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Lithium Reserves in Degana Rajasthan

Lithium Reserves in Degana Rajasthan

In an important breakthrough, the Geological Survey of India (GSI) has reportedly discovered enormous lithium reserves in Rajasthan that are reportedly greater than those discovered in Jammu and Kashmir earlier this year, according to GSI and sources quoted by IANS. According to the agency, GSI and mining authorities assert that the capacity of the lithium reserves discovered in Rajasthan is greater than the capacity of the reserves discovered in Jammu and Kashmir's Raes.

 

According to reports, lithium found in Degana has so much lithium that it can supply 80% of all India's needs, according to a report by IANS. Notably, China has been the only source of lithium for India thus far. If the rumours are accurate, China's monopoly on lithium will come to an end, and this development will support India's goal of reducing carbon emissions from cars by 30% by 2030. 

What is Lithium and Why it is So Much Important?

A non-ferrous metal called lithium is used to produce rechargeable batteries for mobile phones, laptop computers, electric cars, and other devices. The expensive electric vehicles in India are caused by the country's total reliance on expensive lithium imports.  With the discovery of lithium reserves found Nagaur, our dependency on China will decline rapidly.

Lithium, which is also known as "White Gold" worldwide, is a component that is becoming more and more in demand for electric vehicles. One tonne of lithium costs roughly Rs 57.36 lakh globally, according to IANS.

The use of lithium is expanding in a variety of products, including mobile phones, electric cars, wind turbines, solar cells, aeroplanes, and other small and large charging devices around the home.

 

According to IANS, China's cheap export policy rendered tungsten coming out of Rajasthan pricey in the years 1992–1993. Eventually, tungsten production in this location came to an end. The hill, which had been continuously populated and had assisted in the development of the nation, abruptly became empty.

The demand for lithium metal will rise 500 percent globally by 2050, according to a World Bank estimate, IANS reported. From this perspective, lithium found in Degana will support the nation's 'Make in India' initiative.

According to the research, Bolivia now has 21 million tonnes of the world's lithium reserves. There are also sizable reserves in Argentina, Chile, and America. China's 5.1 million tonnes of lithium deposits allow it to maintain its market dominance despite this.

 

Read also: What is a Lithium-ion Battery

Conclusion

India's need for lithium is largely met by imports from abroad. According to a study by IANS, China is the source of 53.76 percent of all the lithium that India imports. India imported lithium worth more than Rs 6,000 crore in 2020–21, of which more than Rs 3,500 crore came from China, the report said. But with the discovery of lithium reserves in degana Rajasthan, the dependency on China will definitely decline.

Lithium reserves may exist in other locations, such as Barmer and Jaisalmer, according to the GSI team. They stated that the survey crew is accelerating the lithium prospecting activity.