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| Lithium |
The story so far :
The discovery of 5.9 million lithium in a district named Reasi in Jammu and Kashmir has become a global news.
It is found by Geological Survey of India after which India is considered as game changer in India's impending transition to a green economy.
What is Lithium?
Lithium is a chemical element with the symbol Li and atomic number 3.
It is a soft, silvery-white alkali metal. Under standard conditions, it is the least dense metal and the least dense solid element.
Like all alkali metals, lithium is highly reactive and flammable, and must be stored in vacuum, inert atmosphere, or inert liquid such as purified kerosene or mineral oil.
When cut, it exhibits a metallic luster, but moist air corrodes it quickly to a dull silvery gray, then black tarnish.
It never occurs freely in nature, but only in (usually ionic) compounds, such as pegmatitic minerals, which were once the main source of lithium.
Due to its solubility as an ion, it is present in ocean water and is commonly obtained from brines.
Lithium metal is isolated electrolytically from a mixture of lithium chloride and potassium chloride.
Significant of Lithium:
Lithium Ion batteries are used in wind turbines, solar panels and electric vehicles, all of these are crucial in a green economy.
The demand for crucial metals such as lithium (Li) and Cobalt is expected to rise by nearly 500% by 2050 as per the World Bank Study Suggestion.
As of now India imports all of its lithium from Australia and Argentina and 70% of its Li ion cell requirements from China and Hong Kong, the lithium reserved in Jammu and Kashmir could boost the domestic battery manufacturing industry.
Geostrategic Concerns:
Critical mineral dependencies constitute a major geostrategic concern in the transition to net zero carbon energy system. In the present scenario as countries seek to avoid dependencies and vulnerabilities with regular to critical minerals, the latter are likely to be at least as important as oil and gas in the near future.
The new discovery has more geostrategic implications considering the geopolitical sensitivity of its wider location.
Environnemental Effects:
The application of Li in renewable energy infrastructure often obscure its significant environmental consequences.
Industry estimate suggest that the process of Extracting Li from hard rock mines consumes 170 cubic metre of water and release 15 tonnes of CO2 for every tonne of lithium extraction.
Open pit mining, refining and waste disposal from there processes substantially degrade the environment, including depleting and contaminating waterways and groundwater, diminishing biodiversity, and releasing considerable air pollution.
Learning from South America:
As India become the part of this New journey, it could learn from the experiences of South American Countries especially the lithium triangle of Bolivia, Chile and Argentina which contains roughly half the world's known Li.
Safeguard of India's Mining Sector:
State Government of J&K have said plans for Li exploration will involve Local communities who will also be prioritised for jobs in exploration and mine development. Yet employment in Mining may not Fully offset the consequences on local agriculture, animal husbandry and tourism.
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