Initial surveys by the Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD), an arm of India’s Department of Atomic Energy has shown the presence of a lithium deposit of about 1,600 tons in the southern province of Karnataka, Indian Express reports.
The lithium deposit is comparatively small. Nonetheless, it has given hope to Indian authorities as they look to move away from lithium imports, on which the country is now 100% reliable.
India relies on countries like China, Argentina and Bolivia for its lithium requirements. However, with its relationship with China strained of late, India would like to eventually move away from imports from China.
Prospecting abroad
Last year, India, through a newly-floated state-owned company, had signed an agreement with an Argentinian firm to jointly prospect lithium in the South American country that has the third largest reserves of the metal in the world. The new company, Khanij Bidesh India Ltd, was incorporated in August 2019 by three state-owned companies, National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO), Hindustan Copper, and Mineral Exploration Ltd, with the specific mandate to acquire strategic mineral assets such as lithium and cobalt abroad. The company is exploring options in Chile and Bolivia, two other top lithium-producing countries, said reports.
India is a huge market for EVs, including two-wheelers. The country wants to increase EV vehicles by 30% by the end of the decade. As such, sourcing & procuring lithium for the crucial batteries has always been a problem. This year is a crucial one for lithium-ion battery technology in India.
On the new find, according to media reports, the Atomic Minerals Directorate is carrying out surface and sub-surface exploration for lithium in other potential geological domains of the country. The Karnataka find, though small, may eventually mark its first attempt in domestically mining the silver-white metal. India is also prospecting for lithium in Rajasthan and Gujarat.
