Srinagar, Aug 05 (KNO): The Union Government on Wednesday informed Parliament that 10.88 million tonnes of lithium resources have been identified in Jammu & Kashmir, with Salal-Haimna and Kotla figuring among the country's major lithium-bearing areas discovered through exploration undertaken by the Geological Survey of India (GSI).
Replying to an unstarred question in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Coal and Mines Satish Chandra Dubey, as reported by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said the lithium resources have been augmented through exploration projects carried out by GSI and funded by the National Mineral Exploration and Development Trust (NMEDT). Besides Jammu & Kashmir, major lithium resources have also been identified in Rajasthan.
The Minister said the Centre has simultaneously stepped up efforts to secure critical mineral supplies by strengthening domestic exploration and expanding overseas partnerships. He said Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL) has signed an Exploration and Development Agreement with Argentina's state-owned CAMYEN for exploration and mining of five lithium brine blocks covering 15,703 hectares. KABIL has also entered into an MoU with Australia's Critical Mineral Office for cooperation in mining and processing of critical and strategic minerals.
To encourage private participation in mineral exploration, the Government has introduced a series of incentives, including 100 per cent funding for exploration projects undertaken by notified private exploration agencies, reimbursement of exploration costs under various licence categories and incentives linked to successful auction of explored critical mineral blocks, the House was informed.
The Minister further said the Government has launched the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) to ensure long-term availability of minerals essential for electric vehicles and green technologies.
"Exploration of critical minerals has been significantly expanded, while 56 critical mineral blocks and six Exploration Licence blocks have already been auctioned across the country," he said.
The Centre has also introduced a ₹1,500-crore incentive scheme to promote recycling and recovery of critical minerals from secondary sources and expanded support for overseas mineral exploration.
According to the annexure tabled in Parliament, Jammu & Kashmir's Salal-Haimna and Kotla are among the major areas where lithium resources have been augmented, with the total identified lithium resources standing at 10.88 million tonnes—(KNO)