Union Minister of State for Atomic Energy, Jitendra Singh, revealed to Parliament that lithium deposits have been identified in Mandya and Yadgiri districts of Karnataka. The minister stated in a written response to a query in the Rajya Sabha that "Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD), a constituent unit of Department of Atomic Energy, has found presence of Lithium resources in Mandya and Yadgiri districts, Karnataka.”

The minister also noted that the Atomic Minerals Directorate (AMD) has identified 1,600 tonnes of lithium resources at the preliminary exploration stage in the Marlagalla area of Mandya district, Karnataka. He further added "Further, Preliminary surveys and limited subsurface exploration have been carried in Yadgiri district, Karnataka to identify and estimate the Lithium resources.”

He also revealed that the AMD is actively exploring potential lithium deposits in the Korba district of Chhattisgarh. He stated “However, the major mica belts located in Rajasthan, Bihar and Andhra Pradesh and Pegmatite Belts in Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Karnataka are the potential geological domains in the country for Lithium resources.”

Tonnes of Lithium
Image Source: Energetica India

Singh added that a recent preliminary survey by the AMD in Himachal Pradesh uncovered surface uranium deposits in Masanbal, located in the Hamirpur district, indicating potential for further exploration and development.

He added "AMD has established three uranium deposits i.e. Rajpura in Una district, Kasha-Kaladi in Shimla district and Tileli in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh. As on date, a total of 784 tonne (t) in-situ uranium oxide resource has been estimated in these deposits, which includes 364t in-situ uranium oxide in Rajpura; 200t in KashaKaladi and 220t in Tileli.”

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