LITHIUM

"India does not have reserves of lithium. Most deposits are in the “lithium triangle” in Bolivia, Argentina and Chile. We are going to be completely dependent on exports from these countries for the battery storage system – whether for electric vehicles or for using solar energy for electricity or in portable electronic devices,” according to experts.

According to Palit, “Bolivia has the world’s largest untapped reserves, so from India’s geo-economic standpoint, Bolivia is very important. Indian industries may forge partnerships to set up joint ventures in these South American countries, especially, to produce processed lithium that will be required for the batteries,”

As reported by FE earlier this year, “Bolivia has vast reserves of natural gas, and is largely dependent on natural gas and mineral exports, is seeking Indian capital to invest in developing Bolivia’s massive lithium deposits, which account for 60% of the world’s reserves.”

Estimates indicate that Bolivia has the world’s largest deposits of Lithium in the Salar de Uyuni. Some studies indicate that Salar de Uyuni has 140 million tonnes of Lithium. The government of that country is inviting expression of interest from Indian companies to set up and operate a Lithium Carbonate plant in Salar de Uyuni.

LITHIUM FABRICATION FACILITY

Experts have suggested that as part of Make in India Programme, the government should strive to set up R&D and technology development centres for indigenous lithium-ion battery manufacturing plants, which is crucial to India’s ambitions of achieving energy security.

For the first time, last year, the Central Electrochemical Research Institute (CECRI), Karaikudi in Tamil Nadu, set up the first indigenous Li-ion fabrication facility that has applications in defence, solar-powered devices, railways and other high-end usages. CECRI is part of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

India looks to source lithium from Latin America