- Smackover Lithium's SWA Project is designated a priority critical mineral project under Executive Order 14241.
- The project is one of only three domestic lithium projects and the sole DLE initiative for priority advancement.
- Federal designation aims to expedite the permitting process and reduce U.S. reliance on foreign minerals.
Smackover Lithium, a joint venture between Standard Lithium Ltd. (SLI, Financial) and Equinor, has proudly announced that its South West Arkansas (SWA) Project has received a prestigious designation as a priority critical mineral project under Executive Order 14241, issued by President Trump on March 20, 2025. This designation highlights the SWA Project's strategic importance to national security and economic growth.
The SWA Project has been incorporated into the Federal Permitting Dashboard as a transparency project. It is one of only three domestic lithium projects and the exclusive Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) initiative included in the initial list of projects. This move, supported by the Department of Energy's Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains, ensures a streamlined permitting process, enhancing transparency, accountability, and predictability.
The designation is a significant step toward reducing the United States' dependence on foreign sources, particularly China, by accelerating domestic critical mineral development. David Park, CEO of Standard Lithium, emphasized that this federal support is not only a validation of the SWA Project's economic viability but also instrumental in reinforcing its development timeline.
Smackover Lithium remains focused on environmentally responsible development and community engagement as it advances the SWA Project. The venture aims to provide a low-cost, sustainable, and domestic source of lithium essential for advanced energy technologies.
