Ministry of Mines Launches Eighth Tranche of Critical Mineral Blocks Auction
The Ministry of Mines, through Union Minister Shri G. Kishan Reddy and Minister of State Shri Satish Chandra Dubey, launched the Eighth Tranche of e-auction of Critical and Strategic Mineral Blocks during the Curtain Raiser event of India Mining Week 2026. This initiative represents a 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 eighth tranche comprises 20 critical and strategic mineral blocks across nine States, consisting of 13 newly identified mineral blocks and 7 mineral blocks offered under the Second Attempt in accordance with the provisions of the Mineral (Auction) Rules. This brings 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.
State-wise Mineral Block Distribution
The auction features blocks distributed across nine states with diverse mineral portfolios: Andhra Pradesh (2 blocks - Molybdenum, Graphite), Bihar (3 blocks - Glauconite, Vanadium-bearing Magnetite-Ilmenite), Chhattisgarh (5 blocks - Glauconite, Vanadium, Gallium, Titanium, Rare Earth Elements, Bauxite, Aluminous Laterite, Phosphorite and Limestone), Maharashtra (2 blocks - Rare Earth Elements, Vanadium, Gallium, Titanium, Bauxite and Aluminous Laterite), Odisha (3 blocks - Vanadium, Titanium, Manganese and Graphite), Punjab (1 block - Potash and Halite), Rajasthan (2 blocks - Potash and Halite, Tungsten), Telangana (1 block - Titanium, Vanadium, Gallium and Aluminous Laterite), and West Bengal (1 block - Rare Metal including Lithium, Cesium and Rubidium).
Auction Timeline and Process
The sale of Tender Documents commenced on 15 July 2026, with the last date for purchase set for 14 September 2026 (17:00 hrs IST). The last date for submission of bids, including both 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 is available on the MSTC e-auction platform.
Strategic Importance
The blocks comprise strategically important minerals 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, aligning with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.