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LEWISVILLE, Ark., May 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Smackover Lithium, a Joint Venture (“JV”) between Standard Lithium Ltd. (“Standard Lithium” or the “Company”) (TSXV:SLI) (NYSE:A:SLI) and Equinor, announced that SWA Lithium LLC has submitted an application to the Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission (“AOGC”) to establish a fair and equitable lithium royalty for the Reynolds Unit for Phase I of its South West Arkansas (“SWA”) Project in Lafayette and Columbia Counties, Arkansas. The hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, May 28th, 2025, at 9:00 am CDT and is to be held at the Donald W. Reynolds Community Center Grand Hall at South Arkansas University (100 East University) in Magnolia, Arkansas.
The application proposes a quarterly gross royalty of 2.5% that will be based on the total amount of lithium produced and the average FastMarkets North American Index Price for technical grade lithium carbonate, which is higher than comparable projects globally on a lithium carbonate equivalent (“LCE”) basis. The lithium royalty will be paid to brine owners in addition to the brine fee, also referred to as the “in lieu bromine royalty,” of $65.05 per acre per year, making the total proposed royalty compensation approximately 3% based on current lithium prices.
“Working with landowners and the AOGC to establish a fair and equitable royalty is key to the SWA Project’s success,” said Standard Lithium’s CEO, David Park, “The proposed royalty generously compensates brine owners, is fair for industry, and encourages development of the Smackover resource. The royalty is only the beginning of the economic impact this project will have for South Arkansas and the rest of the state.”
“Establishing a royalty for the SWA Project allows us to continue the path towards a final investment decision,” said Allison Kennedy Thurmond, VP for US Lithium at Equinor. “The proposed royalty rate enables capital investment, infrastructure improvements, jobs, tax revenue and brings tremendous benefits to the Smackover region.”
For more information about the SWA Project and Smackover Lithium, please visit www.smackoverlithium.com
About Standard Lithium Ltd.
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 Direct Lithium Extraction (“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 exploring promising lithium brine prospects in East Texas. Standard Lithium also holds an interest in certain mineral leases in the Mojave Desert in San Bernardino County, California.