'Baseless And Misleading': Geological Survey Of India Dismisses Reports On Large Lithium Reserves Found In Rajasthan

The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has denied media reports claiming the identification of large lithium reserves in Rajasthan as "baseless" and "misleading".

The GSI on Tuesday (9 May) clarified that no such information was provided by its regional or central headquarters.

The organisation is currently conducting exploration for tungsten, lithium, and associated rare metals mineralisation in the Degana area of Nagaur district, Rajasthan, since 2019-20, and drilling work is still ongoing.

“Media reports published in various newspapers regarding the finding of large lithium reserves by the Geological Survey of India, in Degana area, Nagaur district, Rajasthan are completely baseless and misleading,” GSI said, reports Indian Express.

“It is to state that no such information was provided by the regional headquarters or the central headquarters of the GSI,” the organisation said.

“It is to be informed that the GSI is carrying out exploration for tungsten, lithium and associated rare metals mineralisation in the Degana area, Nagour district, Rajasthan, since 2019-20 and the drilling work is still under progress,” GSI said.

The GSI added that the resources will be established only after the completion of the drilling work and finalisation of the report.

Lithium is a non-ferrous metal that is used to make rechargeable batteries for smartphones, laptops and electric vehicles.

Earlier on Monday (8 May), media reports said that large lithium reserves have been found in Degana municipality of Rajasthan's Nagaur district.

According to the reports, the lithium reserves were said to have a capacity surpassing the estimated 5.9 million tonnes of the metal found in J&K.

In February this year, the Central government had announced that lithium reserves have been found for the first time in the country in Jammu and Kashmir.

The 5.9 million tonne lithium inferred resources have been established in Salal-Haimana area of Reasi District of Jammu and Kashmir by the Geological Survey of India (GSI) during preliminary exploration (G3) stage.