[Update] Lithium Reserves In Rajasthan: GSI Refutes Report As ‘Baseless’

Update | 19:44 IST, May 10

As per a PTI report,  the Geological Survey of India (GSI) has refuted the claims of lithium discovery in Rajasthan as “baseless”. “Media reports published in various newspapers regarding the finding of large lithium reserves by the Geological Survey of India (GSI), in Degana area, Nagaur district, Rajasthan are completely baseless and misleading,” the organisation said.

In another good news for the country’s electric vehicle (EV) industry, traces of lithium have reportedly been found in Rajasthan. This comes months after the discovery of 5.9 Mn tonnes of lithium reserves in Jammu & Kashmir. 

Lithium reserves have been found in Degana in Rajasthan, some state government officials told CNBC-TV18. 

Officials from the mining department and the Geological Survey of India (GSI) told the publication that the reserves are higher than the ones found in Jammu & Kashmir and have the potential to cater to 80% of the country’s demand.

While the Indian government has been aggressively pushing for adoption of EVs, the country has no domestic supply of lithium, a key metal for lithium-ion batteries used in EVs, for now. As such, the discovery of the ‘white gold’ is seen as a big breakthrough which can reduce the price of vehicles by bringing down India’s reliance on imported EV batteries and lithium as a raw material.

However, it must be noted that this is not the first discovery of lithium reserves in the country. India. While the possible presence of lithium in Jammu and Kashmir was first flagged in the early 1990s, the presence of the metal, albeit in lower quantities, was also discovered in Karnataka a few years ago. However, this has not resulted in the availability of lithium in the country.

Meanwhile, the availability of 5.9 Mn tonnes of lithium in Jammu & Kashmir is an inferred estimate and the actual reserve size might turn out to be higher or lower. 

After the discovery of the lithium reserves in Jammu & Kashmir, Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari said that India imports 1,200 tonnes of lithium every year and the country can become the top automobile manufacturer in the world if the lithium ore found in Jammu & Kashmir can be used by the industry.

However, as per experts, while the discoveries are promising signs, it would take at least 5-10 years before the metal becomes easily available and have a major impact on the country’s EV industry. 

As per the latest report, the lithium reserves in Rajasthan have been found in Degana’s Renvat hill and its surrounding areas, which once supplied tungsten to the country.