Meghalaya's mineral wealth helps boost India's economy | Fusion - WeRIndia

Recent geological surveys in Meghalaya have uncovered substantial deposits of bauxite, limestone, and lithium, marking a significant milestone for the state and the nation.

These discoveries are poised to bring immense economic advantages to India, especially in sectors such as construction, technology, and sustainable energy.

The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has confirmed the presence of bauxite in the Garo, West Khasi, and East Khasi Hills.

Promising deposits have been found in areas like Rymrai in West Khasi Hills. There are also significant reserves in East Khasi Hills.

In addition to bauxite, the GSI has confirmed the discovery of high-quality limestone deposits, especially in East Jaintia Hills, East Khasi Hills, and near Cherrapunjee, the area known as the Lithium Valley.

Notably, the East Jaintia Hills area alone boasts 29 blocks containing an estimated 566.04 million tonnes of limestone, contributing to Meghalaya’s impressive total of 5737.82 million tonnes.

This positions the state as a key player in supplying limestone to India’s thriving cement industry.

Moreover, the discovery of lithium resources in Meghalaya is particularly significant, as lithium is essential for the production of batteries used in electric vehicles (EVs) and other renewable energy technologies.

With the country’s growing emphasis on clean energy, lithium is set to play a vital role in reducing India’s dependence on imported materials and accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles.

This exploration also includes rare earth elements (REE), germanium, and more lithium deposits.

These resources are important for advancing technology. They are used in making semiconductors and other high-tech products.

In light of this, the GSI is prioritizing the exploration of these materials, particularly in the coal-rich regions of the Khasi, Jaintia, and Garo Hills.

From a strategic standpoint, the extraction of these resources could lead to a more self-sufficient India, reducing the country’s reliance on foreign imports of essential minerals.

The discoveries in Meghalaya will help boost the state’s economy through mining activities.

They will also support India’s industrial and technological growth. This will help India stay competitive in the global market.

Image Credit: Akash Mahanta, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Image Reference: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Meghalaya.jpg