The lithium mining industry held its first State of Lithium Symposium in Texas where industry officials gathered to examine the future of the industry in the state.
The Texas lithium development is in the eastern part of the state where part of the Smackover Formation extends. The salty water is considered a prime target for lithium although many lithium mining efforts were developed in southern Arkansas.
The symposium sought to educate leaders on the economic opportunities of mining on U.S. soil, the extraction technology and the environmental impacts of mining for lithium, reported the Texas Tribune.
“Our mission is to be the leading connector, convener, and community leader in the region,” Texarkana Chamber CEO Robin Hickerson told the Texas Tribune in an interview. “We really did all three of those things yesterday. We allowed people to connect, we gave them a place to convene, and we led the region in a very important conversation.”
The U.S. lithium development efforts have placed the U.S. into the international competition for lithium production — in which the country is far behind — if it can be developed and harnessed correctly. East Texans, too, see the benefits that could result from increased lithium production, but not without some skepticism, especially as it pertains to water usage.
“Arkansas is ready to be a leader not just in lithium extraction, but in upstream and midstream manufacturing as well,” Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said during her opening speech. “What makes me so excited about the lithium industry is that they are committed to empowering a generation of Arkansans who will work in this industry, thrive in this industry, and one day lead in this industry.”
Hosted by Texarkana USA Regional Chamber of Commerce, the event featured panel discussions on lithium facts and the potential economic impact of industry built around the high-value metal.
“As lithium development continues to expand within the Smackover Formation, the region is positioned to play an increasingly important role in strengthening America’s domestic energy supply chain,” the chamber said in a news release.
