Date: 2026-07-15Category: Press ReleaseState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
Union Minister Shri G. Kishan Reddy and Minister of State Shri Satish Chandra Dubey Launch the Eighth Tranche of Auction of 20 Critical and Strategic Mineral Blocks
**Executive Summary**
The Ministry of Mines has launched the Eighth Tranche of e-auctions for 20 critical and strategic mineral blocks to strengthen India’s mineral security and reduce import dependence. The initiative, announced during India Mining Week 2026, targets minerals essential for clean energy, defense, and advanced manufacturing. Key deadlines include the last date for tender document purchase on September 14, 2026, and the final bid submission deadline on September 21, 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Auction Overview and Scope**
* The Eighth Tranche includes 20 blocks: 13 newly identified mineral blocks and 7 blocks offered for a second attempt.
* The launch brings the total number of critical mineral blocks offered to date to 88, with 56 already successfully auctioned.
* The auction process is conducted online via the MSTC e-auction platform using a two-stage ascending forward auction model.
**Mineral and Regional Distribution**
* Blocks are distributed across nine states: Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Telangana, and West Bengal.
* Strategically important minerals put up for auction include Lithium, Rare Earth Elements (REE), Vanadium, Gallium, Graphite, Potash, Molybdenum, and Glauconite.
* Specific high-value blocks include Rare Metals (Lithium, Cesium, and Rubidium) in West Bengal and REE in Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra.
**Strategic Objectives**
* Aims to build resilient supply chains for high-tech sectors such as aerospace, electric mobility, and electronics.
* Focuses on driving transparency and efficiency through digital governance and increased private sector participation.
* Supports the "Viksit Bharat 2047" vision by fostering a globally competitive and self-reliant mining ecosystem.
**Impact Analysis**
**Prospective Bidders and Industry Leaders**
**Impact**
Bidders gain access to 20 high-value mineral blocks across various states, supported by a transparent, reform-driven auction process.
**Action Required**
Must purchase tender documents by September 14, 2026 (17:00 hrs IST), and submit Technical Bids and Initial Price Offers by September 21, 2026 (17:00 hrs IST).
**Strategic Sectors (Defense, Aerospace, Clean Energy)**
**Impact**
These sectors will benefit from improved domestic mineral security and reduced reliance on foreign imports for essential raw materials.
**Action Required**
No direct action is required under this document, but these sectors should prepare for future domestic supply chain integration.
**State Governments**
**Impact**
Nine specific states will see increased mining activity, which is expected to drive local economic development and contribute to the growth of local communities.
**Action Required**
Coordinate with the Union Ministry to facilitate exploration and mining operations within their respective jurisdictions.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Mines: The primary government body responsible for the administration of mining laws and the oversight of the critical mineral auction process in India.
Eighth Tranche of Auction of Critical and Strategic Mineral Blocks: The specific government initiative involving the e-auction of 20 mineral blocks aimed at strengthening mineral security and domestic supply chains.
Mineral (Auction) Rules: The statutory regulatory framework under which the auction of critical and strategic mineral blocks is conducted.
India Mining Week 2026: A global platform launched to showcase India’s mining potential and accelerate the growth of the mining ecosystem through stakeholder collaboration.
MSTC e-auction platform: The designated electronic portal used to conduct the transparent two-stage ascending forward auction process for mineral blocks.
Ministry of Mines
Union Minister Shri G. Kishan Reddy and
Minister of State Shri Satish Chandra Dubey
Launch the Eighth Tranche of Auction of 20
Critical and Strategic Mineral Blocks
प्रव तथ: 15 JUL 2026 8:55PM by PIB Delhi
Shri G. Kishan Reddy, Union Minister for Coal and Mines, along with Shri Satish Chandra Dubey,
Minister of State for Coal and Mines, launched the Eighth Tranche of e-auction of Critical and Strategic
Mineral Blocks during the Curtain Raiser event of India Mining Week 2026. The launch marks another
significant milestone in the Government’s efforts to strengthen India’s critical mineral security, reduce
import dependence and build resilient supply chains for minerals essential to clean energy, advanced
manufacturing, defence, aerospace and other strategic sectors. The event was attended by senior officials
of the Government of India, representatives of State Governments, industry leaders, Public Sector
Undertakings (PSUs), think tanks, prospective bidders and members of the media.
