The Geological Survey of India found “inferred resources” of 5.9 million tonnes of lithium in the Salal-Haimana area of Reasi district in Jammu and Kashmir.

What is Lithium?

• Lithium is a chemical element with the symbol Li and atomic number 3.
• It is a soft, silvery-white alkali metal and is the lightest metal on the periodic table.
• It is used in a variety of applications, including batteries, lubricants, pharmaceuticals, and nuclear weapons.

Applications of Lithium

• Lithium-ion batteries: Lithium-ion batteries are widely used in consumer electronics such as laptops, cellphones, and portable music players due to their high energy density and low self-discharge rate.
• Pharmaceuticals: Lithium is used in the treatment of bipolar disorder and other mental health disorders. It can be used to treat symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and aggression.
• Heat transfer fluids: Lithium is used as a heat transfer fluid in nuclear power plants, as it can absorb and store large amounts of heat.
• Air conditioning: Lithium-based compounds are used in air conditioning systems to absorb and store heat, which helps to cool air.
• Alloy production: Lithium is used to produce lightweight alloys for aircraft and spacecraft, as well as components for other vehicles.
• Grease lubricants: Lithium-based grease lubricants are used in automotive and industrial applications due to their high temperature and pressure tolerance.

Significance of this discovery

• Clean energy goals: This has raised hopes of India possibly developing its own source of a metal key to its clean energy goals.
• Import cuts: It would reduce the need for imports. The government was taking several measures to secure minerals, including lithium, from Australia and Argentina.
• Enhance battery production: The find is a major boost to the manufacture of rechargeable batteries for smartphones, laptops and electric cars.

Back2Basics: Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957

• It is an Act of the Parliament enacted to regulate the mining sector in India.
• It regulates all activities related to the prospecting for, extraction and disposal of minerals in India.
• The Act was amended in 2015 to incorporate the changes brought about by the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2015.
• The amendment Act has been enacted to ensure that the mining sector is developed in a sustainable and efficient manner, taking into account the interests of stakeholders including the local communities.
• The Act also provides for the sharing of revenues between the Union and the States.

Types of Minerals Covered

• Metallic Minerals: Iron ore, manganese ore, chrome ore, bauxite, copper ore, gold ore, lead ore, zinc ore, etc.
• Non-Metallic Minerals: Mica, limestone, dolomite, gypsum, phosphorite, graphite, quartz, sandstone, etc.
• Atomic Minerals: Uranium, thorium, and other radioactive minerals.
• Fossil Fuels: Oil, natural gas, coal, etc.
• Minor Minerals: Building stones, gravel, ordinary clay, ordinary sand, etc.

Crack Prelims 2023! Talk to our Rankers

(Click) FREE 1-to-1 on-call Mentorship by IAS-IPS officers | Discuss doubts, strategy, sources, and more

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

Attend Now