The Notice Inviting Tender for the first tranche of the e-Auction of 20 Critical and Strategic Mineral blocks was launched on 29th November 2023, for which the bid due date is 20.02.2024. The details of such blocks is given at Annexure I.

The auction of Critical and Strategic Mineral Blocks aims to create a steady supply of these minerals, thus reducing our reliance on imports and ensuring a more secure and resilient supply chain. This will bring several key benefits including bolstering domestic production, reducing import dependency, promoting sustainable resource management, attracting investments in the mining sector, and developing key industries crucial for India’s industrial and technological advancement. This is a step towards creating a reliable supply chain of these Critical and Strategic minerals and a step towards making an ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and contribute towards increased economic growth.

In order to boost the exploration of critical minerals, a new mineral concession namely,  Exploration Licence has been introduced in the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act) through an amendment with effect from 17.08.2023 for 29 critical and deep-seated minerals. The Exploration Licence granted through auction shall permit the licensee to undertake reconnaissance and prospecting operations for critical and deep-seated minerals mentioned in the newly inserted Seventh Schedule to the MMDR Act. Further, to implement the provisions of Exploration License introduced in the Act, the Mineral (Auction) Rules, 2015; the Minerals (Other than Atomic and Hydro Carbons Energy Minerals) Concession Rules, 2016 and Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 2017 have been amended w.e.f. 21.01.2024.

Exploration License is foreseen to create an enabling mechanism for the Junior Mining Companies from across the world to bring in expertise in the field of exploration and mining sector as well as leverage the risk-taking ability in the discovery of critical and deep-seated mineral deposits through adoption of advanced technologies.

Since Field Season (F.S.) 2015-16 to 2022-23, Geological Survey of India (GSI) has taken up 616 mineral exploration projects on various critical and strategic minerals. Further, during the current F.S. of 2023-24, GSI has taken up 127 mineral exploration projects to assess the mineral potential of various strategic and critical minerals across the country and for the next F.S. 2024-25, GSI has 188 more exploration projects. Apart from this, GSI has also taken up 16 Critical Mineral Assessment programme (CMAP) for assessing critical mineral potentiality in laterites.

Annexure I

LIST OF CRITICAL MINERAL BLOCKS FOR 1^st PHASE OF AUCTION

 

(ML- Mining Lease; CL- Composite Licence)

 

This information was given by Union Minister of Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs Shri Pralhad Joshi in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

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