The government has completed the auction of 10 out of 15 critical and strategic mineral blocks under the fifth tranche launched on January 28. This round marks a historic first, with the successful auction of potash and halite blocks, in addition to key minerals such as graphite, phosphorite, phosphate, rare earth elements, and vanadium.
Winners Span Public and Private Sector
The mineral blocks are spread across six states – Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. Notably, Coal India secured the Oranga-Revatipur block in Chhattisgarh, rich in graphite and vanadium. In a significant milestone, Oil India and Hindustan Zinc emerged as winners of India’s first-ever potash and halite blocks in Rajasthan.
Other successful bidders include Vinmir Resource, R K Mineral Development, Sunflag Iron and Steel Co., NLC India, and Ramgad Minerals and Mining, showcasing strong participation from both public and private players.
Expanding Self-Reliance in Critical Minerals
With this round, the total number of auctioned blocks now stands at 34 out of 55 offered across five tranches. The successful auction of potash is particularly significant for India’s agriculture sector, which relies heavily on imported fertilisers.
As reported by projectstody.com, the Ministry of Mines is actively advancing exploration under the National Critical Mineral Mission. The initiative aims to strengthen India’s strategic mineral supply. It also seeks to build self-sufficiency in essential raw materials crucial for agriculture, clean energy, electronics, and defence.
