Srinagar, Feb 9: The Geological Survey of India on Thursday said it has found lithium deposits for the first time in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir.
Significantly, most lithium is now globally used to make lithium-ion batteries for electric cars and mobile devices. It is one of the most in-demand substances for electric car and mobile industries.
According to a statement GSI said it has found 5.9 million tonnes of Lithium inferred resources in the Reasi district.
It said lithium inferred resources (G3) of 5.9 million tonnes have been found in Salal-Haimana area of Reasi.
The lithium deposits are very critical for India as the government has been focussing on electric cars.
Lithium and its compounds have several industrial applications, including heat-resistant glass and ceramics, lithium grease lubricants, flux additives for iron, steel and aluminium production, lithium metal batteries, and lithium-ion batteries. These uses consume more than three-quarters of lithium production.
Meanwhile, talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), District Mineral Officer Reasi Shafiq Ahmad said there was presence of Bauxite in composite form and during its further processing Lithium was also discovered.
“GSI has now approved it and it will be taken for auction after Lithium reserves were found. We had explored it earlier also but now this time it has been approved by GSI,” he said.
He added it will now be taken up for auction at the country and UT level as it is a major mineral and has been found first time in the country.
Deputy Commissioner Reasi Babila Rakwal told KNO that they are further working on it and she will soon get the exact input from the concerned officials.
—(KNO, with Ziraat Times’ additional inputs)
