In a written reply to an unstarred question in Rajya Sabha, the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space and MoS Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr Jitendra Singh shared that Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD), a constituent unit of Department of Atomic Energy, has found presence of lithium resources in Mandya and Yadgiri districts, Karnataka.
It has been estimated that there are 1,600 tonnes of lithium resources in Marlagalla in Mandya. Further surveys and subsurface explorations are being carried out by AMD in Yadgiri, Karnataka.
Potential geographical locations for lithium include Korba district in Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Bihar and Andhra Pradesh and pegmatite belts in Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Karnataka. Lithium is a key component in batteries for electric vehicles. There are very limited reserves for it worldwide.
