Mineral Blocks

385 mines auctioned since 2015, only 50 operational; challenges persist

The government said the amendments made in the MMDR Act have led to speedy auction and production from mines

Govt scraps auction of 3 mineral blocks, including lithium mine in J-K

The government has scrapped the auction of three critical mineral blocks, including a lithium mine in Jammu and Kashmir, under the third tranche of sale of mines due to a lower-than-required number of bidders. The auction is a part of the government's push towards cleaner alternatives and self-reliance in critical mineral supplies. The three blocks are Salal-Haimna Lithium, Titanium and Bauxite (Aluminous Laterite) Block in Jammu and Kashmir, Muskaniya-Gareriatola-Barwari Potash block in Jharkhand and Kurunjakulam Graphite block in Tamil Nadu. The auction was annulled as the "required number of bids as per the mineral auction rules have not been received", according to a notice by the Mines Ministry. The ministry, on March 14, put on sale seven critical mineral blocks in the third round of auction. The blocks that received less than three bids in the first tranche were notified under this round. These seven blocks pertain to critical minerals such as Glauconite, Graphite, Nickel,

Union Budget 2024: India scraps customs duty on 25 critical minerals

The finance minister added, "I propose to fully exempt customs duties on 25 critical minerals and reduce BCD on two of them"

Maiden critical minerals block results likely to be announced on Monday

More than two dozen blocks will also be put on the bidding block in fourth blocks

Govt cancels auction of 13 of 20 critical mineral blocks over poor response

The government on Friday said it has cancelled the auction for 13 of the 20 blocks put on sale in the first tranche of critical minerals as the response was lukewarm. "The e-auction process for 13 mineral blocks was annulled vide notification dated 13 March 2024, wherein no bids were received for two blocks and less than three technically Qualified Bidders (TQB) were there for 11 blocks," the mines ministry said in a statement. Of the 20 blocks put on offer, 56 physical bids and 56 online bids were received for 18 blocks. Of the 11 cancelled blocks, seven mines have been notified for auction under the third round. The second round of auction of six blocks have been completed as per schedule. The decision on kundol, nickel and chromium block in Gujurat will be taken by the designated officer in due course of time, as per the statement. Earlier this month, the government launched the third tranche of auction of critical and strategic minerals. The Centre has launched auction of 38

Looking at setting targets on offshore mineral mining: Mines secretary

"In Africa, we are exploring opportunities in Zambia, Namibia, Congo, Ghana, and Mozambique for critical minerals," the secretary said, adding that they are engaging with Australia for lithium blocks

Govt puts 7 critical and strategic mineral blocks up for bid again

These seven blocks pertains to critical minerals such as Glauconite, Graphite, Nickel, PGE, Potash, Lithium, and Titanium and are spread across the States of Bihar, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, UP and J&K

Centre launches 2nd round of critical mineral auction worth Rs 30 trillion

The inaugural round for the auction of critical minerals in the country commenced on November 29. The minister disclosed that over 180 potential bidders have procured the tender documents

Incentives for tech, infra needed to develop critical mineral sector: GTRI

Measures such as fiscal incentives, investments in technology and infrastructure, mining operations abroad and conducive regulatory environment are a must for developing India's critical mineral sector, a report by think tank GTRI said on Monday. The Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) said in its report that India is focusing on developing its critical mineral sector as it is vital for high-tech and renewable energy technologies. At present, India depends on imports, particularly from countries like China, Congo, Chile, Indonesia, South Africa, Argentina, Vietnam, US, Canada and Australia. Critical minerals such as lithium, chromium, cobalt, antimony, arsenic, barite, beryllium, bismuth, cesium, fluorspar, gallium, germanium, graphite, hafnium, and others are indispensable for modern technologies. They are integral to the manufacturing of various high-tech applications, including mobile phones, flat-screen monitors, wind turbines, electric vehicles (EVs), solar panels, drones,

India signs an agreement to acquire five lithium mines in Argentina

This is the first ever lithium exploration and mining project by a government company of India

Total 76 mineral blocks auctioned this year, 30 for mining lease: Govt

The government on Friday said that as many as 76 mineral blocks have been auctioned in the current year. Of the 76 mineral blocks, 30 mineral blocks were auctioned for mining lease and the remaining 46 were sold as a composite licence. Mining lease means a lease granted for the purpose of undertaking mining operations, while, composite licence is a two-stage operating right granted for the purpose of undertaking exploration followed by production operation. "During the Year 2023, 76 mineral blocks have been successfully auctioned till December. Out of these, 30 mineral blocks were auctioned for Mining Lease (ML) and the remaining 46 were auctioned as Composite Licence (CL)," the mines ministry said in a statement. Out of the total 335 blocks auctioned since 2015, 46 are operational and 43 are in production. During the year 2023, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan have successfully auctioned the maximum number of blocks, i.e. 22 and 16, respectively. In 2022 a total number of 33 Iron Or

