The Government of India (GoI) has successfully completed the auction of 10 out of 15 critical and strategic mineral blocks under the fifth tranche launched on 28 January. These blocks include essential minerals like graphite, phosphorite, phosphate, rare earth elements, vanadium, and for the first time, potash and halite.

The blocks are spread across Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. Coal India secured the mining lease for the Oranga-Revatipur graphite and vanadium block in Chhattisgarh. In a landmark development, Oil India and Hindustan Zinc won the country’s first-ever auction for potash and halite blocks located in Rajasthan. Other notable winners include Vinmir Resource, R K Mineral Development., Sunflag Iron and Steel Co., NLC India, and Ramgad Minerals and Mining.

This brings the total number of mineral blocks auctioned by the Central Government to 34 across five tranches, out of 55 blocks offered. The first-ever successful auction of a potash block is a key milestone, particularly for the agriculture sector. The Ministry of Mines is also driving exploration through the National Critical Mineral Mission to achieve self-sufficiency in essential resources.