<p><strong>Why in News?</strong><br />
• Surveys on the surface and limited subsurface by Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD), a constituent unit of the Department of Atomic Energy have shown the presence of Lithium resources of 1,600 tonnes (inferred category) in the pegmatites of Marlagalla – Allapatna area, Mandya district, Karnataka.<br />
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<p><strong>About:</strong><br />
• Lithium is a key element for new technologies and finds its use in ceramics, glass, telecommunication, and aerospace industries.<br />
• The well-known uses of Lithium are Lithium-ion batteries, lubricating grease, high energy additive to rocket propellants, optical modulators for mobile phones, and as convertor to tritium used as a raw material for thermonuclear reactions i.e. fusion.<br />
• The thermonuclear application makes Lithium as a “Prescribed substance” under the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 which permits AMD for exploration of Lithium in various geological domains of the country.<br />
• Due to the continuously increasing demand of Lithium-ion batteries, the requirement of Lithium has increased over the last few years.<br />
• Plan for commercial exploitation of the lithium deposits can commence after the technical, social, and economic feasibility studies in the area.</p>
<p><strong>Source: PIB</strong><br />
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