Smackover Lithium Reports Highest Lithium Brine Grade in SWA Project Area as FEED Studies Nearing Completion
Smackover Lithium (NYSE.A: SLI), a joint venture between Standard Lithium and Equinor, has reported exceptional results from its newest exploration well in the South West Arkansas (SWA) Project. The Lester well has yielded the highest lithium concentration to date in the project area at 616 mg/L, with an average concentration of 582 mg/L from three brine samples.
This milestone marks the completion of all sub-surface exploration activities for Phase 1 of the SWA Project. The results significantly exceed expectations, as the area was projected to yield approximately 500 mg/L. The joint venture team is currently finalizing the FEED study, with a Definitive Feasibility Study expected in Q3 2025. The company is targeting a Final Investment Decision by year-end 2025, while advancing through off-take negotiations and project finance.
Smackover Lithium (NYSE.A: SLI), una joint venture tra Standard Lithium ed Equinor, ha riportato risultati eccezionali dal suo nuovo pozzo esplorativo nel progetto South West Arkansas (SWA). Il pozzo Lester ha mostrato la più alta concentrazione di litio finora registrata nell'area del progetto, con 616 mg/L, e una concentrazione media di 582 mg/L basata su tre campioni di salamoia.
Questo traguardo segna il completamento di tutte le attività di esplorazione sotterranea per la Fase 1 del progetto SWA. I risultati superano di gran lunga le aspettative, dato che l'area era prevista per una concentrazione di circa 500 mg/L. Il team della joint venture sta attualmente finalizzando lo studio FEED, con uno Studio di Fattibilità Definitivo previsto per il terzo trimestre 2025. L'azienda punta a una Decisione Finale di Investimento entro la fine del 2025, mentre procede con le negoziazioni per gli accordi di off-take e il finanziamento del progetto.
Smackover Lithium (NYSE.A: SLI), una empresa conjunta entre Standard Lithium y Equinor, ha reportado resultados excepcionales de su nuevo pozo exploratorio en el Proyecto South West Arkansas (SWA). El pozo Lester ha alcanzado la concentración de litio más alta hasta la fecha en la zona del proyecto con 616 mg/L, con una concentración promedio de 582 mg/L basada en tres muestras de salmuera.
Este hito marca la finalización de todas las actividades de exploración subterránea para la Fase 1 del Proyecto SWA. Los resultados superan considerablemente las expectativas, ya que se esperaba una concentración de aproximadamente 500 mg/L. El equipo de la empresa conjunta está finalizando actualmente el estudio FEED, con un Estudio de Factibilidad Definitivo previsto para el tercer trimestre de 2025. La compañía apunta a una Decisión Final de Inversión antes de fin de año 2025, mientras avanza en las negociaciones de contratos de compra y financiamiento del proyecto.
Smackover Lithium (NYSE.A: SLI)는 Standard Lithium과 Equinor 간의 합작 투자로, 사우스 웨스트 아칸소(SWA) 프로젝트의 최신 탐사정에서 뛰어난 결과를 보고했습니다. Lester 정은 프로젝트 지역에서 지금까지 가장 높은 리튬 농도인 616 mg/L를 기록했으며, 세 개의 염수 샘플에서 평균 농도는 582 mg/L였습니다.
이 성과는 SWA 프로젝트 1단계의 모든 지하 탐사 활동 완료를 의미합니다. 예상치인 약 500 mg/L를 훨씬 상회하는 결과입니다. 합작 투자 팀은 현재 FEED 연구를 마무리 중이며, 최종 타당성 조사(Definitive Feasibility Study)는 2025년 3분기 예정입니다. 회사는 2025년 말까지 최종 투자 결정을 목표로 하며, 오프테이크 협상과 프로젝트 금융도 진행 중입니다.
Smackover Lithium (NYSE.A: SLI), une coentreprise entre Standard Lithium et Equinor, a annoncé des résultats exceptionnels de son nouveau puits d'exploration dans le projet South West Arkansas (SWA). Le puits Lester a révélé la concentration en lithium la plus élevée à ce jour dans la zone du projet avec 616 mg/L, avec une concentration moyenne de 582 mg/L à partir de trois échantillons de saumure.
