Article

The Arkansas Legislative Council's Review Subcommittee approved a $90,000 contract with London-based Renaissance Energy Advisors to analyze Arkansas' role in the global lithium supply chain. This one-year contract aims to position Arkansas as a competitive hub in the lithium battery industry.

Standard Lithium plans to start production in 2028, creating 100 to 125 jobs. The Smackover Formation in southern Arkansas contains 5 to 19 million tons of lithium reserves. The Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission approved a 2.5% royalty for lithium extraction, resolving a dispute between Standard Lithium and local property owners.