[sri_tesla]

The geological Survey of India has for the first time established Lithium inferred resources (G3) of 5.9 million tonnes in the Salal-Haimana area of Reasi District of Jammu & Kashmir (UT). Lithium is one of the key components in EV batteries.



Source:
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1897799

[Maky]

That is fantastic to hear! Could someone knowledgable tell us if this is discovered quantity is a meaningful amount?
Anything close to needed sustaining self-consumption, if so for how much of quantity volume?

Thank you.

[SmartCat]

Originally Posted by Maky

That is fantastic to hear! Could someone knowledgable tell us if this is discovered quantity is a meaningful amount?
Anything close to needed sustaining self-consumption, if so for how much of quantity volume?

Looks like somebody updated Wikipedia already. India is now among Top 10 in the world:



From ChatGPT:

lithium resources represent the total amount of lithium that is known to exist, while lithium reserves represent the portion of those resources that can be extracted and produced at a profit.

Note that Chinese companies control most of the mines in Latin America (Bolivia/Argentia/Chile). China was quick to identify the importance of Lithium and moved in to buy/invest in Lithium mining in these countries.

[PreludeSH]

We have more lithium resources than China in one go

From BBC article of same news
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-64592700

Lithium is extracted from hard rocks and underground brine reservoirs largely found in Australia, Chile and Argentina.

After the mineral is mined, it is roasted using fossil fuels, searing the landscape and leaving behind scars. The extraction process also requires a lot of water and releases large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

To extract it from underground reservoirs, many of which are found in water-scarce Argentina - a large amount of water is used, leading to protests from indigenous communities, who say that such activity is exhausting natural resources and leading to acute water shortages

Wonder if alternative, renewable and less polluting fuels can be used to extract.

[Sumedik]

On a different note: does this mean that our neighbor would become more desperate to get Kashmir? !

[DIY410]

Originally Posted by Sumedik

On a different note: does this mean that our neighbor would become more desperate to get Kashmir? !

Sadly yes, both China and Pakistan. Stronger conventional deterrence is needed to keep China from doing any adventures.

[srini1785]

I'm a bit surprised that the Geological Survey of India made this discovery public. Given its sensitive geopolitical problems, such a discovery having potentially great economic consequences could have been kept under wraps for some time until enough infra is built around it.

Now, it is in public domain and rivals (domestic/international) will be out to sabotage it.

[anjan_c2007]

Originally Posted by sri_tesla

The Geological Survey of India has for the first time established Lithium inferred resources (G3) of 5.9 million tonnes in the Salal-Haimana area of Reasi District of Jammu & Kashmir (UT). Lithium is one of the key components in EV batteries.

The announcement has been made by the Union Secretary, Ministry of Mines. I am proud to be a part of the GSI fraternity during my long years of service. We have had the Central Geological Programming Board (CGPB) meeting at Delhi on 07/02/2023 chaired by the Union Secretary, Ministry of Mines other Mines Ministry officials, with the Director General, GSI, GSI's hierarchy and heads of other central and state mining and geosciences departments' or their representatives in attendance . Private / government / semi government mining companies depute their representatives at the CGPB to have their say as stakeholders. This is to give shape to and finalise the field season programme of the GSI beginning wef 01/04/2023.

The news is heartening but we need to await more details till the reserves are subjected to further critical studies.

Going by the latest United Nations Framework Classification (UNFC), adapted by the GSI, there are stages involved while undertaking any mineral exploration project. The first stage is G4 or Reconnaissance Field Studies using conventional geological, geochemical and geophysical methods. Thereafter, if the prospect is promising, drilling on a regional scale is undertaken. This next stage is covered under Preliminary Exploration (G3 stage). Thereafter, if the mineral prospect is mineable, based on G3 studies, detailed drilling is done with the distances between the boreholes getting closer, General Exploration (G2 stage). Detailed Exploration (G1 stage) the last stage of exploration involves detailed drilling and exploratory mining before handing over the mineable mineral block to the mining agency.

As quoted in the above news in the OP the term inferred is no longer used as the latest UNFC classification has been adapted in India. Earlier, before the UNFC was ushered in around 2009, we used to have inferred, indicated and proved reserves adapted and in use by the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum and by most nations. So even here the word used in respect of the reported lithium deposit is "inferred" referring to the first stage before "indicated" and "proved". "Proved" is the ultimate stage, as per the old classification.

The news speaks about the G3 stage having been completed by the GSI. Reasi dist is also known to host magnesium reserves as magnesite too, since decades. Hence, G2 and G1 stages are still pending for the lithium prospect. Hence, we need to have guarded optimism.

The Ministry of Mines said, “Geological Survey of India, for the first time, established Lithium inferred resources (G3) of 5.9 million tonnes in the Salal-Haimana area of the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir.”

A news link:-

https://www.businesstoday.in/latest/...757-2023-02-10

[warp_10]

Welcome to KLF - Part 1 !

On a serious note, that would be a shot in the arm for our EV story. Tata motors and Power, M&M and other big players will be watching keenly.

