Towards a Sustainable Future: Developing India’s Domestic Lithium Reserves

 Lithium extraction in the Indian Himalaya has gained significant attention in recent years due to the increasing demand for lithium-ion batteries in the automotive and electronics industry. The Indian Himalayan region is known to have vast reserves of lithium, making it an attractive location for lithium mining and extraction. While the potential for lithium extraction in the Indian Himalaya is significant, there are also concerns regarding the environmental impact of the mining and extraction process. The extraction of lithium in the Indian Himalaya has the potential to provide significant economic benefits to the region and the country. However, it is essential to balance these benefits with responsible and sustainable mining practices to ensure the protection of the environment and the well-being of the local communities.

             Image Source: theglobalpanorama | Flickr 

 Introduction

Lithium is a key component in modern-day technology, it is a highly sought-after metal used in the production of batteries, electric vehicles, and other consumer electronics. With the increasing demand for electric vehicles and renewable energy storage systems, the global demand for lithium is expected to surge in the coming years. India, too, is ramping up its efforts to secure its lithium supply to support its electric vehicle and renewable energy ambitions. While India has significant lithium reserves, it has traditionally relied on imports to meet its demand. However, the Government of India has recently identified the potential of the Himalayan region to extract lithium and is pushing for the development of a domestic lithium industry. The Indian Himalaya are a potential hotspot for lithium extraction, as the region is known to contain significant lithium reserves.

India is the world's second-largest consumer of lithium and the demand for the mineral is expected to grow more in the coming years. In 2021-22, India's lithium imports were USD 22.15 million with Hong Kong, China and the US as the top three sources (The Hindu 2023).

                                   Source: Department of Commerce • THE HINDU GRAPHICS

In February 2021, the Government of India discovered “lithium resources of 1,600 tonnes (inferred category) in the pegmatites of Marlagalla–Allapatna area, Mandya district, Karnataka.” The Kashmir reserve, however, is larger and has created greater enthusiasm, curiosity, and apprehension. To put numbers in perspective, Bolivia, Argentina, Chile, and Australia – the countries with the world’s top four lithium reserves – have “identified lithium resources” of 21, 19, 9.8 and 7.3 million tonnes respectively (Bhattacharya S. 2023). The Ladakh region, which is located in the eastern part of Jammu and Kashmir, is estimated to have 0.014 million tonnes of lithium, which is enough to meet India's annual demand for the mineral. In 2020, the Government launched a National Mission on Transformative Mobility and Battery Storage to promote electric vehicle adoption and domestic battery manufacturing. The Mission focuses on the development of domestic lithium reserves to reduce India's dependence on imports.

Extraction and Concerns

Lithium is primarily extracted from two sources: brines and hard rock ores. The lithium deposits in the Indian Himalaya are believed to be hard rock ores. However, lithium extraction in the Himalayan region is not without its challenges since hard rock ores, typically, require more intensive and costly mining and processing methods compared to brines. Hard rock deposits are found in granite and pegmatite rocks. These deposits are mined through conventional methods such as drilling, blasting, and crushing. The region is ecologically sensitive and home to several endangered species. Mining activities in the region could have significant environmental impacts, including deforestation, soil erosion, and water pollution. Industry estimates suggest that this process consumes 170 cubic metres of water and releases 15 tonnes of CO₂ for every tonne of Li extracted (Kashwan P., Jayaram D.,2023). Brine mining on the other hand involves the pumping of large amounts of water from underground aquifers or salt flats and uses a process of evaporation. This can result in the depletion of groundwater reserves and can have a negative impact on the local ecology.

There are also concerns about the impact of lithium mining on local communities. The extraction of lithium can require the relocation of communities, which can result in social and economic disruption. There are also concerns about the potential for exploitation of local communities, as the extraction of lithium can be a lucrative business. To address these concerns, there is a need for sustainable and responsible extraction practices.  The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has issued guidelines for mining in ecologically sensitive areas, and the Ministry of Mines has mandated the use of environmentally friendly technologies and practices. There is also a need for community engagement and consultation to ensure that the interests of local communities are taken into account in the extraction process.

Conclusion

The extraction of lithium in the Indian Himalaya is a promising opportunity for India. However, it is important to ensure that the extraction process is sustainable and responsible and takes into account the environmental and social impact of the extraction process. With the right approach, the extraction of lithium in the Indian Himalaya can be a key driver of economic growth and development, while also contributing to India's transition towards a more sustainable future.

 References

Bhattacharya S., (2023). India’s Discovery of Lithium Reserve Triggers Hopes, Worries. The Diplomat.

Kashwan P., Jayaram D., (2023). Explained | Why India’s lithium discovery is fraught with social and environmental risks. The Hindu.