5.9 Million Tonne Lithium Deposits In J&K: Mineral Block To Be Auctioned As Composite Licence By UT Govt, Says Centre

The Centre on Monday (13 March) said that the Jammu and Kashmir government will auction Salal-Haimana mineral block in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district.

This comes after the Central government last month announced that Geological Survey of India has for the first time established 5.9 million tonnes inferred resources of lithium in Salal-Haimana area of Reasi District of Jammu and Kashmir during preliminary exploration (G2) stage.

"The Salal-Haimana mineral block in Kashmir's Reasi district will be auctioned as Composite License (CL) by the Government of Union Territory of J&K," Union Minister of Mines Pralhad Joshi said in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha.

"The exploitation of lithium will depend upon successful auction of the mineral block," the minister added.

The timeline or plan of action for auctioning of the block will be readied by J&K government, the minister said.

He added that the mining will be carried out as per the Environmental Clearance (EC) granted by the Union Environment Ministry.