India auctions 46 critical mineral blocks, launches 7th round with 19 more: G Kishan Reddy

The Union government has successfully auctioned 46 critical mineral blocks across six rounds and is now initiating the auction process for another 19 blocks in the seventh round to bolster national resource security, said Union Minister of Coal and Mines G.

Kishan Reddy shared these details while addressing a roadshow organized on the occasion of the 7th Tranche Auction of Critical Mineral Blocks in Hyderabad.

He highlighted that in the current era of shifting geopolitics, climate change, and economic concerns, critical minerals have moved to the center of global strategy. "There was a time when nations were defined by the land they controlled.

Today, they are increasingly defined by the minerals they can secure," the Minister said.

Reddy noted that the rise of these minerals is fundamental to every nation's vision of the future and will play a defining role in the journey toward a Viksit Bharat by 2047.

He emphasized that the event was not a routine conference but a reminder to stakeholders of their role in a larger national mission.

He stated that the government has completely scrapped import duties on 24 critical minerals to support the industry and that two vanadium and titanium blocks in Telangana are now ready for auction.

"Today, the Prime Minister has repeatedly told us that reforms for the benefit of the country, for the development of the country, whatever, 100% reforms should be brought and the employment in the country should be increased, the country should move towards self-reliance," Reddy stated.