Telangana has become the 13th state in India to adopt the mineral auction regime by successfully auctioning two limestone blocks under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) (MMDR) Amendment Act, 2015.

The Saidulnama and Sultanpur blocks were auctioned on 22 November, 2024, and secured by Deccan Cements and NCL Industries for Mining Licenses (ML). Operations can commence once the required approvals are obtained, offering higher production potential due to resource availability. In addition to limestone, the central government is encouraging Telangana to auction iron-ore and manganese blocks, aligning with a broader push for bidding critical mineral reserves.

A significant amendment to the MMDR Act in 2023 granted the Union government authority to bid out blocks containing critical minerals, marking a shift in India's mining strategy. States including Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Andhra Pradesh have already participated in critical mineral auctions, and Tamil Nadu and Arunachal Pradesh have recently joined the initiative. 

The move signals growing efforts to tap into India's mineral wealth to meet industrial and strategic needs.