Mines Ministry to Launch of Sixth Tranche of auction of Critical and Strategic Minerals Blocks
The government introduced auction-based Exploration Licenses for 29 critical and deep-seated minerals listed in the Seventh Schedule by amending the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.
New Delhi, 15 September 2025: The Ministry of Mines will soon launch the Sixth Tranche of Auction of Critical and Strategic Minerals and will also announce the Preferred Bidders of the 07 deep-seated and critical mineral blocks under Tranche I of the auction of Exploration Licenses at Hyderabad on 16th September 2025.
The government introduced auction-based Exploration Licenses for 29 critical and deep-seated minerals listed in the Seventh Schedule by amending the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957. The new EL regime will boost exploration of minerals like lithium, copper, silver, diamond, and gold by involving the private sector. The licensees can conduct reconnaissance and prospecting to identify mining prospects and receive a revenue share from the auction premium for 50 years.
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The Central Government has successfully concluded the auction of 07 deep-seated and critical mineral blocks, launched under Tranche I for the grant of Exploration License vide Notice Inviting Tender (NIT) on March 13, 2025, for 13 Exploration License blocks. The blocks consist of deep-seated and critical minerals such as gold, copper, lead, zinc, rare earth elements, and platinum group minerals in 6 states, viz., Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan.
In order to enhance the availability of critical and strategic minerals in the country, the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2023, empowered the Central Government to auction mining leases and composite licenses of 24 minerals as critical and strategic minerals. So far, the ministry has concluded five tranches of auctions, covering 55 critical and strategic mineral blocks across multiple states, with 34 blocks successfully auctioned so far. The revenue generated from these auctions shall accrue to the respective state governments.
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