond the usual optimism around circularity.
“Can responsible mining truly exist? How IRMA shows the way forward” [Cecilia Mattea, RM#9]
As the global energy transition accelerates, so does the demand for critical raw materials. But this raises a fundamental question: can responsible mining truly exist? In this episode of RAW MATTERS, host Peter Tom Jones and co-host Julia Poliscanova are joined by Cecilia Mattea (IRMA) to unpack one of the most pressing dilemmas of the energy transition.
How to make European Metals Great(er) Again? [James Watson #RM10]
A mine without a refinery is just a hole in the ground.
Time to dive into the refining - and broader midstream - side of Europe’s mine-to-cleantech supply chains. Let’s not beat about the bush: Europe’s metal sector is under serious pressure. So how do we move from surviving to thriving?
In this new RAW MATTERS episode, hosts Peter Tom Jones and Julia Poliscanova welcome James Watson, Director General of European Metals, for a no-nonsense discussion on the current state and future of Europe’s metals sector.
"Stop dawdling: Central Asia's critical minerals revolution is here" (Amir Abidov, RM#11)
Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan are ready to do CRM business with the EU but will not wait forever. Europe must decide quickly. Get on the bus or get left behind. Some hard talk by Amir Abidov (UzTMK) in the Raw Matters podcast (Episode #11), hosted by Peter Tom Jones and Julia Poliscanova.
After months of posts, debates, MoU’s and Julia’s jokes about my “Central Asia obsession”, we finally bring Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan into the centre of Europe’s critical minerals narrative - where they belong.
Ann Mettler on Europe's toxic complacency, cleantech challenge & energy security crisis [Ann Mettler, RM#12]
We end Season 1 of the Raw Matters podcast with a big bang. We close with a conversation that goes straight to the heart of Europe’s competitiveness and energy‑security challenge.
After a season of deep dives into critical minerals, geopolitics and industrial strategy, we end with someone who has shaped Europe’s thinking at the highest levels: Ann Mettler, President of Catalyse Europe, former VP at Breakthrough Energy (with Bill Gates), and one of Europe’s sharpest voices on industrial strategy and clean tech.
Europe’s Mining Renaissance
In this 22-minute documentary Peter Tom Jones (Director KU Leuven Institute for Sustainable Metals and Minerals - SIM2 KU Leuven) searches for answers to Europe’s seemingly problematic relationship with primary mining of energy transition metals.
Made in Europe: from mine to electric vehicle
A tsunami of cheap electric vehicles from China could lead to a nightmarish de-industrialisation in Europe. Dr Peter Tom Jones, a well known climate author, is convinced that Europe has to take the full value chain back in its own hands, from mine to electric vehicle. He undertakes a road trip in the Nordic countries to visit iconic mines and show best practices. He talks to the indigenous Sami people and to European leaders.
- E. Petrakis, I. Alexopoulos, O. Pantelaki, V. Karmali, K. Komnitsas (2025). Advances in mineral processing of hard-rock lithium ores: A comprehensive review, Mining Metallurgy & Exploration. DOI:10.1007/s42461-025-01227-y
- E. Petrakis, I. Alexopoulos, O. Pantelaki, V. Karmali, A. Stratakis, K. Komnitsas, Major Challenges Associated with the Beneficiation of a Petalite-Type Pegmatite, Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration. DOI: 10.1007/s42461-026-01474-7
L. Lemmens, X. Vanwezer, S. Raiguel, R. Lommelen, K. Forsberg, T. Van Gerven, K. Binnemans, Solubility and antisolvent crystallization of lithium hydroxide monohydrate in various organic solvents, Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics. DOI: 10.1039/D5CP04491J
S. Delchini, K. Bru, J. Liipo, H. Pillière, N. Maubec, F. Bodenan, A. Gaillard, A.G. Guézennec, Assessment of mineralogical and chemical quantification of spodumene ore (Li) using a rapid compact XRF–XRD analyzer on-site: Impact of sample preparation on analytical results, Minerals Engineering (2026). DOI: 1.10.1016/j.mineng.2026.110828
G. Bartzas, K. Komnitsas, Advances in Cost-Effective, Sustainable and Responsible Extraction of Critical Metals from Hard-Rock Lithium Projects, Environmental, Science & Health (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.coesh.2026.100754
- K. Komnitsas, Socio-environmental aspects related to the Implementation of strategic projects, 2025 OECD Conference of Mining Regions and Cities, June 2025 –download
- E. Petrakis, I. Alexopoulos, O. Pantelaki, V. Karmali, K. Komnitsas (2025). Advances in mineral processing of hard-rock lithium ores: A comprehensive review, Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration, September 2025 (MME Technical-Paper extended abstract) – download
- P. Kinnunen, K. Bru, T. Zhang, M. Paavola, A. Kritikaki, R. Nasser, P. T. Jones, K. Komnitsas, LITHOS: Cost-effective processing and refining of lithium into lithium hydroxide from strategic European multi-mineral lithium hard-rock projects, NGWM2026 Book of Abstracts, Special Volume of the Bulletin of the Geological Society of Finland –download
- J. Liipo, S. Malmi, A. Aaltonen, R. Aho, D. Bilal, S. Pulkkinen, K. Pulkkinen, J. Fernandes, J. Pereira, P. Fullenwarth, E. Petrakis, O. Pantelaki, V. Karmali, K. Komnitsas, K. Bru, , The Decisive Role of Mineralogy in Clean Energy Transition, NGWM2026 Book of Abstracts, Special Volume of the Bulletin of the Geological Society of Finland –download
- V. Karmali, D. Vathi, A. Kritikaki, K. Komnitsas, Valorisation of petalite flotation tailings for the production of ceramics and alkali- activated materials, KOS 2026 Conference – 13th International Conference on Sustainable Solid Waste Management Kos Island, Greece, 24 – 27 JUNE 2026 –download
- E. Petrakis, I. Alexopoulos, O. Pantelaki, V. Karmali, K. Komnitsas, Beneficiation of petalite from lithium-bearing pegmatites, 13th International Conference on Mining, Material, and Metallurgical Engineering (MMME 2026), August 18 – 20, 2026 | London, United Kingdom –download
- Press Release SIM²/SOLVOMET KU Leuven, Horizon Europe ENICON, EXCEED, AVANTIS, CICERO & LITHOS – Prometia – 15 March 2024 (READ)
- VTT (LITHOS Coordinator) has published a press release on their development of “more efficient lithium recovery – driven by EU’s goal of increasing self-sufficiency in mining operations” – September 2024 (READ)
- Press Release SIM²/SOLVOMET KU Leuven, Horizon Europe LITHOS & Horizon Europe EXCEED – 12 May 2025 (READ)
- Press release Europe’s Lithium Paradox released to global audience after final avant-première event in Brussels during start of EU Raw Materials Week – 13 November 2025 (READ)
- Press Release SIM²/SOLVOMET KU Leuven, Horizon Europe LITHOS and H2PlasmaRed – 12 February 2026 (READ)