Months after lithium reserves were discovered in Jammu & Kashmir, Rajasthan, and Karnataka, it is now being reported that a reserve of the cosmic mineral has been discovered in Jharkhand as well. The eastern state—surrounded by Chhattisgarh, Bihar and West Bengal—is already known for reserves of Uranium, Mica, Bauxite, Granite, Gold, Silver, Graphite, Magnetite, Dolomite, Fireclay, Quartz, Feldspar, Coal (32 per cent of India), Iron, Copper (25 per cent of India) etc.
Popularly known as ''white gold'', lithium is one of the most sought-after minerals globally amid the push towards electric vehicles (EVs), owing to climate change. Only a handful of countries in the world have lithium reserves, be it in the form of salt lake brine or mines. Yet China, without having the largest lithium reserves, continues to dominate lithium mining and processing.
India has an ambitious target of achieving 30 per cent EV share in new vehicle sales and increasing non-fossil energy capacity to 500 Gw by 2030. However, India is dependent on neighbouring countries for its lithium requirements, primarily Hong Kong and China. Earlier, Prahalathan Iyer, Chief General Manager–Research & Analysis, India Exim Bank, had told Business Today earlier, "India''s annual lithium-ion battery market is expected to grow to 116 GWh by FY30 from 2.6 GWh in FY21, with EVs accounting for 90 per cent of the overall market (according to a report by JMK Research and The Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis)."
The discovery of lithium reserves in India isn''t new. It was first discovered in Jammu & Kashmir in 1999, but back then, lithium was a non-glamorous metal. Although it was used in sectors like specialty chemicals, glass, and pharmaceuticals, it made sense to import lithium for these various needs instead of further progressing with the finding and venturing into mining. More so because two decades ago lithium mining was a resource devourer and wasn''t profitable. But as nations today, individually yet collectively, are fighting climate change; lithium has suddenly become the most sought-after metal for EVs and battery storage, reversing the economies of mining.
Also, the Geological Survey of India (GSI) had carried out 14 projects on lithium and associated elements in Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya, Karnataka and Rajasthan during the approved annual Field Season Programme (FSP) between 2016-17 and 2020-21. And during the current FSP 2021-22, GSI has taken up five projects on lithium and associated minerals in Arunachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jammu & Kashmir and Rajasthan.
Experts told Business Today that the discovery of lithium reserves in India can prove to be of strategic importance as it improves India''s energy security by securing critical mineral supplies and building self-sufficiency. This can also contribute to reducing the country''s import bill and trade deficit, and the reserves could also help India achieve its net-zero emissions target by accelerating green transportation and green energy adoption.
However, most of these lithium reserves are G3 exploration—i.e., preliminary exploration or initial assessment—which identifies the reserves. This has to be followed by G2 (general exploration) and G1 (detailed exploration), and mining can begin only after G1 classification. It can take anywhere between six and eight years to bring the mines to full capacity commercial production.
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The Union Ministry of Mines recently announced the major discovery of lithium reserves in India in Jammu and Kashmir. The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has established 5.9 million tonnes of inferred lithium resources in the Salal-Haimana area of Reasi District in Jammu and Kashmir. Lithium is considered a strategic element because of its use on batteries used in Electric Vehicles (EVs). The finding of the reserves is being considered as a game-changer in India’s transition towards green mobility.
Mineral Reserve: Economically mineable part of measured and/or indicated mineral resource.
Probable Mineral Reserves: Economically mineable part of indicated or in some cases, a measured mineral resource.
Proven Mineral Reserves: Economically mineable part of measured mineral resource.
Mineral Resource: A Mineral Resource (Remaining or Additional Resource) is the balance of the Total Mineral Resources that have not been identified as Mineral Reserve.
Measured Mineral Resource: That part of mineral resource for which tonnage, density, shape, physical characteristics, grade and mineral content can be estimated with a high level of confidence, i.e., based on detailed exploration.
