Dr Jitendra for expediting J&K Lithium exploration

New Delhi, Aug 12: Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on Monday raised the issue of J&K Lithium exploration and called for expediting it, during the Inter-Ministerial meeting of National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET) here.
In the 6th Governing Body meeting of NMET, Dr Jitendra raised the issue of exploring lithium mineral deposits in the Reasi district, which has the potential to significantly boost India’s mining economy and overall economic growth.
Dr Singh urged the stakeholders to fast-track the exploration process, ensuring that all necessary support is provided to meet the established deadlines. He referred to the delayed Sapphire Park project in Kishtwar, highlighting the need for timely action.
Union Secretary of Mining, V. L. Kanta Rao, assured Dr Jitendra that the lithium exploration work would be expedited, with visible results expected within the next few months.
Dr Singh praised NMET for achieving a record expenditure of nearly Rs 300 crores during the last financial year on exploration activities across the country. He highlighted the launch of the “Critical Mineral Mission,” which aims to boost domestic production, recycling of critical minerals, and acquisition of critical mineral assets overseas.
The minister also stressed the importance of data sharing between the Geological Survey of India (GSI) and the Atomic Minerals Directorate (AMD) to support exploration activities under the Critical Mineral Mission. He urged for the adoption of a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model and early industry linkages to foster startups in the mining sector, thereby generating employment and making the sector sustainable.
Dr Jitendra encouraged all state government ministers present at the meeting to take advantage of the opportunities provided by NMET, which offers 100% support for infrastructure development and funding for mineral exploration projects. He called for the submission of more mineral exploration projects to increase the availability of mineral blocks for auction.
The meeting was attended by G. Kishan Reddy, Minister of Coal and Mines; Satish Chandra Dubey, Minister of State for Coal & Mines; Balvantsinh Rajput, Minister of Industries, Micro, Small, and Medium Industries, Cottage, Khadi and Rural Industries, Gujarat; Shyam Bihari Jaiswal, Minister of Public Health and Family Welfare and Medical Education, Chhattisgarh; Kollu Ravindra, Minister of Mines & Geology, Andhra Pradesh; Jogen Mohan, Minister of Mines and Mineral Department, Assam; and senior officials from the ministries of coal and petroleum.