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.
