Reuters
India's Shree Cement plans to bid for lithium mining rights under a government plan to secure critical minerals production through auctions that are expected to raise more than $5 billion. A source with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters the company would apply for the rights to lithium mining blocks in Jammu and Kashmir, the federally administered region where an estimated 5.9 million tonnes of deposits were found in February. Shree Cement, India's second biggest cement company by market capitalisation, will also bid for blocks in the eastern state of Chhattisgarh, said the source, who asked not to be identified due to the commercial sensitivities.