Lithium-Deal with Argentina

• 02 Jan 2024

Source: BL

Why in News?

The Ministry of Mines, Government of India through the state-owned Khanij Bidesh India Ltd (KABIL), has entered into a draft exploration and development agreement with Argentinan miner CAMYEN for possible acquisition and development of five-odd lithium blocks.

• The company has also entered into a non-disclosure agreement with Chilean miner ENAMI for “possible exploration, extraction, processing and commercialisation” of the mineral.

What is Lithium?

• About:
  • Lithium is an alkali mineral, also called ‘white gold’. It is soft, silvery-white metal, the lightest metal of the periodic table.
• Major Properties:
  • High Reactivity
  • Low Density
  • Excellent Electrochemical Properties
• Occurrence and Top Producers:
  • Lithium is found naturally in various minerals, including spodumene, petalite, and lepidolite.
    • It is extracted from these minerals and refined into lithium metal or its compounds.
  • The top producers of lithium are Australia, Chile, China, and Argentina.
    • In 2022, Australia was the world leader in terms of lithium mine production. Chile and China ranked second and third.
  • Recently, a massive lithium deposit beneath California’s Salton Sea (US), holding an estimated 18 million tons of lithium, was discovered.

Note

Lithium triangle made up of Argentina, Chile, and Bolivia—contain roughly half the world's known lithium.

• Applications:
  • Batteries: Lithium is a crucial component of rechargeable batteries used in smartphones, laptops, electric vehicles, and other electronics.
  • Glass and Ceramics: Lithium compounds are used to strengthen glass and ceramics, making them more durable and heat-resistant.
  • Medicine: Lithium is used as a mood stabilizer in the treatment of bipolar disorder.
  • Lubricants: Lithium greases are used in high-pressure and high-temperature applications.
• Lithium in India:
  • 2023 saw a surge in lithium discoveries:
    • Massive reserves unearthed in Salal-Haimna areas of Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir (estimated 5.9 million tonnes).
    • Additional reserves identified in Koderma and Giridih regions of Jharkhand.
  • However, India has put up lithium blocks for auction: one in J&K and another in Chhattisgarh, with most of its domestic requirements, across categories like EVs, lithium-ion battery making, and other energy storage solutions, being met completely through imports. Import bill is pegged at around ₹24,000 crore.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)

Q. Which one of the following pairs of metals constitutes the lightest metal and the heaviest metal, respectively? (2008)

(a) Lithium and mercury
(b) Lithium and osmium
(c) Aluminium and osmium
(d) Aluminium and mercury

Ans: (b)