Arkansas to Host Second Lithium Summit in Late October as State’s Industry Gains Momentum

The excitement in Arkansas over lithium mirrors the thrill the state experienced during its historic oil boom. On January 10, 1921, at 4:30 p.m., the Busey No. 1 well reached 2,233 feet and erupted with a thick column of gas, oil, and water, transforming El Dorado’s future and shaping Arkansas’s economy for decades.

Nearly a century later, on the morning of September 21, 2020, Standard Lithium, a Vancouver-based company specializing in green lithium extraction, held a virtual ribbon-cutting for its LiSTR Direct Lithium Extraction Technology Demonstration Plant. The event marked the potential start of a new era for Arkansas, signaling the arrival of a modern energy resource with vast economic promise.

The conversation quickly shifted from discovery to action: how to harness the high-quality lithium beneath Arkansas, build an industry around it, and convert this geological advantage into lasting economic strength. From that momentum, the first Arkansas Lithium Summit was born. The success of the inaugural summit paved the way for the second annual event, now scheduled for October 28–29 in Little Rock.

Keeping the Momentum

The inaugural Arkansas Lithium Innovation Summit took place in Little Rock in February 2024. Hosted by lithium extraction companies in collaboration with state officials and industry partners, the event highlighted the economic potential of southern Arkansas’s lithium-rich regions.

Discussions centered on building a domestic lithium supply chain and exploring its wider economic impact. Topics included job creation and education and training programs at institutions such as South Arkansas College, laying the groundwork for a workforce prepared to support the emerging lithium economy.

Preparations are underway for the second annual summit, set to take place at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock, with the aim of maintaining momentum. Organized by the Arkansas Lithium Innovation Hub, the 2025 summit is expected to attract investors, policymakers, and industry leaders. Once again, Arkansas’s lithium formations will take center stage, emphasizing the state’s ability to meet growing global demand and adapt to evolving extraction technologies. Expert panels, networking sessions, and strategic discussions are planned to foster innovation, attract investment, and support the development of a sustainable, future-ready lithium economy.

Secretary of Commerce Hugh McDonald described the summit as more than a conference. “The summit is helping build a brand-new industry on top of the existing process industries in South Arkansas, but more importantly, it is building relationships,” he said. “Having companies come here that are unfamiliar with Arkansas allows them to understand the business environment and the pro-business climate in the state.”

Key speakers at the 2025 summit will include Governor Huckabee Sanders, Simon Moores, founder and CEO of Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, Joe Lowry, founder and president of Global Lithium, Patrick Howarth, Global Business Director of ExxonMobil Lithium, David Oark, CEO of Standard Lithium, Dr. Andy Robertson, President and COO of Standard Lithium, and others.

Full summit schedule here

Directing the Booming Lithium Economy

The new summit arrives as Arkansas’s lithium industry draws significant investment from both public and private sectors. Lithium has become a critical resource in today’s world, the petroleum of the 21st century. It is a key component in products ranging from pacemakers and drones to batteries for cell phones and electric vehicles.

The Geological Survey (USGS) estimates that the Smackover Formation contains between five and 19 million tons of lithium - nine times the amount required to meet U.S. demand by the end of the decade. While Arkansas sits atop a $150 billion lithium treasure, many more investments are anticipated in the coming years.

Government Support and Strategic Investments

Arkansas has moved aggressively to position itself as a hub for lithium production and battery supply chains, highlighted by the launch of the nation’s first lithium technology accelerator. Backed by tax incentives and regulatory support, the accelerator, established by The Venture Center in El Dorado, is expected to be the first of several such initiatives aimed at shaping a new energy economy. Major players like Exxon Mobil have already begun drilling exploratory wells at depths of around 4,000 feet, signaling early industry confidence aided by state support.

Governor Huckabee Sanders, a vocal proponent of the incentive-driven strategy, attended the inaugural summit and has committed to returning for the second. State leaders are betting on technological advances and South Arkansas’s bromine-rich geology to anchor the industry’s growth. “This is helping the nation build out the entire supply chain, especially the midstream and upstream portions that are very much lacking in the United States,” Sanders said. “That’s where the summit can play a significant role.”

Structured around expert panels, workshops, and strategy sessions, the summit served as more than a display of lithium potential. It stood as a declaration of economic intent, signaling Arkansas’s ambition to convert its geological advantage into lasting industrial momentum.