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East Texas Lithium Mining Boom : A New Energy Frontier

East Texas is poised to become a key player in lithium mining, driven by the lithium-rich Smackover Formation, a geological layer stretching from Texas to Florida. With some of North America’s highest lithium brine concentrations—up to 806 mg/L—companies are tapping this resource for electric vehicle batteries and energy storage. While Cass, Franklin, Morris, and Titus Counties are the current hotspots, Anderson and Cherokee Counties may hold untapped potential.

 
Background

Why East Texas?

  • Rich Deposits: The Smackover Formation, underlying Cass, Franklin, Morris, Titus, and parts of Anderson and Cherokee Counties, contains high-grade lithium brine. Standard Lithium reported North America’s purest samples in 2023, with concentrations reaching 806 mg/L in Franklin County.
  • Strategic Importance: With global lithium demand set to triple by 2030, East Texas could reduce U.S. reliance on imports from Australia and Chile.
Background

Major Players and Projects

  • Standard Lithium: This Canadian company has secured over 20,000 acres in Cass County and partnered with Equinor for $160 million to develop Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) facilities, targeting commercial production by the late 2020s.
  • GeoFrame Energy: Set to break ground in 2025 on a 7,400-acre facility in Franklin County, GeoFrame aims to produce 85,000 metric tons of lithium annually by 2029, potentially surpassing all U.S. mines. Their geothermal-powered DLE process promises minimal environmental impact.
  • ExxonMobil and Others: ExxonMobil is focusing on Arkansas but has a deal to supply 100,000 metric tons to LG Chem. Black Mountain Lithium and TerraVolta are leasing land in Fr.anklin and Cass Counties, while Chevron has acquired 125,000 acres across the Smackover Formation
  • Anderson and Cherokee Counties: No active projects are reported in these counties, but the Smackover Formation extends through them, suggesting potential for future exploration. Historical oil and gas activity in Anderson County (e.g., Concord and Elkhart Salt Domes) indicates infrastructure that could support lithium brine extraction if viable deposits are confirmed.
Background

Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE)

  • How It Works: DLE extracts lithium from brine using filters or solvents, avoiding harmful evaporation ponds. Brine is pumped, processed, and reinjected underground, with a footprint similar to a small oil well.
  • Benefits: Supported by The Nature Conservancy, DLE uses less water and land, with GeoFrame claiming 95% lithium recovery and no toxic byproducts.
Background

Community and Environmental Impact

  • Economic Boost: GeoFrame’s Mount Vernon project could create 100+ jobs and triple the town’s budget via taxes. Standard Lithium engages local leaders and schools in Cass County. Similar benefits could extend to Anderson and Cherokee Counties if projects emerge.
  • Concerns: Locals in Franklin County worry about water use and aquifer integrity, though DLE’s closed-loop system minimizes risks compared to oil and gas drilling. In Anderson and Cherokee, where oil and gas history is strong, communities may be open to lithium projects but will demand transparency.
Background

Challenges

  • Legal Uncertainty: Texas lacks clear laws on lithium brine ownership, complicating leases as surface and mineral estates may conflict. This could delay projects in Anderson and Cherokee Counties if exploration begins.
  • Commercial Viability: DLE is still scaling, and production costs must compete with global markets. Exploratory data is needed to confirm lithium grades in Anderson and Cherokee Counties.
Background

Looking Ahead

Backed by $225 million in U.S. Department of Energy funds, East Texas’s lithium projects could make it a global player, with GeoFrame eyeing Mount Vernon as America’s lithium capital. While Anderson and Cherokee Counties are not yet active, their position in the Smackover Formation suggests they could join the boom as companies expand. The region’s oil and gas expertise and infrastructure position it for a potential “Spindletop” moment in the clean energy era.
Sources: Longview News-Journal, Texas Standard, Standard Lithium, MINING.COM, mindat.org
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