Discovery of Lithium Deposits in Karnataka: Minister Jitendra Singh Reports

Lithium deposits have been discovered in Karnataka's Mandya and Yadgiri districts, according to Minister Jitendra Singh. The Atomic Minerals Directorate has found 1,600 tonnes of Lithium in Mandya, with exploration underway in Yadgiri and other regions. Cooperation with Russia on nuclear energy is also in progress.

Karnataka's Mandya and Yadgiri districts are now on the map of Lithium discovery, as per Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Earth Sciences, who made the announcement in Rajya Sabha.

In a detailed written reply, Singh disclosed that the Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD) confirmed the presence of Lithium resources in these districts. Specifically, Mandya's Marlagalla area has 1,600 tonnes of Lithium at the G3 stage. Additionally, preliminary surveys and limited subsurface explorations have begun in Yadgiri.

The AMD is actively exploring potential geological domains in various parts of India, including Korba District in Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Bihar, and Andhra Pradesh. Singh also noted that preliminary uranium surveys in Himachal Pradesh's Hamirpur district have identified surface occurrences of the element. However, no plans for atomic energy plants in Himachal are in place yet.

Minister Singh further informed that there is no current collaboration with foreign vendors on small modular reactors. While some private players have shown interest in deploying small reactors at captive sites, none have committed to produce them. Meanwhile, India and Russia are looking to expand cooperation in nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, including small modular reactors.

(With inputs from agencies.)