A new chemical extraction process will soon allow miners to take advantage of approximately 19 million tons of lithium sitting underground in southwest Arkansas. Called Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE), officials for Standard Lithium said the technology will allow them to begin harvesting this vital resource and selling it by 2028. Andy Robinson, president and chief operating officer of Standard Lithium, told NewsNation: 'This beneath our feet is an unconventional lithium resource. DLE has been in development for years, with Standard Lithium forming partnerships with other companies to test its effectiveness for extracting vital minerals in 2018. Standard Lithium said its new extraction technique received patents in 2022 and went into full commercialization in 2024.

Source: Daily Mail January 30, 2026 20:28 UTC