‘Earlier report lacks sufficient details’
Srinagar, Nov 30: The Geological Survey of India (GSI) is set to conduct a re-exploration of the lithium block at Salal in Reasi district of Jammu region.
This decision follows three failed attempts by the government to auction the lithium block due to a lack of bidders.
India’s prominent geologist, Dr. P.V. Rao, highlighted that the GSI report lacks sufficient details about the lithium reserves.
“The GSI team was initially searching for bauxite and discovered various components, including bauxite and lithium. However, their assertion that 5.9 million tonnes of lithium were discovered is incorrect. It might actually be 5.9 million tonnes of all minerals combined, including bauxite and lithium. Without accurate data on the actual quantity, no investor will show interest in the reserve,” Dr. Rao stated.
Meanwhile, the Congress party on Saturday criticized the Centre over the GSI’s re-exploration efforts, calling it typical of the “headline-obsessed” Modi government.
Congress General Secretary in-charge of Communications, Jairam Ramesh, termed it a case of premature celebration.
“Let’s understand the chronology: On February 13, 2023, the Modi government announced, in typically grand fashion, the discovery of what it called one of the world’s largest known lithium reserves in J&K. In November 2023, the first auction was conducted, but it was cancelled as the minimum requirement of three bids was not met,” Ramesh said in a post on X.”In March 2024, a second round of auctions was announced, but by July 2024, it was revealed that no bids had been received. The reason companies were reluctant to bid was the lack of sufficient exploration data,” he explained.
Ramesh added that new auctions are planned after at least six months, though it might take even longer to finalize the process.
