A groundbreaking study by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in partnership with the Arkansas Department of Energy and the Environment has revealed that Arkansas may hold vast lithium reserves, potentially making the U.S. less reliant on foreign sources. The study estimates that the southwestern region of the Smackover Formation contains between 5 million and 19 million tons of lithium, enough to meet global demand for the mineral nine times over.
Lithium is a vital resource for various industries, and the U.S. currently imports a significant portion of its supply from countries like Argentina and Chile. This new discovery in Arkansas could offer a domestic alternative to foreign imports. Lead researcher Katherine Knierim commented, “We estimate there is enough dissolved lithium present in that region to replace U.S. imports of lithium and more.”
Despite these promising estimates, further research is needed to determine how much lithium can be extracted using modern recovery methods. The Smackover Formation, which stretches across several southern states, including Texas and Louisiana, has the potential to become a major source of lithium for the U.S.
If extraction methods prove successful, Arkansas could help secure U.S. independence from foreign mineral imports. This discovery may also provide a significant boost to the U.S. economy, ensuring a steady domestic supply of lithium for years to come.
The potential of Arkansas’ lithium reserves marks an important step toward strengthening the nation’s supply chain for critical minerals, paving the way for a future less reliant on foreign sources.
