**Executive Summary**
The Secretary of the Ministry of Mines chaired the 9th monthly Review Meeting on May 25, 2026, to evaluate the progress of mineral block auctions and their operationalization across Category-A mineral-bearing States. The meeting focused on accelerating mining reforms and enhancing domestic production to ensure India's mineral security. Key action items include the need for expedited statutory clearances and improved coordination between Central and State governments to facilitate early mining operations.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Auction Performance and Statistics**
* **Historical Growth:** Since the auction regime's inception in 2015, 108 blocks were auctioned between FY 2015-16 and FY 2020-21, followed by 364 blocks between FY 2021-22 and FY 2024-25.
* **Record Achievement:** FY 2025-26 saw a record-breaking 212 mineral blocks successfully auctioned, the highest in a single financial year.
* **Critical Minerals:** The FY 2025-26 auctions included 22 critical and strategic mineral blocks essential for clean energy transition and economic growth.
**Operationalisation of Blocks**
* **Current Progress:** A total of 36 mineral blocks (28 greenfield and 8 brownfield) were operationalized during FY 2025-26.
* **Comparative Data:** The operationalization in FY 2025-26 shows a significant shift toward greenfield projects compared to the 58 blocks (20 greenfield and 38 brownfield) operationalized cumulatively between FY 2015-16 and FY 2024-25.
**Strategic Objectives**
* **National Vision:** Mineral development is highlighted as a pillar for achieving "Aatmanirbhar Bharat" and strengthening national mineral security.
* **Reform Focus:** The Ministry is prioritizing the acceleration of reforms to ensure timely production from auctioned blocks and facilitate a transition to clean energy.
**Impact Analysis**
**Category-A Mineral Bearing States**
**Impact**
States are central to the execution of auctions and the subsequent operationalization of mineral blocks within their borders.
**Action Required**
States must expedite statutory clearances and work closely with the Central Government to facilitate the early commencement of mining operations and production.
**Ministry of Mines (Central Government)**
**Impact**
The Ministry is responsible for driving sectoral reforms, securing critical resources, and monitoring the overall progress of the auction regime.
**Action Required**
Maintain close coordination with State Governments to remove bottlenecks and ensure the timely operationalization of auctioned blocks.
**Mining Industry / Auction Winners**
**Impact**
The record number of auctions provides significant opportunities for increased domestic production, particularly in critical and strategic minerals.
**Action Required**
Operationalize greenfield and brownfield blocks in a timely manner to meet production goals and contribute to India’s economic and energy objectives.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Mines: The primary government body responsible for the administration of the mining sector and the oversight of mineral block auctions and operationalization.
Auction regime (2015): The policy framework introduced to facilitate the transparent and competitive allocation of mineral blocks for mining operations.
Critical and strategic mineral blocks: High-priority mineral resources essential for India's economic growth, clean energy transition, and national mineral security.
Aatmanirbhar Bharat: The national vision of self-reliance that drives the government's efforts to enhance domestic mineral production.
Ministry of Mines
Secretary, Ministry of Mines Reviews Progress of
Mineral Block Auctions and Operationalisation
Posted On: 25 MAY 2026 5:45PM by PIB Delhi
Shri Piyush Goyal, Secretary, Ministry of Mines today chaired the 9th monthly Review Meeting with
senior officials of the Ministry and Category-A mineral bearing States to review the progress of mineral
block auctions and operationalisation across the country. The meeting focused on accelerating reforms in
the mining sector, enhancing domestic mineral production, and ensuring timely operationalisation of
auctioned mineral blocks.
During the meeting, it was highlighted that since the introduction of the auction regime in 2015, a total of
108 mineral blocks were successfully auctioned during the period from FY 2015-16 to FY 2020-21. The
pace of auctions witnessed a significant increase thereafter, with 364 mineral blocks successfully
auctioned between FY 2021-22 to FY 2024-25, averaging about 90 blocks per year.
In FY 2025-26 alone, a record 212 mineral blocks have been successfully auctioned, marking the highest
number of mineral block auctions conducted in a single financial year since the commencement of the
auction regime. This achievement includes the auction of 22 critical and strategic mineral blocks,
reflecting the Government’s continued focus on securing critical mineral resources essential for India’s
economic growth and clean energy transition.
The meeting also reviewed the operationalisation status of auctioned blocks. It was informed that during
FY 2025-26, a total of 36 mineral blocks, including 28 greenfield blocks and 8 brownfield blocks, have
been operationalised as compared to 58 blocks comprising 20 greenfield and 38 brownfield blocks
operationalised during the entire period from FY 2015-16 to FY 2024-25.
Secretary, Mines emphasized the need for close coordination between the Central Government and State
Governments to expedite statutory clearances, facilitate early commencement of mining operations, and
ensure timely production from auctioned blocks. He also underscored the importance of critical mineral
development in achieving the vision of of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and strengthening India’s mineral security.
***
Prajith Kumar MV
(Release ID: 2265021) Visitor Counter : 370
Read this release in: Urdu , ही , Tamil , Telugu