Shri Piyush Goyal, Secretary at the Ministry of Mines, chaired the ninth monthly review meeting with senior ministry officials and representatives of Category-A mineral-bearing states to examine progress on mineral block auctions and operationalisation. The discussion concentrated on accelerating reforms in the mining sector, enhancing domestic mineral production and ensuring the timely operationalisation of auctioned mineral blocks. Officials reviewed timelines and implementation challenges and set priorities for expediting statutory clearances and project commencements.

Officials noted that since the introduction of the auction regime in 2015, a total of 108 mineral blocks were auctioned during the period from FY 2015-16 to FY 2020-21. The pace of auctions increased markedly thereafter, with 364 mineral blocks auctioned between FY 2021-22 and FY 2024-25, averaging about 90 blocks per year. In FY 2025-26 alone, a record 212 mineral blocks were successfully auctioned, including 22 critical and strategic blocks identified for the country’s resource security and clean energy transition.

The meeting reviewed the operationalisation status of auctioned blocks and comparisons were drawn with earlier years. During FY 2025-26, 36 mineral blocks were operationalised, comprising 28 greenfield blocks and eight brownfield blocks. This contrasted with 58 blocks operationalised during FY 2015-16 to FY 2024-25, which comprised 20 greenfield and 38 brownfield blocks. Officials highlighted the need for close coordination between the central government and state governments and emphasised the importance of expediting clearances, facilitating early commencement of mining operations and securing timely production from auctioned blocks.

The secretary emphasised that the development of critical minerals is central to the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and to strengthening India’s mineral security. He asked for sustained focus on policies that support critical mineral development and on measures to reduce delays in operationalisation. Follow-up actions were assigned to ensure continued monitoring of auction outcomes and operational milestones and timely reporting to ministry officials.