Arkansas Lithium Discovery Could Transform Global EV Battery Supply

A vast lithium deposit in Arkansas's Smackover Formation may hold enough to meet projected global demand nine times over, challenging U.S. reliance on imports.

Researchers estimate Arkansas's Smackover Formation contains between 5 and 19 million tons of lithium, potentially making it a major player in the global lithium market.
The U.S. Geological Survey used machine learning and water testing to map lithium concentrations, identifying significant reserves in the region's brine deposits.
Currently, the U.S. imports over 25% of its lithium needs, primarily from Argentina and Chile; this discovery could significantly reduce that dependence.
Companies like ExxonMobil are exploring new technologies such as Direct Lithium Extraction to economically recover lithium from brine, aiming to start production by 2027.
The potential lithium reserves could bolster U.S. employment, manufacturing, and supply chain resilience, though environmental concerns about extraction methods remain.