Reasi residents await study on lithium deposits

The residents of the Salal area in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir are anxiously waiting for the completion of the G2-level exploration, currently underway, to determine the quantity and exact grade of the Lithium deposits.

The ongoing exploration by the Geological Survey of India (GSI) is expected to be completed in January next year.

Residents in the Salal area of Reasi claimed that since February 2023, they have been waiting for the experts to complete the assessment of the blocks and submit their final report. “We are waiting eagerly for the final word as it is directly linked with our future”, a villager told The Pioneer over the telephone.

Union Minister G Kishan Reddy, during his recent visit to Jammu, said the survey will provide definitive data on the extent, quality and economic viability of the mineral reserves.

In early 2023, officials claimed to have found a 5.9 million tonnes of the non-ferrous metal reserve in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district following a G3 (advanced) study of GSI.

“There is a discussion across the country about the lithium reserve (in Jammu and Kashmir). Generally, the Government goes for auction after getting the G4 report from GSI, but we have done G4 and G3 surveys for lithium while a G2 study is underway, which will be completed by January,” Reddy told reporters.

Reddy said the Government does not do such an exercise anywhere, and normally, after the auction, the company that takes over the block goes for the final exploration. However, after coming to know that there are not as many lithium deposits as was earlier expected, the Government decided to go for an end-level exploration, the minister said, adding that after getting the final report by January next year, the auction will be done as per the findings.

“If the deposits are less, the private people cannot be invited for the auction. We will try to explore the deposits and also bring forth clarity before the people of the country,” Reddy said.

According to official sources, the GSI had handed over reports of G3 studies to the representative of the Jammu and Kashmir Government at a ceremony in New Delhi in February 2023. The advanced studies were initiated before going for the e-auction of the sites.

With lower lithium deposits found, a final study is underway; the report in January will decide the auction