Lithium deposits in Reasi: Mineral samples submitted to IBM and IMMT, says Union Minister

Jammu, Dec 19: Geological Survey of India (GSI) has submitted mineral samples of Lithium and Titanium resources, found during preliminary exploration in Salal-Haimna block of Reasi district in J&K, to Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM), Nagpur and Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (IMMT), Bhubaneswar for carrying out beneficiation study.

This has been revealed by the Union Minister of Coal and Mines, G Kishan Reddy, in reply to a question of MP Vishnu Datt Sharma in Lok Sabha on Wednesday.

Reddy stated, “Geological Survey of India (GSI), an attached office of Ministry of Mines, has carried out preliminary exploration (G3 stage) in Salal-Haimna block of Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district, primarily for bauxite, where additional resources of lithium and titanium were also established.”

Earlier the Minister had stated that the second attempt of the auction of the block was annulled due to non-receipt of bids.

“GSI has submitted mineral samples to Indian Bureau of Mines, Nagpur and Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology, Bhubaneswar for carrying out beneficiation study. Additionally, two preliminary exploration (G3 stage) 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 stated.

Response has come to the query of MP whether it is a fact that Salal-Haimana area of Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district has significant Lithium and Titanium resources and if so, the time likely to be taken for exploration level to reach G1 or at least to G2 level and to put the Salal-Haimna area for auction and starting 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.

“The Ministry of Mines has successfully auctioned Katghora block, Chhattisgarh as Composite Licence for Lithium and Rare Earth Elements (REE). Furthermore, a joint venture company named Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL) has also been set up by the government for securing critical mineral assets abroad. KABIL has acquired an area of 15703 Ha in the Catamarca province of Argentina for exploration and mining of Lithium,” Reddy informed.

Earlier on December 16, replying to a question of MP Sanjay Raut in Rajya Sabha, Reddy had admitted that second attempt to auction the Salal-Haimna Lithium block in Reasi district was annulled due to non receipt of bids.

The Minister was responding to Raut’s question if the second auction for Jammu and Kashmir's lithium blocks failed to attract any bids, and if so, what steps were taken by Government to address it.

Raut also asked whether the Government had assessed the quality and viability of the Lithium deposit in Reasi district and what steps were being taken to resolve concerns over its composition.

“Salal-Haimna Lithium, Titanium and Bauxite (Aluminous Laterite) block in Jammu & Kashmir has been explored up to G3 level. The second attempt of the auction of the block has been annulled due to non-receipt of bids. Mineral samples collected by Geological Survey of India (GSI) from the block have been sent to IBM, Nagpur and IMMT, Bhubaneshwar for conducting beneficiation study,” Reddy answered.

With regard to Raut’s query about timeline for awarding mining rights for Lithium in J&K, Reddy had stated, “Auction of Lithium blocks in J&K is dependent on the reports of ongoing exploration investigations.”