Fastmarkets convenes global critical minerals leaders as markets move to the center of national security and industrial policy 

While governments and industry accelerate efforts to secure the materials underpinning energy security, national defense and industrial competitiveness, Fastmarkets will be convening more than 1,250 leaders from across the global critical minerals value chain in Las Vegas this June. 

Fastmarkets’ 18th Global Lithium, Battery and Critical Materials Conference, (June 22–25, 2026) has evolved into a leading forum for the critical minerals ecosystem – spanning lithium, nickel, graphite, rare earths and other strategic materials – and connecting stakeholders across battery materials, energy storage, defense, aerospace, government and finance. 

New for 2026, the conference expands to reflect the growing strategic importance of critical minerals beyond lithium. A co-located Energy Storage Summit will bring utilities, developers and grid-scale buyers into the same forum as materials producers, processors and investors. In parallel, a dedicated Defense & Aerospace Strategic Materials stream will examine supply chain risks and resilience across defense, aerospace, semiconductor and AI infrastructure systems. 

Together, these additions reflect the increasing convergence of energy, industrial and security priorities, as critical minerals move from a sector-specific issue to a central pillar of national strategy. 

The event will bring together senior executives from across the global supply chain, including: 

• Eric Norris, Chief Commercial Officer at Albemarle 

• John H Kwon, General Counsel, Global Legal & Strategy at CATL 

• Toluwalase Seriki, Executive Director (Africa) at Ganfeng Lithium 

• Greg Kusinski, Lithium Assets Leader at Chevron 

• Patrick Howarth, Lithium Global Business Director – Low Carbon Solutions at ExxonMobil 

• Dale Henderson, Chief Executive Officer at Pilbara Minerals 

• Jérôme Pécresse, Chief Executive Aluminium at Rio Tinto 

They will be joined by participants from government, defense, finance and industrial sectors, reflecting a broader shift in critical minerals markets being defined by their role in enabling energy systems, defense capabilities and emerging technologies. 

“After two difficult years, the market is entering a new phase shaped by tightening supply, evolving demand and heightened geopolitical focus,” said Catherine Oates, Managing Director of Events at Fastmarkets. “We are seeing governments, defense, aerospace, energy storage and AI infrastructure players become part of the same strategic materials conversation as miners and battery producers. This event reflects that shift, bringing the full value chain together at a critical moment.” 

The 2026 program will address the most pressing questions facing the industry: 

• The lithium market turning point – examining the signals that could mark a shift in market dynamics and how participants are positioning for the next cycle 

• Critical minerals as strategic assets – exploring how national security priorities are influencing investment, policy and global trade flows 

• The future of project finance – assessing where the next wave of capital for mining and processing projects will come from 

• China’s next move – analyzing strategic positioning and implications for global supply chains 

The conference is structured to facilitate deal-making, with bookable private tables for commercial discussions available via the event app, Swapcard, and exclusive, invitation-only roundtables for senior leaders. Delegate passes also include access to the co-located battery and energy storage program. 

Registration is now open. Members of the press are invited to attend. For accreditation, please contact: media@fastmarkets.com