Q. Reserves of which mineral were found in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir in recent times?
Answer:
Lithium
Notes: In February 2023, a substantial lithium reserve of 5.9 million tonnes was found in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir by the Geological Survey of India (GSI). This discovery is crucial for India's efforts to reduce its reliance on imported lithium. In addition to this domestic discovery, India is also actively seeking lithium sources abroad. Khanij Bidesh India Ltd (KABIL), a state-owned joint venture, is nearing the final stages of securing lithium blocks in Argentina. As per recent studies, over 5.9 lakh tonnes of lithium reserves can fulfil India's entire lithium demand for EV batteries over the next 50 years domestically. This would enable self-reliance and reduce import dependency as the EV ecosystem expands.