The Mines Ministry has started exploration at two more lithium blocks in the Reasi district of Jammu & Kashmir, with reports of likely mineral deposits expected post September this year, an official aware of discussions told businessline.

Exploration and geographical mapping of these blocks would be in addition to the detailed studies being carried out at an existing block in Reasi.

One of the blocks – where exploration activities have been taken up by the Geological Survey of India (GSI) – is found next to the existing one while the second one is a “little further, but in the same Reasi district”.

“By September-October or latest by this year-end, we should have some idea of the reserves in these new blocks. Activities by GSI are underway,” the official said.

Lithium, also called as white gold, forms the cornerstone for India’s transition to green energy; with usages being primarily across sectors like energy storage, electric vehicles, lithium-ion batteries and mobile phones.

The country is completely dependent on imports for lithium, with China being one of the major suppliers

Lithium Find in J&K

So far, India’s biggest lithium find is in the Salal – Haimna block of the Reasi district of the State where 5.9 million tonnes of the metal have been discovered.

Further studies – particularly on beneficiation activities – are being carried out there, with the aim being to reach at least the G2 level of exploration before putting the Salal-Haimna lithium, titanium, and bauxite (Aluminous Laterite) block up for auction again.

The earlier auction, which opened on November 29, 2023, at the G3 level of exploration, did not attract the minimum three bidders needed to go ahead to the financial bidding round. Even a second attempt, where a single bidder could have been awarded the block, saw not much success.

“In the next two-three months beneficiation studies which are carried out there will be through. The first set of results are encouraging. And we can take up further processes with more data points that the industry is looking for,” an official said.

According to industry sources, most of the lithium find there is in rock or clay form or laterite form in technician, which makes extraction activities difficult.

“Such extraction activities have not been carried out in India, which has made the industry hesitant. But out initial finding suggests good quality lithium can be extracted,” an official said.

Such extraction and beneficiation actives are already being carried out on a trial basis at laboratories, the person aware said.