SRINAGAR: The government of India has confirmed the presence of significant lithium and titanium resources in the Salal-Haimana area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district, following preliminary exploration by the Geological Survey of India (GSI). The exploration, primarily focused on bauxite, has revealed additional lithium and titanium deposits in the region. The GSI has submitted mineral samples to the Indian Bureau of Mines and the Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology for beneficiation studies to better understand their potential. The GSI, the government said in a response during question hour, is expanding its exploration efforts in the Reasi district, with two new preliminary exploration projects for lithium set to take place in the Salal East and Panasa areas during the 2024-25 field season.
In response to the growing demand for lithium, particularly due to its critical role in battery technology for electric vehicles and renewable energy storage, the Ministry of Mines has outlined a series of steps to reduce India’s dependence on imports. A significant reform was introduced through the MMDR Amendment Act, 2023, which added 24 critical minerals, including lithium, to the First Schedule of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957. This amendment empowers the Central Government to exclusively auction mining rights for these critical minerals, facilitating the development of India’s own resources. The government has already auctioned the Katghora block in Chhattisgarh, which contains lithium and rare earth elements, as a Composite Licence.
Besides, the government has taken a global approach to secure lithium resources, with the establishment of a joint venture company, Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL). KABIL was set up to explore and acquire critical mineral assets abroad. In a significant move, the company has acquired a 15,703-hectare area in the Catamarca province of Argentina, where it will explore and mine lithium, further bolstering India’s efforts to secure a steady supply of this strategic resource.
