G4 stage exploration of lithium and associated mineral planned
Based on the mapping outcome, more exploration programmes on various mineral commodities including lithium will be taken up in the future in different parts of the country including Jammu & Kashmir, Minister of Coal and Mines Pralhad Joshi said in a written reply in Lok Sabha on 15 Mar 2023.
Geological Survey of India (GSI) and Mineral Exploration & Consultancy Limited (MECL) have taken up a number of exploration projects of lithium and will undertake more projects in the future, he informed the house.
Ministry of Mines provides 100% funding from National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET) to State Governments and private exploration agencies, if they take up lithium exploration projects, said the Minister.
GSI had carried out a G3 stage mineral exploration project during Field Season 2020-21 and 2021-22 in Salal-Haimna areas of Reasi district, J&K, and estimated an inferred resource (G3) of 5.9 million tonnes of lithium ore.
A report on the discovered deposit has been handed over to the Government of Union Territory of J&K.
He said that GSI has proposed more exploration activities in J&K for identifying lithium resources.
The estimated value of J&K lithium will be estimated on completion of further exploration.
In part of J&K, as a follow up of lithium exploration in SalalHaimna areas, GSI has taken up another reconnaissance G4 stage exploration programme on lithium and associated mineral in Panasa – Dugga – Baldhanun – Chakar – Sangarmarg (Saro-da-Bas) area of Reasi district during current field season 2022-23 and the work is in progress.
GSI generates baseline geoscience data through mapping, e.g. geological, geochemical, geophysical which is pre-requisite for identifying the potential area for systematic mineral exploration, the Minister explained.
Based on the mapping data, GSI carries out systematic mineral exploration activities for various major mineral commodities including lithium, he added. fiinews.com
