Smackover Lithium Eyes Early 2027 Construction Start for Lafayette County Project
Smackover Lithium aims to begin major construction on its $1.5 billion South West Arkansas Project in early 2027, with activity peaking in early 2028 at roughly 850 workers, the Camden News reports.
Company representatives laid out the timeline Sept. 17 at a community meeting at Lafayette County High School in Lewisville.
Standard Lithium Ltd. President and Chief Operating Officer Andy Robinson said the company aims to finalize financing and construction contracts first. Building is expected to take about three years.
Before construction can start, the joint venture of Standard Lithium of Vancouver, British Columbia, and Equinor ASA of Stavanger, Norway, must reach a final investment decision, the point at which the partners commit to build.
Project Details
In a LinkedIn post, Smackover Lithium said more than 200 people attended the community meeting.
“We appreciate everyone who took the time to spend the evening with us,” the company stated. “These conversations are important, and we’re grateful for the continued interest and engagement from community members as the South West Arkansas Project moves forward.”
During the meeting, company representatives detailed the wellfield and pipeline layout, local contracting opportunities and the company’s commitments on traffic, dust and road maintenance.
The SWA Project is targeting first lithium carbonate production in 2029 and commercial operations in 2030, at 22,500 tons a year. So far, it has struck two 10-year offtake agreements with LG Energy Solution and Trafigura Trading LLC covering 16,000 tons a year, more than 70% of planned output.
More: Read more coverage of the Lafayette County meeting in the Camden News.
Plus: Chevon participated in a panel discussion during the Fouke Community Lithium Education Event on Sept. 18. Event partners included the City of Fouke, Southwest Arkansas Planning and Development District, the Lithium Regional Innovation Cluster and Lafayette County.