Jammu, Nov 24: Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy announced that the G2 stage of lithium exploration in Jammu and Kashmir is expected to be completed by January 2026. He said the ongoing exploration work is progressing as per schedule and holds significant promise for strengthening India’s strategic mineral reserves.
Reddy noted that lithium has become a critical mineral globally, especially with the rise of electric mobility and renewable energy storage systems. He said that identifying and assessing domestic lithium sources is essential to reducing import dependence and supporting India’s clean energy goals.
According to officials from the Geological Survey of India (GSI), the G2 stage involves detailed exploration work, including advanced drilling and resource estimation. The minister said that once this stage is completed, the data will guide the next phase of assessment and potential commercial development.
Reddy added that the government is committed to fast-tracking exploration activities while ensuring environmental safeguards and scientific mining practices. He expressed confidence that the findings from the J&K exploration block will play a key role in shaping India’s future mineral security framework.
