In a @wsj exclusive this morning, a push for lithium extraction and production is occurring in Southern Arkansas, specifically in the vicinity of Magnolia. The Smackover Formation, a geologic trend that runs from Texas to Florida and is rich with saltwater brine, serves as the focal point of this new-planned development.

Once labeled as the bane of existence for companies that drilled for oil in the region, saltwater brine now is now front and center as companies look to extract lithium from the saltwater brine.

Three companies, $XOM, $SLI, and $TTI are looking at investing billions of dollars into the region in order to produce an expected 15% of the world's lithium once at scale.

I will be taking a closer look at both $SLI and $TTI over the next couple of days to learn more about their business model and how this lithium extraction plays into their long term strategy.

The mineral "arm's race" continues to heat up between the United States and China and this investment plan looks to continue the trend of shoring up the supply chain for future EV and other lithium-centric applications.