Mines Ministry

Mines ministry launches auction of two mineral blocks in the Andaman Sea

The blocks contain polymetallic nodules and crusts with cobalt, nickel, manganese, copper and rare earth elements; bids can be submitted until December 28 at 5 pm

Mines ministry to auction two offshore mineral blocks in Andaman Sea

Two Andaman Sea blocks will be offered for composite licence as the government seeks to attract investment, boost exploration and strengthen long-term mineral security

Illegal mining continues to attract criminal penalties: Mines ministry

"In a scenario where there is violation of rules and illegal mining, the violator will attract both civil liability as well as criminal liability for illegal mining," the ministry said

New mining rules raise concerns over enforcement, penalties for violations

New mining penalty rules may weaken enforcement by capping civil penalties and allowing violations to be settled without inquiry, experts and industry stakeholders said

States to retain 90% of mining-related payments after MMDR Bill: Centre

Mines Ministry says states will continue to receive around 90 per cent of mining-related taxes and statutory payments, amid concerns over the amendment's fiscal impact

States protest Centre's mining 'turf grab'; Reddy defends MMDR Bill

Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy said the MMDR Bill applies only to major minerals and does not affect states' powers over minor minerals, as Kerala warned of legal action.

Keshav Chandra assumes charge as Mines Secretary, reviews key initiatives

Keshav Chandra on Monday assumed charge as the Mines Secretary, the mines ministry said. Chandra, a 1995-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the AGMUT cadre, succeeds Piyush Goyal, who has been appointed as the Secretary General of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). Before taking charge as mines secretary, Chandra served as chairperson of the New Delhi Municipal Council. Soon after assuming charge, Chandra chaired a meeting with senior officials and reviewed key initiatives of the mines ministry. The secretary emphasised the importance of coordinated efforts and effective implementation of the ministry's key initiatives to strengthen India's mineral sector. The ministry is treating critical minerals as a strategic sector as it seeks to secure minerals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite, titanium and rare earths that are essential for electric vehicles, renewables, electronics, defence and other high-tech industries. India depends heavily on impor

Downstream aluminium bodies seek lower import duty on primary aluminium

Industry associations say the current duty structure has enabled import-parity pricing by domestic producers, raising input costs and squeezing the profitability of downstream MSMEs.

Centre offers 20 critical mineral blocks in eighth auction tranche

The Centre has launched the eighth tranche of critical mineral auctions, offering 20 blocks across nine states as it seeks to strengthen India's strategic mineral value chain

Centre auctions 10 critical and strategic mineral blocks in seventh tranche

India auctioned 10 critical mineral blocks in the seventh tranche, expanding domestic supply efforts for rare earths and strategic minerals across new states

India's critical mineral recycling capacity commitments triple target

Recycling commitments under the Rs 1,500-crore incentive scheme reach 850 kilotonnes against a 270-kilotonne target as India accelerates critical mineral plans

Govt pushes faster mine launches, exploration amid auction momentum

The Mines Ministry has directed agencies and states to fast-track mineral exploration and operationalisation of auctioned blocks to strengthen mineral security

Parliamentary panel flags policy, capacity gaps in offshore mining push

Govt annulled first auction of 13 offshore mineral blocks after muted investor response last December

Govt finalising policy to build domestic critical minerals value chain

Policy aims to build domestic processing capacity for critical minerals, reduce import dependence and strengthen supply chains for EV batteries and manufacturing

India auctions record 200 mineral blocks in 2025-26: Ministry of Mines

India auctions 200 mineral blocks in FY26, highest ever, with states playing a key role as focus sharpens on critical minerals and resource security

Govt launches ₹210 crore research programme for critical minerals

The government has rolled out a Rs 210-crore, three-year critical minerals research programme led by ANRF and the Ministry of Mines, restricted to nine Centres of Excellence

CIL intensifies critical mineral push with fresh bids, global focus

Coal India Ltd is accelerating its diversification strategy by bidding for domestic critical mineral blocks and scouting global lithium, graphite, and rare earth assets

Mines ministry unlikely to cap bid premium in critical mineral auctions

The mines ministry rules out any move to limit bid premiums for critical minerals, even as aggressive offers raise questions over their commercial viability

Centre unveils first State Mining Index to boost reforms in mineral sector

Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat lead in the first State Mining Readiness Index, as the Centre benchmarks States to boost mining reforms and sustainable practices

Mines ministry launches sixth critical minerals auction, PSU welfare plan

The mines ministry launched the sixth tranche of critical minerals auction for 23 blocks across 13 states and announced Rs 1 crore insurance cover for PSU miners