India is set to launch its inaugural lithium mining operations in the Katghora region of Korba district, Chhattisgarh, following a promising confirmation of lithium reserves by the Geological Survey of India (GSI). The announcement came during the recent sixth governing body meeting of the National Mineral Exploration Trust held in New Delhi.
According to the GSI, the Katghora region exhibits lithium concentrations ranging from 10 to 2,000 parts per million (PPM) across an estimated 250 hectares, with potential for even higher concentrations. This significant find positions Chhattisgarh to play a pivotal role in India’s ambitious development goals for 2047, as highlighted by State Health Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal, who attended the meeting on behalf of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai.
The discussions at the meeting, chaired by Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy, underscored the dual focus on mineral extraction and environmental preservation. The Ministry of Mines has also initiated a Notice Inviting Tender (NIT) via the MSTC portal for the allocation of 20 critical and strategic mineral blocks, including the lithium and Rare Earth Element (REE) blocks in Katghora. These blocks, situated in various states such as Bihar, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Chhattisgarh, will be made available through an e-auction process.
The strategic importance of these minerals, which are essential for sectors like renewable energy, defense, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, high-tech electronics, telecommunications, and transportation, cannot be overstated. India’s reliance on imported minerals for these applications has been a growing concern. Lithium, in particular, is crucial for the production of lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles, a sector experiencing surging demand.
Chhattisgarh’s entry into the lithium mining arena marks a transformative moment, as the state has dramatically boosted its mineral revenue, generating approximately ₹13,000 crore in the fiscal year 2023–24. This figure represents a nearly 30-fold increase compared to the state’s revenue at the time of its formation.