04:31 PM EDT, 10/30/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Standard Lithium ( SLI ) shares edged up in after-hours New York trade Thursday as Smackover Lithium integration application for the Reynolds brine unit for the South West Arkansas Project (SWA), has been approved by the Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission (AOGC).

Smackover, a joint venture between Standard Lithium ( SLI ) and Equinor (EQNR), said the project has plans for initial annual capacity of 22,500 tonnes of battery-quality lithium carbonate, with first production expected in 2028.

Integration is the process which amalgamates any non-leased mineral interests into an approved brine production unit, ensuring the operator's access to the brine while protecting the correlative rights of mineral owners. This final AOGC approval helps provide certainty on the resource underpinning the project, a statement said.

"With this key regulatory milestone behind us, we can continue to push towards a Final Investment Decision for the SWA Project as soon as practical," said chief operating officer Andy Robinson.

Standard Lithium ( SLI ) shares were last seen up US$0.08 to US$3.90 after hours. They closed up $0.01 to $5.37 on the TSX Venture Exchange.