India to open first lithium mine in Chhattisgarh

India will set up its first lithium mines in the Katghora region of Chhattisgarh’s Korba district after the Geological Survey of India (GSI) confirmed the presence of significant lithium deposits, ToI reported.

The decision was announced during the sixth meeting of the governing body of the National Mineral Exploration Trust in New Delhi. GSI identified lithium concentrations of between 10 and 2,000 parts per million (PPM) over an area of ​​about 250 hectares, with the potential for even higher levels.

The meeting was chaired by Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy and the discussions focused on extraction and utilisation of minerals along with protection of environment. State Health Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal represented Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai at the meeting.

“With the establishment of lithium mine in the state, Chhattisgarh will emerge as one of the leading states in the country that can contribute much more to the vision of a developed India by 2047,” Jaiswal said.

The Ministry of Mines has issued a notice of tender (NIT) on the MSTC portal for allotment of 20 critical and strategic mineral blocks. These blocks are located in several states including Bihar, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Chhattisgarh and will be allotted through e-auction.

Among these 20 blocks, a lithium and rare earth elements (REE) block in Katghora district has been included. Initial studies conducted by GSI have shown lithium content ranging from 10 PPM to 2,000 PPM in an area of ​​about 250 hectares. The block also contains rare earth elements. Critical and strategic minerals are essential for renewable energy, defence, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, high-tech electronics, telecommunications and transport. India currently depends on import of these minerals. Lithium, one of the 23 applications for exploration projects, is considered a critical mineral for the production of lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles. The demand for these batteries has increased significantly.

Mineral revenues in Chhattisgarh have increased significantly, generating around Rs 13,000 crore in 2023-24, almost 30 times more than when the state was created.

(With ToI input)