Geotechnical, economic, social, and environmental dimensions of direct lithium extraction (DLE) from Smackover brines in Arkansas

The global scramble for critical minerals and the US push to increase domestic production have generated interest around the potential for direct lithium extraction from oilfield brines (OB-DLE) in Arkansas. This paper provides an interdisciplinary scoping review to analyze the knowns and unknowns around resource potential, socio-economic, and environmental dynamics. An initial three OB-DLE projects could contribute an estimated 53 100 tons per year lithium carbonate equivalent beginning as soon as 2028, around one-fifth of estimated US consumption at 2024 levels, while additional proposed projects could expand that figure later. However, uncertainties remain around the resource, technology, and economic dimensions, all of which have implications for the eventual impacts for local communities and the environment. The paper reviews geology and reservoir characteristics and unknowns, and summarizes the legal and regulatory advantages that have brought Arkansas to the forefront of a resource that extends across multiple states. However, at 2025 lithium prices, none of the proposed projects would be profitable; viability depends on projected price increases materializing. Impacts to communities would include employment, royalties, and tax revenues, the distribution of which will determine whether existing uneven development in the region is reinforced or disrupted. Finally, we compare OB-DLE’s environmental profile to that of other lithium production methods. The first round of OB-DLE projects will be greenfield, rather than reusing oil and gas infrastructure or produced waters. Freshwater consumption is projected to be higher than in brine evaporation but similar or lower than mining lithium from rock. The paper concludes by identifying areas for future research.