Chennai, Feb 26 : Some of the lithium-based joint ventures and technical collaborations in India will feel the impact when the metal gets mined in the country and made available to those who need it, said Anant Badjatya, CEO, SUN Mobility.

The company is into automotive swappable batteries whereby the batteries are separated from the vehicle -- just like the petrol/diesel vehicles.  Recently the Central government had said the Geological Survey of India (GSI) has for the first time established lithium inferred resources (G3) of 5.9 million tonnes in Salal-Haimana area of Reasi District of Jammu & Kashmir.  The lithium reserves found in Salal-Haimana area has given the Indian EV makers a high. It is now said this is the new IMFL -- Indian Made Foreign Lithium -- as the metal was largely imported.  The old IMFL stands for Indian Made Foreign Liquor.  Indian businesses may become less reliant on imported lithium and become competitive globally if there are consistent and affordable domestic lithium sources, Badjatya told IANS in an interview.  Excerpts:  IANS: On the lithium reserves found in India?  Badjatya: The discovery of lithium reserves in India is welcome news and shall help in development of domestic lithium reserves to support the growth of the electric vehicle (EV) industry in India.  India is presently reliant on the imports of lithium and other raw materials to produce batteries because lithium is a crucial component of the batteries used in electric vehicles. Local availability of lithium may help the nation become less reliant on imports and encourage the expansion of the domestic EV market.  Keeping in mind the possible effects on nearby communities and ecosystems, it is crucial to make sure that any mining or extraction of lithium is done in a way that is socially and environmentally responsible.  IANS: In your estimation, how long would it take for mining lithium in India?