The Ministry of Mines, Government of India, is organising a Roadshow on the 8th Tranche of Auction of Critical and Strategic Mineral Blocks and a Workshop on the National Mineral Exploration and Development Trust (NMEDT) on 17 August 2026 in Patna, Bihar.

The programme will be chaired by Shri Satish Chandra Dubey, Union Minister of State for Coal and Mines, Government of India, in the august presence of Shri Samrat Choudhary, Chief Minister of Bihar, and Dr Pramod Kumar, Mines Minister, Government of Bihar. Senior officials of the Ministry of Mines, Government of Bihar, Geological Survey of India (GSI), Mineral Exploration and Consultancy Limited (MECL), industry representatives and prospective investors are expected to participate in the programme.

The 8th Tranche comprises 20 mineral blocks, including 3 Mining Lease and 17 Composite Licence blocks, covering a diverse range of critical and strategic minerals such as Graphite, Rare Earth Elements (REE), Rare Metals, Vanadium, Gallium, Titanium, Molybdenum, Tungsten, Potash, Phosphorite and Glauconite.

The Roadshow will provide prospective investors and industry stakeholders with an overview of the mineral potential of the blocks on offer, auction framework, bidding process and opportunities for investment and participation in the critical and strategic minerals sector. Detailed presentations will be made by MECL on the mineral blocks, SBICAPS on the mineral auction process and tender document, and MSTC on the e-auction process.

The programme will also include a presentation on the NMEDT Scheme for partial reimbursement of exploration expenses for Composite Licence holders, followed by an open-house discussion to facilitate interaction with stakeholders and address queries relating to the auction process.

The second half of the programme will feature a Workshop on Mineral Exploration: Planning, Execution and Reporting. The workshop will cover India’s mineral exploration potential, the National Geoscience Data Repository (NGDR), preparation of exploration blocks using NGDR, and preparation of mineral exploration reports, with technical sessions by senior officers of the Geological Survey of India.

The initiative reflects the Government’s continued efforts to promote exploration, accelerate the development of critical and strategic mineral resources, enhance private-sector participation and strengthen India’s mineral security. It also supports the broader vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat by facilitating greater domestic exploration and development of minerals essential for emerging technologies, clean energy and other strategic sectors.

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