The Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD), the oldest unit of the Department of Atomic Energy, recently discovered lithium resources in the Mandya district of Karnataka, as per their latest surveys. This element, represented by the symbol Li, is a soft, silvery-white metal, which under standard conditions assumes the status of being the lightest metal and solid element. It possesses high reactivity and flammability, necessitating storage in mineral oil.
Lithium: A Crucial Chemical Element
Lithium, an alkali and a rare metal, falls into the same category as chemical elements like sodium, potassium, rubidium, caesium, and francium; all these together with hydrogen constitute group 1, residing in the s-block of the periodic table. Rare metals are inclusive of Niobium (Nb), Tantalum (Ta), Beryllium (Be), Cesium (Cs) etc., and rare earths include elements from Lanthanum (La) to Lutetium (Lu) along with Scandium (Sc) and Yttrium (Y). With wide-ranging applications in nuclear and other high tech industries such as electronics, telecommunications, information technology, space and defence sectors, these metals are of strategic importance.
Applications of Lithium
Lithium metal proves useful in creating alloys such as ‘white metal’ bearings for motor engines (with lead), aircraft parts (with aluminium), and armour plates (with magnesium). Besides, it finds utilization in thermonuclear reactions and making electrochemical cells. Being a key component in electric vehicles and laptops, lithium holds substantial significance in contemporary times.
Lithium Resources in Karnataka
As per the survey by AMD, around 1,600 tonnes of lithium resources are situated within the igneous rocks of the Marlagalla-Allapatna region in Karnataka’s Mandya district.
Potential Benefits of Domestic Exploration
The discovery of lithium resources domestically could significantly cut down India’s import bill and reliance on China, as India currently imports all its lithium requirements. The country had about 165 crore lithium batteries imported between 2016-17 and 2019-20, resulting in an import bill of over USD 3.3 billion.
Challenges Related to Domestic Exploration
The recent find is classified as “inferred”; hence, the estimated quantity, grade, and mineral content are based on a low level of confidence due to their dependence on potentially unreliable information sources. Furthermore, compared to proven reserves in Bolivia, Argentina, Australia, and China, this lithium find is relatively small. Also, India might be seen as a late participant in the lithium value chain, especially when electric vehicles are heading towards disruptive growth.
Lithium Extraction Method
Depending on the deposit type, lithium can be extracted through methods like solar evaporation of large brine pools and hard-rock extraction of ore, for instance, rock mining at Mandya.
Other Potential Lithium Sites
Other possible lithium sites include the major mica belts in Rajasthan, Bihar, and Andhra Pradesh, pegmatite belts in Odisha and Chhattisgarh, along with the brines of Sambhar and Pachpadra in Rajasthan and Rann of Kachchh in Gujarat.
Government Initiative in Lithium Exploration
To enhance lithium exploration, Khanij Bidesh India Ltd, a newly state-owned company, signed a pact with an Argentinian firm to jointly prospect lithium in Argentina, which holds the third-largest reserves of the metal worldwide. The company has been specifically commissioned to acquire strategic mineral assets like lithium and cobalt in foreign countries.
Last Modified: February 10, 2024