Amogh Rohmetra
Jammu, July 22: Union Minister for Coal and Mines, G Kishan Reddy, today informed the Parliament that lithium mining in Jammu will commence once the ongoing exploration is completed.
“Lithium has been identified in Jammu and Kashmir by the GSI (Geological Survey of India). In collaboration with the Jammu and Kashmir Government, we have initiated the exploration process,” Reddy stated in the Rajya Sabha during Question Hour.
Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp
He added, “As soon as possible, after the conclusion of exploration, we will promptly take action and mine the lithium with full force.”
Reddy was responding to a question raised by Shiv Sena MP, Milind Deora. The Maharashtra MP said, “A significant deposit of approximately six million tonnes of lithium was recently discovered in the Jammu region. When does the Government plan to begin the mining of that lithium keeping in mind eco sensitivities and ecological balance”? Click here to watch video
Deora emphasized the importance of India becoming “atma nirbhar” in lithium processing. He said, “Lithium is a mineral that goes into every battery used for all the products that we use from mobile phones to electric cars. China today controls the entire supply chain of lithium.”
In February last year, the Indian Government identified lithium deposits with a reserve of approximately 5.9 million tonnes in the Reasi district. The lithium-bearing land spans 18,913 Kanals and 17 Marlas. Globally, lithium is in high demand for its use in batteries for electric vehicles, wind turbines, and electronic grids, among other applications, which are believed to reduce Carbon Dioxide emissions and help the environment.
However, according to reports, Jammu and Kashmir failed to receive any bids for the auction of mining rights for these reserves in a second attempt earlier this year. The first attempt to auction the mining rights took place in November last year.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
