Delhi, 27 February (H.S.): The Ministry of Mines will launch the 1st Tranche auction of Exploration License blocks in March 2025, said Union Minister of Coal and Mines Shri G Kishan Reddy today.

Speaking at a press conference held in New Delhi, minister informed that the provision of grant of Exploration License for critical and deep-seated minerals through auction was made through an amendment in the MMDR Act in 2023.

Kishan Reddy also said that Assam, Jammu & Kashmir and Kerala will also join the mineral auction regime soon, expanding the mineral auction map of India to 17 states. The Union Minister highlighted several key achievements and upcoming initiatives aimed at strengthening the mining ecosystem in the country.

The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has undertaken 438 exploration projects in 2024-25, including 195 critical mineral projects, a 35% increase from the previous year. MECL's exploration drilling increased by 35%, and 33 geological reports were handed over in 2024. The National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET) approved 146 exploration and procurement projects worth ₹712 crore. Private sector participation and policy reforms have been enhanced, with 12 new Notified Private Exploration Agencies added in 2024. The Geological Survey of India is enhancing technology and data-driven decision-making through an AI-enabled Data Processing Centre in Bengaluru and launching the Mining Tenement System (MTS) with a dedicated module for average sale price based on real-time price data. The National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) was approved with an expenditure of ₹16,300 crore and an expected investment of ₹18,000 crore. The mining sector has expanded across states, with 335 mineral blocks put up for auction since 2024. A State Mining Index will be introduced in 2025 to evaluate states on parameters such as regulatory environment, technical expertise, and sustainability practices.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar