This Week’s Key Overseas Lithium News (March 30-April 3) [SMM New Energy Overseas Weekly Highlights]

Published: Apr 3, 2026 09:29

[ION Minerals Expands Its Lithium Resources Footprint in Texas and Saskatchewan]

ION Minerals said it had achieved a major expansion of its diversified lithium resources portfolio in the US and Canada.

In a late-March news release, the Houston-based company said the expanded land footprint was achieved through prudent acquisitions, targeted leasing, and focused geological assessments. ION now controls more than 280,000 acres across three project areas, further cementing its position as a leading developer of critical lithium resources for the North American battery supply chain.

Smackover is a subsurface geological formation stretching from Florida to Texas and is rich in lithium brine.

Source: https://www.mining.com/

 

[EnergyX's "Lone Star" Project Revolutionizes Domestic Lithium Production in the US]

EnergyX's groundbreaking "Lone Star" project marked a major milestone in the US pursuit of critical minerals independence through advanced direct lithium extraction technology. This pioneering facility is the first commercial-scale direct lithium extraction plant to enter operation in the US, addressing long-standing supply chain vulnerabilities while establishing an operational framework for domestic battery-grade lithium production. As demand for critical minerals accelerates amid the global energy transition, the project demonstrates how innovative extraction technologies can transform regional resources into strategic assets.

Direct lithium extraction differs fundamentally from traditional mining methods, targeting subsurface brine rather than hard-rock deposits or surface evaporation systems. EnergyX's "Lone Star" project demonstrated this approach through its GET-Lit™ technology, which uses advanced filtration and chemical separation processes to treat brine from the Smackover formation.

Source: https://discoveryalert.com.au/

 

[University of Surrey Develops a Lithium-Ion Battery Anode to Enhance Energy Storage]

Researchers at the University of Surrey's Advanced Technology Institute (ATI) developed a new-type battery design that could significantly extend EV driving range.

In a study published in ACS Applied Energy Materials, the researchers introduced a lithium-ion battery anode. The anode achieved one of the highest energy storage capacities reported to date in a silicon-carbon nanotube system, while remaining stable after hundreds of charge cycles. Lithium-ion batteries power a wide range of devices in modern technology. Graphite is the most commonly used anode material, offering high stability but limited energy storage capacity. By contrast, silicon has a much higher capacity, but it expands during charging, causing cracking and performance degradation over time.

Source: https://www.automotivepowertraintechnologyinternational.com/

 

 

 

Data Source Statement: Except for publicly available information, all other data are processed by SMM based on publicly available information, market communication, and relying on SMM‘s internal database model. They are for reference only and do not constitute decision-making recommendations.

For any inquiries or to learn more information, please contact: lemonzhao@smm.cn
For more information on how to access our research reports, please contact:service.en@smm.cn
Related News
SK On Consolidates Georgia Operations into Single Production System
Apr 5, 2026 17:13
SK On Consolidates Georgia Operations into Single Production System
Read More
SK On Consolidates Georgia Operations into Single Production System
SK On Consolidates Georgia Operations into Single Production System
SK On will transition to a unified production system centered on its SK Battery America (SKBA) operations in Georgia to improve efficiency in North America. According to the company on the 3rd, starting April 6 (local time), production volumes from SKBA’s first plant will be transferred to the second plant. In addition, part of the second plant’s production lines will be converted from electric vehicle (EV) battery manufacturing to energy storage system (ESS) production. The Georgia Plant 1 has an annual capacity of 10GWh and began commercial operations in the first quarter of 2022, while Plant 2 has a capacity of 12GWh and started operations in the fourth quarter of 2022.
Apr 5, 2026 17:13
LG Energy Solution Joins Global Automotive Software Marketplace SDVerse as First Battery Maker
Apr 5, 2026 17:12
LG Energy Solution Joins Global Automotive Software Marketplace SDVerse as First Battery Maker
Read More
LG Energy Solution Joins Global Automotive Software Marketplace SDVerse as First Battery Maker
LG Energy Solution Joins Global Automotive Software Marketplace SDVerse as First Battery Maker
LG Energy Solution announced on April 3 that it has joined the automotive software open marketplace platform SDVerse, becoming the first battery manufacturer to participate. SDVerse is a B2B vehicle software platform founded by General Motors, Magna International, and Wipro. The platform provides an open ecosystem where automakers, global suppliers, and software developers can trade software solutions, supporting the transition toward software-defined vehicles (SDVs).
Apr 5, 2026 17:12
SK On Terminates Natural Graphite Supply Agreement with Westwater
Apr 5, 2026 17:11
SK On Terminates Natural Graphite Supply Agreement with Westwater
Read More
SK On Terminates Natural Graphite Supply Agreement with Westwater
SK On Terminates Natural Graphite Supply Agreement with Westwater
According to Westwater Resources on the 3rd, it received a contract termination notice from SK On on March 31 (local time). Under the agreement, SK On had planned to source up to 34,000 tons of natural graphite produced at Westwater’s Kellyton facility in Alabama between 2027 and 2031, but the plan has been canceled following the termination.
Apr 5, 2026 17:11