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Informist, Wednesday, Jul. 15, 2026

 

--Govt launches eighth tranche of critical mineral blocks auction

 

NEW DELHI – The government on Wednesday launched the eighth tranche of auction of critical and strategic mineral blocks. The latest tranche comprises 20 critical and strategic mineral blocks spread across nine states – 13 newly identified blocks and seven blocks being offered under the second attempt. 

 

The mineral portfolio includes molybdenum, raphite, glauconite, rare earth elements, vanadium, gallium, titanium, tungsten, phosphorite, potash, lithium, cesium and rubidium. The government has auctioned 56 of the 88 critical and strategic mineral blocks taken up for auction in the previous seven tranches, achieving a success rate of over 63%, the mining ministry said in a release. 

 

Under the eighth tranche, the commencement of sale of tender document for all blocks will be held on Jul. 22. The pre-bid conference will be held on Aug. 18, and bidders can sent their queries by Aug. 24. Interested bidders can submit their technical and initial price offer by Sept. 21, and the technical bids will be opened on Sept. 22. 

 

As per the release, the government has also recently notified amendments to the mineral (auction) rules, 2026 to further streamline the auction process. The reforms rationalise timelines for payment of the upfront amount, provide greater flexibility in the execution of mining lease and prospecting licence deeds, as per the release. The reforms also facilitate timely refund of bid security, performance security and other payments where auctions are annulled for reasons not attributable to the preferred or successful bidder, according to the release.

 

These measures are aimed at improving ease of doing business, enhancing investor confidence, and accelerating the operationalisation of auctioned mineral blocks, the release said.  End

 

Reported by Astha Oriel and Sagar Sen

Edited by Avishek Dutta

 

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