Cette étape marque l'achèvement de toutes les activités d'exploration souterraines de la Phase 1 du projet SWA. Les résultats dépassent largement les attentes, la zone étant initialement prévue pour environ 500 mg/L. L'équipe de la coentreprise finalise actuellement l'étude FEED, avec une étude de faisabilité définitive prévue pour le troisième trimestre 2025. La société vise une décision finale d'investissement d'ici la fin de l'année 2025, tout en avançant dans les négociations d'accords d'achat et le financement du projet.
Smackover Lithium (NYSE.A: SLI), ein Joint Venture zwischen Standard Lithium und Equinor, hat außergewöhnliche Ergebnisse aus seinem neuesten Erkundungsbohrloch im South West Arkansas (SWA) Projekt gemeldet. Der Lester-Bohrung erzielte mit 616 mg/L die höchste Lithiumkonzentration bisher im Projektgebiet, mit einem Durchschnitt von 582 mg/L aus drei Soleproben.
Dieser Meilenstein markiert den Abschluss aller unterirdischen Erkundungsaktivitäten für Phase 1 des SWA-Projekts. Die Ergebnisse übertreffen die Erwartungen deutlich, da ursprünglich etwa 500 mg/L erwartet wurden. Das Joint-Venture-Team arbeitet derzeit an der Fertigstellung der FEED-Studie, mit einer definitiven Machbarkeitsstudie, die für das dritte Quartal 2025 erwartet wird. Das Unternehmen strebt bis Ende 2025 eine endgültige Investitionsentscheidung an und führt parallel Verhandlungen zu Abnahmeverträgen und Projektfinanzierung.
- Highest lithium concentration (616 mg/L) recorded to date in the SWA Project area
- Average lithium concentration (582 mg/L) significantly exceeded expectations of 500 mg/L
- Completion of all sub-surface exploration activities for Phase 1
- Project advancing towards Final Investment Decision by year-end 2025
- None.
Insights
Smackover reports exceptional 616 mg/L lithium concentration from SWA Project, substantially improving resource quality as project advances toward investment decision.
The latest exploration results from Smackover Lithium's SWA Project deserve careful attention. The newly completed Lester well has yielded lithium concentrations averaging 582 mg/L, with a peak sample reaching 616 mg/L - the highest grade reported to date from the project area. This exceeds the company's expected concentration of approximately 500 mg/L for this specific location.
These results are technically significant for several reasons. First, high-grade lithium brine resources directly impact economic viability by potentially increasing recoverable lithium per volume of processed brine. With three consistent samples (559, 571, and 616 mg/L), this suggests reliable resource quality rather than an anomalous reading.
The completion of the Lester well marks the conclusion of all sub-surface exploration for Phase 1, indicating the project is transitioning from exploration to development stages. The joint venture between Standard Lithium and Equinor is now focusing on completing their Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) studies, with a Definitive Feasibility Study expected in Q3 2025.
This progression signals advancing technical confidence in the resource. The company is simultaneously pursuing off-take negotiations and project financing options, targeting a Final Investment Decision by year-end 2025. The improved lithium grades strengthen their position in these negotiations by potentially enhancing project economics.
The Smackover Formation in Arkansas has long been recognized as a world-class lithium brine resource, but these results suggest the SWA Project area may contain zones of exceptional quality even within this known district.
LEWISVILLE, Ark., July 15, 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, is pleased to announce that it has completed sampling from its newest exploration well, the Lester well, in the South West Arkansas (SWA) Project area, and has recorded the highest lithium concentration reported to date from the SWA Project area; 616 mg/L lithium in brine.
The Lester well was completed in the second quarter of this year and concludes all sub-surface exploration activities for Phase 1 of the SWA Project. The location of the Lester well in relation to the SWA Phase 1 Project is shown in Figure 1 below, and an aerial photograph of the Lester well and associated pad is shown in Figure 2.
