An independent evaluation of Galvanic Energy’s Smackover prospect reveals an estimation of approximately 4 million tons lithium carbonate equivalent, and testing demonstrates up to 520 mg/L of lithium.
A resource report was recently completed on Galvanic’s Smackover prospect, validating it as one of the largest lithium brine resources in North America, with sufficient lithium to produce enough batteries for approximately 50 million electric vehicles (EVs).
Galvanic Energy is an Oklahoma-based geoscience-driven resource exploration company. It employs discovery methods that are both innovative and proprietary in order to identify natural resources essential to the US renewable energy sector. Over the past year, the company has completed well testing and detailed reservoir modelling to significantly advance its 120,000-acre lithium prospect in southern Arkansas.
Some of the highest reported LCE values in North American brines
Certified third-party investigation of brine drawn from deep test wells penetrating the Smackover Formation within Galvanic Energy’s prospect yielded lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) concentrations ranging from 290 mg/L to 520 mg/L, which are some of the highest reported values in North American brines. Additionally, testing revealed bromine concentrations of 3,700-6,000 mg/L.
The independent evaluation and technical report authored by APEX Geoscience Ltd. Estimates that the Galvanic Energy Smackover prospect has an inferred resource estimate of 4 million tons LCE and 10 million tons elemental bromine.
Furthermore, the lithium resource approximation is substantial given that the USGS currently estimates the US lithium reserve is at 750,000 tons and a total inferred resource of 9.1 million tons, including ‘oilfield brines,’ such as the Smackover.
“The significance of 4 million tons of domestic LCE is evident,” explained Brent Wilson, President and Chief Executive Officer at Galvanic Energy. “This is enough lithium to power 50 million electric vehicles, or in other words, enough EVs to replace one in six registered automobiles in the United States.”
Reducing America’s reliance on foreign supply chains
Galvanic Energy’s lithium prospect is strategically located in the south-central US, near newly built or planned EV and battery manufacturing plants and could significantly reduce America’s reliance on foreign supply chains. Additionally, the prospect can be developed utilising a low-environmental footprint ion extraction process.
“Given the regulatory and environmental challenges facing conventional mining operations, ESG responsibility is critical to moving American raw material resource production forward,” Wilson concluded.
As a result, Galvanic Energy has been evaluating multiple direct lithium extraction (DLE) technology providers to ascertain which of those processes is best appropriate for developing this world-class lithium asset. Galvanic’s Smackover prospect will support a domestic supply chain for lithium batteries required in EVs, portable electronics, and power storage systems.
