G2 stage of Lithium exploration in J&K to be completed by Jan 2026: Reddy

Jammu, Nov 24: Union Minister for Coal and Mines, G Kishan Reddy Monday said that the G2 stage of exploration, in connection with the Lithium reserves, was presently underway in Reasi district of J&K and after its completion in January 2026, the Centre would take its next call.

He was responding to media queries after the launch of the maiden e-auction of seven limestone mineral blocks in J&K at the Convention Centre, Jammu, on Monday.

“As regards Lithium exploration in J&K, hogging limelight across the country is concerned, generally the Government of India goes for auction after G4 (reconnaissance mineral) exploration through the GSI (Geological Survey of India). Here in this case in J&K, we did G4 exploration, and after that, we completed G3 as well. Presently, we (GSI) are conducting the G2 stage (of exploration), which is an advanced, detailed stage of exploration for a specific mineral prospect in a small area. By the end of January 2026, G2 (stage) will be completed,” he said, while answering questions about the updated status of Lithium exploration in J&K.

G4 exploration refers to broad-scale geological surveys to identify potential mineral deposits.

In the same breath, Reddy said, “We don’t do such exhaustive surveys anywhere. The company, which wins the bid in the auction, should do the final exploration. But here in J&K, after we came to know that Lithium deposits are not available to the extent they should have been presumed to be, the Centre decided to do exploration itself till the culmination of this process.”

He said that the work would be completed in January.

“After the receipt of the final GSI report in January, the auction will be done. But if there are fewer deposits, then private bidders cannot and will not enter the auction process. We will wait for the end result of the exploration process. Then the government will make every possible endeavour to extract whatever deposits are there in J&K. By January end, full clarity will be there for the country to take a call on the next step,” Reddy said.

With regard to his statement during the launch of the e-auction of limestone blocks about the transparent e-auction process, he said that anyone could join the process.

“There is no obstruction for anyone. It is not a hard deal. Any person associated with the mining sector or interested in it can participate in the auction process,” Reddy said.

In response to a question about the revival of coal mines in J&K, the Union Minister said that in the next tranche of the auction of minerals, J&K’s few coal blocks too would be auctioned after identification.

“The exploration process has been expedited. Once the results are out, the coal blocks will also be auctioned. Today I conducted a review meeting. We will do another exhaustive review along with the Chief Minister and all other concerned officers. We will sit together to prepare an elaborate action plan to enhance mining activities in J&K. We’ll work together with a commitment,” he assured.

On December 18, 2024, Reddy had informed the Parliament that the Geological Survey of India (GSI), an attached office of the Ministry of Mines, had carried out G3 stage preliminary exploration in the Salal-Haimna block of Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district, primarily for bauxite, where additional resources of lithium and titanium were also established.

“GSI has submitted mineral samples to the Indian Bureau of Mines, Nagpur and the Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology, Bhubaneswar, for carrying out a beneficiation study. Additionally, two G3 stage preliminary exploration projects on Lithium in Salal East and Panasa areas of Reasi district have been taken up by GSI in the current field season 2024-25,” the Union Minister said.

He was responding to a question about the time likely to be taken for the exploration level to reach G1 or at least to the G2 level, and to put the Salal-Haimna area for auction and start commercial mining thereat.

According to Reddy, the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 has been amended through the MMDR Amendment Act, 2023 which has introduced major reforms in the mining sector viz. inserting 24 critical and strategic minerals, including lithium, in Part D of the First Schedule to the MMDR Act, 1957 and empowering the Central Government to exclusively auction mineral concessions for these critical minerals.

On December 16, 2024, replying to a question of MP Sanjay Raut in Rajya Sabha, Reddy had stated that despite initial interest, the “second attempt to auction the Salal-Haimna Lithium block in Reasi district was annulled” as no bids were received. “To resolve concerns regarding the quality of Lithium deposits, mineral samples collected by GSI have been sent to IBM, in Nagpur and IMMT in Bhubaneswar for beneficiation studies. Additionally, two G3 stage preliminary exploration projects on Lithium in Salal East and Panasa areas of Reasi district have been taken up by GSI in the current field season 2024-25 to further assess the region’s Lithium potential and improve investors’ confidence,” the Union Minister had said.

With regard to the timeline for awarding mining rights for Lithium in J&K, Reddy had said, “It remains uncertain as it depends on the outcome of the ongoing exploration investigations.”