Smackover Lithium Claims A Major Milestone
Photo Credit: Standard Lithium Ltd.
Welcome to Lithium Link, your resource for insightful news and expert commentary on the latest happenings in the Arkansas lithium scene.
This Week: What’s New in Arkansas Lithium:
Smackover Lithium, the joint venture between Standard Lithium and Equinor, says its direct lithium extraction (DLE) method has reached a major milestone, confirming commercial viability and putting the companies a step closer to commercial operations.
Plus: The leader of Pantera Lithium of Australia talks about his company’s investments in South Arkansas lithium.
Big breakthroughs, major investments. Let’s dive in!
Standard Lithium, Equinor Say DLE Method Passed Key Test
Smackover Lithium, a joint venture between Standard Lithium Ltd. of Vancouver and Norwegian multinational energy giant Equinor ASA, says it has successfully completed its final field test of direct lithium extraction (DLE) technology at its South West Arkansas (SWA) Project.
The venture said the test exceeded key performance targets, confirming commercial viability.
Why it matters: The breakthrough moves Arkansas closer to becoming a major domestic lithium producer, crucial for electric vehicle (EV) batteries and the clean energy supply chain.
The companies outlined highlights of the test results in a news release:
The DLE field pilot recovered more than 99% of lithium from Smackover brine, surpassing the 95% goal.
More than 100,000 gallons of brine were processed in 497 cycles at the site.
970 gallons of lithium chloride solution have been sent to vendors to convert into battery-grade lithium carbonate.
Full engineering and feasibility studies are next before a final investment decision.
What they’re saying:
Andy Robinson, President & COO of Standard Lithium: “This field-pilot is the final step in derisking DLE technology… we’re now ready to commercialize.”
“The field-pilot was the final step to demonstrate that we can reliably process brine from our SWA project, extract lithium in real-time, and convert to a battery-quality lithium carbonate product,” he said.
What’s next:
With lithium carbonate production expected in May 2025, the company is finalizing feasibility work before committing to full-scale commercial extraction. Another small detail the company needs to button off: the establishment of a lithium royalty by the Arkansas Oil & Gas Commission.
Standard Lithium has said it plans to file an application for a royalty sometime this spring.
More: Read the complete Standard Lithium/Equinor news release here, and coverage of the announcement at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and the Magnolia Reporter.
Inside An Arkansas Lithium Investment From Down Under
Arkansas is a “brilliant state” for the lithium mining industry, with a cooperative state government, great local support, robust infrastructure for shipping products from a centralized location, and a high-quality mineral resource — that’s according to Barnaby Egerton-Warburton, executive chairman of Pantera Lithium of West Perth, Australia, in an interview with Stuart Roberts, managing director of Stocks Down Under.
Lithium Link reported in May that Pantera Minerals had entered Lafayette County with plans to explore lithium on more than 17,000 acres.
The company entered Arkansas in February 2023 with the purchase of Daytona Lithium Pty Ltd., which held brine leases there.
Today: Right now, Pantera has 26,000 acres leased in what Egerton-Warburton said is the “hottest lithium brine play in North America,” South Arkansas.
Of the Smackover Formation, Egerton-Warburton said: “There are thousands of thousands of wells that have been drilled on this formation, so it’s not like we’re out there wildcatting and making a new discovery. The brine is there, it’s like an ocean, and you need to just go drill and develop it.”
Of Arkansas and its governor, he said: “It’s a fantastic place, the people are fantastic. The governor of the state is Sarah Huckabee Sanders … She was [Donald] Trump’s presidential spokesperson, she’s very close with Trump. Very rational person, and she’s been doing a great job in Arkansas.”
Egerton-Warburton also praised other state leaders, who he said were “very quick to get on board” with lithium in Arkansas, organizing the first Lithium Innovation Summit last year and looking to organize a follow-up soon.
More: Watch the complete 16-minute interview below. Egerton-Warburton talks about how the company snapped up Arkansas acreage, lithium prices and Arkansas as a “can-do” state for industry.
Next Edition: Video Interview with Lafayette County Judge Valarie Clark
Be on the lookout for our next edition of Lithium Link, when we’ll return to South Arkansas for an interview with Lafayette County Judge Valarie Clark on how the lithium extraction industry is taking shape, how her county is responding and what to expect in the coming year.
And be sure to share this edition of Lithium Link with others and check out more lithium news and resources on our website, at lithium-link.com!
