The lithium mine, calculated using a machine-learning model and geological information that predicted maps of lithium concentration, represents 35% to 136% of the current amount of lithium estimated to be in the U.S. Lithium could be extracted from the waste stream of the brines—deposits of groundwater rich in minerals—in the Smackover Formation.

The researchers say there might be 5-19 million tons of lithium in an underground brine reservoir in the Smackover Formation.

A new study by the U.S. Geological Survey found massive lithium reserves in southwestern Arkansas that could have between 5 million and 19 million tons of lithium.

Arkansas is sitting atop lithium reserves that could be vast enough to satisfy the entire world’s demand for EV batteries, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). It estimates that there could be 5 to 19 million tons of lithium under southwestern Arkansas.

Shares of lithium producers posted strong gains Tuesday in the wake of new research that suggests Arkansas may contain as much as 19M tons of lithium reserves, which would meet projected global lithium demand for electric vehicle batteries in 2030 by more than 9x - if it can be recovered.

Researchers now estimate how much “white gold” may be found in southern Arkansas's vast lithium reserves: up to 19 million tons, or enough to meet the projected 2030 world demand nine times over.