A Hidden Jackpot Confirmed by Science (Image Credits: Unsplash)
Southwest Arkansas – Beneath pine forests and farmlands lies a geological treasure trove of lithium dissolved in ancient brines, poised to reshape America’s energy landscape.[1][2]
A Hidden Jackpot Confirmed by Science
The U.S. Geological Survey revealed last year that the Smackover Formation holds between 5 and 19 million tons of lithium. That volume could satisfy more than nine times the projected global demand for electric vehicle batteries in 2030.[2]
Hydrologist Katherine Knierim, the study’s lead researcher, noted the scale: “We estimate there is enough dissolved lithium present in that region to replace U.S. imports of lithium and more.”[2] Researchers combined water samples with machine learning models to map concentrations across the formation, which stretches from central Texas to the Florida Panhandle but peaks in southern Arkansas.[2]
This discovery builds on decades of oil and bromine production from the same 8,000- to 10,000-foot-deep aquifer, providing ready infrastructure for new ventures.
Direct Lithium Extraction Ushers in Efficiency
Operators pump lithium-rich brine to the surface, where direct lithium extraction (DLE) technology selectively captures the metal using advanced sorbents and membranes.[1][3]
Unlike traditional evaporation ponds that take months, DLE completes the cycle in hours: impurities are removed, lithium stripped into a concentrated solution, and processed into battery-grade carbonate or hydroxide. Cleaned brine returns underground within 24 hours, often nearby to preserve formation pressure.[4]
Standard Lithium, partnering with Equinor under the Smackover Lithium banner, licensed DLE from Aquatech (formerly Koch Technology Solutions). Field pilots exceeded targets, confirming average lithium grades around 481 milligrams per liter.[3]
- Higher recovery rates than evaporation methods.
- Smaller land and water footprint.
- Production in days, not months.
- Reinjection minimizes environmental disruption.
- Scalable for commercial output.
Projects Advance Toward Production
Standard Lithium’s South West Arkansas project cleared key hurdles last year. The Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission unanimously approved the Reynolds Brine Unit in April 2025, spanning over 20,000 acres.[3]
A $225 million U.S. Department of Energy grant followed in January 2025, supporting construction of a processing plant in Lewisville. Front-end engineering wrapped up in September, paving the way for a final investment decision soon and first output by 2028 at 22,500 tonnes of lithium carbonate annually.[3][4]
Andy Robinson, Standard Lithium’s president and COO, highlighted the innovation: “This beneath our feet is an unconventional lithium resource. It hasn’t been developed today because it needed a new technology to unlock it.”[4] The venture eyes a 20-year lifespan, with reserves supporting up to 40 years.
Economic Surge on the Horizon
Southern Arkansas braces for transformation as projects draw over $1 billion in potential financing. Initial operations promise 100 to 125 high-skilled jobs, spurring growth in rural areas long tied to oil.[3]
Development could lessen U.S. reliance on China, which dominates 70 percent of global supply. Local leaders anticipate benefits for manufacturing, supply chains, and energy security.
Key Takeaways
- Smackover brines hold 5-19 million tons of lithium, dwarfing current U.S. needs.
- DLE enables rapid, low-impact extraction with reinjection.
- Standard Lithium targets 2028 production, backed by federal grants and approvals.
Arkansas stands at the forefront of a domestic lithium renaissance, converting yesterday’s brine byproduct into tomorrow’s strategic essential. As facilities rise, the region exemplifies how innovation revives dormant resources for a battery-driven era. What impact will this have on your community’s energy future? Share your thoughts in the comments.
