Jammu Feb 10: The massive lithium reserves of over 5.9 million tonnes discovered in Jammu’s Reasi district will not only provide a massive economic boost to Jammu and Kashmir, but will also open the floodgates of employment for the youth of J&K UT, reliable sources informed here on Friday,
Director, Geology and Mining, OP Bhagat, told Rising Kashmir that Geological Survey of India (GSI) had been working on this for the last more than 10 years.
“After a long wait we have finally got this report,” the Director said, adding, this is for the first time that Lithium reserves have been found in J&K. Lithium will prove to be a game changer for the electric vehicles which the Indian Government has been promoting for a safer and pollution free environment.
“Once we e-auction the lithium and start earning the royalties, the economy of J&K will get a major-2 boost in the millions, and many mega projects will come up, providing employment to the youth of J&K in large numbers,” Secretary, Geology and Mining, Amit Sharma, told Rising Kashmir. “It will take about 5 to 6 months to set the work on grounds,” he adds
The Secretary further stated that “we would be exporting Lithium to many of the countries around the world, which will not only enhance the economy of J&K in a bigway through royalty after e-auctioning but will also boost the economy of the country.”
“This is a significant accomplishment. We have previously imported lithium from other countries to suit our needs, but we may soon become a leading exporter of lithium , ” Amit Sharma said.
He, further, said, “We will first become self-reliant as far as Lithium requirements of the country are concerned and after that we will export across the world”.
The Secretary also informed that huge Lithium reserves found in Reasi District of Jammu are in so much bulk that India can meet the Lithium requirements across the world and will soon become the leading hub of Lithium for the world.
It will bring J&K on the world map as rare Lithium has been found here in J&K, he said.
Lithium is a non-ferrous metal and is used in rechargeable batteries of mobile phones, laptops, digital cameras and electric vehicles. It is also used in some non-rechargeable batteries for heart pacemakers, toys and clocks.
