Expenditures
Expenditures for the South West Arkansas Project consist of exploration and evaluation costs which for the three months ended December 31, 2023 were $2,756 (December 31, 2022 - $1,401) and the six months ended December 31, 2023, were $5,652 (December 31, 2022 - $3,533). The increase in the exploration and development costs for the South West Arkansas Project for the three months and the six months ended December 31, 2023 was primarily due to exploration activity initiated by the Company and a drilling program to support its PFS during these periods.
OTHER PROJECTS
The Company has also identified a number of highly prospective lithium brine project areas in the Smackover Formation in East Texas and began an extensive mineral leasing program to lease brine rights in the key project areas. The Company has completed an initial drilling and sampling program across these new project areas for the purposes of assessing viability for project expansion and future development, with positive results. See press release dated October 25, 2023 for more information. In addition, the Company has an interest in certain mineral leases located in the Mojave Desert in San Bernardino County, California.
ENVIRONMENTAL
Standard Lithium is firmly committed to the responsible production of sustainable lithium chemicals, essential for the progression toward a lower carbon economy. Our project selection process underscores this dedication, opting, where feasible, to use existing infrastructure, roads, rail, water, and power within well-established industrial areas with a history of timber harvesting, oil, gas, and brine industries. Implementing DLE technology is aimed at ensuring an environmentally responsible approach, offering a reduced footprint and environmental impact when compared to traditional evaporation pond methods and hard-rock lithium mining operations.
Beyond our main operations, our environmental ethos is also evident. In September 2021, our collaboration with Aqualung Carbon Capture AS (“Aqualung”) marked a significant step in advancing carbon capture technology. This partnership solidified in May 2022 when we made an investment in Aqualung. This was followed by a master service agreement (the “MSA”) with Telescope Innovations Corp. (“Telescope”), signaling our intent to further investigate the possible applications of captured CO2 in various chemical processes, emphasizing our forward-thinking approach to environmental sustainability.
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS
The Company continuously seeks to forge robust relationships with all stakeholders, recognizing the crucial role of community involvement and mutual benefit. As we advance both the Lanxess Project and the South West Arkansas Project, community engagement remains paramount. Over the past year, we have proudly sponsored an array of community events, such as the El Dorado MusicFest, Holiday Lighting Ceremony, Independence Day Celebration, and the Mayhaw Festival. Moreover, in May 2022, in collaboration with Entergy, Adopt-a-Charger, and South Arkansas Community College, we facilitated the installation of six Level 2 – 240-volt EVCS charging stations in downtown El Dorado, Arkansas, free for public use.
South Arkansas is home to invaluable industry expertise, especially in the domain of brine extraction. Recognizing this, we’ve collaborated with institutions like the South Arkansas Community College in El Dorado to augment training programs. Such partnerships enrich the local workforce, readying them for industry-specific roles. The majority of our diverse team, spanning from engineers to administrative staff, are local residents, underscoring our commitment to community engagement and development.
SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL INFORMATION
The scientific and technical information contained in this MD&A has been reviewed and approved by Steve Ross, P. Geol., VP Resource Development of the Company, who is a “qualified person” as defined in NI 43-101.