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Highlights

  • Smackover Lithium’s South West Arkansas (SWA) Project chosen as a priority initiative under Executive Order 14241, aimed at accelerating U.S. critical mineral production.

  • First DLE (Direct Lithium Extraction) project to enter the Federal Permitting Dashboard's Transparency Program, ensuring faster and more predictable regulatory review.

  • Backed by the DOE’s Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains, the project is central to reducing U.S. dependency on Chinese lithium imports.

Smackover Lithium, a joint venture between Standard Lithium Ltd. and Equinor, announced that its South West Arkansas (SWA) Project has been selected as one of the first strategic mineral production ventures to advance under Executive Order 14241, signed by President Donald Trump in March 2025.

The executive order, titled “Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production,” is part of a broader federal initiative to enhance U.S. energy independence, bolster national security, and reduce foreign reliance—particularly on China—for critical mineral supply chains.

The SWA Project, located in Arkansas’ lithium-rich Smackover Formation, stands out as a keystone in the country’s domestic lithium production strategy. It was officially listed on the Federal Permitting Dashboard as a Transparency Project, a designation that mandates greater clarity and speed in the permitting process, aligning with the White House’s push for accelerated review timelines for critical mineral initiatives.

According to the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council, the SWA Project was recommended for fast-tracking by the National Energy Dominance Council, a body created to guide the implementation of EO 14241. This designation emphasizes the project's alignment with U.S. strategic goals in energy security and manufacturing resilience.

Notably, the SWA Project is the only Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) initiative to be included on the initial list of federally prioritized mineral projects. It is also the first project supported by the Department of Energy’s Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains to enter the Transparency Program, a milestone that affirms its technological innovation and strategic value.

In a statement, Smackover Lithium expressed gratitude for the federal recognition and reiterated its dedication to “environmentally responsible development, community engagement, and innovation.” The company also pledged to work collaboratively with federal, state, and local stakeholders to ensure the project progresses efficiently and sustainably.

The inclusion of the SWA Project marks a significant step forward in the Biden-to-Trump-era continuity of U.S. critical mineral policy, where both administrations have prioritized securing the nation’s supply of rare earth elements and battery-grade materials. Lithium, in particular, is vital to the production of electric vehicles, grid-scale energy storage, and other clean energy technologies.