Lithium found in India for the first time: Lesser-known facts about this mineral 

If you have ever taken a keen interest in the energy sector, you would know how invaluable lithium is in manufacturing electric automobiles, not to forget its significance in the production of aircrafts and batteries. But until recently, this mineral was not found in India and had to be imported from the overseas. 

Okay, so what changed? As it turns out, for the first time in the country’s history, lithium has been unearthed in the Salai-Haimana region of Jammu & Kashmir, as reported by the Geological Survey of India. In fact, it has been traced in enormous amounts as much as 5.9 million tonnes. Sources cite that this will solve years of lithium crisis in India. Amidst this big discovery, we were checking out all about lithium and ended up finding some lesser-known facts about it.  

It’s a chance discovery 
In 1817, a Swedish chemist named Johan August Arfvedson was experimenting with a rare ore called petalite (lithium chloride). He realised that when burnt, it gave out different shaded flames – from white to purple and finally crimson. It didn’t take him long to figure out that a hidden element was present inside the ore that led to the changing shade of the flame. He discovered the element and realised it was extremely light and lacked density. But he was unable to extract the element which was later done in 1855 by British chemist Augustus Matthiessen and German chemist Robert Bunsen. They finally managed to derive the element through the process of electrolysis. The duo named it lithium after the Greek term “lithos” meaning “stone.” 

Used in medicines 
Not many know, but lithium’s uses do not just restrict to electric vehicles and batteries, but can also be found in the field of medicine. Turns out, it is often employed as a heat transfer agent, meaning it absorbs excess heat from the human body (during fevers) and releases it as toxins through sweat. Moreover, lithium based medicines are also used by neurologists as effective mood stabilisers. Experts say that lithium is known to reduce the activity of the neurotransmitter and other brain receptors and has a calming effect on people of all ages. 

Lithium doesn’t occur free in nature 
Lithium, as some of you might know, can be found in abundance in all igneous rocks as well as mineral springs. However, it isn’t available in the nature for free. Why? Because unlike two other elements that were formed during the Big Bang, aka, hydrogen and helium; lithium in pure form is highly reactive and thus can only be found naturally bonded to other elements to form compounds. In fact, it is mostly found in natural water along with hydrogen and oxygen, but can fortunately be easily derived as it is the least dense element and ends up floating on the surface.  

The world’s largest lithium deposit is banned from mining 
Yes, you read that right. The world’s largest lithium deposits can be found in Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni and is spread across 4086 square miles. It is expected to have 50 to 70 per cent of world’s lithium reserves. But unfortunately, due to massive exploitation throughout history, Bolivian government has now banned the site from being mined. Instead, it a tourist attraction.