Srinagar Mar 13 (KNO): The auction of lithium deposits found in Reasi district in Jammu and Kashmir has been annulled after no bids were received, the Minister of Coal and Mines, G. Kisan Reddy said during a session in the Rajya Sabha.
Responding to a question on Wednesday about the significant lithium discovery in Reasi in 2023, which had been described as a potential game-changer for India’s energy transition, the minister, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), confirmed the finding of lithium deposits in the region. He said the exploration of these deposits had reached the G3 level, which signifies a preliminary stage of resource assessment.
When asked if the lithium blocks had been auctioned, the minister confirmed that two blocks were placed for auction. These included the Salal-Haimna Lithium, Titanium and Bauxite (Aluminous Laterite) block in Reasi district, and the Katghora Lithium and Rare Earth Elements (REE) block in Korba district, Chhattisgarh. While the Katghora block was successfully auctioned, the auction for the Salal-Haimna block failed due to a lack of bidders, he said.
The minister further said that the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2023, which came into effect on August 17, 2023, empowered the Central government to exclusively auction mining leases for critical and strategic minerals like lithium.
"These amendments aim to streamline the process and ensure that India’s critical mineral resources are developed in a regulated manner," the minister added—(KNO)