Indicated Mineral Resource: The tonnage, density, shape, physical characteristics grade and mineral content can be estimated with reasonable level of confidence based on exploration, sampling and testing information, location of borehole, pits, etc.
Inferred Mineral Resource: Tonnage, grade and mineral content can be estimated with low level of confidence inferred from geological evidence.
Note: Resource is a broader and more general term than Reserve. Resource includes identified material that may be less well characterized, possibly of lower grade and less certain to be economically recoverable. Resources can be converted to Reserves by additional drilling or changes in economic factors, such as price or technology.
At present, the GSI has established ‘Inferred Resources‘ of Lithium. Thus, in pure technical terms, the deposits found in J&K are not Reserves but Resources, although in common parlance they are being referred as Reserves. GSI will undertake further research to establish the economic viability of mining Lithium. Actual Reserves may turn out to be less than 5.9 million tonnes of Inferred Resources.About Lithium and Its Uses
Lithium is a soft, shiny grey metal found in the earth''s crust. It is a highly reactive and alkaline metal.
Lithium is a key element for new technologies and finds its use in ceramics, glass, telecommunication and aerospace industries. The well-known uses of Lithium are in Lithium ion batteries, lubricating grease, high energy additive to rocket propellants, optical modulators for mobile phones and as convertor to tritium used as a raw material for thermonuclear reactions (fusion).
It is also used to make alloys with aluminium and magnesium, improving their strength and making them lighter e.g., Magnesium-lithium alloy – for armour plating, Aluminium-lithium alloys – in aircraft, bicycle frames and high-speed trains.
Due to its utility in diverse applications, it also referred as ''White Gold''.
The global electric vehicle market is projected to reach US$ 823.75 billion by 2030, registering a Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 18.2% from 2021 to 2030, India''s market is projected to register a CAGR of 23.76% by 2028. India is seeking to secure its critical mineral supplies and build self-sufficiency in this sector.
The discovery of 5.9 million metric tonnes of lithium has been made in J&K. This is the first major lithium reserve that has been found in India. Earlier, a survey led by the Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research showed the presence of 1,600 tonnes (inferred category) of lithium resources in the Marlagalla area of Karnataka''s Mandya district.
South America is a particularly rich supply of the metal, the three nations of Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina are collectively referred to as the ‘Lithium Triangle’. China currently controls 77% of the global lithium-ion battery manufacturing capacity and is home to 6 of the world''s 10 manufacturing companies.
The Atomic Energy Act, 1962 permits Atomic Minerals Directorate (a constituent unit of Department of Atomic Energy) for exploration of Lithium in various geological domains of the country. For the first time, the National Mineral Exploration Policy of 2016 recognised the need to explore these minerals.
Every year, as per approved annual Field Season Programme (FSP), the Geological Survey of India (GSI, an attached office of Ministry of Mines) takes up different stages of mineral exploration viz. reconnaissance surveys (G4), preliminary exploration (G3) and general exploration (G2) following the guidelines of United Nations Framework Classification (UNFC) and Mineral Evidence and Mineral Content Rules (MEMC-2015) for augmenting mineral resource for various mineral commodities including lithium.
Reducing Dependence on Imports: In FY2020-2021, India imported lithium and lithium ion worth INR 173 crore and INR 8,811 crore respectively. The demand is likely to rise multifold in the future. The finding of lithium reserves in India will reduce dependence on imports.
Affordable Transition: : The discovery of domestic deposits of lithium will help the expanding the EV ecosystem at reasonable and affordable costs, and make the transition to green mobility more economical.
Meet Government Objectives: This will also help advance the Government''s ambitious plan of 30% EV penetration in private cars, 70% for commercial vehicles, and 80% for two and three-wheelers by 2030 for the automobile industry.
Potential to become Major Producer: The majority of the global reserves are located in regions with severe water stress limiting their ability to scale-up production. India has a potential to replace global lithium supply chains.
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