Financing lithium a challenge, but Arkansas environment favorable

by Steve Brawner (BRAWNERSTEVE@MAC.COM)

Financing major lithium projects in south Arkansas will be a challenge because of the uncertainties surrounding the ventures, but Arkansas has a history in the extraction industry and a supportive political environment. Meanwhile, the United States will be advancing in an industry where China is already an aggressive player.

Those were two of the takeaways from the second day (Feb. 16) of the inaugural Arkansas Lithium Innovation Summit.

The summit brought to Little Rock nearly 700 energy sector executives, policymakers and stakeholders to discuss the growing lithium extraction industry in south Arkansas.

The excitement stems from Arkansas’ strategic position atop the Smackover Formation, a collection of saltwater brine 8,000 feet below the earth’s surface that stretches from Texas to the Florida panhandle.

Financing lithium a challenge, but Arkansas environment favorable