Critical mineral auction: Centre to launch eighth tranche of mineral blocks
New Delhi: The Ministry of Mines will launch the eighth tranche of the Critical mineral auction on July 15, offering 20 critical and strategic mineral blocks across nine states to strengthen India’s resource security and support key industries.
Union Minister for Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy will inaugurate the auction in New Delhi. Minister of State for Coal and Mines Satish Chandra Dubey, senior ministry officials and other dignitaries will also attend the event.
The eighth tranche includes 20 mineral blocks. It features 13 newly identified blocks and seven blocks from a second auction attempt. Moreover, the portfolio covers Molybdenum, Graphite, Glauconite, Rare Earth Elements, Vanadium, Gallium, Titanium, Tungsten, Phosphorite, Potash, Lithium, Cesium and Rubidium. These minerals support clean energy, advanced manufacturing, fertilisers, defence and several strategic sectors.
Critical mineral auction strengthens resource security
So far, the Ministry of Mines has completed seven auction tranches. It has auctioned 56 of the 88 critical and strategic mineral blocks, achieving a success rate of more than 63 per cent. As a result, investor confidence has grown steadily in the government’s transparent and competitive auction framework.
Furthermore, the ministry auctioned 212 mineral blocks during FY 2025–26. This marked the highest annual total since the auction regime began. The figure also included 22 critical and strategic mineral blocks, highlighting the government’s focus on securing essential mineral resources.
Meanwhile, the government recently notified amendments to the Mineral (Auction) Rules, 2026. The reforms simplify payment timelines, provide greater flexibility for executing mining lease and prospecting licence deeds, and enable faster refunds when authorities cancel auctions for reasons beyond a bidder’s control. Consequently, the ministry expects these changes to improve ease of doing business, strengthen investor confidence and speed up the operationalisation of auctioned mineral blocks.
