**Executive Summary**
The Union Minister for Coal and Mines launched the 2nd tranche of auction of Exploration Licence (EL) blocks on February 12, 2026, in New Delhi. This launch aims to strengthen India's mineral exploration ecosystem and reduce dependence on mineral imports. The event also featured the launch of the Geological Survey of India's (GSI) Next-Generation (NG) Portal and presentations on various related topics.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Launch of 2nd Tranche of Exploration Licence Blocks:**
* The 2nd tranche of auction of EL blocks was launched to boost mineral exploration.
* The initiative aims to strengthen India's mineral exploration ecosystem and reduce mineral import dependency.
* **Government's Commitment:**
* The government is committed to building a structured, transparent, and technology-driven exploration framework.
* Reforms are being undertaken across sectors to achieve the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, with a focus on transparency, efficiency, and investment in the mining sector.
* **Geological Survey of India (GSI) Next-Generation (NG) Portal Launch:**
* A cloud-enabled platform integrating data acquisition, analysis, visualization, and dissemination.
* The portal uses AI/ML tools and is interoperable with the National Geoscience Data Repository (NGDR), enhancing transparency, efficiency, and data-driven decision-making.
* **Tranche-II Details:**
* Comprises 11 blocks of critical and deep-seated minerals across eight States.
* The Exploration Licence regime under the MMDR Amendment Act, 2023, and Mineral (Auction) Amendment Rules, 2023, strengthens transparency and improves the ease of doing business.
* **List of blocks**
* Provides a tabular list of the blocks being auctioned, including the name of the block, mineral, state, district and area.
* Fresh/First-attempt block
* Second Attempt Block as per Rule 19F(12) of Auction Rules
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Private Sector and Public Sector Players**
* **Impact:** Expanded opportunities for participation in mineral exploration due to the Exploration Licence regime.
* **Action Required:** To consider participating in the auction of the 11 blocks available in the tranche-II
**Stakeholder: Ministry of Mines**
* **Impact:** Overseeing and facilitating the enhanced exploration and increased transparency and efficiency of the mining sector.
* **Action Required:** Continue promoting and managing the Exploration Licence regime and the NG Portal.
**Stakeholder: Geological Survey of India (GSI)**
* **Impact:** Providing data and expertise to support exploration activities.
* **Action Required:** Maintaining and updating the NG Portal with relevant data and tools.
Key Entities Referenced
MMDR Amendment Act, 2023: Introduced the Exploration Licence regime, aiming to strengthen transparency and improve the ease of doing business in the mineral sector.
Mineral (Auction) Amendment Rules, 2023: Strengthened transparency, improved ease of doing business, and expanded opportunities for participation by both private and public sector players.
Ministry of Mines: The primary ministry overseeing the auction of Exploration Licence blocks and the development of the mineral exploration ecosystem.
Exploration Licence (EL): Blocks are being auctioned to encourage domestic exploration and private sector participation.
Geological Survey of India's (GSI) Next-Generation (NG) Portal: A cloud-enabled platform integrating data acquisition, analysis, visualization and dissemination to enhance transparency, efficiency and data-driven decision-making in mineral exploration.
Ministry of Mines
Union Minister Shri G. Kishan Reddy Launched
2nd Tranche of Exploration Licence Blocks
Structured & Transparent Exploration Model Key to Viksit
Bharat 2047: Shri G. Kishan Reddy
Posted On: 12 FEB 2026 5:21PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister for Coal and Mines Shri G. Kishan Reddy today launched the 2nd tranche of auction of
Exploration Licence (EL) blocks in New Delhi, marking another significant step towards strengthening
India’s mineral exploration ecosystem.
Addressing the gathering, the Minister underscored the need to reduce India’s dependence on mineral
imports by accelerating domestic exploration and encouraging greater participation of the private sector
alongside government agencies. He reiterated that the Government is committed to building a structured,
transparent and technology-driven exploration framework to unlock the country’s untapped mineral
potential.
Emphasizing the strategic importance of critical minerals, Shri Reddy stated that a robust and efficient
exploration regime will play a pivotal role in achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 and enhancing
self-reliance in the mineral sector. Shri Reddy further remarked that the Government of India is
undertaking reforms across sectors in pursuit of the vision of Viksit Bharat. “These are not mere reforms,
but a reform express,” he said, adding that the mining sector is also witnessing transformative changes
aimed at enhancing transparency, efficiency and investment.During the event, the Union Minister also launched the Geological Survey of India’s (GSI) Next-
Generation (NG) Portal — a cloud-enabled platform integrating data acquisition, analysis, visualization
and dissemination. Equipped with AI/ML-based tools and interoperable with the National Geoscience
Data Repository (NGDR), the portal is expected to significantly enhance transparency, efficiency and
data-driven decision-making in mineral exploration. The Launch and Roadshow of Tranche-II was graced
by Shri Piyush Goyal, Secretary, Ministry of Mines, and Shri Sanjay Lohia, Additional Secretary, Ministry
of Mines
In his address, Shri Piyush Goyal, Secretary, Ministry of Mines, stated that Tranche-II marks a significant
step towards accelerating growth in the mineral sector. Following the encouraging response to Tranche-I,
the new tranche comprises 11 blocks of critical and deep-seated minerals spread across eight States. He
highlighted that the Exploration Licence regime introduced under the MMDR Amendment Act, 2023,
along with the Mineral (Auction) Amendment Rules, 2023, has strengthened transparency, improved ease
of doing business, and expanded opportunities for participation by both private and public sector players.
Presentations were made on “Exploration Licence Blocks under Tranche-II” by GSI; “Exploration Licence
Regime and Rules” by SBICAPS; “Mineral Auction Process and Tender Document” by SBICAPS;
“Mineral e-Auction Process on MSTC Portal” by MSTC; and “Scheme for Partial Reimbursement of
Exploration Expenses for Holders of Exploration Licences” by NMET.The list of the blocks:
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Prajith Kumar
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