Episode Details
EPISODE INFO
- Released
- July 23, 2025
- Duration
- 56m
- Channel
- a16z
- Watch on YouTube
- ▶ Open ↗
EPISODE DESCRIPTION
It can take more than 15 years to permit and build a new mine in the United States - yet nearly every modern technology we rely on, from smartphones to fighter jets to AI data centers, depends on a steady supply of critical minerals. In this episode, Erik Torenberg is joined in the studio by Turner Caldwell, founder of Mariana Minerals, along with American Dynamism general partner Erin Price-Wright and partner Ryan McEntush. Turner spent nearly a decade at Tesla, working his way upstream from factory design to battery materials and mining. Now, he’s building a new kind of mining and refining company - vertically integrated and software-first- designed to meet the demands of our industrial future. We get into why the industry is so broken, what it actually takes to turn rocks into usable materials, and how the U.S. can rebuild its capacity to mine, refine, and manufacture the things that matter most. Timecodes: 00:00 Introduction 00:53 The Importance of Critical Minerals 01:54 The Mining Process Explained 04:05 Challenges in the Mining Industry 05:46 Career Paths in Mining 06:40 Personal Journey and Insights 11:16 Tesla's Vertical Integration 12:47 Geopolitical & Market Dynamics 16:24 Technological Innovations in Mining 20:47 Industry Challenges & Opportunities 28:19 Mariana's Product & Thesis in Construction and Mining 29:30 Leveraging Technology in Mining 32:02 Automating Chemical Processing & Optimizing Refining Operations 35:25 Challenges in Scaling & Commissioning Refineries 36:55 Deciding What to Build & Where to Partner 38:05 Supply Chain & Commercial Deployment of New Technologies 40:20 Venture Capital & the Mining Industry 42:59 Critical Minerals & Their Importance 47:45 Permitting & Regulatory Challenges in the US 53:46 International Strategy & Future Goals 54:44 Conclusion: Rebuilding Infrastructure & Capability Resources: Find Turner on X :https://x.com/tbc415 Find Erin on X: https://x.com/espricewright Find Ryan on X: https://x.com/rmcentush Stay Updated: Let us know what you think: https://ratethispodcast.com/a16z Find a16z on Twitter: https://twitter.com/a16z Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/ Follow our host: https://x.com/eriktorenberg Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.
SPEAKERS
Turner Caldwell
guestFounder of Mariana (critical minerals/mining & refining); previously worked at Tesla on battery supply chain/refining.
Erik Torenberg
hostAndreessen Horowitz (a16z) partner and podcast host/interviewer.
EPISODE SUMMARY
In this episode of a16z, featuring Turner Caldwell and Erik Torenberg, The U.S. Can’t Build AI Without These Materials explores critical minerals, vertical integration, and software to rebuild U.S. capacity Critical minerals (from copper and aluminum to lithium, nickel, and rare earths) underpin everyday electronics, defense, and the rapid growth of AI and electrification, yet the supply chain from ore to finished materials is long and fragile.
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