April 25, 2025: Plans to construct a US lithium extraction facility to help expand domestic battery material production have been designated as a federal priority project.

The South West Arkansas Project in Arkansas supports the construction of a site that will produce battery-grade lithium carbonate from lithium-rich brine in North America, the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council announced on April 18.

The council said the facility is part of the first wave of critical minerals projects following Donald Trump’s executive order, published on April 15, in which the president instructed his administration to analyze critical mineral supply chains and propose ways to ramp up domestic production while reducing reliance on imports.

The Arkansas project led by Smackover Lithium, a joint venture of Standard Lithium and energy firm Equinor, is spread across Lafayette and Columbia counties in the southwest of the state.  

According to Smackover, the site boasts one of the highest-grade lithium brine resources in North America, with a maximum concentration of around 597 milligrams per litre and an average of 437 mg/L.

Standard Lithium CEO David Park said the designation meant a streamlined permitting process, combined with federal support.