GS Paper 1
Syllabus: Geography: Location of Minerals/ Critical Raw Material
Source: TOI
The Geological Survey of India (GSI) conducted the research and reported this potential new source of vanadium, marking the first such discovery in offshore sediments in India. This finding adds to India’s growing interest in rare metals, following the discovery of lithium reserves in Jammu and Kashmir, further supporting initiatives for sustainable energy and technology development.
What are Critical Raw Materials?
Critical raw materials are substances that are of high economic importance and are essential for the production of various goods, technologies, and industries. These materials are considered critical due to their potential supply chain risks, geopolitical concerns, and their importance for strategic sectors.
Examples of critical raw materials include:
Examples | Description |
Rare Earth Elements | Used in high-tech products like electronics, wind turbines, and electric vehicle batteries. Includes neodymium, europium, and dysprosium. |
Lithium | Essential for lithium-ion batteries in EVs, smartphones, laptops, and renewable energy storage. |
Cobalt | The key component in lithium-ion batteries, crucial for electric vehicles and portable electronics. |
Vanadium | Used in aerospace, defence, and energy storage, including vanadium redox flow batteries |
Platinum Group Metals | Critical for catalytic converters in vehicles and industrial processes. Includes platinum, palladium, and rhodium. |
Graphite | An essential component in lithium-ion batteries and various industrial applications. |
Antimony | Used in flame retardants, semiconductors, and as a hardening agent in lead-acid batteries. |
Tungsten | Essential for high-temperature applications, particularly in aerospace and defence. |
Rare Metals | Materials like tantalum and niobium, are used in electronic components and aerospace applications. |
Significance of finding Vanadium deposits in India:
Significance | Examples |
Economic Potential | Exploration and mining activities can generate revenue and create jobs in the region |
Exporting vanadium can contribute to India’s foreign exchange earnings | |
This discovery is significant because vanadium is scarce in India and is primarily found in only a few regions | |
Reducing Import Dependency | India is a significant consumer of vanadium but relies on imports. |
Strategic Importance | Vanadium is crucial for the defence and aerospace industries. |
India can secure a stable supply for strategic applications. | |
The use of vanadium in critical aerospace components can enhance national security. | |
Technological Advancement | The presence of vanadium promotes technological advancements. |
Research and development in vanadium-based technologies can lead to innovations. | |
Advancements in vanadium batteries can benefit India’s energy storage infrastructure. | |
Environmental Impact | Vanadium redox batteries are known for their low ecological impact. |
Widespread adoption of VRBs can contribute to a more sustainable energy ecosystem. | |
International Collaboration | Collaboration with countries like China, Russia, and South Africa with vanadium expertise. |
Bilateral agreements can facilitate vanadium trade and investment opportunities. |
Other initiatives taken by India for Critical Minerals:
- India just joined the Mineral Security Partnership (MSP)as the newest partner, which aims to strengthen critical mineral supply chains.
- The Geological Survey of India (GSI)is currently focused on exploring critical and deep-seated minerals to boost the growth of the mining sector.
- KABIL: A Joint Venture Company among NALCO, HCL and MECL named Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL) was formed in August 2019 to ensure the supply of Critical Minerals.
Insta Links:
Prelims Links:
Which one of the following pairs of metals constitutes the lightest metal and the heaviest metal, respectively? (UPSC 2008)
(a) Lithium and mercury
(b) Lithium and osmium
(c) Aluminium and osmium
(d) Aluminium and mercury
Ans: B
Osmium is a hard metallic element which has the greatest density of all known elements. Lithium has an atomic number of 3 and is the lightest known metal.