Lithium reserves found for the first time in Jammu and Kashmir

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For the first time in the country, reserves of 59 lakh tonnes of lithium have been found in the Reasi district of Jammu division.

An overview of the news:

• The Geological Survey of India has discovered lithium deposits in the Salal-Haimana area of Reasi district in Jammu and Kashmir.

• Currently India is dependent on imports for Lithium, Nickel and Cobalt. This discovery will reduce India's dependence on lithium from other countries.

• A report on 51 mineral blocks including Lithium and Gold was submitted to the State Governments during the 62nd Central Geological Programming Board (CGPB) meeting.

• Out of these 51 mineral blocks, 5 blocks are related to gold and other blocks are related to potash, molybdenum, base metals.

• These minerals have been found in different districts of 11 states which include Jammu and Kashmir (UT), Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Telangana.

Lithium:

• It is a chemical element with the symbol (Li).

• It is a soft and silvery white metal.

• It is the lightest metal and the lightest solid element at standard conditions.

• It is alkaline and a rare metal.

• Lithium has an atomic number of 3 and an atomic mass of 6.941u.

• Lithium is one of the key components of rechargeable batteries for mobile phones, laptops, digital cameras and electric vehicles.

• It is also used in some non-rechargeable batteries for things like heart pacemakers, toys, and watches.

• Countries with the largest reserves: Chile > Australia > Argentina