EL DORADO, Ark. — SWA Lithium, a joint venture between Standard Lithium Ltd. and Equinor ASA, has achieved a significant milestone in its South West Arkansas Project by commissioning a field-based Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) pilot plant. The development takes place as Arkansas’s Smackover Formation gains recognition for its substantial lithium reserves, which could play a critical role in meeting global electric vehicle (EV) battery demand, according to published reports from USA Today.
Field-Based Pilot Plant Operations
The pilot DLE plant processes brine directly from the project’s IPC well to validate engineering parameters for commercial-scale production. It also aims to produce battery-quality lithium carbonate samples for qualification with potential off-take partners.
“This pilot DLE plant is the final step in ensuring that we have exactly the right data to confirm our design and be sure that we know how our commercial plant will operate once constructed,” said Dr. Andy Robinson, director and president of Standard Lithium.
Arkansas’s Lithium Potential
Arkansas’s Smackover Formation contains an estimated 5 to 19 million tons of lithium, according to reports from the U.S. Geological Survey. If tapped effectively, these reserves could potentially supply global EV battery demand multiple times over, as highlighted in reporting from USA Today.
However, extracting lithium from these brines presents environmental and technical challenges, necessitating innovative methods such as DLE to make the process viable, according to The Verge.
Industry and Strategic Implications
The success of the pilot plant is a step toward addressing the United States’ reliance on foreign lithium sources, particularly from China. This aligns with the federal government’s broader initiative to strengthen domestic lithium production and secure supply chains for the burgeoning EV industry, as noted in reports from the Financial Times.
Future Prospects
As the pilot plant continues operations through late January 2025, it is expected to produce approximately 1,000 gallons of concentrated lithium chloride solution. This solution will be sent to selected vendors to produce around 30 kilograms of battery-quality lithium carbonate. These samples will support negotiations with potential off-take partners and inform the selection of equipment for the JV’s planned commercial facility.
Dr. Robinson attributed the pilot plant’s success to strong local and industry partnerships. “The success of this pilot DLE plant is due to the great support and collaboration we have with Mission Creek Resources LLC, and it reflects our commitment to forming close local partnerships,” he said.
Positioning Arkansas as a Lithium Hub
With the vast reserves in the Smackover Formation, Arkansas is positioned to become a leading domestic source of lithium for EV batteries. According to USA Today, this development could address global shortages and enable the state to play a pivotal role in the transition to sustainable energy.
The collaboration between Standard Lithium, Equinor, and Koch Technology Solutions underscores the importance of innovative approaches to resource development. As the South West Arkansas Project progresses, it could set the standard for domestic lithium production, contributing significantly to the global EV supply chain and reducing dependence on foreign resources.