Published on 18 Feb 2025
Strategic minerals are essential natural resources that countries prioritize for their economic and national security significance, crucially supporting industries such as defense, technology, and manufacturing due to their unique properties and limited substitutes.
Lithium
Lithium is a soft, silvery-white non-ferrous metal and is one of the key components in rechargeable batteries for mobile phones, laptops, digital cameras and electric vehicles. It is also used in some non-rechargeable batteries for things like heart pacemakers, toys and clocks.
First Lithium Discovery: The Geological Survey of India (GSI) made a historic discovery in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district, establishing the country's first-ever lithium resources, estimated at 5.9 million tonnes.
Reserves in Rajasthan: Shortly after the J&K discovery, the GSI unearthed another lithium reserve in Degana, Rajasthan's Nagaur district. This reserve is believed to be much larger and potentially meet 80% of India's total lithium demand.
Significance of Lithium for India
Economic Significance
Reduced import dependency: India currently imports most of its lithium requirements, leading to a significant outflow of foreign exchange. Domestic production can reduce this dependence.
Battery manufacturing hub: Lithium is a crucial component for electric vehicle (EV) batteries. India aims to become a global manufacturing hub for EVs, and domestic lithium reserves can support this ambition.
Job creation: The lithium mining and processing industry can create employment opportunities, boosting the economy.
Technology development: India can develop its own lithium-ion battery technology, reducing reliance on foreign imports and enhancing technological capabilities.
Strategic Significance
Energy security: Lithium-ion batteries are essential for renewable energy storage and electric vehicles, contributing to energy security.
Technological independence: A domestic lithium supply chain can reduce vulnerability to global supply chain disruptions.
National security: Lithium is considered a critical mineral, and its domestic production strengthens national security.
Environmental Significance
EV adoption: Lithium-ion batteries are key to the widespread adoption of electric vehicles, reducing carbon emissions and air pollution.
Renewable energy integration: Lithium-ion batteries facilitate the integration of renewable energy sources into the grid.
Challenges in Lithium Extraction
Environmental Concerns
Water Scarcity: Lithium extraction processes, particularly those involving evaporation ponds, consume vast amounts of water.
Example: The Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia, one of the world's largest lithium reserves, is located in a region with limited water resources.
Pollution: The use of chemicals in lithium extraction can lead to soil and water contamination.
Example: Brine-based lithium extraction can release high concentrations of salts and other chemicals into the environment.
Ecosystem Disruption: Mining activities can destroy habitats and disrupt ecosystems. The extraction of lithium from hard rock deposits can involve deforestation and landscape alteration.
Technological Challenges
Low Lithium Concentration: Lithium deposits often have low concentrations, making extraction economically challenging.
Extraction Methods: Developing efficient and environmentally friendly methods for extracting lithium from different sources, such as geothermal brine or clay, is an ongoing challenge.
Economic Challenges
High Capital Investment: Setting up lithium extraction and processing facilities requires significant upfront investments in mining equipment, processing plants, and infrastructure.
Market Volatility: Lithium prices can fluctuate significantly, affecting the profitability of lithium mining projects.
Social and Political Challenges
Community Relations: Lithium mining projects can lead to conflicts with local communities over land use, water rights, and environmental concerns.
Government Regulations: Complex and changing government regulations can create uncertainties for lithium mining companies and increase project costs.
Way Forward
Improve resource assessment: Adopt globally recognized standards like Committee for Mineral Reserves International Reporting Standards (CRIRSCO)for accurate estimation of lithium reserves to attract investment.
Optimize resource allocation: Implement a transparent and efficient allocation process for lithium-rich blocks, considering both public and private sector participation.
Learn from global best practices: Study successful lithium mining models in countries like Australia and Chile to adopt suitable strategies.
Example: Global best practices: In Chile, the government has designated lithium as a strategic resource and its development has been made the exclusive prerogative of the state.
Create conducive investment climate: Offer fiscal incentives, stable policies, and streamlined regulatory processes to encourage private investment.
