The Elements of Innovation Discovered
The Elements of Innovation Discovered
North of 60 Mining News - January 23, 2025
Okla. Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell (left) and Stardust Power CEO Roshan Pujari during the Jan. 22 lithium refinery groundbreaking.
The Stardust Power refinery will produce enough lithium for 1 million EVs when the second development phase is complete.
The Port of Muskogee provides Stardust with an efficient means of transporting raw materials and refined lithium.
On Jan. 22, Stardust Power Inc. broke ground on its lithium refinery in Muskogee, Okla., marking a critical milestone in the U.S. energy transition and reinforcing Oklahoma's literal and figurative position at the center of the nation's critical mineral supply chains.
"Stardust Power's decision to break ground on its lithium refinery in Muskogee is a significant step forward for Oklahoma's role in reinforcing our critical mineral supply chains and bolstering national security," said Oklahoma Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell.
Pinell was among the state and local officials that joined Stardust executives at the Southside Industrial Park in Muskogee for a ceremony marking the start of construction for a refinery capable of producing 25,000 metric tons of battery-grade lithium carbonate – enough for roughly 500,000 average-sized electric vehicles – per year during its first phase of operations.
Stardust plans to double the capacity to enough lithium for 1 million EVs during the second phase of development at the Muskogee facility.
The Stardust refinery will provide a key link between the enormous lithium reserves in the U.S., such as the 5 million and 19 million tons of lithium that the U.S. Geological Survey has identified in large brine reservoirs below neighboring Arkansas, and the gigafactories producing enormous quantities of batteries for the burgeoning EV sector.
"Our lithium refinery will be crucial for addressing U.S. national security and supply chain risks," said Stardust Power CEO Roshan Pujari. "By onshoring critical mineral manufacturing, we are helping to sustain America's energy leadership."
The Stardust Power refinery will produce enough lithium for 1 million EVs when the second development phase is complete.
Stardust sees Oklahoma as the ideal place to build its refinery, beginning with the state lying at the geographical center of America's growing lithium battery supply chains.
The enormous reserves of lithium-enriched brines identified in the Smackover Formation under southern Arkansas and northeastern Texas are an ideal source of lithium concentrates. Southern Arkansas lithium projects being advanced by Albemarle, ExxonMobil, Standard Lithium, and others are only about 250 miles southeast of the Muskogee refinery.
Oklahoma also lies midway between East Coast lithium sources in places like Pennsylvania and North Carolina and potential supplies in western states like California and Nevada.
At the same time, the soon-to-be Stardust refinery is also centrally located amongst the lithium battery gigafactories being built in 15 states across the U.S.
With access to America's largest inland waterway system, a strong interstate highway network, and rail lines, the refinery will easily be able to ship in raw feedstock from American suppliers and ship out refined lithium to the factories manufacturing batteries for EVs, grid-scale energy storage, and the ever-growing number of cordless electronic devices.
On top of the geographical advantages, Oklahoma is a longstanding energy state with a highly skilled workforce and a pro-industry ecosystem that has been supportive of Stardust's endeavors.
"This project not only strengthens our state's position as a leader in sustainable energy, but it also creates hundreds of good-paying jobs and drives economic growth for our communities," Lt. Gov. Pinnell said during the groundbreaking. "By attracting innovative companies like Stardust Power, Oklahoma is ensuring that we remain at the forefront of America's energy future."
While Muskogee might be best known as the patriotic southern town in Merle Haggard's 1969 anthem "Okie from Muskogee," the eastern Oklahoma city has emerged as a forward-thinking economic center well-suited for a lithium factory.
The Port of Muskogee provides Stardust with an efficient means of transporting raw materials and refined lithium.
Muskogee's advantages begin with a large inland port that allows shipping along the wider Mississippi River system to 20 U.S. states and global seaports via the Gulf of Mexico.
The mid-American inland port town is also connected to the continental highway and rail system.
In December, Stardust finalized the acquisition of a 66-acre site at the Southside Industrial Park near the Port of Muskogee that is shovel-ready and enjoys excellent access to power, water, and a tremendously supportive community.
"Stardust Power's investment places Muskogee at the forefront of the energy revolution," Muskogee Mayor Matthew Cale said during the groundbreaking ceremony. "Sustainable energy is key to the future, and this refinery strengthens America's supply chain, creates hundreds of jobs, and highlights our community's dedication to innovation and progress."
The national implications of the Stardust refinery also have patriotic undertones that echo the "we still wave Old Glory down at the courthouse" lyrics of Haggard's classic.
"At a time when foreign entities of concern are attempting to consolidate critical minerals, Stardust Power is proud to play a key role in safeguarding American interests and supporting Oklahoma's local economy," said Pujari.
With more than 16 years of covering mining, Shane is renowned for his insights and and in-depth analysis of mining, mineral exploration and technology metals.
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