Study being done to find lithium deposits in state: GSI | Bhubaneswar News
Bhubaneswar: There is a possibility of finding lithium deposits in Odisha, Pankaj Kumar, deputy director general of eastern region, Geological Survey of India (GSI), said here on Sunday.
“Though we have not found anything big so far, there are some indications of lithium deposits in the state’s Eastern Ghats and Nayagarh district. We cannot say anything more.After the study is completed, we can speak more on the matter,” he said on the sidelines of the 64th meeting of Central Geological Programming Board (CGPB) here.
Lithium plays a crucial role in making rechargeable batteries, which power countless electronic devices, electric vehicles and energy storage systems. Lithium compounds are also used in ceramics, glass manufacturing and lubricating greases and in making medicines.
Official sources said GSI is using drone-based technology for the lithium study. On a pilot basis, GSI has taken up two projects — one in Rajasthan and another in Odisha. “It has started work on a copper project in Mayurbhanj and graphite in Nayagarh district,” said an official.
V L Kantha Rao, secretary, mines ministry, said their major thrust is to search for critical minerals like lithium, cobalt and nickel in the country. “Because the country urgently needs these critical minerals for manufacturing items like mobile phones, electric vehicles and blades of windmills,” he added.
He said they organised the meeting in Bhubaneswar because Odisha is the mining capital of India. “Country’s 50% mining is done in Odisha. The state has a successful model for mining. We have presented the model before Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During the meeting, officials from other states will learn about Odisha’s model,” he added.
For 2025-26, GSI has formulated about 1,065 scientific programmes, which include 402 mineral development projects that have the potential to generate mineral blocks which can be auctioned in the near future, 167 mineral discovery and 227 dedicated projects targeting rare earth elements, rare metals, graphite, lithium, vanadium and platinum group elements. About Rs 300 crore will be spent on critical mineral exploration and investigation, read the official statement from GSI.
Rao highlighted the successful auctioning of 24 critical mineral blocks in 2024-25 so far and the launch of India’s first-ever auction of 13 offshore mineral blocks.
Ministry of mines, in collaboration with the Odisha govt, will hold the 3rd National Mines Ministers’ Conference on Monday and Tuesday at Konark, where mines ministers of more than 16 states will participate.
“Though we have not found anything big so far, there are some indications of lithium deposits in the state’s Eastern Ghats and Nayagarh district. We cannot say anything more.After the study is completed, we can speak more on the matter,” he said on the sidelines of the 64th meeting of Central Geological Programming Board (CGPB) here.
Lithium plays a crucial role in making rechargeable batteries, which power countless electronic devices, electric vehicles and energy storage systems. Lithium compounds are also used in ceramics, glass manufacturing and lubricating greases and in making medicines.
Official sources said GSI is using drone-based technology for the lithium study. On a pilot basis, GSI has taken up two projects — one in Rajasthan and another in Odisha. “It has started work on a copper project in Mayurbhanj and graphite in Nayagarh district,” said an official.
V L Kantha Rao, secretary, mines ministry, said their major thrust is to search for critical minerals like lithium, cobalt and nickel in the country. “Because the country urgently needs these critical minerals for manufacturing items like mobile phones, electric vehicles and blades of windmills,” he added.
He said they organised the meeting in Bhubaneswar because Odisha is the mining capital of India. “Country’s 50% mining is done in Odisha. The state has a successful model for mining. We have presented the model before Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During the meeting, officials from other states will learn about Odisha’s model,” he added.
For 2025-26, GSI has formulated about 1,065 scientific programmes, which include 402 mineral development projects that have the potential to generate mineral blocks which can be auctioned in the near future, 167 mineral discovery and 227 dedicated projects targeting rare earth elements, rare metals, graphite, lithium, vanadium and platinum group elements. About Rs 300 crore will be spent on critical mineral exploration and investigation, read the official statement from GSI.
Rao highlighted the successful auctioning of 24 critical mineral blocks in 2024-25 so far and the launch of India’s first-ever auction of 13 offshore mineral blocks.
Ministry of mines, in collaboration with the Odisha govt, will hold the 3rd National Mines Ministers’ Conference on Monday and Tuesday at Konark, where mines ministers of more than 16 states will participate.
