THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
NEW DELHI, FEBRUARY 12, 2026
Asserting
that a structured and transparent exploration framework is vital to achieving
the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, Union Minister for Coal and Mines G. Kishan
Reddy on Thursday launched the second tranche of auction of Exploration Licence
(EL) blocks in the national capital, marking a decisive push towards
strengthening India’s mineral exploration ecosystem.
Addressing
stakeholders at the launch and roadshow event, Reddy emphasized the urgent need
to reduce India’s dependence on mineral imports by accelerating domestic
exploration and promoting greater private sector participation alongside
government agencies. He reiterated that the Centre is committed to building a
structured, transparent and technology-driven exploration regime aimed at
unlocking the country’s vast and untapped mineral potential.
Highlighting
the strategic importance of critical minerals in driving economic growth and
supporting clean energy transitions, the Minister said a robust and efficient
exploration model would be instrumental in enhancing India’s self-reliance in
the mineral sector. “The Government of India is undertaking reforms across
sectors in pursuit of the vision of Viksit Bharat. These are not mere reforms,
but a reform express,” Shri Reddy remarked, adding that the mining sector is
undergoing transformative changes focused on transparency, efficiency and
investment facilitation.
The 11
blocks notified under Tranche-II include:
·
Shergarh Diamond Exploration Block – Diamond –
Shivpuri district, Madhya Pradesh (208.06 sq km)
·
Kurkheda Diamond Exploration Block – Diamond –
Gadchiroli district, Maharashtra (212.40 sq km)
·
Ambadhera–Rangamatia Vanadium Titanium Exploration
Block – Titanium & Vanadium – Mayurbhanj district, Odisha (181.51 sq km)
·
Mushanal–Dumrimunda REE Exploration Block – Rare
Earth Elements – Kalahandi district, Odisha (209.55 sq km)
·
Khandap–Sewali REE Exploration Block – Rare Earth
Elements – Balotra district, Rajasthan (200.00 sq km)
·
Chinna Kodur REE Exploration Block – Rare Earth
Elements – Siddipet district, Telangana (219.89 sq km)
·
Kondagattu REE Exploration Block – Rare Earth Elements
– Rajanna Sircilla & Jagtial districts, Telangana (202.29 sq km)
·
Momanpet REE, Vanadium & Titanium Exploration
Block – REE – Vikarabad & Sangareddy districts, Telangana (203.00 sq km)
·
Devkigalo–Jetpur Vanadium and Associated
Mineralization Block – Vanadium & associated minerals – Rajkot (parts of
block also fall in Junagadh and Amreli districts), Gujarat (169.57 sq km)
·
Shergaon Lead-Zinc Exploration Block – Lead-Zinc –
West Kameng district, Arunachal Pradesh (206.86 sq km)
·
Harpalpur–Mahobkanth Zirconium Exploration Block –
Zirconium – Jhansi & Mahoba districts, Uttar Pradesh (216.87 sq km)
The ceiling
price for most blocks has been set at 40%, while the Shergaon Lead-Zinc block
carries a ceiling price of 29% and the Harpalpur–Mahobkanth Zirconium block
34%.
In a
significant technological advancement, Reddy also launched the Geological
Survey of India’s (GSI) Next-Generation (NG) Portal — a cloud-enabled digital
platform designed to integrate data acquisition, analysis, visualization and
dissemination. Equipped with advanced AI and machine learning-based tools and
interoperable with the National Geoscience Data Repository (NGDR), the portal
is expected to enhance transparency, streamline processes and enable
data-driven decision-making in mineral exploration.
The launch
of Tranche-II and the associated roadshow were graced by Piyush Goyal,
Secretary, Ministry of Mines, and Sanjay Lohia, Additional Secretary, Ministry
of Mines, along with senior officials and industry representatives.
In his
address, Piyush Goyal described Tranche-II as a significant milestone in
accelerating growth in the mineral sector. Building on the encouraging response
to Tranche-I, the new tranche comprises 11 blocks of critical and deep-seated
minerals spread across eight States. He noted that the Exploration Licence
regime introduced under the MMDR Amendment Act, 2023, along with the Mineral
(Auction) Amendment Rules, 2023, has strengthened transparency, improved ease
of doing business and expanded opportunities for participation by both private
and public sector players.
The event
also featured detailed presentations on various aspects of the exploration and
auction framework. The Geological Survey of India made a presentation on
“Exploration Licence Blocks under Tranche-II,” while SBICAPS outlined the
“Exploration Licence Regime and Rules” and the “Mineral Auction Process and
Tender Document.” MSTC demonstrated the “Mineral e-Auction Process on MSTC
Portal,” and NMET presented the “Scheme for Partial Reimbursement of
Exploration Expenses for Holders of Exploration Licences.”
