Critical Metal, Critical Moment: The State of the Cobalt Market
15:00 – 16:00 CET/ 9:00 – 10:00 ET, 10 July 2025
WEBINAR
Join the Cobalt Institute for an expert-led discussion on the latest trends shaping the global cobalt market.
Drawing on insights from the Cobalt Market Report 2024, this webinar will explore record-breaking demand, shifting supply dynamics, and cobalt’s continued role in EVs, defence, and clean technologies.
Webinar recording
Agenda
| Welcome Remarks & Session Introduction – Dinah McLeod, Director General, Cobalt Institute |
| Cobalt Market Report 2024 Presentation – William Talbot, Research Manager, Benchmark Mineral Intelligence |
| Panel Discussion, moderated by Dinah McLeod, Director General, Cobalt Institute |
| Q&A with audience |
speakers
Abdessadek Ait Si Brahim,
Chief Operating Officer – Head of Advisory,
Voltaire Minerals
Abdessadek Ait Si Brahim spent nearly a decade (2014-2023) in risk management and nickel trading at Glencore.
He was instrumental in upscaling analytical research for metals in the battery supply chain, with a strong emphasis on R&D and next generation decarbonization strategies. He led numerous projects in metal refining and battery recycling while engaging with leading OEMs.
Prior to joining Glencore, he spent more than 10 years in energy trading and risk management focusing on gas & electricity markets and utilities.
He holds a Masters degree in computer science and industrial engineering from French school “Ecole Centrale de Lille”.
Ying Lu,
Principal Analyst,
Project Blue
Ying joined Project Blue in 2024 as part of the Cost and ESG team, based in London, leading cost analysis for copper and its by-products. Prior to joining Project Blue, Ying worked as a Principal Analyst at Wood Mackenzie, heading up the cobalt market research and as a Senior Analyst within the Battery and Electric Vehicle Materials Division at Roskill. Ying has also worked as a Metal Trader and a senior supply chain professional across mining and energy industries in Asia. Ying has uniquely translated her experience in the critical minerals space into industry knowledge and business acumen to identify trends in these important markets.
William Talbot,
Research Manager,
Benchmark Mineral Intelligence
Will Talbot is a Research Manager at Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, where he manages research and analysis within Benchmark’s Raw Materials Forecasting market area, with a particular focus on the cobalt and nickel markets. Will has a background in research and consulting across commodities and has specialised in the lithium-ion battery and electric vehicle markets for the past six years.
Dinah McLeod,
Director General,
Cobalt Institute
Dinah comes with a wealth of experience in sustainability and expertise in leadership, strategic planning, and membership liaison having previously served as the CEO of the Global Cement and Concrete Association where she was responsible for overseeing membership relations, external communications, policy, and strategy. Throughout her career, Dinah worked for a range of development and public policy projects at the World Bank, as well as lead business and sustainability practices at think tanks, leadership initiatives, and private sector.
A dual Canadian and British national, Dinah holds a Bachelor’s degree from the Columbia University and a Master’s degree from the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs.