*GSI begins new explorations at Salal East and Panasa
Govind Sharma
JAMMU, Dec 16: The Government’s second attempt to auction lithium blocks in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir has not attracted any bids for the Salal-Haimna Lithium Block. This setback, however, has invigorated efforts to tackle issues related to the viability and makeup of the region’s lithium deposits, which are crucial for India’s transition towards clean energy.
In response to a question from Member of Parliament Sanjay Raut in the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister of Coal and Mines, G Kishan Reddy, verified that the Salal-Haimna Lithium Block in Reasi district has undergone exploration up to the G3 stage. He conveyed to the House that, notwithstanding initial interest, the second auction attempt for the block has been annulled. To address concerns regarding the quality of the lithium deposits, mineral samples collected by the Geological Survey of India (GSI) have been dispatched to the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) in Nagpur and the Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (IMMT) in Bhubaneswar for beneficiation studies.
Additionally, Reddy informed the House that GSI has commenced two more preliminary exploration projects at Salal East and Panasa in the Reasi district for the fiscal year 2024-25 to evaluate the region’s lithium potential further and enhance investor confidence.
Regarding the timeline for granting mining rights for lithium in J&K, Reddy mentioned that it remains uncertain, as it is contingent upon the outcomes of ongoing exploration initiatives. The Minister reiterated the Government’s dedication to tapping into the potential of the country’s lithium reserves to bolster India’s clean energy objectives.
In a broader context, Reddy noted that the Government has enacted legislative measures aimed at the effective utilization of critical minerals like lithium. The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2023, effective from August 17, 2023, empowers the Central Government to auction mining leases for critical minerals detailed in Part D of the First Schedule. Lithium, a key ingredient for batteries and renewable energy technologies, is listed among these.
The Minister emphasized that India’s growing emphasis on critical minerals aligns with the rising global demand for lithium, propelled by the necessity for sustainable energy solutions. He stated that strategically developing domestic lithium reserves is expected to significantly reduce the country’s reliance on imports and enhance energy security.
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