Addressing the gathering, Shri G. Kishan Reddy, Union Minister for Coal and Mines, said that India
Mining Week marks the beginning of a premier platform bringing together policymakers, industry leaders,
investors, technology providers and academia to accelerate the growth of India’s mining sector. He
highlighted that the launch of the Eighth Tranche of Critical and Strategic Mineral Blocks reflects the
Government’s continued commitment to strengthening mineral security, attracting investments and
unlocking India’s mineral potential to build a globally competitive and future-ready mining ecosystem.Shri Satish Chandra Dubey, Minister of State for Coal and Mines, said that mining is a key pillar of
nation-building, energy security and Viksit Bharat. He highlighted the transformative reforms in the sector,
including commercial mining, digital governance and greater private sector participation, which are
driving transparency, efficiency and sustainable growth while ensuring that the benefits of mining
contribute to the development of local communities.
Shri Piyush Goyal, Secretary, Ministry of Mines, said that India Mining Week is envisioned as an annual
global platform to showcase India’s mining potential, encourage technology adoption and foster
partnerships among governments, industry and investors. He highlighted that the eighth tranche comprises
20 critical and strategic mineral blocks across nine States, taking the total number of critical mineral
blocks offered to 88, of which 56 have already been successfully auctioned, reflecting growing industry
confidence in India’s reform-driven mining sector
Under the Eighth Tranche, 20 critical and strategic mineral blocks were put up for auction, comprising 13
newly identified mineral blocks and 7 mineral blocks offered under the Second Attempt in accordance
with the provisions of the Mineral (Auction) Rules.
Details of blocks put up for auction:
State Number of Minerals
Blocks
Andhra 2 Molybdenum, Graphite
Pradesh
Bihar 3 Glauconite, Vanadium-bearing Magnetite-Ilmenite
Chhattisgarh 5 Glauconite, Vanadium, Gallium, Titanium, Rare Earth Elements
(REE), Bauxite, Aluminous Laterite, Phosphorite and Limestone
Maharashtra 2 Rare Earth Elements (REE), Vanadium, Gallium, Titanium, Bauxite
and Aluminous Laterite
Odisha 3 Vanadium, Titanium, Manganese and Graphite
Punjab 1 Potash and Halite
Rajasthan 2 Potash and Halite, Tungsten
Telangana 1 Titanium, Vanadium, Gallium and Aluminous Laterite
West Bengal 1 Rare Metal (Lithium, Cesium and Rubidium)
The blocks offered under this tranche comprise a diverse portfolio of strategically important minerals that
are critical for clean energy technologies, electric mobility, advanced manufacturing, fertilizers, defence,
aerospace, electronics and other strategic industries. Their auction is expected to strengthen India's mineral
security, reduce import dependence and support the country's long-term industrial growth and energy
transition.The sale of Tender Documents commenced on 15 July 2026. The last date for purchase of the Tender
Documents is 14 September 2026 (17:00 hrs IST), while the last date for submission of bids (Technical
Bid and Initial Price Offer) is 21 September 2026 (17:00 hrs IST).
The auction will be conducted online through a transparent two-stage ascending forward auction process,
with the preferred bidder being selected on the basis of the highest percentage of the value of mineral
dispatched quoted. Detailed information on the blocks, auction terms and timelines is available on the
MSTC e-auction platform.
https://www.mstcecommerce.com/auctionhome/mlcln/
With the launch of the Eighth Tranche, the Ministry of Mines has further strengthened the pipeline of
critical and strategic mineral blocks available for exploration and mining. The initiative reinforces the
Government's commitment to enhancing domestic mineral security, promoting private sector participation
and building a resilient, self-reliant and globally competitive mineral sector in line with the vision of
Viksit Bharat 2047.
***
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