The Ministry of Mines, Government of India, organised an Outreach Programme on Auction of Offshore Mineral Blocks on 13th October 2026 in New Delhi, aimed at informing prospective bidders and stakeholders about the auction process, policy framework, and support available. The programme focused on two offshore mineral blocks, Sewell Rise-01 and West Sewell Ridge-01, located in the Andaman Sea, with Sewell Rise-01 covering 632 square kilometres and West Sewell Ridge-01 covering 1,000 square kilometres, totaling 1,632 square kilometres offered for auction under a Composite Licence. Both blocks contain polymetallic nodules and crusts, which include minerals such as nickel, cobalt, copper, and manganese, crucial for industrial applications and emerging technologies.
Shri Keshav Chandra, Secretary, Ministry of Mines, emphasized the importance of strengthening India’s mineral supply chains to support economic growth, technological advancement, energy transition, and manufacturing competitiveness, and highlighted the potential of the Critical Mineral Processing Park on the eastern coast. Dr. Veena Kumari Dermal, Additional Secretary, discussed policy reforms, including revised block configurations with increased area for polymetallic nodule and crust blocks to provide greater operational flexibility, and noted that the Terms of Reference and Guidelines for Baseline Environmental Data Collection and Environmental Management Plans for offshore mineral exploration and exploitation are being finalized after circulation to concerned Central Ministries and Departments.
The Geological Survey of India (GSI) presented an overview of the geological characteristics and mineral potential of the blocks, while SBI Capital Markets Limited (SBICAPS), the Transaction Advisor, explained the policy framework, auction process, tender provisions, and bidding requirements. MSTC, the auction platform provider, demonstrated the step-by-step procedure for purchasing tender documents and submitting bids through the e-auction portal. The National Mineral Exploration and Development Trust (NMEDT) presented a scheme for partial reimbursement of exploration expenses for Composite Licence holders of offshore mineral blocks.
The auction is conducted under the Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act, 2002, as amended in 2023, and the Offshore Areas Mineral (Auction) Rules, 2024, as amended, aiming to ensure transparency and responsible development. The auction schedule includes the sale of tender documents commencing on 1 October 2026, a pre-bid conference on 4 November 2026, the last date for submission of queries on 13 November 2026, the purchase of tender documents up to 21 December 2026, and the submission of bids by 28 December 2026. The Notice Inviting Tender and related documents are available on the MSTC e-auction portal.
This initiative is part of the Government of India’s efforts to advance offshore mineral exploration and strengthen the country’s mineral resource base, with systematic exploration essential to establish mineral potential and assess development prospects.