- The Geological Survey of India (GSI), has for the first time, found lithium deposits in the country. GSI established Lithium inferred resources (G3) of 5.9 million tonnes in the Salal-Haimana area of the Reasi District of Jammu & Kashmir.
- Lithium is a rare earth mineral, and one of the key materials used in the manufacturing of batteries having high energy density that is used in electric vehicles, smartphones, and other electronic equipment.
- The latest discovery can power India’s EV revolution. Earlier, as per the Ministry of Mines, supplies of lithium was made from Australia and Argentina.
- The GSI handed over 15 other resource-bearing geological reports (G2 & G3 stage) and 35 Geological memorandums to respective state governments during the 62nd Central Geological Programming Board (CGPB) meeting held on February 9, 2023.
- Out of these 51 mineral blocks, 5 blocks pertain to gold and other blocks pertain to commodities like potash, molybdenum, base metals, etc. spread across 11 states of Jammu & Kashmir (UT), Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana.
- Additionally, 17 reports of Coal and Lignite with a total resource of 7897 million tonnes were also handed over to the Ministry of Coal.
- Lithium is an element and occurs in substantial concentrations in nature in two minerals, Spodumene and Lepidolite. They are usually found in special rocks called rarefaction and greisens.
- Lithium is a rare metal and is in high demand around the world for electric batteries. Lithium is one of the key components of rechargeable batteries for mobile phones, laptops, digital cameras, and electric vehicles.
- It is also used in some non-rechargeable batteries for things like heart pacemakers, toys, and watches. Currently, India is dependent on imports of Lithium, Nickel, and Cobalt.
Geological Survey of India finds Lithium reserves in J&K
