The Business Bytes
THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR, JANUARY 19, 2025
In a significant breakthrough for India’s quest for critical minerals, the Geological Survey of India (GSI) has identified traces of lithium deposits in the Nayagarh district of Odisha. This discovery marks a crucial step toward strengthening the nation’s domestic supply of lithium, a key component for electric vehicle (EV) batteries and wind turbine blades.
Pankaj Kumar, Deputy Director of GSI, Odisha, announced the findings during a media interaction at the GSI Board meeting held in Konark on Sunday. “This discovery aligns with India’s strategic push to enhance domestic production and reduce reliance on imports,” Kumar said, highlighting the potential impact on the country’s green energy ambitions.
To accelerate the exploration process, the GSI has initiated a pilot project employing advanced technologies such as drones and artificial intelligence (AI) to locate lithium deposits in Nayagarh. These innovative methods are expected to improve the efficiency and accuracy of mineral exploration.
VL Kantha Rao, Secretary of the Ministry of Mines, emphasized the government’s commitment to surveying and developing critical mineral resources. “The GSI is actively conducting explorations in Odisha, with promising preliminary findings indicating lithium beneath Nayagarh’s soil,” Rao said. He further detailed ongoing and planned initiatives, including drone-based surveys in Sundargarh and future projects in southern Odisha districts like Kandhamal and Malkangiri.
Lithium’s role in manufacturing batteries for electric vehicles makes it a vital resource for India’s transition to sustainable energy solutions. The discovery in Nayagarh adds to India’s growing inventory of lithium resources, complementing the previously established inferred resources of 5.9 million tonnes in the Salal-Haimana area of Reasi District, Jammu & Kashmir.
This development not only positions Odisha as a potential hub for critical minerals but also signifies a leap forward in India’s journey towards energy self-sufficiency and sustainability.
