A new study has revealed that Arkansas may hold a massive lithium reserve, potentially enough to meet global demand nine times over. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in collaboration with the Arkansas Department of Energy and the Environment, has estimated that the southwestern portion of the Smackover Formation contains between 5 million and 19 million tons of lithium.

Lithium is an essential resource used in a variety of industries, including manufacturing and energy storage. Currently, the U.S. imports more than 25% of its lithium, with major suppliers including Argentina, Chile, and China. This discovery offers a significant opportunity to reduce that reliance. According to USGS hydrologist Katherine Knierim, “We estimate there is enough dissolved lithium present in that region to replace U.S. imports of lithium and more.”

The study also highlights that while these estimates are based on available data, further research is needed to determine how much lithium can be recovered using current and future extraction technologies. The Smackover Formation stretches across multiple southern states, including Alabama, Louisiana, and Texas, making it one of the most promising domestic sources of lithium.

This breakthrough could be a game-changer for the U.S., offering a path toward greater resource independence. With the potential to rival the lithium reserves of countries like Chile and Argentina, Arkansas could soon become a leader in lithium production, securing a critical mineral supply for the nation.