Untapped Wealth Beneath Our Feet: Navigating the New Lithium Rush in the Ark-La-Tex

ARTICLE | July 29, 2025

Why Lithium Matters Now

Explosive demand for electric vehicles (EVs) and grid-scale batteries has elevated lithium to a strategic mineral. Two U.S. hotspots dominate today’s conversation: California’s Salton Sea and the Ark-La-Tex corridor across Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas. Together, their deposits promise job creation, stronger supply chains, and greater U.S. energy security.

Salton Sea: Massive Domestic Reserve

U.S. Department of Energy assessments indicate the Salton Sea contains enough lithium to power more than 375 million EVs—surpassing the number of vehicles currently on U.S. roads. Developers see it as a cornerstone of a resilient domestic supply, yet researchers caution that air-quality issues, saline buildup, and ecosystem impacts demand rigorous oversight.

Ark-La-Tex: Smackover’s Second Act

The Smackover Formation, renowned for early-20th-century oil and today’s bromine production, is now prized for lithium-rich brine. New direct-extraction technologies cut processing time, making exploitation economically feasible. Recent filings show ExxonMobil, Standard Lithium, and Tetra Technologies collectively controlling more than 120,000 acres, while EnergyX’s Project Lonestar signals continued momentum in the region.

Economic Upside & Mineral Rights

Land values in rural Union, Morehouse, and West Carroll parishes continue to climb as speculators lock in acreage ahead of large-scale drilling. One productive Smackover well can generate hundreds of royalty checks over its life, but payment terms are still evolving. In April, operators asked the Arkansas Oil & Gas Commission for statewide guidance; by June the commission set a 2.5 percent royalty rate for Saltwerx-operated brine units in two southwest Arkansas counties—the first formal benchmark for lithium in the region. Although limited in scope, that decision gives mineral owners a reference point when weighing lease offers across Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas. With frameworks still fluid, owners should engage experienced advisors to confirm title, model revenue scenarios, and negotiate clauses that lock in competitive rates while protecting surface and water rights.

Environmental Guardrails

Brine extraction can alter groundwater chemistry, create high-salinity byproducts, and raise seismic concerns. State agencies and local communities are collaborating with producers to impose standards for water management, waste disposal, and energy efficiency, mirroring precautions already proposed around the Salton Sea.

Strategic Takeaways for Stakeholders

• Domestic production reduces import dependence and supports national clean-energy goals.
• Well-negotiated leases can secure decades of passive income for mineral owners.
• Transparent regulation fosters investor confidence and community support.

Professional Guidance When It Counts

Every lithium opportunity carries layers of title research, contract terms, environmental diligence, and revenue tracking. The teams at Heard, McElroy & Vestal and Aliign Mineral Management provide the multidisciplinary insight required to convert potential into performance:

• Verify mineral ownership and clear title issues
• Negotiate leases that lock in competitive royalty rates and protective clauses
• Audit production data and revenue statements for payment accuracy
• Deliver tax planning, cash-flow forecasting, and portfolio accounting
• Coordinate with legal counsel and industry partners to reduce transaction risk

Whether you inherited a small acreage or manage a broad asset portfolio, our integrated approach helps equip you with the clarity and confidence to thrive in today’s fast-moving lithium market.