Lithium Exploration

Lithium Exploration

Part of: GS Prelims and GS – III – Economy; Sci and tech

In news: Geological Survey of India (GSI) has taken up 7 projects on lithium exploration in Arunachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Jammu & Kashmir and Rajasthan. 

• However, resource of lithium has not yet been augmented by GSI.

What is Lithium? 

• Lithium (Li), chemical element of Group 1 (Ia) in the periodic table, the alkali metal group, lightest of the solid elements. 
• The metal itself—which is soft, white, and lustrous—and several of its alloys and compounds are produced on an industrial scale.
• The most important use of lithium is in rechargeable batteries for mobile phones, laptops, digital cameras and electric vehicles. 
• Lithium is also used in some non-rechargeable batteries for things like heart pacemakers, toys and clocks.

What is Geological Survey of India? 

• It was set up in 1851 primarily to find coal deposits for the Railways.
• Over the years, it has attained the status of a geo-scientific organisation of international repute.
• Main function: Creation and updation of national geo-scientific information and mineral resource assessment.
• Headquarter: Kolkata 
• Six regional offices: Lucknow, Jaipur, Nagpur, Hyderabad, Shillong and Kolkata. 
• Every state also has a state unit.
• Presently, GSI is an attached office to the Ministry of Mines.

News Source: PIB