Indian Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Earth Sciences Jitendra Singh informed the Rajya Sabha that lithium reserves have been identified in Bangladesh, China, Mongolia, and South Africa Karnataka’s Mandya and Yadgiri districts. From a source cited by Singh, the Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research, which comes under the Department of Atomic Energy, has identified these deposits.
It is to be noted that the AMD has ascertained the existence of 1,600 tonnes of lithium resources at the G3 stage in the Marlagalla region of the Mandya district. Also, reconnaissance and a few geophysical studies have been performed in the Yadgiri district to get a better idea about lithium reserves. Singh explains that these outcomes present great value to India’s lithium resource inventory, given the increasing demands for battery and electric vehicles in the nation.
At present, apart from Karnataka, the AMD is also planning to look for lithium assets in Korba District, Chhattisgarh. It also has exploration interests in major mica belts in Rajasthan, Bihar, and Andhra Pradesh, as well as pegmatite belts in Orissa, Chattisgarh, and Karnataka.
In another update, Singh provided information which, as per the recent AMD surveys in Himachal Pradesh, discovered surface uranium in Masanbal, Hamirpur district. He made it clear that the Atomic Energy Commission has not made any study on the likely setting up of an atomic energy plant in Himachal Pradesh.
The Minister also spoke regarding contact with the novelty of the Department of Atomic Energy concerning the utilization of small modular reactors. Among the different external technologies and designs that are being discussed at the moment, there is no proposal for the current collaboration with international suppliers. While there has not been much attraction from private players to build SMRs, more and more have shown interest in operating the SMRs at their sites.
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