Critical, offshore mineral blocks set for auction in 2024: Official

Auctioning of critical mineral and offshore mineral blocks as well as giving exploration licences in 2024 are set to rejuvenate the country's mining sector that has the potential for a multiplier effect on economic growth. As the government focuses on self reliance, Mines Minister Pralhad Joshi told PTI, "every few months (in 2024) we will bring out a new batch of critical minerals for auction." Not just critical minerals, exploration of deep-seated minerals like gold and copper, as well as offshore areas are on the priority list. In November, the government launched the first tranche of e-auction of 20 mines of critical and strategic minerals. The blocks include copper, lithium, nickel and potash. A committee, set up by the mines ministry, had identified 30 minerals as critical and strategic, considering their economic importance and supply risk vis-a-vis India's priorities and future requirements for energy transition. Besides, a new Mineral Concession namely exploration licence

Madhya Pradesh auctions 22 mineral blocks, to earn Rs 38,100 crore

Latest auction elevates state's total to 68 blocks, the highest in India

Govt to start auction process for 100 critical mineral blocks in 4 months

India is racing to ensure critical minerals security to power its ambition to make the country a key battery and electric vehicles manufacturing hub and help attain a net zero goal

Madhya Pradesh govt announces biggest-ever auction of mineral blocks

This includes strategic and critical minerals and metals like gold, diamond, graphite and vanadium

One-third of annual exploration projects are for critical minerals: GSI

Amid the buzz of 'green economy', the Geological Survey of India (GSI) is intensifying its exploration exercises for critical minerals, like lithium, nickel, cobalt and rare earth elements, with "one-third" of such projects being dedicated to the search of these resources, a top official said on Sunday. These critical minerals are key to clean energy technologies. The national survey organisation, which now has a working collaboration with Geoscience Australia for mineral exploration, is also in talks for tie-ups with the authorities in Russia and Brazil, GSI Deputy Director General (Policy Support System - Planning and Monitoring) Asit Saha said. "We have been taking up more than 100 exploration projects every year for critical minerals since 2020-21. The same trend continues this year (2023-24) also, as it is our thrust area. Earlier, the number of such projects was to the tune of 60-70 but now we have drastically increased it. "Out of a total of around 350 mineral exploration ..

Govt plans to auction 6 mineral blocks in Odisha, Rajasthan next month

The government plans to put on sale next month six mineral blocks in the states of Odisha and Rajasthan. Of these six blocks to be auctioned, three are bauxite mines and three are limestone blocks. The three bauxite blocks -- Ballada, Kutrumali and Sijimali -- and two limestone mines -- Garramura and Uskalabgu -- in Odisha are virgin blocks, according to a latest report by the mines ministry. The remaining mine is Nimana-Duniya limestone block in Kota, Rajasthan. The notice inviting tender for all the six blocks was floated in the month of November. Since the amendment to MMDR Act, 1957 in 2015, a total of 216 mineral blocks have been auctioned till November 30 across 10 states. Three mineral blocks -- two limestone and one iron ore -- in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh were successfully auctioned last month. The government started the process of allocating mineral blocks through auctions in 2015-16. The ministry has expressed hope of auctioning 500 mines by the end of 2024. The Cen

Govt plans to auction 22 mineral blocks in 3 states within next two months

The government plans to auction 22 mineral blocks in Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Goa in November and December. The mines to be auctioned include six iron ore blocks, three blocks each of limestone and gold, two blocks of bauxite, one block each of copper, phosphorite and glauconite, according to the mines ministry. The notice inviting tenders for the blocks were floated in September. While the mines in Maharashtra will be auctioned next month, those in Uttar Pradesh and Goa will be put on sale in December. So far, more than 180 mineral blocks have been put on sale since the system of auctioning of mineral blocks began. The government started the process of allocating mineral blocks through auctions in 2015-16. The ministry has expressed hopes of auctioning 500 mines by the end of 2024. The Centre is aiming to increase the mining sector's contribution to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to 5 per cent from 2.5 per cent at present. The ministry has also notified the Mi

State govts auctioned 100 mineral blocks from March 2021 to Aug 2022

The state governments have auctioned 100 mineral blocks between March 2021 and August 2022, the Union Ministry of Mines has said

Forest clearance to explore mineral blocks likely to be scrapped

Reconnaissance Permit (RP) is granted for preliminary prospecting of a mineral through regional, aerial, geophysical or geochemical surveys and geological mapping