S'abonner

Arkansas lithium project receives priority designation from Trump administration

Smackover Lithium’s South West Arkansas project becomes one of only three lithium initiatives designated as priority projects in the US under the presidential executive order on mineral autonomy.

Share:

The South West Arkansas (SWA) project, developed by the joint venture Smackover Lithium between Canadian company Standard Lithium Ltd. and Norwegian group Equinor, has been designated as a priority project by the Trump administration under Executive Order 14241. Issued on March 20, the order introduces immediate measures to boost domestic production of critical minerals, particularly lithium, which is considered essential for the United States’ economic and energy security.

This designation, announced by the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council on the recommendation of the National Energy Dominance Council, places the SWA project on the federal Permitting Dashboard. The inclusion is intended to enhance transparency, strengthen accountability and increase predictability in the regulatory review process, in line with the presidential directive to accelerate strategic mining projects.

A unique direct extraction project in the US

The SWA project is the only lithium initiative using Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) technology among the three domestic lithium projects selected to date. It is also the first to receive support from the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains under the Transparency Program. This federal status is expected to streamline administrative procedures and secure the project’s development timeline.

David Park, Chief Executive Officer of Standard Lithium, emphasised that the designation reinforces the SWA Project’s economic positioning and its role in supplying a domestic source of lithium for advanced technologies, notably in electric mobility and energy storage sectors.

Strategic leverage for the national supply chain

The White House’s official backing is part of a broader strategy to reduce American dependence on foreign supply chains—especially Chinese—for critical raw materials. By reinforcing domestic production, the US administration aims to strengthen its standing in strategic industrial sectors.

Listing the SWA project among the country’s priority developments could serve as a catalyst for other similar initiatives nationwide. Smackover Lithium has stated its intention to continue engaging with local and federal authorities to ensure the operational progression of the SWA Project, while complying with regulatory requirements for mining infrastructure of this scale.

  • Populaires ​
Multilateral climate funds redirect energy finance towards emerging markets
Aker Horizons finalises the merger of its holding company with Aker ASA and restructures its portfolio
Equinor buys 2.1 mn of its own shares for $201 mn in second 2025 phase
Aker Carbon Capture pays $162mn in dividends after selling its main assets
London reinstates grants to accelerate electric-vehicle adoption
Vortex Metals identifies copper, gold and six IOCG targets in Chile
Vortex Metals has confirmed copper, silver and gold grades at the Illapel project in Chile, while identifying six new conductive targets with high IOCG mineralisation potential.
Comet Lithium launches targeted campaign on copper, nickel and lithium in Québec
Comet Lithium begins a 17-day exploration programme on June 13 at its Triple L and Elmer East sites, focusing on geophysical and satellite-detected anomalies.
Brazil activates 27 rare earth projects to secure its supply chain
With 27 ongoing projects across seven states, Brazil seeks international funding to develop its rare earth reserves and reduce reliance on China.
EU Approves 13 Key Critical Materials Projects, Including One in Greenland
The European Union selects 13 critical materials extraction projects, including a site in Greenland, to secure strategic supplies essential for technological and energy industries, amidst global geopolitical risks.
Global mining concentration threatens access to strategic metals
The International Energy Agency warns of growing vulnerability in strategic metal supply chains, dominated by a limited number of producing and refining countries.
Europe commits €800bn to defence, destabilising strategic metals supply balance
The European rearmament plan intensifies pressure on critical metals supply chains, dominated by China, and in direct competition with other key industrial sectors.
Rosneft takes control of strategic rare earth deposit Tomtor in Siberia
State-owned oil group Rosneft has taken over the exploitation licence for the Tomtor rare metals deposit, marking the entry of hydrocarbons into a mining sector largely abandoned by private investors.
Saudi Arabia offers titanium and aluminium to France to strengthen its industry
During a visit to France, the Saudi Minister of Industry presented the kingdom's titanium and aluminium as levers to reach agreements with French manufacturers and support the country’s industrial diversification.
City of Richmond approves Raven SR bioenergy project
Raven SR takes a crucial step towards renewable hydrogen production by obtaining a permit for its bioenergy project in Richmond, California. This approval marks a significant step forward in the conversion of organic waste into clean fuels and contributes to the reduction of CO2 emissions.
Nigeria: President Buhari inaugurates a mega-refinery before its commissioning
Nigerian president inaugurates Dangote's mega-refinery, offering the prospect of solving shortages and creating revenue. However, analysts doubt the actual start-up date of the refinery, which could be delayed until the end of 2024.
Fidelis New Energy builds its first large-scale facility for the management of captured CO2 in Denmark
Denmark takes a major step forward in the management of captured CO2 with the construction of its first large-scale facility in Aalborg. The Port of Aalborg and Fidelis New Energy unveil ambitious plans to process up to four million tons of CO2 per year, contributing to the country's emission reduction.
Floating offshore wind may be the solution to decarbonizing the U.S.
Floating wind resources are poised to become a crucial part of the U.S. energy transition. A look back at the industry's rapid growth prospects, the U.S. Department of Energy's ambitious goals, and development opportunities in California, Oregon and the Gulf of Maine.
France: The Senate votes one last time to revive nuclear power
The right-wing majority Senate has largely approved the nuclear revival bill to speed up the construction of new reactors, despite the opposition of the ecologist group, before the final adoption expected on May 16 in the National Assembly.
After BP, TotalEnergies prepares for a climate confrontation at the Annual General Meeting
TotalEnergies, the French oil major, is preparing for a climate debate with some of its shareholders at its general meeting on May 26. An advisory resolution on the group's indirect CO2 emissions, proposed by the activist shareholder organization Follow This, was included in the agenda of the AGM.
EDF: strong increase in activity in Q1, despite a decline in nuclear power
In the first quarter of the year, EDF recorded a 34.6% increase in revenues compared to the same period last year, despite a drop in its nuclear production. High energy market prices and the acquisition of new residential customers in France contributed to this growth.
Spain: Agreement between Ohmium and E4Efficiency to supply green hydrogen
Ohmium International is partnering with Efficiency for LNG Applications (E4Efficiency) to supply green hydrogen to a liquefied natural gas terminal in Andalusia, replacing the methane used in the gas burner pilot flame. This innovative project is supported by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
France: Nuclear safety reform will not return in final version of acceleration law
The controversial nuclear safety reform is not expected to be included in the final discussions on the nuclear acceleration bill, sources told AFP. Members of Parliament rejected the government's amendment in March and future debates should respect their vote.
France: Engie prepares its customers for the end of the regulated gas tariff
Engie offers its regulated tariff subscribers a bridging offer called "Passerelle" indexed on a reference indicator calculated by the Commission de régulation de l'énergie, which should experience marginal increases, but which allows the user to retain absolute freedom.
Siberia Force 2023, renewal of Sino-Russian energy cooperation
Russia and China continue their energy cooperation with the Siberian Force 2 pipeline project. This ambitious initiative aims to deliver 98 billion cubic meters of gas to China by 2030, strengthening ties between the two countries.
Oil prices down despite Russian production cuts
Oil prices started the week lower, despite the announcement of Russian oil production cuts. Concerns about near-term demand have returned to the forefront as the uncertain economic outlook in many major oil-consuming economies, such as the U.S., Europe and even China, persists.

LEGAL

FOSSILS

POLICY

RENEWABLE

PLUS

© XMARKET PUBLISHING