Major Lithium Reserves Discovered in Southwestern Arkansas
A recent study spearheaded by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has unveiled a potentially vast lithium reserve located beneath southwestern Arkansas. According to researchers, this reserve surpasses the current global demand.
Details of the Lithium Reserve
The study, which was published in Science Advances, estimates that the region contains between 5 and 19 million tons of lithium reserves. If these reserves are commercially recoverable, they could potentially satisfy the predicted 2030 world demand for lithium in car batteries nine times over, as stated in a press release by the U.S. agency on Monday.
This research was a collaborative effort between the USGS and the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment’s Office of the State Geologist. The team used water testing and machine learning to estimate the amount of lithium present in brines within the Smackover Formation.
Implications of the Discovery
David Applegate, the director of USGS, emphasized the significance of the discovery. He stated that 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. He also highlighted the importance of science in addressing economically important issues.
The Smackover Formation, an ancient sea remnant, extends under parts of Arkansas, Louisiana, Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, and Texas. Known for its oil and bromine deposits, it has recently attracted attention for potential lithium in high-salinity waters associated with deep salt deposits.
Recoverability of the Lithium
Katherine Knierim, the study’s principal researcher and a USGS hydrologist, warned that while the estimates are significant, they cannot predict how much is recoverable. She stated that there is enough dissolved lithium present in the region to replace U.S. imports of lithium and more. However, she also cautioned that these estimates are an in-place assessment and they have not estimated what is technically recoverable based on newer methods to extract lithium from brines.
Increasing Global Demand for Lithium
The discovery is timely, given the increasing global demand for lithium due to the production of electric and hybrid vehicles and less reliance on fossil fuels. The USGS stated that the United States currently relies on imports for more than 25 percent of its lithium needs.
Researchers used machine learning, a form of artificial intelligence, to create predictive maps of lithium concentrations throughout the Smackover Formation. Samples from Arkansas were analyzed at the USGS Brine Research Instrumentation and Experimental lab in Reston, Virginia, and compared with historical data from the USGS Produced Waters Database.
Partnership in Research
Knierim emphasized the importance of partnership in research, stating that the USGS and science work best as a partnership. This significant research was possible because of their strong partnership with the Office of the Arkansas State Geologist.
The USGS has been the nation’s primary source of impartial scientific information on geologic, energy, and mineral resources since 1879. It also monitors lithium production, demand, and imports in the United States under a role mandated by the Energy Act of 2020.
Bottom Line
This discovery of a potentially vast lithium reserve in southwestern Arkansas could have significant implications for the energy transition, particularly in the context of increasing global demand for lithium. However, it remains to be seen how much of this reserve is technically recoverable. What are your thoughts on this discovery? Feel free to share this article with your friends. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is available every day at 6pm.
