THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
NEW DELHI, JUNE 23, 2026
India’s drive to secure critical mineral resources and
strengthen domestic supply chains gathered fresh momentum as the Ministry of
Mines successfully auctioned 56 critical and strategic mineral blocks and 11
Exploration Licence (EL) blocks, marking a significant milestone in the
implementation of the National Critical Mineral Mission.
The latest achievement follows the successful completion of
the Seventh Tranche of critical and strategic mineral block auctions, under
which 10 additional mineral blocks were awarded, taking the cumulative number
of auctioned blocks to 56. The auctions represent a success rate of more than
63 per cent, with 56 of the 88 unique mineral blocks offered by the Central
Government securing successful bids.
The Seventh Tranche also expanded India’s critical mineral
exploration footprint, with Gujarat, Uttarakhand and Telangana witnessing
Central Government-led auctions of critical mineral blocks for the first time.
The auction portfolio covered a diverse range of strategically important
minerals, including graphite, rare earth elements (REE), vanadium, titanium,
glauconite, rock phosphate and associated minerals, broadening both the
geographical and mineral spectrum of India’s resource development efforts.
Launched through a Notice Inviting Tender issued on March 23,
2026, the tranche offered 19 mineral blocks and was conducted under the
provisions of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957,
and the Mineral (Auction) Rules, 2015.
In a parallel development, the Ministry also completed the
Second Tranche of Exploration Licence auctions, further deepening the country’s
mineral exploration ecosystem. The latest round marked the debut of the
Exploration Licence framework in Arunachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Odisha,
opening new frontiers for the exploration of critical and deep-seated mineral
resources.
With the completion of the second tranche, the total number
of Exploration Licence blocks successfully auctioned by the Central Government
has reached 11 since the introduction of the EL auction regime. The framework
is designed to encourage systematic mineral exploration by enabling greater
participation from both public and private sector entities.
The Ministry said the sustained success of critical mineral
and Exploration Licence auctions reflects growing investor confidence in
India’s mineral sector and underscores the effectiveness of recent policy
reforms aimed at promoting scientific exploration, attracting investment and
strengthening domestic value chains.
The auctioned assets are expected to play a pivotal role in
supporting industries central to India’s economic and technological ambitions,
including clean energy, electric mobility, renewable power systems, advanced
manufacturing, electronics and defence.
Officials noted that the successful auction programme reinforces the Government’s commitment to reducing import dependence, expanding private-sector participation and creating a robust pipeline of strategic mineral assets essential for long-term economic security.
The Ministry of Mines expressed gratitude to participating bidders, state governments, technical agencies and other stakeholders for contributing to the success of the auction programme, reaffirming its commitment to building a transparent, efficient and investor-friendly mineral ecosystem while accelerating the nation’s journey towards critical mineral self-reliance.
