First Time in India 5.9 Million Tonnes of Key EV Battery Component Lithium Found in J&K

The Geological Survey of India has found 5.9 million tonnes of Lithium in the Salal-Haimana region of Jammu & Kashmir. This is the first time the country has established Lithium resources. Lithium is one of the key components used in batteries in electric vehicles.

Additionally, 51 mineral blocks, including Lithium and gold, have been given to the state government. Recently, Government of India opened up geospatial mapping restrictions for Indian companies.

Geological Survey of India Finds Lithium and Gold Deposits
During the 62nd meeting of the Central Geological Programming Board (CGPB) held on 9th February 2023, the Geological Survey of India handed over 16 resource-bearing reports, including the one mentioned above, and 35 geological memorandums to the respective state governments. Out of the 51 mineral blocks, 5 pertain to gold and the others are related to commodities such as potash, molybdenum, and base metals across 11 states.

Shri. Vivek Bharadwaj, IAS, Secretary, @MinesMinIndia handed over 16 geological reports (G2 & G3 stage) & 35 Geological memorandums to state governments during the 62nd Central Geological Programming Board (CGPB) meeting held today. pic.twitter.com/oZiQUQtc3w

— Ministry Of Mines (@MinesMinIndia) February 9, 2023

The reports were based on GSI’s fieldwork conducted from 2018 to present. Additionally, 17 coal and lignite reports with a total resource of 7,897 million tonnes were handed over to the Ministry of Coal. Seven publications on various themes and areas of GSI’s operations were also released during the meeting.

Annual Programme for ensuing Field Season 2023-24

The proposed Annual Program for the upcoming Field Season 2023-24 was presented and discussed during the 62nd Central Geological Programming Board meeting. During the 2023-24 season, the Geological Survey of India will undertake 966 programs, including 318 mineral exploration projects and 12 marine mineral investigation projects, with a focus on exploring strategic and critical minerals, as well as fertilizer minerals.

The program also includes 55 geoinformatics projects, 140 fundamental and multidisciplinary geosciences projects, and 155 training and institutional capacity building programs.

The Central Geological Programming Board serves as a platform for the Geological Survey of India, Ministry of Mines, to discuss the Annual Field Season Program and promote collaboration and avoid duplication of work.

Members of the board and other stakeholders, such as state governments, mineral exploration agencies, public and private entities, can make requests for collaborative work with GSI. The Annual Program is finalized based on priorities set by the government of India and the importance and urgency of proposals presented by stakeholders.

During his address to the gathering, Shri Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary, Ministry of Mines and Chairman CGPB, congratulated,

GSI in realizing the commitment made by Central Government for auction of 500 blocks by submitting 287 geological memorandum and 195 G2&G3 reports to the state government since 2015. However, he asserted that GSI should carry forward this momentum and continue the field programmes with the same vigor.