SMACKOVER LITHIUM GROUP – TEXAS
Lithium from brine is an evolving energy play based on Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE). The DLE process for extracting lithium and other elements with value from Smackover (SMK) formation water is becoming the most economic and environmentally friendly means of sourcing domestic lithium for use in modern battery technologies. Leasing is ongoing and extraction plants are in the design/development stage. Different states will have somewhat different regulatory and legal frameworks.
Note that lithium concentrations in the Smackover section can be highly variable plus reservoir quality for an effective water source can be equally inconsistent. As a result, not all areas may be prospective for lithium mining (DLE). One also needs to keep in mind that variable H2S concentrations are a normal product associated with the Smackover reservoir and any produced fluids.
The counties in Texas that are prospective for Smackover lithium production are Cass, Morris, Titus, Franklin, Hopkins, Hunt, Camp, Marion, Rains, Navarro, Wood, Van Zandt, Kaufman, Limestone and Upshur Counties.
Smackover Lithium Files Maiden Inferred Resource for Its Franklin Project in East Texas, Containing the Highest Reported Lithium-In-Brine Grades in North America
Smackover Lithium Files Maiden Inferred Resource for Its Franklin Project in East Texas, Containing the Highest Reported Lithium-In-Brine Grades in North America |
LEWISVILLE, Ark., Nov. 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Smackover Lithium, a 55:45 owned Joint Venture (“JV”) between Standard Lithium Ltd. (“Standard Lithium” or the “Company”) (TSXV: SLI) (NYSE.A: SLI) and Equinor (“Equinor”), announced today that it has filed its Maiden Inferred Resource report (the “Report”) for the Franklin Project (the “Project”) in the northeast region of Texas. All terms not otherwise defined have the meaning given to them under the CIM Definition Standards for mineral resources and mineral reserves. The Franklin Project is highlighted by 2,159,000 metric tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent at an average lithium concentration of 668 mg/L, 15,414,000 tonnes of potash (as potassium chloride) - a newly added mineral to the U.S. Geological Survey 2025 Draft Critical Mineral List - and 2,638,000 tonnes of bromide (ionized form of the commercial product bromine), contained within 0.61 km 3 of brine volume. The Report for the JV’s first project in the East Texas region of the Smackover highlights the size and quality of its brine position. Brine mineral leasing has been ongoing since 2022 in the approximate 80,000-acre Project area, with over 46,000 acres leased to support the inferred resource. The Project also contains the highest reported lithium-in-brine grades in North America, including a previously measured 806 mg/L at the Pine Forest 1 well (see news release dated 25 th October 2023 ). This initial Project definition marks a key step towards the ultimate goal of reaching production of over 100,000 tonnes of lithium chemicals per year in Texas through multiple phases. This goal is further supported by two additional projects the JV is planning to develop in East Texas that are anticipated to roughly triple the size of the JV’s portfolio area in the state. The principal recommendation for next steps is to further refine the characteristics of the Upper and Middle Smackover Formation aquifers, brine chemistry and to assess reserve forecasts. This will be accomplished by drilling additional appraisal wells and re-entering three shut-in wells to facilitate the definition of a Preliminary Feasibility Study. The JV will also conduct direct lithium extraction (“DLE”) testing of the Project brine, leveraging insights gained from Standard Lithium’s Demonstration Plant located in El Dorado, Arkansas, as well as the JV’s South West Arkansas project. The Report is available for review under the Company’s profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company’s website at https://www.standardlithium.com/projects/smackover/ . For highlights of this Report, please refer to the Company’s press release dated 24 September 2025 . Qualified Person All scientific and technical disclosure in this news release was reviewed and approved by Mr. Stephen Ross, P.Geo., British Columbia, Vice President of Resource Development for Standard Lithium and a Qualified Person for purposes of, and as that term is defined in, National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”). Mr. Ross is not independent of the Company. About Smackover Lithium Smackover Lithium is a joint venture between Standard Lithium and Equinor. Formed in May 2024, Smackover Lithium is developing multiple DLE projects in Southwest Arkansas and East Texas (the “JV Projects”). Standard Lithium owns a 55% interest and Equinor holds the remaining 45% interest in the JV Projects, with Standard Lithium maintaining operatorship. About Standard Lithium Standard Lithium is a leading near-commercial lithium development company focused on the sustainable development of a portfolio of large, high-grade lithium-brine properties in the United States. The Company prioritizes projects characterized by high-grade resources, robust infrastructure, skilled labor, and streamlined permitting. Standard Lithium aims to achieve sustainable, commercial-scale lithium production via the application of a scalable and fully integrated DLE and purification process. The Company’s flagship projects are located in the Smackover Formation, a world-class lithium brine asset, focused in Arkansas and Texas. In partnership with global energy leader Equinor, Standard Lithium is advancing the South West Arkansas Project, a greenfield project located in southern Arkansas, and actively advancing a promising lithium brine resource position in East Texas. Standard Lithium trades on both the TSX Venture Exchange (the “TSXV”) and the NYSE American under the symbol “SLI”. Please visit the Company’s website at www.standardlithium.com . About Equinor Equinor is an international energy company committed to long-term value creation in a low-carbon future. Equinor’s portfolio of projects encompasses oil and gas, renewables and low-carbon solutions, with an ambition of becoming a net-zero energy company by 2050. Headquartered in Norway, Equinor is the leading operator on the Norwegian continental shelf and has offices in more than 20 countries worldwide. Equinor’s partnership with Standard Lithium to mature DLE projects builds on its broad US energy portfolio of oil and gas, offshore wind, low carbon solutions and battery storage projects. For more information on Equinor in the US, please visit: Equinor in the US - Equinor . Investor Inquiries |
Skip Peel - Mineral Consultant
As the Western Haynesville expands and impacts more mineral owners, I'm somewhat alarmed that there are only eight members for this group. By now there should be a couple hundred. How many Texas mineral owners are in the dark as to what is going on as the leasing spreads to include them? Please for the good of all mineral owners please share GHS.com as a place to ask questions and get answers!
Nov 5, 2025