[Hayek]

Originally Posted by anjan_c2007

Thereafter, if the prospect is promising, drilling on a regional scale is undertaken. This next stage is covered under Preliminary Exploration (G3 stage). Thereafter, if the mineral prospect is mineable, based on G3 studies, detailed drilling is done with the distances between the boreholes getting closer, General Exploration (G2 stage).

The news speaks about the G3 stage having been completed by the GSI. Reasi dist is also known to host magnesium reserves as magnesite too, since decades. Hence, G2 and G1 stages are still pending for the lithium prospect. Hence, we need to have guarded optimism.

Thanks for the detailed explanation, Anjan. It does seem like our media is jumping the gun and assuming that lithium reserves have been discovered, when all that has happened, is that preliminary stage of exploration has suggested that it is worth undertaking more detailed studies. Let’s hope for the best.

As an aside, less paranoia about the need for domestic lithium is called for. Lithium is extremely abundant around the world, and the process of exploring for lithium has just started. I am willing to bet that 10 years from now lithium reserves will be several orders of magnitude higher than they are today. And countries around the world will create both lithium refining capacity and battery manufacturing capacity. In fact, the concern that is preventing the development of several potentially viable lithium reserves is the risk that alternate battery technologies will develop and make lithium mines unviable.

[Nav-i-gator]

Mining has serious consequences on the ecology locally. As such Himalayan region is fragile, geologically and seismologically unstable. And the landscapes are largely untouched and hence naturally beautiful. Mining there would have a lot of adverse effects apart from being a blot on the natural beauty.

[theabstractmind]

A contrarian view - I'm surely not happy with the find. For all the love I have for automobiles, mining in J&K will be a disaster.

Coming from a state where we are losing the Western Ghats to development, and resulting in flooding, droughts, and soaring temperatures, one can only imagine what mining in J&K could do. I looked up at the maps and the district seems to be a green belt with a river Valley and dam as well. Mining activities here will be similar to mining in Kudremukh region of Western Ghats.

Specific to Himalayan range, we have seen or read the havoc tourism has caused in these regions. Mining will possibly be the last nail in coffin. If the disasters of Joshimath, Kedarnath, and Leh (2009) are not indicators enough, then our future generations are in for even worser times.

I am no expert in climate or any science. But the disasters in Kerala, Kodagu and degradation of Western Ghats are visible enough.

[da3mn]

Despite this being remarkable news and a boost for India's plans of domestic battery manufacturing, we should wait until the conclusion of the full study to assess the environmental impact and determine if the extraction is economically feasible.

We should also remember that lithium extraction can have negative impacts on the environment

Water usage: Lithium extraction processes can require large amounts of water, which can lead to water scarcity in arid regions where lithium deposits are often found. Additionally, the discharge of process water can lead to the contamination of surface and ground water.

Land degradation: The construction of mines and processing plants can lead to the removal of vegetation, topsoil, and rock, which can cause soil erosion, loss of biodiversity, and damage to natural habitats.

Air pollution: Dust emissions from mining operations can contribute to air pollution, and the release of greenhouse gases during the production of lithium can contribute to climate change.

Chemical contamination: The use of chemicals such as sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, and sodium hydroxide during the extraction process can lead to chemical contamination of soil and water

[anjan_c2007]

Originally Posted by anjan_c2007

The news is heartening but we need to await more details till the reserves are subjected to further critical studies.

They say that the new concentration value of lithium in the host rock is encouraging. Nearly 25 years ago the concentration reported by GSI was 885 parts per million (ppm). The old find has encouraged GSI to revisit and take up the investigation again, in view of the greater importance lithium has gained since the post millennium years.

This is a further update below by someone aware of the find, from within the GSI fraternity.

Final report of 1995 - 97 GSI work states avaiable Lithium (Li) at 885 ppm plus other trace metals. Detailed work at Salal Block in 2020 - 22 by GSI has yielded promising values. Bulk sampling has been done both times. I talked also with Dr. Ashutosh Mondal. He retired as Dy Director General, Operation J&K, GSI Jammu on 31 January 2023. Reserve obviously is of ore.

I am not aware of beneficiation glitches. There is no political angle to it, it is an old find of 90's. If through, more blocks are available in the belt.

Despite all the hoopla being created at the moment, we need to remain guarded till the further stages of exploration viz. G2 and later G1 are undertaken. There have been many, many hits and misses on the mineral exploration front by all exploration agencies the world over and the Reasi dist lithium is no exception.

[Tucker48]

Originally Posted by DIY410

Sadly yes, both China and Pakistan. Stronger conventional deterrence is needed to keep China from doing any adventures.

It's in Jammu region of the state, China and Pakistan can't do anything and they know it and they probably won't even say anything.

But, mining in that region will be very costly both in economic and ecological terms. It's better to search the seabed for the same in my opinion. In Ladakh, Dr Sonam was fasting for legal protection of Ladakh against big companies esp for mining, although the article they are asking for, gives them more than that.