The government has launched the eighth tranche of auctions for 20 critical and strategic mineral blocks to boost domestic availability of inputs for clean energy, electric mobility, defence and advanced manufacturing. The measure aims to strengthen mineral security and reduce import dependence by encouraging exploration and development. The tranche comprises 13 newly identified blocks and seven offered under a second attempt under the Mineral (Auction) Rules.

The blocks are located across nine states and contain rare earth elements, lithium and graphite among other minerals such as tungsten, molybdenum, vanadium and titanium. Chhattisgarh accounts for the highest number at five, followed by Bihar and Odisha with three each, while Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan have two each and Punjab, Telangana and West Bengal have one each. Officials said these minerals are critical for clean energy technologies, electric vehicles, electronics, fertilisers, aerospace and defence.

The sale of tender documents began on July 15 and will close on September 14 at five pm, while the deadline for submission of technical bids and initial price offers is September 21 at five pm. The blocks will be auctioned online through a two-stage ascending forward auction and the preferred bidder will be selected on the basis of the highest per cent of the value of mineral dispatched quoted during the auction. The model is intended to promote transparent competition.

Alongside the auction the government set out a roadmap for a coal exchange to facilitate market-based trading of coal and processed coal products, strengthen price discovery and improve efficiency. The announcement coincided with the curtain raiser for India Mining Week, which will present mining-sector reforms and bring together representatives of the centre and states, public sector companies, industry participants and prospective investors. The Union coal and mines minister G. Kishan Reddy said successive rounds of auctions supported by policy reforms and the National Critical Mineral Mission were laying the foundation for a self-reliant mineral ecosystem and supporting India's clean-energy transition and industrial growth.