Centre Launches 4th Tranche Auction Of Critical & Strategic Minerals Blocks

Union Minister of Coal and Mines, G. Kishan Reddy, along with Minister of State for Coal and Mines, Satish Chandra Dubey, launched the 4th tranche of the auction of critical and strategic mineral blocks at a programme in New Delhi yesterday. 

The auction included 21 blocks of critical minerals. Out of these, 11 are fresh blocks, spread over six states: Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. Addressing the programme, Mr Reddy informed us that the first tranche of the auction of offshore mineral blocks will be launched within 100 days of the new government. 

According to the Ministry of Mines, these blocks contain a variety of minerals, including graphite, glauconite, phosphate, potash, nickel, phosphate, and rare earth elements (REE). As part of this tranche, 10 critical mineral blocks



are on offer as the second attempt blocks of previous tranches of auction. These are located in Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu and have important critical minerals like tungsten, vanadium, graphite, glauconite, cobalt, and nickel.

Mr Reddy also handed over certificates to two newly notified private exploration agencies in the programme. This is in line with to increase in the pace of exploration in the country and to bring advanced technology to the exploration of minerals. On this occasion, the Minister also announced a scheme for partial reimbursement of exploration expenses for the exploration license holders. Under the scheme, exploration expenditures of up to 50 per cent of the cost, subject to an upper limit of 20 crore rupees, will be reimbursed.