Arkansas lithium could be huge, thinks Exxon

"Could Arkansas be on the verge of a lithium boom? Many – including ExxonMobil experts – think so.

In fact, the state eventually could produce as much as 15% of the world’s finished lithium supply, said Commerce Secretary Hugh McDonald at the inaugural Arkansas Lithium Innovation Summit Feb. 15-16.

Lithium is the key element in the batteries that power everything from phones to electric cars. In many ways, it’s the 21st century’s oil. Much of the current lithium supply comes from overseas, and much of that comes from China.

The summit brought to Little Rock nearly 700 energy sector executives, policymakers and stakeholders. Some are investing big dollars here, including ExxonMobil, Standard Lithium, and Albemarle. The latter is already a major bromine producer in Arkansas with a workforce of 675 in the Magnolia area."

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