India launches eighth tranche auction for 20 critical mineral blocks
By admin September 1, 2026 5:53 pm IST
In a major push for mineral self-reliance, the Ministry of Mines opens bidding for strategic resources vital to clean energy and defence sectors.
In a decisive move to fortify national mineral security and reduce import dependence, the Indian Ministry of Mines has officially launched the eighth tranche of e-auctions for critical and strategic mineral blocks. Announced during the curtain-raiser for India Mining Week 2026, this latest auction round offers 20 highly valuable mineral blocks spread across nine states.
The diverse portfolio of minerals placed on the block includes highly sought-after resources such as lithium, rare earth elements (REE), vanadium, titanium, tungsten, glauconite, and graphite. These specific minerals form the foundational raw materials required for advanced manufacturing, electric mobility, clean energy transition, aerospace, and defence technologies. The strategic allocation of these blocks—with Chhattisgarh leading with five blocks, followed by Bihar and Odisha with three each—is designed to unlock the nation’s untapped geological potential.
Details of blocks put up for auction:
| State | Number of Blocks | Minerals |
| Andhra Pradesh | 2 | Molybdenum, Graphite |
| Bihar | 3 | Glauconite, Vanadium-bearing Magnetite-Ilmenite |
| Chhattisgarh | 5 | Glauconite, Vanadium, Gallium, Titanium, Rare Earth Elements (REE), Bauxite, Aluminous Laterite, Phosphorite and Limestone |
| Maharashtra | 2 | Rare Earth Elements (REE), Vanadium, Gallium, Titanium, Bauxite and Aluminous Laterite |
| Odisha | 3 | Vanadium, Titanium, Manganese and Graphite |
| Punjab | 1 | Potash and Halite |
| Rajasthan | 2 | Potash and Halite, Tungsten |
| Telangana | 1 | Titanium, Vanadium, Gallium and Aluminous Laterite |
| West Bengal | 1 | Rare Metal (Lithium, Cesium and Rubidium) |
The Ministry noted that of the 88 critical mineral blocks offered to date, 56 have already been successfully auctioned, indicating strong private sector confidence in the government’s transparent, digital-first auction framework. This eighth tranche includes 13 newly identified blocks and seven blocks offered under a second attempt. By accelerating the exploration and commercial extraction of these essential minerals, the government aims to build a globally competitive and self-reliant mining ecosystem. For the heavy mining equipment and extraction industry, the successful operationalisation of these 20 new blocks promises a massive surge in demand for specialised earthmoving machinery, drilling rigs, and processing infrastructure in the coming years.
Source: PIB
