Union Minister of Mines Pralhad Joshi on Monday said that the recently discovered lithium reserves in Jammu and Kashmir would be auctioned by the UT Administration which would also finalize the timeline for its exploitation as per environment clearance rules.
"Mining will be carried out as per the Environmental Clearance (EC) granted by the Ministry of Environment and Forests," he said.
The Geological Survey of India is exploring the lithium reserves which are believed to be deposited in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir.
In a written reply in Rajya Sabha on Monday, the Minister of Mines, Coal and Parliamentary Affairs Shri Pralhad Joshi said that the GSI carried out a G3 stage mineral exploration project during Field Season 2020- 21 and 2021-22 in Salal-Haimna areas of Reasi district, Jammu & Kashmir and estimated an inferred resource (G3) of 5.9 million tonnes of lithium ore and the report has been handed over to the Government of Union Territory of J&K.
“GSI proposes to carry out more exploration activities in J&K for identifying lithium resources. The estimated value of lithium in J&K will be estimated on completion of further exploration,” it said.
“Geological Survey of India (GSI) generates baseline geoscience data through mapping, e.g. geological, geochemical, geophysical which is pre-requisite for identifying the potential area for systematic mineral exploration. Based on the mapping data, GSI carries out systematic mineral exploration activities for various major mineral commodities including lithium,” the reply said.
“In part of Jammu & Kashmir, as a follow up of lithium exploration in Salal-Haimna areas of Reasi district, GSI has taken up another reconnaissance G4 stage exploration programme on lithium and associated mineral in Panasa – Dugga – Baldhanun – Chakar - Sangarmarg (Saro-da-Bas) area of Reasi district during current field season 2022-23 and the work is in progress,” it said.
“Based on the mapping outcome more exploration programme on various mineral commodities including lithium will be taken up in future in different parts of the country including Jammu & Kashmir,” the reply said.