State panel advances contract to provide ‘roadmap’ for Arkansas lithium

While many expect Arkansas to become a major lithium producer in the years to come, exactly what role it will play in the global market has yet to be determined.

To help bring some clarity to that question, a panel of state legislators issued a preliminary approval Tuesday to a contract with a London-based firm that will "provide a comprehensive analysis and strategic roadmap for Arkansas's role in the global lithium supply chain."

For years, business and political leaders have spoken about the potential Arkansas's vast deposits of lithium could bring to the state's economy, as the mineral is a critical component in electric vehicles, computer and cellphone batteries.

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