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In Context
- A significant deposit of lithium, a rare metal used in the manufacturing of batteries for electronic devices and electric vehicles, has been discovered in India.
About the discovery
- 5.9 million tonnes inferred resources of lithium were discovered in the Salal-Haimana area of Reasi district, Jammu & Kashmir, by the Geological Survey of India.
- Mineral Resources are subdivided into inferred, indicated and measured categories, based on the order of increasing geological confidence.
- The term ‘inferred’ refers to the ‘preliminary exploration stage’, the second of a four-step process, according to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Exploration) Act 1957.
About Lithium
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Significance of the Discovery
- Application of Lithium-ion:
- Lithium-ion batteries are used in wind turbines, solar panels, and electric vehicles, all of which are crucial in a green economy.
- Future potential:
- A World Bank study suggests that the demand for critical metals such as lithium (Li) and cobalt is expected to rise by nearly 500% by 2050.
- Globally:
- The global electric vehicle market is projected to reach $823.75 billion by 2030, registering a Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 18.2% from 2021 to 2030.
- In India:
- India’s market is projected to register a CAGR of 23.76% by 2028.
- Imports & need of self-sufficiency:
- India currently imports all of its Li from Australia and Argentina and 70% of its Li-ion cell requirement from China and Hong Kong.
- India is seeking to secure its critical mineral supplies and build self-sufficiency in this sector. The lithium reserves in J&K could boost the domestic battery-manufacturing industry.
- If the perceived size of the mineral reserves in J&K is borne out by further exploration, India could jump ahead of China vis-à-vis its Li stockpile.
- Expansion of Electric Vehicles:
- The J&K reserves will also help advance the Indian government’s ambitious plan of 30% EV penetration in private cars, 70% for commercial vehicles, and 80% for two and three-wheelers by 2030 for the automobile industry.
- They will strengthen India’s National Mission on Transformative Mobility and Battery Storage as well.
- Employment:
- State government officials in J&K have said plans for Li exploration will involve local communities, who will also be prioritised for jobs in exploration and mine development.
Concerns
- Geopolitical concerns:
- Union territory of J&K (previously a state) has been the site of historical cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan, domestic insurgency, and terrorism.
- So, this new discovery has geostrategic implications considering the geopolitical sensitivity of its wider location.
- Environmental consequences:
- The applications of Li in renewable energy infrastructure often obscures its significant environmental consequences, which vary according to the source.
- Extracting Li from hard rock mines, entails open-pit-mining followed by roasting the ore using fossil fuels.
- Industry estimates suggest that this process consumes 170 cubic metres of water and releases 15 tonnes of CO2 for every tonne of Li extracted.
- Air & water pollution:
- Open-pit-mining, refining, and waste disposal from these processes substantially degrades the environment, including depletes and contaminates waterways and groundwater, diminishes biodiversity, and releases considerable air pollution.
- Geographically unstable region:
- The geological context of mining in J&K differs from Australia, which has the largest Li stock.
- In Australia, Li-bearing pegmatite deposits are found in the ancient geological regions of Pilbara and Yilgarn cratons, whose continental rocks have been stable for over a billion years.
- Himalaya on the other hand is the youngest mountain range in the world and is much more unstable.
District Mineral Foundation (DMF)
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Way ahead
- The geostrategic importance of Li exploration and extraction makes it even more important that the exploration and extraction of resources should be done in the public interest, and must preempt any serious environmental and social problems.
- Equally importantly, the most effective use of Li reserves should be for the most important parts of the renewable-energy transition, which would also aid the goals of addressing energy poverty and sustainable development.
- To these ends, reducing luxury consumption and promoting public transport should also be an important part of the agenda of a just transition.
Daily Interview Question [Q] “The applications of Lithium in renewable energy infrastructure often obscures its significant environmental consequences”. Analyse. |
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