Smackover Lithium's South West Arkansas Project Receives Special Designation as a Priority Transparency Critical Mineral Project From the Trump Administration

Core Points - Smackover Lithium's South West Arkansas Project has been designated as a critical mineral production project under Executive Order 14241, highlighting its strategic importance for national security and economic prosperity [1][2] - The SWA Project is one of only three domestic lithium projects and the sole Direct Lithium Extraction initiative included in the initial selected projects list, indicating strong federal support [2][3] - The project aims to enhance domestic lithium production, reduce reliance on China, and create high-quality jobs while ensuring environmentally responsible development [3] Company Overview - Standard Lithium is focused on sustainable development of high-grade lithium-brine properties in the U.S., with a goal of achieving commercial-scale lithium production through Direct Lithium Extraction and purification processes [5] - The company is advancing the SWA Project in partnership with Equinor, which is a significant greenfield project located in southern Arkansas [5] - Standard Lithium also holds interests in lithium brine prospects in East Texas and mineral leases in California's Mojave Desert [5] Industry Context - The SWA Project's inclusion in the Federal Permitting Dashboard ensures increased transparency and accountability in the permitting process, aligning with the U.S. government's efforts to expedite critical mineral projects [2] - The project is expected to contribute to America's leadership in the critical minerals sector, which is essential for advanced energy technologies [3]