Geography
Context: Geological Survey of India for the first time established Lithium inferred resources in the Salal-Haimana area of the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir.
About Lithium:
- Lithium is a non-ferrous metal and is one of the key components in EV batteries.
- It has the symbol Li and is a chemical element.
- It’s a silvery-white metal with a delicate texture.
- It is the lightest metal and the lightest solid element under normal circumstances.
- It must be kept in mineral oil since it is very reactive and combustible.
- It is both an alkali and a rare metal.
India’s lithium reserves:
- According to the Indian Mines Ministry, the government agencies made the small discovery of lithium resources at a site in Mandya, Karnataka.
- It is the country’s first lithium reserve.
Lithium Production in the world:
- Australia, Chile, China and Argentina are the world’s top four lithium-producing countries.
- Australia is by far the world’s top producer of lithium, with an output of 42,000 tonnes in 2019.
- The Lithium Triangle is a region of the Andes rich in lithium reserves around the borders of Argentina, Bolivia and Chile.
- The lithium in the triangle is concentrated in various salt pans that exist along the Atacama Desert and neighbouring arid areas.
- The area is thought to hold around 54% of the world’s lithium reserves.
- The Indian Navy has shown interest in the Lithium Triangle as lithium will be required on Li-ION batteries that are planned to be fitted in future submarines.
MUST READ: Geological Survey of India
Source: Indian Express
