As per approved annual Field Season Programme, Geological Survey of India (GSI) takes up different stages of mineral exploration viz. reconnaissance surveys (G4), preliminary exploration (G3) and general exploration (G2) following the guidelines of United Nations Framework Classification (UNFC) and Minerals (Evidence of Mineral Contents) Amendment Rules, 2021 (Amended MMDR Act 2021) for augmenting mineral resource for various mineral commodities including lithium.

During last five years GSI has carried out 14 projects on Lithium and associated elements. During FS 2021-22, GSI has taken up 5 projects on Lithium and associated minerals during present field season 2021-22. The details of lithium exploration programs carried out by GSI in last five years from 2016-17 to 2020-21 and current FS 2021-22 are given in Annexure.

In addition, a joint venture company namely Khanij Bidesh India Ltd. (KABIL) has been incorporated with the equity contribution from three Central Public Sector Enterprises namely, National Aluminium Company Ltd, Hindustan Copper Ltd and Mineral Exploration Company Ltd with the objective to ensure consistent supply of critical and strategic minerals to Indian domestic market.

KABIL is mandated to identify & acquire overseas mineral assets of critical & strategic nature such as Lithium, Cobalt & others so as to ensure supply side assurance. On basis of commissioned study and selection criteria. KABIL has initiated engagement with several state owned organizations of the shortlisted source countries through Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassies in countries like Argentina and Australia to acquire mineral assets overseas – primarily the critical & strategic minerals including Lithium, Cobalt & others and not Rare Earth Elements.

Annexure

Sl. No .	FS year	State	District	Name of Mineral Block / Area/ Belt	UNFC Stage	Mineral Commodity
1	2016-17	Karnataka	Yadgir and Raichur	Anandapur, Karegudda and Jalahalli areas	G4	Tin, Tungsten, Lithium
2	2017-18	Rajasthan	Tonk & Sawai Madhopur district	Sohela-Karola-Siras Bassi-Parana	G4	Tungsten & Lithium
3		Rajasthan	Ajmer, Pali, and Nagaur district	Kotariya- Pipaliya- Gurha	G4	Tungsten & Lithium
4	2018-19	Chhattisgarh	Korba	Katghora-Garhatara	G4	Lithium, Rare Metal (RM)
5	2019-20	Bihar	Nawada	Pichhli-Meghatari	G4	Lithium, REE and RM
6		Meghalaya	East Khasi Hills	Umlyngpung	G4	Lithium, REE& RM
7		Himachal Pradesh	Kinnaur	Nako	G4	Tin, Tungsten, Lithium, Molybdenum, RM and REE
8		Rajasthan	Sirohi	Sibagaon	G3	Lithium & rare metals
9	2019-20 & 20-21	Rajasthan	Nagaur	Rewat Hill	G2	Tungsten, Lithium
10	2020-21	Madhya Pradesh	Betul	Kesmar -Mendakheda	G4	scandium, lithium
11		Bihar	Jamui	Harni–Kalwadih Charkapthal	G4	Lithium, REE, RM
12		Jharkhand	Koderma	Dhorakola- Kusahna	G4	Lithium and Caesium
13		Bihar	Jamui	Parmania-Tetariya	G4	Lithium, REE, RM
14		Jammu & Kashmir	Reasi	Salal-Haimna	G3	Bauxite, REE & lithium
15	2021-22	Chhattisgarh	Korba	TarmaPahar and Konkona	G4	Lithium, RM
16		Arunachal Pradesh	West Kameng	Nafra	G4	Lithium, tin & tungsten
17		Jammu & Kashmir	Reasi	Sersandu – Kherikot – Rahotkot - Darabi	G4	Base Metal, bauxite, REE & lithium
18		Andhra Pradesh	Anantpur and Kadapa	Parnapalle-Lopatanutula	G4	Lithium
19		Rajasthan	Nagaur	Mohangarh	G3	tungsten, lithium

 

This information was given by the Union Minister of Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs Shri Pralhad Joshi in a written reply in  Lok Sabha today.

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MV/AKN/RKP

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