India finds its first lithium reserves in Jammu and Kashmir

Lithium reserves have been found for the first time in the country in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district, the government announced on Thursday.

Lithium is a non-ferrous metal and is one of the key components of batteries for electric cars. "Lithium reserves have been discovered for the first time and that too in Jammu and Kashmir," said Mines Minister Vivek Bharadwaj. Geological Survey of India (GSI) exploration found lithium reserves in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir. Currently, India is dependent on the import of many minerals such as lithium, nickel and cobalt.

Earlier, the Ministry of Mines said that to strengthen the critical mineral supply chain for emerging technologies, the government has taken several proactive measures to secure minerals, including lithium, from Australia and Argentina.

Addressing the 62nd meeting of the Central Geological Programming Board here, Bharadwaj also said that whether it is a mobile phone or a solar panel, critical minerals are needed everywhere. For the country to become self-sufficient, it is very important for it to identify and process critical minerals, he said. He also said that if gold imports are reduced, "we will become aatmanirbhar (self-dependent)".