India, Sept. 6 -- The Andhra Pradesh state mines department has begun the process of exploring valuable deposits of two critical minerals - lithium and gallium- identified in the Kadapa basin between Kurnool and YSR Kadapa districts, officials familiar with the development said.

Both lithium and gallium are considered strategically important minerals with wide applications in the battery, electric vehicle, electronics, semiconductor, aviation and renewable energy sectors. The Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) operates a project at Tummalapalle in Vemula mandal, where the Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD) has been exploring uranium reserves.

Earlier this year, scientists from the National Technical ...