First ever lithium mines auction likely by June

First ever lithium mines auction likely by June

Subject : Geography

Section: Economic Geography

Context: India plans to auction blocks of lithium mines, recently discovered in Jammu and Kashmir, between April and June, a mines ministry official said

Concept:

• India had recently declared that it has established “lithium inferred resources” calculated on the basis of physical and chemical study of the surface and samples along the Salal­Haimana area of Reasi district in Jammu & Kashmir. 

Stages of exploration (G4 TO G1) and future prospects by GSI

• The resources are estimated at 5.9 million tonnes (mt), and work is at a preliminary exploration stage also called G3.
• Most of the resources are in rock formation and those acquiring the blocks may need to put up processing plants.
• Mapping is considered the first step in identifying the presence of a mineral, followed by exploration’s had mapped and reported the deposits of lithium in Jammu and kashmir in
• India moved from reconnaissance or mapping stage (G4) to prospecting stage (G3) for the lithium mines. Generally conducted for smaller areas, a few kms. To tens of Sq.kms.Pitting and trenching carried out to expose the orebody if near to the surface.
• The next stage, G2 (general exploration) entails  studies to estimate the shape, size and grade of minerals. length, width and depth identified based on surface studies and drilling data. Pitting, trenching and bed rock sampling on all outcrop sections.
• Ultimately, in the G1 stage, the characteristics of the deposit are established with accuracy.  Exploratory openings or boreholes are drilled at closer intervals along the strike and also depth wise, to accurately determine the shape, size, disposition of oreand grade of ore body.
• As we go from G4 to G1 the size of the area being explored is reduced.
• According to mines ministry officials, there will be more “field studies in the Himalayan regions”  Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh given the topographical similarities

Import dependence:

• India currently imports all the major components that go into lithium ion cell manufacturing, with the import bill estimated at around ₹16,300 crore during the April–December period this fiscal.
• China controls nearly 77 percent of lithium ion manufacturing capacities and six of the 10 major producers are based there.
• It also controls mines globally by investing in the companies that mine the metal.