North American Lithium Discovery Marks Major Milestone in Energy Transition

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Wednesday, September 24, 2025

As the global shift toward electrification accelerates, securing reliable supplies of critical minerals has become a strategic priority. Lithium, in particular, is central to powering electric vehicles and energy storage, yet North America has long trailed behind other regions in both resource development and production capacity. Every new discovery in the region is closely watched as automakers, governments, and investors race to establish a domestic supply chain.

Shares of Standard Lithium Ltd. (TSX-V: SLI) (NYSE American: SLI) are climbing Wednesday after the company, together with its joint venture partner Equinor ASA (NYSE: EQNR), announced a maiden inferred resource for the Franklin Project in East Texas. The resource report highlights both the size and quality of the brine position, underscoring its potential to contribute to the next wave of U.S. lithium production.

The report details 2.2 million tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) at an average lithium grade of 668 mg/L, making it the highest reported lithium-in-brine grade in North America to date. The Franklin Project also contains 15.4 million tonnes of potash and 2.6 million tonnes of bromide at the inferred category, broadening the scope of critical minerals potentially recoverable from the project area.

The JV’s exploration work included leasing approximately 80,000 acres, completing three exploration wells, and analyzing seismic data alongside historical oil and gas drilling records. Results showed peak concentrations of 806 mg/L lithium, with consistent high-grade brines across the project area. Importantly, the findings provide a strong foundation for scaling toward the JV’s long-term goal of producing over 100,000 tonnes of lithium chemicals per year in Texas through multiple phases of development.

Dr. Andy Robinson, President and COO of Standard Lithium, noted that the Franklin Project is a key step in expanding the company’s portfolio beyond its South West Arkansas Project, highlighting that Standard Lithium is not a single-project company. Equinor’s VP for U.S. Lithium, Allison Kennedy Thurmond, emphasized that the report reflects the JV’s progress in unlocking broader potential within the Smackover Formation, reinforcing the partnership’s vision for large-scale development.

Standard Lithium, which holds a 55% stake in the Smackover Lithium JV and operatorship, said the next steps will include further appraisal drilling, re-entry of shut-in wells, and direct lithium extraction testing using the company’s proprietary technology platform.

Shares of Canadian-listed SLI are up 19.3% at $4.77, while U.S.-listed shares are ahead 19.4% at $3.44, with both stocks hitting new 52-week highs in Wednesday afternoon action.

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