RAIPUR: The Geological Survey of India has confirmed large reserves of lithium across approximately 250 hectares in the Katghora area in Korba district of Chhattisgarh.

Chhattisgarh Health Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal participated in the 6th Governing Body meeting of the National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET) at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi, as a representative of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai. Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy, chaired the meeting focused on the exploitation of minerals, their use, and the conservation of nature and the environment.

Jaiswal said, “The lithium mine set to begin soon in Katghora will be the country’s first lithium mine. Lithium is a crucial metal that will steer both the state and the nation towards a new direction of development. With the commencement of this lithium mine, Chhattisgarh will emerge as one of the leading states in the country, and our lithium reserves will play a significant role in achieving ‘Viksit Bharat@2047’.”

The Ministry of Mines, Government of India, has issued a NIT on the MSTC portal for the allocation of 20 critical and strategic mineral blocks located in Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir through e-auction.

Among these 20 blocks, the Lithium and REE block in the Katghora area of Korba district is included. Preliminary surveys by the Geological Survey of India indicate lithium content ranging from 10 ppm to 2,000 ppm in about 250 hectares, with the presence of rare earth elements also detected. Critical and strategic minerals are essential for renewable energy, defense, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, high-tech electronics, telecommunications, and transportation. Currently, the country relies on imports for these minerals.