Develop domestic capabilities: Invest in research and development to build expertise in lithium extraction, processing, and battery manufacturing.
Focus on sustainability: Prioritize environmental protection and social responsibility in lithium mining operations.
Strengthen public-private partnerships: Collaborate with industry and academia to develop innovative solutions for lithium extraction and utilization.
Poly Metallic Nodules
Polymetallic nodules are mineral-rich formations found on the ocean floor, primarily composed of manganese, nickel, cobalt, copper, and iron. Located at depths of around 6,000 meters, these nodules are essentially underwater rock concretions that have formed over millions of years. Their composition makes them invaluable for industries producing electronics, smartphones, batteries, and solar panels.
Significance of Poly Metallic Nodules
Critical Mineral Supply: They are a significant source of critical minerals essential for modern technologies, such as electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, and electronics.
Example: The nickel, cobalt, and lithium contained in polymetallic nodules are essential components for lithium-ion batteries, powering the global shift towards electric vehicles.
Reduced Dependency: As land-based reserves of these minerals deplete, polymetallic nodules can offer a sustainable alternative, reducing dependency on specific countries.
Economic Potential: The extraction and processing of these nodules can create new industries and job opportunities.
Technological Advancement: Research and development in deep-sea mining technologies can drive innovation and technological progress.
Example: Developing the capabilities to mine at depths of 6,000 meters will require advancements in robotics, underwater engineering, and materials science.
Geopolitical Implications: Control over polymetallic nodule resources can influence geopolitical power dynamics.
India and Polymetallic Nodules
Pioneering Role: India was the first country to secure a contract for exploration of polymetallic nodules from the International Seabed Authority (ISA) in 1987.
Exploration Area: India has been allotted a 75,000 sq km area in the Central Indian Ocean Basin (CIOB) for exploration and development.
Resource Potential: The estimated resource potential of this area is substantial, with 380 million tonnes of nodules containing valuable minerals like nickel, copper, cobalt, and manganese.
Technological Focus: India has been investing in research and development to develop the necessary technology for mining and processing these nodules.
Environmental Considerations: The government is also emphasizing the importance of environmental impact assessment and sustainable mining practices.
Deep Ocean Mission: Recently, the Indian government has launched a Deep Ocean Mission to further explore and develop technologies for deep-sea mining
Challenges in Polymetallic Nodule Extraction
Technological Hurdles: Mining at depths of 6,000 meters requires specialized equipment and technology, which is currently under development.
Environmental Impact: Deep-sea mining poses risks to marine ecosystems, including disturbance of seabed habitats, sediment plumes, and noise pollution.
Economic Viability: The high costs associated with deep-sea mining and processing, combined with the fluctuating prices of metals, make the venture economically challenging.
Legal and Regulatory Framework: International regulations for deep-sea mining are still under development, creating uncertainties for potential investors.
Technological Immaturity: The extraction and processing technologies for polymetallic nodules are still at an experimental stage, requiring further research and development.
Global Governance: Establishing a fair and equitable framework for sharing benefits from deep-sea mineral resources is crucial for international cooperation.
Way Forward
Deep Ocean Mission: This flagship program aims to explore deep-sea resources, including polymetallic nodules, and develop related technologies.
Technological Development: Investing in research and development to overcome the technological challenges associated with deep-sea mining.
International Collaborations: Participating in international forums and collaborations to share knowledge and best practices.
Environmental Regulations: Developing stringent environmental regulations to ensure sustainable mining practices and protect marine ecosystems.
Infrastructure Development: Investing in the development of necessary infrastructure, including research vessels and shore-based facilities.
Geography
STRATEGIC MINERALS AND THEIR DISTRIBUTION IN INDIA
minerals
strategic minerals
lithium
significance of lithium
Challenges in Lithium Extraction
Poly Metallic Nodules
India and Polymetallic Nodules
Challenges in Polymetallic Nodule Extraction
Rar
General Studies Paper 1
Resources Distribution