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UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 18 March 2025

Home / UPSC / Current Affairs / Lithium’s role in energy and medicine

Lithium’s role in energy and medicine

Why in News:

PM’s recent US visit led to a collaborative initiative for lithium recovery and processing.

About Lithium

  • Lithium, symbolized as Li, is a silvery-white alkali metal with atomic number 3.
  • Discovered in 1817 by Swedish chemist Johan August Arfvedson in the mineral petalite, lithium has gained prominence for its diverse applications.
  • From energy storage and pharmaceuticals to industrial and nuclear use, lithium is a critical resource shaping the modern world.

Global Lithium Reserves and India's Position

According to the U.S. Geological Survey (2024), the world’s measured and indicated lithium resources have increased to 105 million tons. The largest lithium reserves are found in:

  • The Lithium Triangle (Bolivia, Argentina, Chile) – South America’s prime lithium region.
  • Australia – The world’s leading producer, extracting lithium from hard-rock spodumene deposits.

In India, lithium deposits have been identified in:

    • Reasi, Jammu & Kashmir (high-grade reserves).
    • Mandya, Karnataka (smaller deposits).
    • Ongoing exploration in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Himachal Pradesh.

Lithium’s Role in Medicine: A Historical Perspective

  • Lithium’s medical journey began in 1859, when Alfred Baring Garrod hypothesized its role in dissolving uric acid crystals, suggesting its use for gout treatment.
  • However, its application remained limited due to toxicity and impractical dosing.
  • The breakthrough in psychiatric use came in 1949, when Australian psychiatrist John Cade discovered lithium’s antimanic properties.
  • Cade’s experiments on guinea pigs revealed lithium carbonate’s calming effects, leading to its clinical application in bipolar disorder.

Mechanism of Action and Therapeutic Challenges

Despite decades of use, lithium’s precise mechanism remains unclear. Some hypotheses suggest:

  • Competing with sodium (Na⁺) ions, altering neuronal excitability and neurotransmission.
  • Influencing neurotransmitter activity, particularly dopamine and serotonin pathways.

Limitations & Risks

  • Narrow therapeutic window (0.6–1.2 mEq/L) – Small deviations can cause toxicity.
  • Delayed onset – Requires weeks to show full effects.
  • Toxicity risks – Can cause neurological, renal, cardiac complications, and hypothyroidism.
  • Contraindications – Not used in pregnancy due to potential risks to fetal development.

Lithium vs. Second-Generation Antipsychotics (SGAs)

  • Lithium stabilizes mood by acting at the root of bipolar disorder, affecting sodium-GPCR protein pumps in neurons.
  • SGAs (e.g., Risperidone, Olanzapine) regulate dopamine and serotonin levels, providing faster symptom control and a better safety profile.
  • SGAs are preferred for acute manic episodes, but lithium remains the gold standard for long-term stabilization and suicide prevention.

Current Status of Lithium Exploration in India

  1. Successful Auction in Chhattisgarh
    • Korba district saw India’s first successful lithium auction in June 2024.
    • Maiki South Mining Pvt Ltd won the bid with a 76.05% premium, indicating strong market interest.
    • Exploration Findings: Hard rock lithium deposits identified, with 168–295 ppm concentrations.
  2. Challenges in Other States
    • Manipur (Kamjong district): Exploration halted due to local resistance.
    • Ladakh (Merak block): Disappointing results → NMET suggests dropping the project.
    • Assam (Dhubri & Kokrajhar): No significant findings, NMET advises against further exploration.

Current Status of Lithium Exploration in India

  • The Lithium Triangle refers to a lithium-rich region in South America, encompassing parts of Bolivia, Argentina, and Chile.
  • This region holds over 54% of the world’s lithium reserves, making it the largest lithium source globally.

Current Status of Lithium Exploration in India

  • Key Industrial & Technological Uses
    • Electric Vehicles (EVs): Lithium is essential for EV batteries to support India’s green mobility goals.
    • Renewable Energy Storage: India needs 27 GW of grid-scale battery storage by 2030.
    • Global Demand Surge: EVs expected to reach 2 billion by 2050, leading to a lithium supply crunch.
  • India’s Dependence on Imports
    • Imports 70–80% of lithium and 70% of lithium-ion batteries from China.
    • Geopolitical risks: Heavy dependence on China could affect supply chains amid political tensions.
  • Global Lithium Reserves & Supply Chain Risks
    • 54% of lithium reserves are in Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile (“Lithium Triangle”).
    • World Economic Forum warns of shortages, making domestic exploration crucial for India.

Geopolitical Significance: Who Controls Lithium?

  • China dominates global lithium processing, controlling nearly 60% of the world’s lithium refining.
  • U.S., EU, and India are seeking alternative supply chains to reduce dependence.
  • The Indo-U.S. initiative reflects India’s strategic push toward domestic lithium production and energy security.

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