US Geological Survey Identifies Significant Lithium Reserves in Arkansas, Driving Clean Energy Transition
Two major lithium-related developments have emerged in recent weeks. First, a study led by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) estimated that between 5 and 19 million tons of lithium reserves lie beneath southwestern Arkansas, near the Texas border. Additionally, it was announced that Startup Junkie Consulting will support small businesses in leveraging lithium for clean energy and electric vehicle initiatives across Northeast Texas, Southern Arkansas, Northern Louisiana, and West Mississippi.
The USGS study, which only sampled a small portion of the area, provides a glimpse into the potential lithium reserves present in the region. One company involved in the exploration noted that Northeast Texas contains some of the highest-grade lithium in the world. The study combined water testing and machine learning to make its estimates. According to the USGS, "If commercially recoverable, the amount of lithium present would meet projected 2030 world demand for lithium in car batteries nine times over."
The novel approach employed by the USGS, in collaboration with the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment's Office of the State Geologist, allowed researchers to quantify lithium in the brines of the Smackover Formation, a geological unit known for its extensive, porous limestone. Extracting lithium from brines co-produced during oil and gas operations presents an opportunity to turn waste streams into valuable resources.
David Applegate, USGS Director, emphasized the importance of this discovery, noting, "Lithium is a critical mineral for the energy transition, and the potential for increased U.S. production to replace imports has implications for employment, manufacturing, and supply-chain resilience. This study illustrates the value of science in addressing economically important issues."
The Smackover Formation, a remnant of an ancient sea, extends under parts of Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida. Known for its Jurassic-era deposits of oil and bromine, the formation has gained attention for its potential lithium reserves in brines, which are highly saline waters associated with deep salt deposits. Katherine Knierim, the study's lead researcher, stated, "We estimate there is enough dissolved lithium in the southwestern Smackover to replace U.S. imports and more, though these figures represent an in-place assessment rather than what is technically recoverable."
As global demand for lithium continues to rise, driven by its use in electric vehicle (EV) batteries and clean energy technologies, the U.S. remains heavily reliant on imports for over 25% of its lithium needs. The USGS estimates that the lithium present in the oil and brine waste streams in southern Arkansas could cover current U.S. consumption. Even the low-end estimate of 5 million tons is equivalent to more than nine times the International Energy Agency's projected global demand for EVs in 2030.
The USGS used machine learning techniques to make the first estimates of total lithium present in the Smackover Formation brines. These samples were analyzed by the USGS Brine Research Instrumentation and Experimental Lab in Reston, VA, and compared with historical data from the USGS Produced Waters Database. The model allowed for a prediction of lithium concentrations across the region, even where samples were not directly available.
In parallel, the Small Business Administration (SBA) awarded Fayetteville-based Startup Junkie one of 14 New Awards for Regional Innovation Cluster Networks to drive growth, job creation, and innovation. The Lithium Regional Innovation Cluster (LRIC) is a new public-private collaboration that aims to strengthen the lithium value chain in support of the clean energy transition. The cluster spans parts of Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.
The LRIC's mission is to enhance national security and supply chain resilience by building a sustainable lithium supply chain. Rooted in the rich resources of the Smackover Formation, the LRIC is focused on accelerating energy innovation, supporting commercialization, and fostering partnerships between small businesses, enterprises, academia, and innovators. Jeff Amerine, Founder and Managing Director of Startup Junkie, noted, "Our selection to lead the LRIC is a testament to our commitment to fostering innovation and supporting the growth of small businesses." The LRIC aims to empower businesses through consulting, collaboration, and access to capital, strengthening the emerging lithium economy in the region.
