2 weeks ago
Andhra Pradesh's lithium and gallium exploration expands critical mineral push
Andhra Pradesh is a part of India that wants to find some very special minerals.
These minerals are called lithium and gallium.
Lithium is used to make batteries for electric cars and for storing electricity.
Gallium is used to make solar panels and computer chips.
Right now, many of these minerals come from other countries like China.
India started a big program in April 2025 to help find these minerals at home.
Scientists found small traces of these minerals near a place called Thummalapalle.
The state government will spend about Rs 150 crore to look for more.
Finding these minerals inside India will help the country make its own batteries and electronics.
Andhra Pradesh has begun large-scale exploration of lithium and gallium deposits in Vempalle within the Kadapa Basin.
A memorandum of understanding for the survey was signed between CSIR-NGRI and the state Department of Mines and Geology.
Preliminary research found lithium levels up to 1,000 ppm and gallium up to 250 ppm near Thummalapalle.
The project is fully funded by the National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET) at an estimated cost of nearly Rs 150 crore.
The effort extends the Centre's National Critical Minerals Mission (NCMM), launched in April 2025, to boost self-reliance.
- Who
- CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI), the Andhra Pradesh Department of Mines and Geology, and Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, who finalized the MoU
- What
- Large-scale exploration of lithium and gallium deposits in Vempalle, Kadapa Basin
- Where
- Vempalle and Thummalapalle in the Kadapa Basin, Andhra Pradesh, India
- When
- MoU finalized earlier this week; NCMM launched in April 2025
- Why
- To strengthen India's critical mineral supply chain, reduce import dependence on countries like China, and support domestic battery and clean energy manufacturing
Key facts
- State
- Andhra Pradesh
- Target minerals
- Lithium and gallium
- Location
- Vempalle, Kadapa Basin
- Estimated lithium levels
- Up to 1,000 ppm
- Estimated gallium levels
- Up to 250 ppm
- Funding
- 100% from National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET)
- Estimated project cost
- Nearly Rs 150 crore
- Parent initiative
- National Critical Minerals Mission (NCMM), launched April 2025
Quotes
Secretary of Mines Mukesh Kumar Meena
Indian government official heading the Mines Ministry
“"Encouraging innovation and patent filing across the critical mineral lifecycle is equally important as India gains expertise in mining minerals. We have a mandate from the Centre and state governments to create training modules and invest in upskilling the workforce to support activities in mining, processing, and R&D."”
theprint.in
Sources
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