New Delhi:Â Geological Survey of India (GSI), an attached office of Ministry of Mines, carried out a G3 stage mineral exploration project during Field Season 2020-21 and 2021-22 in Salal-Haimna areas of Reasi district, Jammu & Kashmir and estimated an inferred resource (G3) of 5.9 million tonnes of lithium ore and the report has been handed over to the Government of Union Territory of J&K.
GSI proposes to carry out more exploration activities in J&K for identifying lithium resources. The estimated value of lithium in J&K will be estimated on completion of further exploration.
- GSI generates baseline geoscience data through mapping, e.g. geological, geochemical, geophysical which is pre-requisite for identifying the potential area for systematic mineral exploration. Based on the mapping data, GSI carries out systematic mineral exploration activities for various major mineral commodities including lithium.
-  In part of Jammu & Kashmir, as a follow up of lithium exploration in SalalHaimna areas of Reasi district, GSI has taken up another reconnaissance G4 stage exploration programme on lithium and associated mineral in Panasa – Dugga – Baldhanun – Chakar – Sangarmarg (Saro-da-Bas) area of Reasi district during current field season 2022-23 and the work is in progress.
- Â Based on the mapping outcome more exploration programme on various mineral commodities including lithium will be taken up in future in different parts of the country including Jammu & Kashmir.
Geological Survey of India (GSI) and Mineral Exploration & Consultancy Limited (MECL) have taken up a number of exploration projects of lithium and will take up more projects in future. Ministry of Mines provides 100% funding from National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET) to State Governments and private exploration agencies, if they take up lithium exploration projects. The details of exploration projects of Lithium taken up by GSI in last 5 years is given in Annexure-I.
Annexure-I
The details of mineral exploration by GSI during last 5 years and current year 2022-23
| Sl. No. | FS year | State | District | Name of Mineral Block / Area/ Belt | UNFC Stage | Mineral Commodity |
| 1. | 2017- 18 | Rajasthan | Tonk & SawaiMadhopur district | Sohela-Karola- Siras-Bassi- Parana | G4 | Tungsten & Lithium |
| 2. | Rajasthan | Ajmer, Pali, and Nagaur district | Kotariya- Pipaliya- Gurha | G4 | Tungsten & Lithium | |
| 3. | 2018- 19 | Chhastishgarh | Korba | Katghora- Garhatara | G4 | lithium, RM |
| 4. |
2019- 20 | Bihar | Nawada | Pichhli-Meghatari | G4 | Lithium, REE and RM |
| 5. | Meghalaya | East Khasi Hills | Umlyngpung | G4 | Lithium, REE & RM | |
| 6. | Himachal Pradesh | Kinnaur | Nako | G4 | Tin, Tungsten, Lithium, Molybdenum, RM and REE | |
| 7. | Rajasthan | Sirohi | Sibagaon | G3 | Lithium & rare metals | |
| 8. | 2019- 20 & 20-21 | Rajasthan | Nagaur | Rewat Hill | G2 | Tungsten, Lithium |
| 9. | ||||||
| 10. |
2020- 21 | Madhya Pradesh | Betul | Kesmar – Mendakheda | G4 | scandium, lithium |
| 11. | Bihar | Jamui | Harni–Kalwadih- Charkapthal | G4 | Lithium, REE, RM | |
| 12. | Jharkhand | Koderma | Dhorakola- Kusahna | G4 | Lithium and Caesium | |
| 13. | Bihar | Jamui | Parmania-Tetariya | G4 | Lithium, REE, RM | |
| 14. | Jammu & Kashmir | Reasi | Salal-Haimna | G3 | Bauxite, REE & lithium | |
| 15. |
2021- 22 | Chhattisgarh | Korba | Tarma Pahar and Konkona | G4 | Lithium, RM |
| 16. | Arunachal Pradesh | West Kameng | Nafra | G4 | Lithium, tin & tungsten | |
| 17. | Jammu & Kashmir | Reasi | Sersandu – Kherikot – Rahotkot – Darabi | G4 | Base Metal, bauxite, REE & lithium | |
| 18. | Andhra Pradesh | Anantpur and Kadapa | Parnapalle- Lopatanutula | G4 | Lithium | |
| 19. | Jharkhand | Giridih | Gawan | G4 | Li, Cs, REE and RM | |
| 20. | Jharkhand | Koderma | Pihra | G4 | Li, Cs, REE and RM | |
| 21. | 2021- 22 & 2022- 23 | Rajasthan | Nagaur | Mohangarh | G3 | tungsten, lithium |
| 22. | ||||||
| 23. | Chhattisgarh | Raigarh and Jashpur | Tamta, Raghunathpur and Sureshpur | G4 | Lithium |
| 24. |
2022- 23 | Chhattisgarh | Korba | Katghora-Rampur | G3 | Lithium |
| 25. | Jharkhand | Kodera | Tilaiya | G4 | Lithium, Caesium, REE, RM | |
| 26. | Arunachal Pradesh | Tirap | Pullung, Paniduriya , Borduria and Kaimoi | G4 | Lithium | |
| 27. | Nagaland | Phek | Hutsu, Satuza and Phor | G4 | Lithium | |
| 28. | Meghalaya | Ri-Bhoi | Amjong, Umtrai and Umlaber | G4 | REE, Lithium | |
| 29. | Meghalaya | East Garo Hills | Williamnagar- Nengkhra | G4 | Lithium | |
|
30. | Meghalaya | East Khasi Hills | Mylliem and Lailynkhwir | G4 | Polymetallic- molybdenum, tungsten, REE, lithium and associated minerals | |
| 31. | Meghalaya | East Garo Hills | Mangsang- Niangbrakithim | G4 | Sillimanite, Lithium | |
| 32. | Jammu & Kashmir | Reasi | Panasa – Dugga – Baldhanun – Chakar – Sangarmarg (Saro-da-Bas) | G4 | Bauxite, REE, Lithium | |
| 33. | Ladakh | Leh | Tsokar, Pangong, Tsomorari, Kyagar and Kyun Tso | G4 | Lithium | |
| 34. | Rajasthan | Udaipur | Khuna-Merpur- Pandibor | G4 | Tellurium, Lithium, Gold | |
| 35. | Rajasthan | Sirohi | Uttara-Balda | G4 | Tungsten, Lithium | |
| 36. | Rajasthan | Nagaur | Pipaliya | G3 | Tungsten, Lithium | |
| 37. | Gujarat | Banaskantha and Sabarkantha | Jodhsar- Unchidhanal | G4 | RM, Lithium, Caesium | |
| 38. | Gujarat | Banaskantha and Sabarkantha | Pathora-Digthali | G4 | RM, Lithium, Caesium | |
| 39. | Rajasthan | Nagaur | North-western extension of Rewat Hill | G2 | Tungsten, Lithium | |
| 40. | Rajasthan | Nagaur | South-eastern extension of Rewat Hill | G2 | Tungsten, Lithium |
This information was given by Union Minister of Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs Shri Pralhad Joshi in a written reply in Lok Sabha
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