Jharkhand Emerges As New Hub Of Lithium Reserves

Months after lithium reserves were discovered in Jammu & Kashmir, Rajasthan, and Karnataka, Jharkhand has reportedly been emerged as new hub for the metal. Known as ‘white gold,’ it is one of the most sought-after minerals globally in the backdrop of push towards electric vehicles, owing to climate change.

The eastern state—surrounded by Chhattisgarh, Bihar and West Bengal—is already known for reserves of Uranium, Mica, Bauxite, Granite, Gold, Silver, Graphite, Magnetite, Dolomite, Fireclay, Quartz, Feldspar, Coal (32 per cent of India), Iron, Copper (25 per cent of India) among others.

Only a handful of countries in the world have lithium reserves, be it in the form of salt lake brine or mines. Yet China, without having the largest lithium reserves, continues to dominate lithium mining and processing.

India has set its target to achieve 30 per cent EV share in vehicles sales and increasing energy capacity to 500 GW by 2030. However, looking at the current situation, the country is heavily dependent on China for its lithium requirements.

Prahalathan Iyer, Chief General Manager–Research & Analysis, India Exim Bank had reportedly said that the lithium-ion battery market was expected to grow to 116 GWh by FY30 from 2.6 GWh in FY21, with EVs accounting for 90 per cent of the overall market.

The lithium was first discovered in Jammu & Kashmir in 1999, but back then, lithium was a non-glamorous metal. Although it was used in sectors like specialty chemicals, glass, and pharmaceuticals, it made sense to import lithium for these various needs instead of further progressing with the finding and venturing into mining. More so because two decades ago lithium mining was a resource devourer and wasn’t profitable. But as nations today, individually yet collectively, are fighting climate change; lithium has suddenly become the most sought-after metal for EVs and battery storage, reversing the economies of mining.

Also, the Geological Survey of India (GSI) had carried out 14 projects on lithium and associated elements in Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya, Karnataka and Rajasthan during the approved annual Field Season Programme (FSP) between 2016-17 and 2020-21. And during the current FSP 2021-22, GSI has taken up five projects on lithium and associated minerals in Arunachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jammu & Kashmir and Rajasthan.

Lithium reserves can prove to be of strategic importance as it improves energy security by securing critical mineral supplies and building self-sufficiency. This can also contribute to reducing the country’s import bill and trade deficit, and the reserves could also help India achieve its net-zero emissions target by accelerating green transportation and green energy adoption.

Meanwhile, Abu Bakar Siddiqui P, Secretary, Mines and Geology Department, Jharkhand told Opportunity India that he did not have detailed information about it yet.