India Emerges as a Major Contender in Lithium Mining with 5.9 Million Tonnes Discovery

Introduction to India's lithium reserves
Environmental impacts of lithium mining in the Himalayan region
Advantages and disadvantages of different methods of lithium mining
Companies involved in lithium mining globally:
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On Feb 9, 2023, The Indian Ministry of Mines announced on Twitter the discovery of 5.9 million tonnes of inferred lithium ore in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir. This deposit makes India the country with the #sixth-largest lithium reserves in the world. It could boost its electric vehicle ambitions, which rely on lithium imports for manufacturing.

Image Credi: Ministry of Mines

Bolivia – 21 million tonnes
Argentina – 17 million tonnes
Chile – 9 million tonnes
United States – 6.8 million tonnes
Australia – 6.3 million tonnes
India – 5.9 million tonnes
China – 4.5 million tonnes

1 . Introduction to India's lithium reserves

The country is the world's *fifth-largest economy, home to over 1.3 billion people. It heavily depends on imports for battery-cell requirements, mainly from China and Hong Kong. As demand for EVs grows, the country must invest over $10 billion in cell manufacturing by 2030 to meet its needs. Although the discovery of the lithium reserve is a positive development, industry insiders and analysts believe it will take years to become widespread in commercial use.

United States: $23.31 trillion
China: $17.73 trillion
Japan: $4.94 trillion
Germany: $4.25 trillion
India: $3.17 trillion
United Kingdom: $3.13 trillion
France: $2.95 trillion
Italy: $2.10 trillion
Canada: $1.98 trillion
South Korea: $1.81 trillion

The discovery could also draw dominance away from the "lithium triangle" of Chile, Argentina, and Bolivia, which currently supplies 75% of the world's lithium. However, experts have cautioned against the environmental impacts of mining on the Himalayan region and the potential loss of biodiversity.

2 . Environmental impacts of lithium mining in the Himalayan region

The Himalayan region is an ecologically sensitive area with a rich biodiversity. Mining activities could lead to environmental damage and the loss of habitats for various species of plants and animals. For example, mining activities can cause soil erosion, deforestation, and water pollution, which can have a cascading effect on the ecosystem. These activities may also affect the livelihoods of local communities, which often depend on the natural resources in the area. Additionally, the Himalayan region is prone to landslides and earthquakes, which can exacerbate the environmental impact of mining. To mitigate these impacts, the Indian government must carefully assess the environmental risks and ensure that the mining is carried out sustainably and responsibly, per existing laws and regulations.

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3 . Advantages and disadvantages of different methods of lithium mining

There are several methods of lithium mining, each with its advantages and disadvantages. Here are three standard methods of lithium mining:

Open-Pit Mining: This is the most common method of lithium mining, and it involves extracting lithium from a large open pit in the ground. Open-pit mining requires the removal of large amounts of rock and soil, and it is often used when the lithium deposit is close to the surface. For example, the Greenbushes Lithium mine in Western Australia uses an open-pit mining method.

Underground Mining: This method involves extracting lithium from deep within the earth, using tunnels and shafts to access the deposit. Underground mining is used when the lithium deposit is too deep to be extracted using open-pit mining. For example, the Silver Peak Lithium mine in Nevada, USA, uses underground mining.

Brine Extraction: This method involves extracting lithium from brine (saltwater) that is found in salt flats or salars. The brine is pumped to the surface and evaporated using solar energy, leaving behind lithium and other minerals. Brine extraction is often used in areas where lithium is found in high concentrations in salt flats, such as the Salar de Atacama in Chile or the Hombre Muerto salar in Argentina.

Each of these methods has its own advantages and disadvantages. Open-pit mining is relatively cheap and easy to carry out but can have significant environmental impacts. Underground mining is more expensive and more difficult to carry out, but it can be less harmful to the environment. Brine extraction is generally considered the most environmentally friendly method, but the availability of suitable brine deposits can limit it.

India's newly discovered lithium deposit is inferred to be a hard rock deposit, which means that open-pit or underground mining methods may be more appropriate than brine extraction. However, the deposit's exact characteristics are unknown, so further exploration and testing will be necessary to determine the most suitable method for mining lithium in this area.

4 . Companies involved in lithium mining globally:

Several companies are specialized in lithium mining. Here are a few examples:

Albemarle: Albemarle is a leading lithium producer with operations in the United States, Chile, and Australia. The company is dedicated to creating sustainable lithium solutions and has a diverse portfolio of products for energy storage, clean mobility, and other industrial applications.
SQM: SQM, or Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile, is a Chilean mining company that produces lithium, potassium, and iodine. SQM's lithium production is based in the Salar de Atacama, one of the world's largest lithium reserves. The company is committed to sustainable mining practices and has implemented several regional environmental and social programs.
Livent: Livent is a US-based lithium mining company with operations in the United States and Argentina. The company is focused on producing high-quality, low-cost lithium products and is strongly committed to sustainability. Livent's portfolio includes products for electric vehicles, energy storage, and other industrial applications.
Tianqi Lithium: Tianqi Lithium is a Chinese mining company that produces lithium and operates in China and Australia. The company is committed to sustainable mining practices and has implemented several environmental and social programs. Tianqi Lithium's diverse product portfolio includes lithium hydroxide, lithium carbonate, and other high-quality lithium products.
Ganfeng Lithium: Ganfeng Lithium is a Chinese mining company that produces lithium, cobalt, nickel, and rare earth elements. The company operates in China, Australia, and Argentina and is committed to sustainable mining practices. Ganfeng Lithium's product portfolio includes high-quality lithium for energy storage, electric vehicles, and other industrial applications.