Ministry of Mines to Launch 8th Tranche of Critical & Strategic Mineral Block Auctions on July 15 – Indian PSU
he Ministry of Mines will launch the Eighth Tranche of Auction of Critical and Strategic Mineral Blocks on July 15, 2026, marking another significant step towards strengthening India’s mineral security and supporting the country’s clean energy and manufacturing ambitions.
Union Minister for Coal & Mines Shri G. Kishan Reddy will formally launch the auction in New Delhi in the presence of Minister of State for Coal & Mines Shri Satish Chandra Dubey, senior officials of the Ministry of Mines and other dignitaries.
Twenty Critical Mineral Blocks Across Nine States
The eighth tranche comprises 20 critical and strategic mineral blocks spread across nine states, including:
- 13 newly identified mineral blocks
- 7 mineral blocks being re-auctioned in the second attempt
The auction covers a diverse portfolio of strategically important minerals, including:
- Lithium
- Rare Earth Elements (REE)
- Gallium
- Vanadium
- Tungsten
- Titanium
- Molybdenum
- Graphite
- Phosphorite
- Potash
- Cesium
- Rubidium
- Glauconite
These minerals are considered essential for electric vehicles, battery manufacturing, renewable energy, advanced electronics, semiconductors, fertiliser production, aerospace, defence and other strategic industries.
Over 63% Success Rate in Critical Mineral Auctions
The Ministry of Mines has completed seven tranches of critical mineral auctions so far.
Key achievements include:
- 88 critical and strategic mineral blocks put up for auction
- 56 blocks successfully auctioned
- Success rate exceeding 63%
According to the Ministry, the sustained participation from industry demonstrates growing investor confidence in the Government’s transparent, competitive and market-oriented auction framework, while strengthening India’s long-term strategy for securing critical mineral resources.
Record Mineral Block Auctions in FY 2025-26
The Ministry highlighted that FY 2025-26 witnessed the highest-ever mineral block auctions since the introduction of the auction regime.
During the financial year:
- 212 mineral blocks were successfully auctioned
- Including 22 critical and strategic mineral blocks
The achievement underscores the Government’s focus on ensuring the availability of key minerals required for industrial growth, technological innovation and India’s clean energy transition.
Mineral Auction Rules Amended
The Government has also notified amendments to the Mineral (Auction) Rules, 2026 to make the auction process more investor-friendly.
The reforms include:
- Rationalised timelines for upfront payment
- Greater flexibility in executing Mining Lease and Prospecting Licence deeds
- Faster refund of bid security, performance security and other deposits where auctions are cancelled for reasons not attributable to successful bidders
The Ministry said the amendments are intended to improve the ease of doing business, enhance investor confidence and expedite the operationalisation of auctioned mineral blocks.
