Smackover Lithium's South West Arkansas Project Receives Unanimous Vote of Approval to Establish the Phase I Brine Production Unit from the Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission

Core Viewpoint - Smackover Lithium, a joint venture between Standard Lithium and Equinor, has received unanimous approval from the Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission for its Reynolds brine production unit, marking a significant milestone for the South West Arkansas Project [1][2]. Company Overview - Standard Lithium is focused on sustainable lithium development, with a portfolio of high-grade lithium-brine properties in the U.S., particularly in Arkansas and Texas [3]. - The company aims to achieve commercial-scale lithium production through a Direct Lithium Extraction process [3]. - Standard Lithium trades on the TSX Venture Exchange and NYSE American under the symbol "SLI" [4]. Project Details - The Reynolds unit spans 20,854 acres and is expected to produce 22,500 tonnes per year of battery-quality lithium carbonate, with full commercial production anticipated by 2028 [3]. - The approval of the brine unit is a crucial step towards a final investment decision for the South West Arkansas Project and is necessary for establishing a royalty rate [2]. Partnership Insights - Equinor, an international energy company, collaborates with Standard Lithium to advance Direct Lithium Extraction projects, contributing to a low-carbon future [5]. - Equinor's portfolio includes oil, gas, renewables, and low-carbon solutions, with a goal of becoming a net-zero energy company by 2050 [5].