Lithium deposits found in Mandya: Jitendra Singh

The Union government has said that preliminary surveys have shown the presence of Lithium deposits in Mandya district of Karnataka.

“Preliminary surveys on the surface and limited subsurface by Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD), a constituent unit of Department of Atomic Energy has shown the presence of Lithium resources of 1,600 tonnes (inferred category) in the pegmatites of Marlagalla – Allapatna area, Mandya district,” Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions Jitendra Singh said in a written reply to a question by G S Basavaraj.

“AMD is presently carrying out exploration. Reconnaissance surveys have been also carried out along Saraswati River Palaeochannel, in Jodhpur and Barmer districts, Rajasthan for locating Lithium mineralisation associated with brine (saline water from salt lakes),” he said.

The well-known uses of Lithium are in Lithium-ion batteries, lubricating grease, high-energy additive to rocket propellants, optical modulators for mobile phones and as convertor to tritium used as a raw material for thermonuclear reactions.