Date: 18/04/2023

Relevance: GS-3: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.

Key Phrases: inferred, limestone and bauxite, Lithium Metal, Brine deposits, Hard rock deposits, igneous and metamorphic rocks, aerospace components, atomic number, Types of Lithium Deposits.

Context:

• The geographical formation in Jammu & Kashmir wherein ‘inferred’ lithium resources of 5.9 million tonnes were recently established likely extends well beyond the original location where the mineral was detected, and the scope of geological exploration is now being widened.

Key Highlights:

• Incidentally, lithium was discovered when exploration was underway for two other different minerals – limestone and bauxite – in the same column and location in the Salal-Haimana area of J&K’s Reasi district. When mining commences at the location, there will be three different minerals to be extracted from the catchment zone – bauxite, limestone and lithium.
• The J&K administration will now carry out the groundwork for auctioning the find for commercial exploitation.
• Multiple domestic and international mining companies are expected to participate in the auction.
• Note: The ‘inferred’ mineral resource is part of a resource for which quantity, grade and mineral content are estimated only with a low level of confidence based on information gathered from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and drill holes that may be of limited or uncertain quality, and also of lower reliability from geological evidence.

Types of Lithium Deposits:

• Brine deposits: formed by the concentration of lithium in underground aquifers in areas with high evaporation rates
• Hard rock deposits: found in igneous and metamorphic rocks and formed by the gradual accumulation of lithium in mineral grains

Extraction Processes:

• Brine deposits: are extracted through solar evaporation, where brine is pumped into large ponds and allowed to evaporate in the sun; lithium is recovered through chemical processes.
• Hard rock deposits: in the case of hard-rock operations of the kind likely in J&K, the ore is extracted, usually from pegmatite deposits, using conventional mining techniques before it is concentrated by way of crushing, and separated to produce a concentrate.

Significance of Lithium Deposits for India:

• It is now primarily used to build the batteries that power modern appliances.
• They also power electric vehicles, a segment that will corner most of the global Lithium production in future.
• Currently, India does not have its own Lithium resources and like crude oil, it is dependent on imports.
• In fiscal 2022, India imported Lithium and Lithium ion worth almost ₹14,000 crores.
• These reserves are rare.
• By exploiting the potential of the lithium reserves in J&K, India could reduce its dependence on foreign countries making us truly ‘Atmanirbhar’, while also creating jobs, generating revenue, and furthering its renewable energy ambitions.
• India’s plan to increase EV penetration by 30% by 2030 relies heavily on Lithium.

Several challenges need to be addressed before lithium extraction can be successful in Jammu and Kashmir:

• Environmental concerns:
  • Lithium extraction can have a significant impact on the environment. The mining process involves drilling and blasting, which can result in soil erosion, water pollution, and habitat destruction.
  • The government needs to ensure that mining operations are conducted in an environmentally responsible manner and that the impact on local communities and ecosystems is minimized.
• Regulatory hurdles:
  • The mining sector in India is subject to stringent regulations and permits.
  • Obtaining the necessary licenses and permits for lithium extraction can be time-consuming and complicated.
• Political instability:
  • Jammu and Kashmir is a politically sensitive region, and there have been conflicts between the central government and local communities over land use and resource extraction.
  • Any mining operation in the region needs to be carefully managed to avoid exacerbating existing political tensions.
• Financial viability:
  • Lithium extraction is a capital-intensive industry, and the high cost of setting up mining operations and acquiring the necessary technology and equipment can make the project economically unfeasible.

Conclusion:

• Extracting lithium from Jammu and Kashmir's reserves is a promising opportunity that could bring significant economic benefits to the region and the country.
• However, several challenges need to be overcome, including environmental concerns, regulatory hurdles, political instability, and financial viability.
• If these challenges can be addressed, Jammu and Kashmir have the potential to become a significant player in the global lithium market.

Source: The Indian Express

Mains Question:

Q. Explain the two main types of lithium deposits and the differences in their extraction processes. Discuss the feasibility and challenges involved in the extraction of lithium in Jammu and Kashmir. (250 Words).