Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh has urged the rapid advancement of Lithium exploration in Jammu & Kashmir, particularly in the Reasi district, highlighting its potential to significantly boost India’s mining economy. Speaking at the 6th Governing Body meeting of the National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET), chaired by Minister of Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy, Dr. Singh emphasized the need for swift action and full support to meet exploration deadlines.
Dr. Singh stressed the importance of lithium as a critical mineral for India’s future energy and economic needs, particularly in the context of the growing demand for electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies. He also referenced the delayed Sapphire Park project in Kishtwar, underscoring the need to avoid similar delays in lithium exploration.
During the meeting, Dr. Singh highlighted the government’s commitment to the “Critical Mineral Mission,” which focuses on domestic production, recycling of critical minerals, and the acquisition of overseas assets. He praised NMET’s record expenditure of nearly ₹300 crores in the last financial year on exploration activities, recognizing the trust’s pivotal role in catalyzing mineral exploration across the country.
Union Secretary Mining, V. L. Kanta Rao, assured Dr. Singh that the lithium exploration work would be expedited, with visible progress expected within the next few months. Dr. Singh also advocated for the adoption of a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, encouraging early industry linkage to foster startups in the mining sector, which would generate employment and ensure sustainability.
The meeting also addressed the use of emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) in the mining sector, with Dr. Singh supporting the integration of these technologies to enhance exploration efficiency. He urged the Director of the Atomic Minerals Directorate (AMD) to utilize advanced techniques and collaborate with the Geological Survey of India (GSI) to share valuable data for the Critical Mineral Mission.
State ministers and senior officials from various ministries were present at the meeting, where they discussed opportunities to submit more mineral exploration projects. This would increase the number of mineral blocks available for auction, further supporting India’s economic growth and mineral self-sufficiency.
