Smackover Lithium, a Joint Venture between Standard Lithium Ltd. and Equinor, is proud to announce that its South West Arkansas (“SWA”) Project has been selected as one of the first critical mineral production projects to be advanced under Executive Order 14241, Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production, issued on March 20, 2025, by President Trump.
This prestigious designation, announced by the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council at the recommendation of the National Energy Dominance Council, underscores the project’s strategic importance to national security, economic prosperity, and energy independence.
The SWA Project, a cornerstone of Smackover Lithium’s mission to bolster domestic lithium production, has been included on the Federal Permitting Dashboard as a transparency project. This designation ensures increased transparency, accountability, and predictability in the permitting review process, aligning with President Trump’s directive to expedite domestic critical mineral projects. The support from the White House signals strong federal backing for the project, reinforcing its role in reducing U.S. reliance on China. The SWA Project is one of only three domestic lithium projects and the sole Direct Lithium Extraction (“DLE”) initiative to be included on the initial selected projects list. Additionally, it is the first project supported by the DOE’s Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains to be accepted into the Transparency Program.
“We are honored by the Trump Administration’s recognition of the SWA Project as a priority project for American mineral production,” said Standard Lithium’s CEO, David Park. “This designation is a testament to the project’s economic viability and potential to strengthen national security, create high-quality jobs, and fuel economic growth in Arkansas and beyond. The streamlined permitting process, combined with federal support, reinforces our project development timeline and positions us well to deliver a low cost, sustainable, and domestic source of lithium critical to advanced energy technologies.”
Smackover Lithium remains committed to environmentally responsible development, community engagement, and innovation as it advances the SWA Project. The JV looks forward to collaborating with federal, state, and local stakeholders to ensure the project’s success and to contribute to America’s leadership in the critical minerals sector.
For more information about the SWA Project and Smackover Lithium, please visit www.smackoverlithium.com.
