For the first time, lithium reserves have been discovered in India. The reserves have been found in Reasi, according to the government.
Being a non-ferrous metal, lithium is one of the essential elements of EV batteries. Hitherto, India imports most of minerals used in EV batteries including lithium, particularly from Australia and Argentina. This is done in order to improve the vital mineral supply chain for new technologies.
Half of the deposits are concentrated in three South American countries—Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile—the lithium triangle is where the majority of the world’s lithium reserves are located. China, on the other hand, has an advantage over other nations and is in charge of 75% of the world’s lithium refining.
According to the concerned ministry, 5.9 million tonnes of lithium reserves have been found in the Salal-Haimana area of Reasi.
Lithium is rare as it makes up just 0.002 percent of the Earth’s crust. It doesn’t occur naturally in its metallic form as it is highly reactive to the elements and minerals around it, experts say. Rather, it is found in a crystalline form alongside rocks and other mineral deposits in the Earth’s crust.
Lithium battery is considered the only alternative for electric cars since it has a high power-to-weight ratio and can deliver a lot of power while keeping the curb weight of the car low. Lithium batteries can power small devices for long periods of time without overheating.
It also works better in a variety of temperatures and is more energy-efficient. It is also a safer and more dependable procedure than others.
It is here discovery of lithium makes it a big deal since the mineral is a key component in expanding EV penetration by 30% by 2030. Currently, less than 1% of all new cars sold in India are electric vehicles. Now that the discovery has been made, all measures should be taken that extraction is not the way it will affect the environment. Extraction of any material including lithium results in soil degradation, water shortages, biodiversity loss, and damage to ecosystem functions. Before starting extraction of the lithium, the government is expected to ensure measures including legislative ones to ensure that the environment is protected. The concerned authorities are required to ensure local employability and must try to find out if some manufacturing units can be locally built and it in turn will increase local job avenues.