J&K LITHIUM RESOURCE

Why Proper Mining And Keeping Socio-Environmental Balance Is Critical To Be Truly Atmanirbhar In Country's Energy Storage And Electric Vehicle Segment?

The Geological Survey of India announced, on February 9, that it had for the first-time established 5.9 Million tons of inferred resource (G3) of lithium within the Salal Haimana district of Jammu & Kashmir According to the GSI, the "lithium inferred resource" has been established This is based on a physical-chemical study of samples and the surface It was located in the Salal Haimana area in Jammu & Kashmir.The lithium found in Reasi has more than 800 ppm (parts per million) quality, which hints at a higher level of enrichment Any lithium mineral with more than 300 ppm quality is considered of good enrichment value According to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Exploration) Act 1956, "inferred" is the second stage of a four-step process G4 (reconnaissance), is where the mapping and exploration of resources takes effect. G3 (prospecting), is where quantities can be inferred This stage uses interpretations of geological, physical, and geo chemical data The deposit will then be targeted for further exploration G2 (general exploration) is the next stage More studies are conducted to determine the mineral's shape, size, grade Finally, the G1 stage (detailed investigation) determines the characteristics of the deposit with high accuracy

Potential Challenges

Strategic Challenges

China currently controls 77% of the global lithium-ion battery manufacturing capacity China is also way ahead in global lithium ore processing India's growing geopolitical rivalry is making security concerns more urgent, particularly in light of longstanding and recent escalating territorial and border conflicts with China According to the report of lithium import and production by the Ministry of Mine, India imported Rs 173Cr of lithium and Rs 8,811Cr of lithium-ion in FY 20202021 Geo strategic implications of the new discovery are more significant when you consider its larger geopolitical sensitivity Reasi may be in the more stable Jammu region. However, the Union territory in J&K has been the scene of past cross-border tensions between India & Pakistan, insurgency and terrorism Major involvement of local population in mining and processing of lithium ore, will ensure a stable socio-environmental effects of mining

The seismic zone map India shows that Jammu and Kashmir lies near the Himalayas and falls under Zone IV It is also ecologically fragile Large scale mining in this ecologically fragile region, could cause land slide or land sink like recent Joshimath event

Environmental Challenges

Li extraction from hard-rock mining, like the one proposed in J&K is done by open-pit-mining and then roasting the ore using fossil fuels Industry estimates shown that this process takes 170 cubic meters of water, and produces 15 tonnes of CO2 every tonne lithium These processes significantly degrade the environment They deplete and contaminate waterways, decrease biodiversity, and release significant air pollution Reasi, a district in J&K where lithium deposits were discovered, is home to rural households and vegetation The Chenab river and its tributaries are also close by the hills

India's ambitious goal to reach net zero by 2070 could increase lithium demand As India races to become a clean energy nation, the demand for lithium will rise as clean energy storage devices and electric vehicles (EVs), which are dependent on metal, is reduced

The Report on the Optimal Generation Mix 2029-30 has been prepared by Central Electricity Authority (CEA/MoP) According to the report, the 2029-30 installed capacity will include a Battery Energy Storage capacity equal to 27,000 MW/108,000MWh (4-hour storage) According to NITI Aayog the total EV sales could rise to 80 million by 2030 from the 1.3million sales reported until July 2022.

Lithium Resource Source https://sheetzohocom/sheet/open/8yvzrfc9ca2d599e5435797c5ef04badd 2d2b?sheetid=1&range=A1

The discovery would place India sixth in terms of lithium resources, just behind leading producer Australia and ahead of China, the largest raw lithium importer and producer of lithium-ion batteries.

Modeling And Simulation For Meeting The