Research by the US Geological Survey (USGS) reveals that a giant lithium mine in the state of Arkansas has the potential to revolutionize the global electric vehicle industry.
Using advanced water testing technology combined with machine learning, researchers estimate that an area in Arkansas has reserves of about 5 to 19 million tons of lithium, enough to meet the world’s expected demand by next year. 2030 for lithium for electric vehicle batteries, Newsweek reported on October 22. The discovery focuses on lithium-rich brine in the Smackover Formation, an ancient seafloor spread across several southern US states. This finding is especially important because it could reduce America’s dependence on imported raw materials.
“Lithium is an essential mineral for the energy transition, and the potential to increase production in the US to replace imports has many implications for jobs, manufacturing and the supply chain,” said David Applegate, director of Director of the USGS, said.
In the 1990s, the United States was the world’s largest producer of lithium, according to the World Economic Forum. However, in 2021, the country accounted for only 1% of global production, despite lithium’s role in driving strong electric vehicle development. Lithium is often called the “white gold” of the energy transition because it plays a key role in the battery technology that paved the way for the green revolution.
“Our study can estimate the total amount of lithium that exists in the southwest region of the Smackover Formation in Arkansas for the first time,” said Katherine Knierim, lead researcher. “We estimate there is enough dissolved lithium in that area to replace US imports of lithium and go further. These estimates are on-site assessments. We have not calculated the amount that could be recovered based on newer methods for extracting lithium from brine”.
Today, global demand for lithium continues to skyrocket due to demand for electric vehicles and renewable energy technology. The US is relying on imports to meet more than 25% of its domestic lithium demand.
Energy company Exxon Mobil has taken a number of steps to exploit these promising reserves. The company has drilled exploration wells in Arkansas and is actively evaluating the economic feasibility of lithium mining in the region. They set ambitious production goals, aiming to begin mining in 2027. In 2030, Exxon plans to produce enough lithium to power more than a million electric vehicles annually.
The Smackover Formation dates back to the Jurassic period and is famous for its oil and bromine deposits. This formation extends through Arkansas to Louisiana, Texas, Alabama, Mississippi and Florida.