Lithium Development
South Arkansas, particularly Columbia County and the surrounding Smackover region, is rapidly emerging as one of the most significant lithium development hubs in the United States. The region sits atop the Smackover Formation, a vast underground brine reservoir rich in lithium, which the U.S. Geological Survey estimates could supply a substantial share of global lithium demand.
Unlike traditional mining, lithium in south Arkansas is extracted from subsurface brine using direct lithium extraction (DLE) technology. This process allows operators to separate lithium from saltwater and reinject the brine, offering a faster and more environmentally efficient alternative to evaporation ponds.
Standard Lithium
Standard Lithium is one of the most advanced developers in the region. Its South West Arkansas Project, located just west of Magnolia in Columbia County, spans roughly 30,000 acres of brine leases.
Partnered with Equinor through the Smackover Lithium joint venture.
Targeting initial production of ~22,500 tonnes per year of battery-grade lithium carbonate, with expansion potential.
Backed by federal funding to support commercial-scale development.
Expected to begin production later this decade.
Standard Lithium is considered a first mover in applying DLE technology at a commercial scale in Arkansas.
ExxonMobil (Saltwerx)
ExxonMobil has made a major entry into the Arkansas lithium market through its subsidiary Saltwerx.
Acquired rights to approximately 120,000 acres in the Smackover Formation.
Received approval for a large-scale lithium production unit in South Arkansas.
Targeting production as early as 2028 using DLE technology.
ExxonMobil’s involvement signals strong confidence from major energy companies and positions the region as a key part of the U.S. domestic battery supply chain.
TETRA Technologies
TETRA Technologies plays a critical enabling role in the region.
Controls over 40,000 acres of brine leases in south Arkansas.
Longstanding operator in bromine production, providing infrastructure and expertise.
Partnering with ExxonMobil on lithium development projects.
Previously collaborated with Standard Lithium through access to leased lands.
TETRA’s legacy assets and regional footprint make it a key partner in scaling lithium production.
Economic & Strategic Impact
The lithium boom is expected to bring significant economic benefits to Columbia County and the broader south Arkansas region:
New industrial investment and job creation.
Royalties and lease payments for mineral rights owners.
Revitalization of a region historically tied to oil, gas, and bromine production.
At a national level, South Arkansas is becoming central to efforts to build a domestic lithium supply chain, reducing reliance on foreign sources and supporting the growth of electric vehicles and energy storage.
Outlook
With multiple large-scale projects advancing simultaneously, South Arkansas is transitioning from exploration to early-stage production. Over the next decade, Columbia County is expected to become a cornerstone of U.S. lithium production, driven by technological innovation, major corporate investment, and favorable geology.
Manufacturing
The days when “manufacturing” suggested a low-tech industry are long gone. Today, even the manufacturing of the simplest components has become a complex, highly precise process that demands skilled employees and sophisticated equipment.
The Golden Triangle region has been up to the challenge for decades, evidenced by the success of manufacturing industries like the following:
- Aerojet Rocketdyne
- CMC Steel of Arkansas
- Lion Oil Company
- Nexans AmerCable
- Albemarle Corporation
- El Dorado Chemical Company
- Southern Aluminum
They have seen what a highly skilled workforce and its focus on quality and productivity have meant to their bottom lines.
Manufacturers in our region know what our regional resources can provide:
- A highly skilled workforce
- Focus on quality and productivity
- Affordable labor cost
- Arkansas is a right-to-work state
The regions offers:
- High speed connectivity
- Transportation by both rail and freight make it easy to access the raw materials they need and ship their finished products out across the country and throughout the world.
Our regions’ educational institutions partner with local industries to provide the skills manufacturers need. Area employers benefit directly from the proximity of these institutions:
- Southern Arkansas University, Magnolia
- Southern Arkansas University-Tech, Camden
- South Arkansas Community College, El Dorado
Chemical Industry
The manufacturing sites of Albemarle Corporation as well as Great Lakes Solutions, a Chemtura Corporation, were constructed to take advantage of the second largest bromine-rich brine reserve in the world located in the Golden Triangle Region of South Arkansas known as the Smackover Limestone Formation.
Albemarle Corporation’s Magnolia manufacturing operations make up one of the world’s largest suppliers of bromine and bromine chemicals. They have two plant sites in the Magnolia area.
The Great Lakes Solutions’ manufacturing sites located in El Dorado extract the brine from wells located throughout Union county. They have three manufacturing plants, along with support services.
Each company has over 500 employees. They produce more than 30 different chemical ingredients used in the manufacturing of a wide range of chemicals. Among these products are flame retardants used in household plastics, fabric fibers and insulation material. Their products can be found in many consumer products used every day, including the plastic used in televisions and computers, bathroom disinfectants, soaps and carpeting.
Timber Industry
In the lowlands of Arkansas lies the Gulf Coastal Plain. Covering south Arkansas, major communities in the region include Texarkana, El Dorado, Magnolia, Camden and Monticello, parts of Pine Bluff and Little Rock. Sandy, rolling hills harbor pine trees and hardwoods found along river bottoms. Wildlife such as deer, beaver and wading birds are abundant.
The Gulf Coastal Plains are also home to major corporations of the forest products industry and include these companies in the Golden Triangle:
- Anthony Forest Products
- Georgia Pacific Corporation
- Deltic Timber Corporation
- Weyerhauser Company
Aerospace and Aviation
East Camden
Aerojet/Rocketdyne Corporation
- Manufacturing facility for development and production of tactical solid rocket motors
- Explosive warhead manufacturing
- Rocket motor and explosives test facility
- Complete manufacturing site support
- Proximity to prime customer assembly facilities
General Dynamics Armament & Technical Products
- Rocket and missiles systems for the military
Lockheed Martin Missiles & Fire Control Camden Operations
- Defense Contractor
Magnolia
Amfuel Fuel Cell & Coated Fabrics Co
- Designer and fabricator of composite material products for aviation, aerospace, military ground forces and commercial transport industries