The Smackover Formation, spanning from Central Texas to the Florida Panhandle, is North America’s leading lithium brine resource. The Smackover’s lithium concentrations are comparable to those in the currently low-cost producing regions of Argentina and Chile, signifying its outstanding potential for lithium production in North America.

Arkansas is central to this story, with its origins in oil and gas starting in the 1920s. The transition to brine operations for the bromine industry in the late 1950s has established a history of consistent mineral extraction, brine production and re-injection in the region. This history highlights the Smackover’s role as a sustainable resource, providing a strong foundation ideal for lithium development.

As the shift to new energy solutions unfolds, the Smackover region’s established skills and infrastructure, which have been central to its economic fabric, are complimentary to the changing dynamics. Lithium production aligns with the Smackover’s existing industrial base, promising to bolster the region’s economic continuity and sustainable development.

The Smackover Formation’s conducive geology for brine re-injection, combined with its advantageous lithium brine grades, positions it as an ideal opportunity for the commercial application of Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) technology. Notably, the region does not face the same level of water stress encountered in other lithium-rich areas such as the lithium triangle in South America or the western U.S. This, coupled with the area's strong supply chains, including access to competitively priced reagents, enhances the feasibility of lithium production. 

These advantages are why Standard Lithium has selected the Smackover Formation as the cornerstone for developing our lithium operations in the United States.