Smackover Lithium, a joint venture between Canada’s Standard Lithium and Norway’s Equinor, has recently released the results of a definitive feasibility study for its lithium project in southwestern Arkansas. The project, which received a $225 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, plans to establish an environmentally sustainable production base with an annual capacity of 22,500 tonnes of battery-grade lithium carbonate. It is set to become the first commercial lithium production operation in the Smackover Formation.
The study indicates an average lithium concentration of 481 mg/L at the site, with a minimum operational lifespan of 20 years. The project demonstrates a pre-tax net present value of $1.7 billion and an internal rate of return of 20.2%. Total investment is estimated at $1.45 billion, with cash operating costs of $4,516 per tonne. Proven reserves stand at 447,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent, while total resources amount to 1.177 million tonnes. The company aims to achieve first production by 2028, positioning itself as a key contributor to the domestic supply of critical minerals in the United States.
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