Lithium reserves: In a first in India, 5.9 million tonnes of lithium reserves were discovered in Jammu and Kashmir. The union government on Thursday confirmed that for the first time in the country lithium reserves were found.

Lithium is a non-ferrous metal that is an important component of EV batteries. “The Geological Survey of India established Lithium inferred resources (G3) of 5.9 million tonnes for the first time in the Salal-Haimana area of the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir,” the Ministry of Mines informed.

It goes on to say that 51 mineral blocks, including lithium and gold, have been handed over to state governments.

“Of these 51 mineral blocks, 5 pertain to gold, while the remaining blocks pertain to commodities such as potash, molybdenum, base metals, and so on, and are spread across 11 states including Jammu and Kashmir (UT), Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana,” the ministry added.

The blocks were created based on GSI’s work from the 2018-19 field seasons to the present.

The blocks were created based on GSI’s work from the 2018-19 field seasons to the present.

Aside from these, the Ministry of Coal received 17 reports on coal and lignite with a total resource of 7897 million tonnes.

During the meeting, seven publications on various themes and intervention areas in which GSI operates were also released.

“During the meeting, the proposed Annual Programme for the upcoming Field Season 2023-24 was presented and discussed. GSI will undertake 966 programmes totaling 318 mineral exploration projects, including 12 marine mineral investigation projects, during the fiscal year 2023-24 “The ministry went on to say more.

The Geological Survey of India has developed 115 projects involving strategic and critical minerals, as well as 16 projects involving fertiliser minerals.

Besides GSI, a consortium of three Public-sector Undertaking companies – National Aluminium Company, Hindustan Copper, and Mineral Exploration Corp – is working to provide a vehicle for R&D for recycling, acquisition, and joint manufacturing of Lithium-ion batteries.

Lithium reserves are concentrated in South America’s lithium triangle – Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile – with 50% of deposits concentrated in these regions. Meanwhile, China has an advantage over other countries, controlling 75% of the lithium refining market.