India’s Critical Mineral Mission has gained significant momentum with the successful auction of 56 critical and strategic mineral blocks and 11 Exploration Licence blocks by the Ministry of Mines. The Ministry has successfully auctioned 10 critical and strategic mineral blocks under the seventh tranche of auctions, taking the total number of such blocks auctioned to 56 out of 88 blocks offered so far, with a success rate of over 63%.
The Ministry informed that for the first time, critical mineral blocks in Gujarat, Uttarakhand and Telangana were auctioned by the Centre. The tranche included minerals such as graphite, rare earth elements, vanadium, titanium, glauconite and rock phosphate. The Ministry has also completed the second tranche of Exploration Licence auctions, taking the total number of Exploration Licence blocks auctioned to 11 since the introduction of the new regime.
Exploration Licence blocks were auctioned for the first time in Arunachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Odisha. The Ministry said the successful auctions reflect growing industry confidence in India’s mineral sector. It added that this will accelerate the exploration and development of critical minerals needed for clean energy, electric mobility, renewable energy, electronics, defence and advanced manufacturing. The initiative will help reduce import dependence and strengthen domestic mineral supply chains under the National Critical Mineral Mission.
