KUAR | By Ronak Patel
Earlier this year, Exxonmobil acquired the rights for a lithium brine reservoir in south Arkansas. Lithium is a key component that is used in electric vehicle batteries.
In an interview with Arkansas PBS’ Arkansas Week, U.S Rep. Bruce Westerman, R- Hot Springs, said the southern region of Arkansas potentially has enough lithium to produce about 15% of the world’s lithium. Westerman said the lithium in south Arkansas could grow the economy in that region.
“Now that lithium is a valuable commodity investors are anxious to be able to extract the lithium to meet even more demand. There’s talks the value of lithium could be more than the value of all the oil and gas produced in South Arkansas,” he said.
Arkansas PBS
In an interview with Arkansas PBS' Arkansas Week, U.S Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Hot Springs, sees lithium as a boom to the local economy. The congressman also shared concerns about the region having the resources needed to accommodate the potential boom to the region.