<p>New Delhi: Jammu and Kashmir did not receive any bids in a second attempt to auction mining rights for lithium reserves found last year, according to a source with direct knowledge of the matter.</p><p>The government in February 2023 found its first lithium deposits in Jammu and Kashmir with estimated reserves of 5.9 million metric tons.</p><p>After it failed to get a required minimum of three bids in its first auctions in November, the block was again put up for auction in March with a May 14 deadline for bids.</p><p>The source, who declined to be identified as they were not authorised to talk to the media, said the block was likely to be given to a government agency for further exploration after no bids were made.</p><p>India's Ministry of Mines did not immediately respond to a <em>Reuters</em> request for comment.</p>.J&K's lithium reserves will be 'plundered', 'gifted' to companies by BJP govt: Mehbooba.<p>As electric vehicles have focused on the need for lithium, used in making batteries, India has sought to secure assets overseas as well as domestically.</p><p>Analysts have however questioned the composition of the deposit in Jammu and Kashmir.</p><p>The Indian government in June last year, listed 30 minerals, including lithium, nickel, titanium, vanadium and tungsten as critical to its quest for cleaner energy.</p>
<p>New Delhi: Jammu and Kashmir did not receive any bids in a second attempt to auction mining rights for lithium reserves found last year, according to a source with direct knowledge of the matter.</p><p>The government in February 2023 found its first lithium deposits in Jammu and Kashmir with estimated reserves of 5.9 million metric tons.</p><p>After it failed to get a required minimum of three bids in its first auctions in November, the block was again put up for auction in March with a May 14 deadline for bids.</p><p>The source, who declined to be identified as they were not authorised to talk to the media, said the block was likely to be given to a government agency for further exploration after no bids were made.</p><p>India's Ministry of Mines did not immediately respond to a <em>Reuters</em> request for comment.</p>.J&K's lithium reserves will be 'plundered', 'gifted' to companies by BJP govt: Mehbooba.<p>As electric vehicles have focused on the need for lithium, used in making batteries, India has sought to secure assets overseas as well as domestically.</p><p>Analysts have however questioned the composition of the deposit in Jammu and Kashmir.</p><p>The Indian government in June last year, listed 30 minerals, including lithium, nickel, titanium, vanadium and tungsten as critical to its quest for cleaner energy.</p>