In this episode, Alberto speaks with Ellen Carey, a leading voice in responsible sourcing and supply-chain transparency, about why traceability and continuous visibility are now essential pillars of economic and national security. Carey explains that traceability is not an abstract compliance concept, but a practical, operational tool that allows governments and companies to identify upstream risk, differentiate responsibly sourced materials, and justify procurement, incentive, and trade decisions.
Drawing on real-world examples from nickel and lithium supply chains, Carey shows how traceability systems can reward allied, lower-risk production while exposing environmental, labor, and geopolitical vulnerabilities. She argues that visibility across the supply chain enables smarter policy design, strengthens industrial resilience, and helps align private-sector innovation with public-sector security objectives. This turns transparency into a strategic advantage rather than a reporting burden.
Episode 5 Highlights:
Why traceability matters: How continuous visibility enables smarter economic and national security decisions.
From compliance to strategy: Using traceability to differentiate responsibly sourced materials in global markets.
Upstream risk detection: Seeing labor, environmental, and geopolitical risks before they reach downstream manufacturers.
Nickel and lithium case studies: How transparency can reward allied production and reduce exposure to high-risk regions.
Policy alignment: Connecting traceability to tax credits, trade frameworks, procurement rules, and investment incentives.
Market signal power: How transparent supply chains shape demand for next-generation technologies and materials.
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Episode 5: Traceability, Visibility, and Securing the Critical Minerals Supply Chain with Ellen Carey
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If you missed Episode 4, listen to our discussion with Mark Wexler of Not For Sale on forced labor and the metals recycling and the circular economy. Find it here.