Sampling of brines from the upper Smackover Formation was completed by the Company, and subsequent analysis of the brine by an independent third-party certified laboratory demonstrated significantly higher than expected lithium concentrations in the Lester brine, marking the highest lithium grade reported for the SWA Project. The summarized lithium brine analyses are provided in Table 1 below which highlights the average lithium concentration from three brine samples was 582 mg/L.
Dr. Andy Robinson, President and COO of Standard Lithium stated, “The Smackover Lithium team has now completed all the fieldwork and testing required for Phase 1 of the SWA Project. We completed this final well in a part of the project area where we expected the lithium concentration to be approximately 500 mg/L, so we’re encouraged with these latest sampling results that show the highest lithium concentrations in the whole SWA Project area (maximum 616 mg/L), demonstrating a marked improvement from levels in the existing world-class lithium brine resource.
With all of the fieldwork complete, the joint Smackover Lithium team is working to complete the FEED study, with a Definitive Feasibility Study expected later in the third quarter of this year. The completion of these studies will represent a significant milestone as the team rapidly advances Phase 1 of the SWA Project through off-take negotiations and project finance towards a Final Investment Decision targeted by year-end 2025.”
Figure 1: SWA Project, Phase 1 Reynolds Unit and Location of Lester Well
Table 1: Lester Well Lithium Brine Analyses in SWA Phase 1 Project Area
| Sample Name [1] | Lithium mg/L |
| Lester 2 #1 | 559 |
| Lester 2 #2 | 571 |
| Lester 2 #5 | 616 |
| Average Concentration [2] | 582 |
Notes: Analyses conducted at WETLAB (Western Environmental Testing Laboratory) - 475 E Greg St, Suite 119, Sparks NV 89431.
[1] Sample names are as reported by the independent third party laboratory. Samples #3 and #4 were a blank sample and a synthetic spike sample, used for laboratory data verification and QA/QC purposes. They are omitted here for clarity.
[2] A simple average concentration is provided from the Lester well for illustrative purposes of the general lithium brine quality in the Lester well. Porosity-weighted averages will be used in future resource quality estimates.
Figure 2: Aerial Photo of Lester Well in SWA Phase 1 Project
Notes: Photograph is taken looking approximately northeast across the Lester well-pad.
Qualified Person
Steve Ross, P.Geol., a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101, has reviewed and approved the relevant scientific and technical information that forms the basis for this news release. Mr. Ross is a consultant to the Company.
About Smackover Lithium
Smackover Lithium is a joint venture between Standard Lithium and Equinor. Formed in May 2024, Smackover Lithium is developing two Direct Lithium Extraction (“DLE”) Project Companies in southwest Arkansas and east Texas. Standard Lithium owns a
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 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 ASA, 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 trades on both 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
Investor Inquiries
Dan Rosen
Standard Lithium Ltd.
+1 604 409 8154
investors@standardlithium.com
Media Inquiries
Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
This news release may contain certain “Forward-Looking Statements” within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When used in this news release, the words “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “target”, “plan”, “forecast”, “may”, “schedule” and other similar words or expressions identify forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements or information may relate to intended development timelines, the timeline for completion of a Definitive Feasibility Study for the SWA Project, future prices of commodities, accuracy of mineral or resource exploration activity, reserves or resources, regulatory or government requirements or approvals, the reliability of third party information, continued access to mineral properties or infrastructure, fluctuations in the market for lithium and its derivatives, changes in exploration costs and government regulation in Canada and the United States, and other factors or information. Such statements represent the Company’s current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social risks, contingencies and uncertainties. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements and information other than as required by applicable laws, rules and regulations.
Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/cacb4d78-1a00-422a-abdf-10690d97f867
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/72ebbdb0-35be-4c5d-98a8-28c84b0a6859
FAQ
What is the highest lithium concentration found in Smackover Lithium's SWA Project?
When will Smackover Lithium (SLI) complete its Definitive Feasibility Study?
What is the timeline for Smackover Lithium's Final Investment Decision?
Where is the Lester well located in Smackover Lithium's project?
Who are the partners in the Smackover Lithium joint venture?
