Congratulations to A1 Lithium, the City of Green River, and Emery County! A1 Lithium, a company focused on developing critical mineral resources, announced plans to advance the Green River Lithium Project in Utah’s Paradox Basin. The project is expected to create 138 new jobs and bring $546 million in capital investment to Utah, strengthening domestic lithium production and supporting the growing U.S. EV and energy storage industries.

The company’s announcement came as the result of collaboration among the City of Green River, EDCUtah, the Utah Inland Port Authority (UIPA), and the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED).

"This is a major step forward, not only for A1 Lithium but also for Green River and rural Utah,” said David Wilson, director of planning and enforcement with the City of Green River. “This project brings real investment, good-paying jobs, and long-term economic opportunities to our community while putting Green River at the center of strengthening America’s domestic supply of critical minerals. We’re excited to see how this investment moves forward and what it can mean for Green River for years to come.”

“A1 Lithium’s investment in south-eastern Utah will be transformational for the City of Green River, Utah’s production of critical minerals, and our nation’s broader reindustrialization efforts,” said Ryan Starks, executive director of EDCUtah. “EDCUtah is proud to support A1 Lithium as they grow and expand, and our network looks forward to continuing to support the company as they invest in the region and create long-term opportunities.”‍

A1 Lithium Inc. explores and develops critical minerals, operating as a wholly owned subsidiary of Australian-listed Anson Resources. Based in Utah, it aims to supply high-purity lithium carbonate for EVs and energy storage, employing environmentally friendly extraction methods. The Green River Lithium Project, situated in Utah’s Paradox Basin, is an advanced-stage lithium extraction site strategically positioned to become a key domestic supplier of battery-grade lithium carbonate for the growing U.S. EV and energy storage sectors.

The first phase of the project is designed to produce approximately 10,000 metric tons of battery-grade lithium carbonate annually. Lithium is a critical mineral used in electric vehicles, energy storage systems, electronics, defense applications and other advanced technologies.

“Apart from the advantageous geological conditions of the Green River Lithium Project, A1 Lithium decided to invest in Utah due to the high-level support for the development of critical mineral projects to meet the strategic objective of re-establishing supply chains in the USA,” said Bruce Richardson, president of Anson Resources. “Utah's transparent mining policies and aim of making quick application determinations were also a factor in this decision. We have received an unprecedented level of support from GOED and UIPA as well as other Government of Utah agencies for which we express our appreciation. We are excited to proceed with this project that we expect will bring about a generational change in the economy and livelihood of the people of Green River and south-eastern Utah.” 

To support the project, the Utah Inland Port Authority recently offered A1 Lithium a property tax incentive. These incentives are designed to promote economic growth, including significant investments in public infrastructure.

“This project has the potential to create generational economic opportunity in Green River while strengthening a supply chain that is increasingly important to our national economy and security,” said Ben Hart, UIPA executive director. “It builds on the region’s history, infrastructure and skilled workforce while opening the door to an entirely new industry for eastern Utah.”

The Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) assisted the project by approving A1 Lithium for a Rural Economic Development Tax Increment Financing (REDTIF) incentive.

“Developing domestic supply chains for critical minerals is a key focus of both state and national energy infrastructure strategies," said GOED Commissioner Jefferson Moss. "The Green River Lithium project in Emery County marks a significant advancement for rural economic growth in Utah. It establishes a sustainable and long-term industrial base, creating well-paying jobs in rural areas and strengthening Utah’s role in producing energy materials domestically."‍

Jared Stewart, senior business development manager, assisted Project A1 for EDCUtah.

If you were involved with this project and would like your organization mentioned, please email connect@edcutah.org and we’ll update this article.

For additional information or to schedule an interview, please contact Lindsey LeBaron at llebaron@edcutah.org.