Traces of Lithium Discovered in Odisha’s Nayagarh, Boosting India’s Push for EVs and Green Energy

Bhubaneswar: The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has identified traces of lithium deposits in Nayagarh district, Odisha, marking a significant milestone in India’s quest to secure domestic sources of this critical mineral. The discovery was announced by Pankaj Kumar, Deputy Director of GSI Odisha, during a media interaction at the GSI Board meeting in Konark.

Lithium is a vital component in the manufacturing of batteries for electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy technologies such as wind turbine blades. This finding aligns with India’s strategic goal to reduce dependence on imports and bolster its green energy infrastructure.

“The GSI has initiated a pilot project to explore lithium deposits in Nayagarh using advanced technologies such as drones and artificial intelligence (AI),” Kumar stated.

VL Kantha Rao, Secretary of the Ministry of Mines, highlighted the Centre’s intensified efforts to survey critical minerals, including lithium and copper, across Odisha and other parts of the country.

“Preliminary findings indicate the presence of lithium beneath Nayagarh’s soil,” Rao confirmed, adding that advanced exploration technologies are being deployed for these initiatives. A pilot project in Sundargarh district is already utilizing drone surveys to locate mineral deposits, with plans to extend similar efforts to southern districts like Kandhamal and Malkangiri.

India’s drive to identify domestic lithium reserves is critical for supporting its transition to sustainable energy solutions. The country has previously established inferred lithium resources of 5.9 million tonnes in the Salal-Haimana area of Reasi district, Jammu & Kashmir.

The discovery in Nayagarh is expected to complement these existing reserves and contribute to the production of EV batteries, thereby accelerating India’s adoption of clean energy technologies.