5.9 million ton reserve of lithium reserve located in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir

The Geological Survey of India has made a remarkable discovery in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir: a 5.9 million ton reserve of lithium. This precious resource is crucial for the production of electric vehicles and solar panels.

Lithium is a chemical element with the symbol Li and atomic number 3. It is a soft, silvery-white metal that belongs to the alkali metal group of elements. Lithium is the lightest metal and the lightest solid element.

Lithium being a critical resource was not easily available in India and we were depending on its import from other countries such as Chile and Australia, as well as other countries such as Argentina and China. The country is looking to increase its lithium production in the future, as demand for lithium is growing rapidly due to its use in batteries and other applications.

In 2021, a significant discovery of lithium was made in the Mandya district of Karnataka with deposits estimated to be worth 1600 tonnes. However, the recent discovery of 5.9 million tonnes is a much larger find and represents a significant boost to the country’s lithium resources.

Lithium has a wide range of uses, including:

1. Batteries: Lithium is widely used in rechargeable batteries due to its high electrochemical potential, which allows it to store more energy per unit of weight than other metals.
2. Pharmaceuticals: Lithium is used as a mood stabilizer in the treatment of bipolar disorder and depression. It helps to regulate mood swings and prevent manic episodes.
3. Glass and ceramics: Lithium is added to glass and ceramics to improve their strength and durability.
4. Aerospace: Lithium is used in the production of lightweight alloys for aerospace applications, as it is a strong, lightweight metal.
5. Nuclear reactors: Lithium is used as a coolant in nuclear reactors because of its high thermal conductivity.
6. Greases and Lubricants: Lithium is used to produce greases and lubricants that provide high performance at high temperatures.

Overall, Lithium’s unique properties make it a versatile material with a wide range of applications in various industries.

Lithium is sometimes referred to as “white petroleum” because it is a white, light, and soft metal that is obtained from underground mineral deposits, just like petroleum is obtained from oil wells. Additionally, like petroleum, lithium is an important commodity that has a wide range of industrial applications. The term “white petroleum” is a reference to the similarities between lithium and petroleum in terms of how they are mined and their importance as a commodity. However, it is worth noting that the two substances have very different physical and chemical properties, and they are used in very different ways.

The below picture illustrates the distribution of lithium reserves across the nations.

India has made a substantial discovery of lithium, surpassing the reserves of China and the United States. This development is expected to have a positive impact on the Indian economy and solidify India’s position as a major player in the electric vehicle market.