Approach to the answer 

Understanding and structuring the answer: 

The question has three parts – 1) Importance of Lithium, 2) Distribution of Lithium and 3) Government Steps. 

Introduction: 

Type 1: Give a brief description about the importance of lithium and draw a hub and spoke diagram to illustrate its uses. 

Body: 

Heading 1: Distribution of Lithium across the globe. 

Heading 2: Measures taken by the government. 

Conclusion: Write a short way forward. Give some steps to secure lithium supply. 

Answer: The push towards renewable energy has made Lithium a strategic mineral. Lithium as the chief constituent of Lithium-ion batteries, and electronic devices has various industrial applications. However, Lithium is not uniformly distributed throughout the world. 

Distribution of Lithium across the Globe 

• Lithium Triangle: It consists of Argentina, Bolivia and Chile. It holds around 55-60% of the world’s proven resources of lithium.  

• For example, Bolivia’s Uyuni salt flat is the site of the world’s largest lithium reserves. 

• Australia: It contains significant lithium reserves. Currently, Australia is the largest producer of lithium in the world. 
• China: It has around 7.3% of the world’s reserves. Moreover, around 60% of lithium is processed in China. 
• India: Recent surveys suggest that Jammu and Kashmir holds around 5.9 million tons of lithium reserves. 

Given India’s limited lithium reserves and concentration of production in few countries, Government is undertaking following measures: 

Measures taken by the Government 

• Domestic mining and acquisition overseas are incentivized through new initiatives. 

• For example, KABIL, a PSU, was created to scout for strategic minerals like lithium and cobalt, abroad. 

• Battery research and development ecosystem has been created for alternative storage techniques and recycling of batteries.  

• For example, the National Mission for Transformative Mobility and Battery Storage and PLI scheme for Advanced Chemistry Cell Battery Storage manufacturing. 

• Emphasis on E-Waste collection and recycling from which lithium can be recovered.  

• For example, India generated around 3.2 million tonnes of e-waste in 2019. (CPCB) 

• Thrust to exploration of lithium reserves.  

• For example, 5.9 million tonnes of lithium reserves were found in Reasi district in Jammu and Kashmir making India 5th largest in terms of lithium reserves. 

The access to white gold (lithium) will play a crucial role in the development of new age energy systems and manufacturing. Proactive steps, like long-term contracts, need to be taken to ensure an unhindered supply of lithium.