Lithium reserves found in India for the first time

Source: BBC

Context:

Geological Survey of India for the first time established Lithium inferred resources (G3) of 5.9 million tonnes in the Salal-Haimana area of the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir.

Why lithium is a significant metal?

About lithium (Properties)

• Lithium is a non-ferrous metal and is one of the key components in EV batteries.
• It has the symbol Li and is a chemical element.
• It's a silvery-white metal with a delicate texture.
• It is the lightest metal and the lightest solid element under normal circumstances.
• It must be kept in mineral oil since it is very reactive and combustible.
• It is both an alkali and a rare metal.

Increased applicability: In order to take advantage of renewable energy, the need for bulk energy storage applications has been increasing. This includes electric vehicles (EVs) and backup electric storage systems.

The good life: Lithium-ion-based batteries have a good rate of charging and they last longer.

Higher energy density: The energy density of the Li-ion batteries is higher.

Wide usage: Being primarily used in batteries, it also finds its use in glass, ceramics, rocket fuel and lasers.

How critical is lithium for India?

1. The lithium deposits are critical for India as the country puts its focus on electric mobility for both public and private transport, especially in the country's prime cities such as New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, and Chennai.
2. These metals are strategic in nature and have a wide range of applications in nuclear and other high-tech industries, including electronics, telecommunications, information technology, space, and the military.
3. India's Ministry of Mines further stated that 51 mineral blocks including Lithium and Gold were handed over to respective state governments.
4. Out of the 51 mineral blocks, 5 blocks are of gold. 
5. Other blocks pertain to commodities like potash, molybdenum, and base metals.

India’s lithium reserves:

According to the Indian Mines Ministry, the government agencies made the small discovery of lithium resources at a site in Mandya, Karnataka. It is the country’s first lithium reserve.

Now, Lithium inferred resources have been found in the Reasi District of Jammu & Kashmir (UT).

Lithium Production in the world:

• According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), global lithium production in 2019 stood at 77,000 tonnes.
• Australia, Chile, China and Argentina are the world’s top four lithium-producing countries.
• Australia is by far the world’s top producer of lithium, with an output of 42,000 tonnes in 2019.

What is the Lithium Triangle?

The Lithium Triangle is a region of the Andes rich in lithium reserves around the borders of Argentina, Bolivia and Chile.

The lithium in the triangle is concentrated in various salt pans that exist along the Atacama Desert and neighbouring arid areas.

The area is thought to hold around 54% of the world's lithium reserves.

The Indian Navy has shown interest in the Lithium Triangle as lithium will be required on Li-ION batteries that are planned to be fitted in future submarines.

About the Geological Survey of India (GSI)

• The Geological Survey of India (GSI) was established in 1851 to serve British interests in exploring coal deposits for the expansion of the railway network in the country. 
• After independence in 1947, it has come under the ambit of the mining ministry and also serves as the top scientific base for geological explorations. 
• The Geological Survey of India (GSI) is a scientific agency of India.
• The main functions of the GSI relate to the creation and update of national geo-scientific information and mineral resource assessment.
• It is headquartered in Kolkata and has six regional offices located at Lucknow, Jaipur, Nagpur, Hyderabad, Shillong and Kolkata. 
• Every state has a state unit.