PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday charged the lithium reserves in Jammu and Kashmir will be gifted to companies that will later donate a part of the "illicit proceeds" to the ruling party at the Centre. The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister was reacting to a news report which said the government will again auction the lithium blocks in Jammu and Kashmir "Now J&Ks lithium reserves too are being plundered & gifted to dubious companies who will then donate a part of these illicit proceeds to the ruling party as 'party fund'," she charged in a post on X. The former chief minister also said that the "nexus between BJP and crony capitalists" explained why the Centre was not taking note of legitimate demands of Ladakhi people for inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. "Now that the nexus between BJP & crony capitalists stands exposed it offers the perfect explanation why GOI continues to ignore the legitimate demands of Ladakhis. Disturbing visuals of .
The auction will take place again as the government received only two bids in the first round
Additionally, NMDC is seeking lithium blocks from the Indian government on a nomination basis
In February 2023, the Geological Survey of India (GSI) discovered lithium in the Katghora tehsil of Korba district
This is the first ever lithium exploration and mining project by a government company of India
India will pump in about Rs 200 crore to explore and develop five lithium mines in Argentia, the government said on Monday. Lithium is the single most important critical mineral for the energy transition; a fundamental component of lithium-ion batteries, which power electric vehicles and battery energy storage systems. An agreement was signed between Khanij Bidesh India Ltd (KABIL), state-owned joint venture formed to scout for minerals overseas, and Catamarca Minera Y Energtica Sociedad Del Estado (CAMYEN), a government-owned mining and energy corporation in the Catamarca province of Argentina to this effect. KABIL is also preparing to set up a branch office at Catamarca, Argentina. The project cost is about Rs 200 crore. "KABIL will start exploration and development of 5 lithium brine blocks viz 1. Cortadera-I, 2. Cortadera-VII, 3. Cortadera-VIII, 4. Cateo-2022- 01810132 and 5. Cortadera-VI covering an area of about 15,703 Hectare, located in the Catamarca province of Argentina,
The deal, signed with an Argentinian state-run enterprise, gives KABIL exploration and developmental rights for commercial production
"Talks are in the final stages, and a proposal has been submitted to the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs for approval," said government officials aware of the development
Shree Cement, India's second biggest cement company by market capitalisation, will also bid for blocks in the eastern state of Chhattisgarh, said a source
Exxon Mobil on Monday announced it's drilling for lithium in southern Arkansas, with the oil giant expected to begin production of the critical material for electric vehicles by 2027. Exxon in early 2023 acquired the rights to 120000 gross acres (48562 gross hectares) of the Smackover formation in southern Arkansas, considered one of the most prolific lithium resources of its type in North America. Exxon said that by 2030 it aims to produce enough lithium to supply the manufacturing needs more than 1 million electric vehicles. "Lithium is essential to the energy transition, and ExxonMobil has a leading role to play in paving the way for electrification," Dan Ammann, president of ExxonMobil Low Carbon Solutions, said in a news release. Exxon didn't disclose how much it's spending on the project, which is expected to be a boost for a part of Arkansas that has a history as an oil and gas producer. "I'm not being dramatic when I say this has the potential to transform our state," Arkan
To ensure consistency, the Ministry of Mines has devised a formula for calculating the ASP of these minerals, which will aid in setting bidding parameters
India found its first lithium deposits in Jammu and Kashmir with estimated reserves of 5.9 million tonnes
Exxon is looking at how to utilize its expertise in fracking of oil and gas from shale rock, which involves the use of large volumes of water
India is racing to ensure critical minerals security to power its ambition to make the country a key battery and electric vehicles manufacturing hub and help attain a net zero goal
Lithium, beryllium, niobium, and tantalum are to be banned for export
Recent parliamentary approval of Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2023, has invigorated efforts to expedite the comprehensive auction roadmap
A bill that seeks to allow the private sector to mine six out of 12 atomic minerals, including lithium, and deep-seated minerals such as gold and silver was passed by Parliament on Wednesday, amid a walkout by opposition members demanding a discussion over the Manipur violence issue. Union Minister for Coal and Mines Pralhad Joshi moved the The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2023, when Rajya Sabha reassembled in for the post-lunch period. The bill was passed by the Upper House of Parliament by voice vote. It was approved by Lok Sabha last month.
The Niti Aayog suggested that the Centre should give impetus to scaling up lithium-ion battery (LIB) recycling infrastructure to complement the extraction efforts of critical minerals
Hindustan Zinc Ltd (HZL) is keen to acquire lithium assets as and when they are put on the block for auctions, CEO Arun Mishra said. Lithium reserves of about 5.9 million tonnes have been identified in Salal-Haimna areas of Reasi district in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) for the first time in India. Auctions of the said reserves are likely to be held in December. The J&K administration is also in the process of appointing a transaction advisor. "Absolutely. Why not?" Hindustan Zinc is already in the base metal (sector). Whatever lithium asset will come it will be strategic interest, Mishra told PTI in reply to a question on plans of acquiring lithium reserves. The CEO further said, "As base metals are our (company's) area of interest and lithium being one of them, we look forward to exploring the opportunities as such metals are going to be the future which will drive the new world." Therefore, HZL is open to participate in auctions for the lithium reserves, he added. Lithium is a ..
Critical minerals refer to mineral resources, primary and processed, which are essential inputs in the production process and whose supplies could be disrupted