Lithium ore discovery in J&K; Major breakthrough for India?
Lithium ore has been discovered in Jammu and Kashmir by the Geological Survey of India. The Geological Survey of India found “inferred resources” of 5.9 million tonnes of lithium in Jammu and Kashmir.
The discovery is said to be a major breakthrough for India and is raising hopes of India possibly developing its own source of a metal key for its clean energy goals. Indeed it is a great discovery, but in order to use the metal, officials and experts said it is unclear of much can indeed be extracted. Also, it is informed by the experts that more studies are needed.
The lithium ore deposits were found in the Salal-Haimana area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district. It had one of 51 mineral blocks identified across 11 states by GSI fieldwork carried out from 2018-19 to 2023.
“Finally, Jammu and Kashmir have made history in the mining sector as we have for the first time the discovered critical mineral lithium used in mobile batteries and electric vehicles. Congrats to all J&K residents as it has finally brought us on the global map in this ongoing G20 Presidency year,” said Jammu and Kashmir mining secretary Amit Sharma said.
Sharma said that the state government had received the G3 studies report and would now expedite further action. “We soon expect to take it to the next level of exploration,” Sharma said.
