Access to the minerals that power a battery has emerged as a vital geopolitical, economic and social concern. So where does the lithium, the nickel, and the cobalt come from? Who controls the supply? And who is impacted by the demand?
On 2 October 2025, HCSS analyst Irina Patrahau and Samuel George, Director of Bertelsmann Foundation Documentaries, will speak at De Balie in Amsterdam as part of the program “Cinédialoog: Lithium Rising.”
From the moment the smartphone alarm wakes us up in the morning, we begin our day relying on the lithium battery. From the mundane to lifesaving, lithium powered devices get us through the day. Who controls the supply of this critical mineral?
Filmed across five continents, Lithium Rising: The Race for Critical Minerals brings the viewer up close and personal with the people and communities impacted by this global phenomenon.
After the film screening we speak with director Samuel George of Bertelsmann Foundation Documentaries and Irina Patrahau (Chair of the Energy Security and Critical Minerals programmes at The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies) about the global scramble for lithium.
About the speakers:
- Irina Patrahau is a Strategic Analyst and Chair of the Energy Security and Critical Minerals initiatives within the broader Geoeconomics research pillar at HCSS. Irina’s work is focused on the impact of geopolitical tensions and strategic competition on the security and resilience of energy and raw materials supply chains in the EU.
- Samuel George is the Bertelsmann Foundation’s Director of BFNA Documentaries. Since joining Bertelsmann Foundation in 2012, his work has focused on economics, politics, the digital revolution, and daily life with a specific emphasis on where these issues intersect.
Source: De Balie
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