Globenewswire·2025-09-24 12:30Core Insights - Smackover Lithium, a joint venture between Standard Lithium and Equinor, announced a maiden inferred resource for its Franklin Project in Texas, highlighting the project's significant lithium brine potential and aiming for over 100,000 tonnes of lithium chemicals production annually [1][3][20] Resource Highlights - The maiden inferred resource includes 2,159,000 metric tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE), 15,414,000 tonnes of potash, and 2,638,000 tonnes of bromide, contained within 0.61 km³ of brine volume [5][7] - The highest reported lithium brine concentration in North America of 806 mg/L was measured from the Pine Forest 1 well [5][7] Project Development - The Franklin Project covers approximately 80,000 acres, with over 46,000 acres leased to support the inferred resource [5][10] - Exploration activities included 2D seismic surveys and the completion of three exploration wells in 2023 to assess aquifer characteristics and brine chemistry [5][11] Future Plans - The joint venture plans to develop two additional projects in East Texas, which will significantly expand the portfolio area [1][3] - Recommendations from the inferred resource assessment include further drilling and characterization of the Upper and Middle Smackover Formation aquifers [15][16]