Rajasthan Unearths New Lithium Deposits Following Jammu and Kashmir Discovery

In February of this year, lithium reserves were discovered in Reasi, Jammu and Kashmir for the first time.

State government officials have reportedly discovered lithium reserves in Degana, Rajasthan, following a similar discovery in Jammu and Kashmir earlier this year. According to media reports, the newly found lithium reserves in Rajasthan are larger than those found in Jammu and Kashmir.

High-Quality Lithium Reserves Found in Rajasthan's Degana 

According to state government officials, lithium reserves have been discovered in Rajasthan's Degana and are reportedly higher than those found in Jammu and Kashmir earlier this year. Officials also claim that the quantity of lithium found in Degana is sufficient to meet around 80% of India's demand for the mineral. This marks the first time that lithium reserves have been found in Degana.

India's Lithium Reserves Discovery a Significant Breakthrough in Efforts to Boost Electric Vehicle Penetration

The discovery of lithium reserves in Jammu and Kashmir and Rajasthan is considered a significant breakthrough in India as previously only a small reserve had been found in Karnataka. This discovery is attributed to the Indian government's new focus on rare earth minerals. Given that lithium is a crucial element in the production of batteries used in electric vehicles, the government is now actively searching for rare metal reserves both domestically and abroad.

India's plan to increase electric vehicle penetration by 30% by 2030 is heavily reliant on lithium-ion batteries.

In addition to the Geological Survey of India (GSI), a consortium of three Public-sector Undertaking companies, namely the National Aluminium Company, Hindustan Copper, and Mineral Exploration Corp, is working together to facilitate research and development for the recycling, acquisition, and joint manufacturing of Lithium-ion batteries.

Currently, lithium reserves are primarily concentrated in the lithium triangle in South America, with 50% of the deposits located in Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile. China holds the lead in lithium refining and controls 75% of the global market.

India's ambitious plan to increase electric vehicle (EV) penetration by 30% by 2030 is heavily dependent on lithium, especially since currently only slightly more than 1% of all vehicle sales in the country are EVs. Lithium batteries are the preferred alternative for electric vehicles due to their high power-to-weight ratio, which enables them to provide a large charge while keeping the vehicle's weight low. They are also more energy-efficient and perform better at a wide range of temperatures, making them a safer and more reliable option than other materials.