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In February this year, the Union Government confirmed the discovery of 5.9 million tonnes of lithium reserves in Jammu and Kashmir.
On May 8th, several media outlets claimed about the identification of a bigger lithium reserve in Rajasthan.
Here’s what you need to know!
The misleading Media Claims
Months after India found its first ever lithium reserve in Jammu and Kashmir, another reserve of the crucial mineral has been found in Rajasthan's Degana (Nagaur) on May 8th as per media reports.
The new lithium reserve was being touted much bigger than the one found in J&K, news agency IANS quoted Rajasthan government officials as saying. It was also being claimed that the amount of Lithium present in these reserves can satisfy 80% of India's total demand.
The actual Reality
However, the Geological Survey of India (GSI) rejected the media reports on May 9th. The GSI said the report of large lithium mine being identified in Rajasthan is "completely baseless and misleading".
The reserve found in J&K
Earlier this year, 5.9 million tonnes of lithium reserves were found in Jammu and Kashmir.
Lithium is manly used in rechargeable batteries for mobile phones, laptops, and electric vehicles. For India, which has been heavily dependent on lithium imports, the reserve can be a game changer.
But, before this potential can become a reality, India must overcome several hurdles and challenges.
The challenges
Despite countries like Bolivia having the largest known lithium reserves (21 million tonnes) China continues to have significant sway over the lithium supply chain.
According to estimates from Bloomberg, China’s share of the lithium-ion battery market could be as high as 80%.
Having vast lithium reserves does not automatically give a country an inherent advantage although it is a step in that direction.
The major challenges in mining
There is another aspect to battery production. Turning a lithium ore into purer lithium carbonate or lithium hydroxide needed for batteries is an expensive and capital-intensive process.
Even for countries like the US, which is mining domestic lithium on a war footing, catching up with China could take several years.
While lithium-ion batteries are one step towards zero emission, the process of mining lithium isn’t particularly environment friendly, requiring massive amounts of water and leading to soil degradation.
As per estimates, the production of per tonne of LCE (Lithium Carbon Equivalent) emits 2.8-9.6 tonnes of CO2. Moreover, the production of one tonne of lithium could require approximately 500,000 gallons of water.
The major challenges for the govt.
One of the major challenge for the govt. is who will bid and mine the reserves. The reason is, lithium metal fall under the restricted list of the Department of Atomic Energy that forbids private players from mining or producing them.
Moreover, unlike iron or copper mining, Lithium mining is very different. And, as there aren’t any existing lithium mines in the country, mining firms in India don’t have any expertise in that.
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