Apart from the soils that are deposited by the river and the glaciers, the soils of Ladakh are unique and show a largely mechanical origin. The weathered rocks of Ladakh, under the mechanical action of insulation and frosting, produce fine-grained, light-coloured soils that are poor in humus content. However, they are rich in potassium, nitrate, and phosphate and produce excellent agricultural results where irrigation water is applied. On the river terraces of Indus and its tributaries, the soils which are of alluvial origin, are utilized for the cultivation of vegetables, grim (type of barley), wheat, small millets, pulses, fodder, and apricot orchards.
Mineral Resources in Jammu and Kashmir – Types, Distribution, and Economic Value
A natural inorganic substance possessing a definite chemical composition and almost always in a crystalline form is called a mineral. The mountains surrounding the different valleys of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh have varied mineral wealth. The union territory of Jammu and Kashmir has mineral resources which include Limestone, Gypsum, Marble, Granite, Bauxite, Coal, Lignite, Magnetite, Slates, Sapphire, Quartzite etc.
The recent addition to the list is Lithium which has been found in Reasi district of Jammu & Kashmir. Jammu & Kashmir has very limited coal deposits. It is the Reasi district in which coal of anthracite quality occurs in some widely distributed seams of 30 cm to 6 cm in thickness. The major coal deposits are found at Kalakote (Rajouri), Jangalgalai, Metka (Poonch), Dansal, Sawalkot, and Sangar-Marg. Trace of coal have also been found in Baramulla, Handwara and Pulwama areas as well.
Mineral Resources in Ladakh – Major Deposits and Industrial Potential
The Union Territory of Ladakh is bestowed with abundant reserves of mineral resources viz. Borax in Puga valley, marble of best quality is found in both Leh and Kargil, limestone of cement grade and good quality of granite in age from Archean to Post-Cretaceous are found in both Leh and Kargil which is yet to be explored.
The minerals like Arsenic Ore, Borax, Gold, Granite, Limestone, Marble and Sulphur are found in this region. These minerals are founding in Ladakh providing base for forming various minerals-based industries in the union territory of Ladakh.
Discovery of Lithium Deposits in Jammu and Kashmir – Importance and Global Comparison
Lithium (Li), which is also known as “white gold” because of the burgeoning demand for rechargeable batteries, is a soft silvery-white metal. At present, most of the known reserves are found in Chile, Australia, Argentina, Bolivia and China.
For the first time ever, the Geological Survey of India has identified Lithium “inferred” resources (G3) estimated at 5.9 million tonnes in the Salal-Haimana area of Reasi district in Jammu & Kashmir. This is possibly the seventh-largest deposit of the rare element, constituting approximately 5.7% of the total lithium reserves in the world. The Lithium resources are believed to be at a higher grade of 550 parts per million (ppm) compared to the global average of 220 ppm, making them potentially very profitable.
