SRINAGAR — The Geological Survey of India (GSI) on Thursday said it has found lithium deposits for the first time in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir.
According to a statement, GSI said that it has found 5.9 million tonnes of lithium-inferred resources in the Reasi district. It said lithium-inferred resources (G3) of 5.9 million tonnes have been found in Salal-Haimana area of Reasi.
The lithium deposits are very critical for India as the government has been focussing on electric cars.
District Mineral Officer Reasi, Shafiq Ahmad, while talking to the news agency KNO, said there was the presence of bauxite in composite form and during its further processing, lithium was also discovered.
“GSI has now approved it and it will be taken for auction after lithium reserves were found. We had explored it earlier also but now this time it has been approved by GSI,” he said.
He added that it will now be taken up for auction at the country and UT level as it is a major mineral and has been found for the first time in the country.
Deputy Commissioner Reasi, Babila Rakwal told KNO that they are further working on it and she will soon get the exact input from the concerned officials.