Lewisville, AR – As part of our commitment to the local community, Smackover Lithium is proud to announce a $25,000 contribution to the South Arkansas (SouthArk) College Industrial Chemistry Laboratory, equipping the local workforce with technical training near our South West Arkansas project.
SouthArk College's industrial chemistry lab will serve as a hub for education, research, and hands-on training in the field. This contribution allows SouthArk College to provide specialized training for industrial chemistry lab technicians and professionals proficient in the latest technologies and methodologies needed by the lithium industry.
“We developed this program in direct response to industry feedback regarding the skills and training needed within the local workforce,” said Stephanie Tully-Dartez, President of South Arkansas College. “Smackover Lithium has been an exceptional educational partner in the development of this facility, and this generous contribution further demonstrates their strong commitment to advancing lithium workforce development in South Arkansas.”
Prior to forming Smackover Lithium, Standard Lithium has partnered with SouthArk College since 2020 supporting the institution’s efforts in the region. More recently, Standard Lithium’s engineers and chemists have been serving as subject matter experts, dedicating their time and expertise to reviewing and vetting curriculum and competencies offered in the industrial lab and catalyst program. The programs and courses align with the industry's needs to prepare graduates for successful careers in the lithium industry.
“Smackover Lithium’s partnership with SouthArk College underscores our commitment to education and local workforce training,” said Chad Martin, Vice President of US Operations at Standard Lithium. “We are thrilled to provide this contribution and continue working with SouthArk College to build up the next generation of lithium workers.”
The SouthArk College industrial lab is still under construction but plans to be ready for students in mid-2026.
Smackover Lithium presented check to SouthArk Foundation at the Arkansas Lithium Innovation Summit. Photo: Kaycee Kiser
About Smackover Lithium
Smackover Lithium is a joint venture between Standard Lithium and Equinor. Formed in May 2024, Smackover Lithium is developing two DLE projects in Southwest Arkansas and East Texas (the “JV Projects”). Standard Lithium owns a 55% interest and Equinor holds the remaining 45% interest in the two JV Projects, with Standard Lithium maintaining operatorship.
About Standard Lithium
Standard Lithium is a leading near-commercial lithium development company focused on the sustainable development of a portfolio of large, high-grade lithium-brine properties in the United States. The Company prioritizes projects characterized by high-grade resources, robust infrastructure, skilled labor, and streamlined permitting. Standard Lithium aims to achieve sustainable, commercial-scale lithium production via the application of a scalable and fully integrated DLE and purification process. The Company’s flagship projects are located in the Smackover Formation, a world-class lithium brine asset, focused in Arkansas and Texas. In partnership with global energy leader Equinor, Standard Lithium is advancing the South West Arkansas Project, a greenfield project located in southern Arkansas, and actively advancing a promising lithium brine resource position in East Texas.
Standard Lithium trades on both the TSX Venture Exchange (the “TSXV”) and the NYSE American under the symbol “SLI”. Please visit the Company’s website at www.standardlithium.com.
About Equinor
Equinor is an international energy company committed to long-term value creation in a low-carbon future. Equinor’s portfolio of projects encompasses oil and gas, renewables and low-carbon solutions, with an ambition of becoming a net-zero energy company by 2050. Headquartered in Norway, Equinor is the leading operator on the Norwegian continental shelf and has offices in more than 20 countries worldwide. Equinor’s partnership with Standard Lithium to mature DLE projects builds on its broad US energy portfolio of oil and gas, offshore wind, low carbon solutions and battery storage projects.
For more information on Equinor in the US, please visit: Equinor in the US - Equinor.
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