New Delhi: In a first for the country, a huge Lithium reserve amounting to 5.9 million tones has been found in the country. The Geological Survey of India (GSI) said, “For the first time in India’s history, Lithium inferred resources (G3) of 5.9 million tonnes have been found in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district.”
Lithium is a non-ferrous metal and forms one of the key component of Electric Vehicle (EV) batteries.
Geological Survey of India has for the first time established 5.9 million tonnes inferred resources (G3) of lithium in Salal-Haimana area of Reasi District of Jammu & Kashmir (UT).@GeologyIndia
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— Ministry Of Mines (@MinesMinIndia) February 9, 2023
Lithium reserve to boost India’s EV dream?
The discovery of large reserves of Lithium comes at a time when the Union government has rolled out elaborate plan for transition from gas-emitting vehicles to green energy. Electric Vehicles is the biggest bet on which not just India but the world is betting for a cleaner & quieter environment.
Billionaires like Elon Musk made their intentions clear about Tesla pushing for range of EVs and also raised concern over soaring price of Lithium-ion batteries.
Modi government has also unveiled incentives of $3.4 billion to expedite transition to EVs.
The discovery of Lithium will provide the much needed impetus and support for this transition. Batteries are supposedly the costliest component in Electric vehicles.
If these Lithium reserves can be customized & channelized for the EV industry, it will open new floodgates of growth and help realize India’s EV dream.
Big industrial houses like Reliance Industries, Ola Electric Mobility & Bullion refiner Rajesh Exports Ltd have already shown interest towards developing EV battery facility.
As the global demand makes a transition from gas & petrol towards Electric vehicles, the demand for lithium, nickel & other metals is bound to increase. These make up essential component of lithium-ion batteries.
However, challenges are umpteen. Besides developing ways & means to harness the big Lithium reserve, Western countries have already set up big battery units for research & production.
