About this episode
Dr. Tom Benson discusses innovative exploration strategies and the future of lithium resources in Africa.
Tom Benson (aka the "Doctor of Volcanoes") is the Vice President of Exploration at Lithium Argentina. Topics: Being creative in exploration The major upgrade to the Cauchari - Olaroz resource Bigger than the Atacama? Tom's history at Thacker Pass Lithium Africa - Tom's latest focus The Africa lithium "recipe" Use of new technology & AI in exploration "Permitting Purgatory" Making Africa a lithium success Comments on the Smackover & Salton Sea It's "nice to be nice" Rapid fire
People in this episode
Host: Joe Lowry
Guest: Tom Benson
Topics covered
- exploration creativity
- Cauchari - Olaroz resource
- lithium in Africa
- new technology in exploration
- permitting challenges
- lithium success strategies
Keywords
- lithium
- exploration
- Africa
- technology
- Cauchari - Olaroz
- Thacker Pass
- Smackover
- Salton Sea
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Lithium Argentina
Places: Cauchari - Olaroz, Atacama, Thacker Pass, Africa, Smackover, Salton Sea
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- Episode 234: Brine Fundamentals · May 4, 2026 · 1h 2m
- Episode 233: Chris Reed · April 12, 2026 · 59 min
- Episode 232: Tu Le · March 26, 2026 · 1h 10m
- Episode 230: Lithium Update · March 5, 2026 · 24 min
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