Question 1

Energy storage for renewable grids relies exclusively on lithium-ion technology.

Accepted Answer

Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries (VRFBs) are highly superior for long-duration, stationary grid-scale energy storage because they suffer zero degradation over thousands of cycles.

Question 2

An Exploration Licence (EL) holder gets automatic rights to mine the minerals they discover.

Accepted Answer

The EL holder is only permitted to conduct reconnaissance and prospecting. Once a viable prospect is found, the government auctions the Mining Lease, and the EL holder receives a share of the auction premium for 50 years.

Question 3

Consider the following statements regarding the exploration and mining of critical minerals in India: 1. The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2023 empowered the Central Government to directly auction Mining Leases for critical and strategic minerals. 2. An Exploration Licence (EL) holder receives an automatic Mining Lease upon the successful discovery of a deep-seated mineral. 3. Revenues generated from the central auction of critical mineral blocks accrue directly to the Consolidated Fund of India. How many of the statements given above are correct?

Accepted Answer

(a) Only one — Statement 1 is correct; the 2023 amendment allows the Centre to auction 24 critical minerals. Statement 2 is incorrect; an EL holder only conducts exploration and receives a revenue share from the subsequent mining lease auction premium, not an automatic lease. Statement 3 is incorrect; despite the Centre conducting the auction, the revenue accrues to the respective State Governments.

Question 4

Match the critical mineral in List I with its primary strategic application in List II: List I: A. Vanadium, B. Lithium, C. Neodymium (REE), D. Tungsten. List II: 1. Permanent magnets in wind turbines and EV motors, 2. Redox flow batteries for stationary grid storage, 3. Armor-piercing projectiles and high-temperature alloys, 4. High energy density batteries for mobile EVs. Select the correct code:

Accepted Answer

(a) A-2, B-4, C-1, D-3 — Vanadium (A) is critical for Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries (2) used in grids. Lithium (B) is favored for EV batteries due to its high energy density (4). Neodymium, a Rare Earth Element (C), is vital for making permanent magnets (1). Tungsten (D) is highly valued in defense for its extreme hardness and heat resistance (3).

Question 5

Assertion (A): Vanadium is increasingly prioritized over lithium for large-scale, stationary renewable energy grid storage. Reason (R): Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries (VRFB) have a significantly higher energy-to-weight ratio (energy density) than lithium-ion batteries. Select the correct answer:

Accepted Answer

(c) A is true but R is false. — The Assertion is true; Vanadium is ideal for stationary grid storage because flow batteries do not degrade over time and have a massive lifespan. The Reason is false; VRFBs have a low energy density (they are heavy and bulky), which is why they cannot be used in mobile applications like EVs or smartphones, where high energy density lithium-ion batteries dominate.

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