Govt opens up mining of new minerals to reduce imports dependence

12 Mar 2022 CW Team

The government opened up mining of a new group of minerals as part of its strategic plan to ramp up domestic mining and reduce dependence on imports.

India plans to attain self-sufficiency as the Russian-Ukraine war affects mineral imports and expects to increase fertiliser and food subsidies allocated in the Budget.

The Cabinet approved an amendment in the Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation Act 1957. It specifies the rate of royalty of certain minerals, including glauconite, potash, emerald, the platinum group of metals (PGM), andalusite, sillimanite and molybdenum. The rate of royalty is at the same level for andalusite, sillimanite and kyanite.

The amendment in the Act will result in the auction of these mineral blocks for the first time in India and expects to generate opportunities for the mining and manufacturing sector. It will also reduce imports of potash fertilisers and other minerals, ensure the availability of minerals for downstream industries and support agriculture.

Glauconite and potash are being used as fertilisers in agriculture. The PGM, andalusite and molybdenum are high-value minerals used across different industries.

According to an official statement, this approval will result in import substitution of many crucial minerals, saving valuable forex reserves, and reducing foreign dependence through domestic production.

Many state governments have identified such mineral blocks for auction. The rate of royalty for these minerals was not separated, making it inappropriate to give impetus to mining these minerals.

The Act was amended in 2021 to give impetus to the mineral industry. The government has boosted the auction of mineral blocks.

In the past 4-5 years, central agencies, including the Geological Survey of India and the Mineral Exploration Corporation, have explored several blocks of minerals which are not mined in India.

So far, over 145 mineral blocks have been auctioned successfully in the country. Moreover, over 146 blocks have been put up for auction in FY 2021-22, from which 34 blocks have been auctioned successfully.

The specification of royalty and average sale price (ASP) for minerals like glauconite, potash, emerald, PGM, andalusite and molybdenum will increase the number of mineral blocks up for auction.

Image Source

Also read: Mathur of Tata Hitachi: Mining policy revival offers promise for new players

The government opened up mining of a new group of minerals as part of its strategic plan to ramp up domestic mining and reduce dependence on imports. India plans to attain self-sufficiency as the Russian-Ukraine war affects mineral imports and expects to increase fertiliser and food subsidies allocated in the Budget. The Cabinet approved an amendment in the Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation Act 1957. It specifies the rate of royalty of certain minerals, including glauconite, potash, emerald, the platinum group of metals (PGM), andalusite, sillimanite and molybdenum. The rate of royalty is at the same level for andalusite, sillimanite and kyanite. The amendment in the Act will result in the auction of these mineral blocks for the first time in India and expects to generate opportunities for the mining and manufacturing sector. It will also reduce imports of potash fertilisers and other minerals, ensure the availability of minerals for downstream industries and support agriculture. Glauconite and potash are being used as fertilisers in agriculture. The PGM, andalusite and molybdenum are high-value minerals used across different industries. According to an official statement, this approval will result in import substitution of many crucial minerals, saving valuable forex reserves, and reducing foreign dependence through domestic production. Many state governments have identified such mineral blocks for auction. The rate of royalty for these minerals was not separated, making it inappropriate to give impetus to mining these minerals. The Act was amended in 2021 to give impetus to the mineral industry. The government has boosted the auction of mineral blocks. In the past 4-5 years, central agencies, including the Geological Survey of India and the Mineral Exploration Corporation, have explored several blocks of minerals which are not mined in India. So far, over 145 mineral blocks have been auctioned successfully in the country. Moreover, over 146 blocks have been put up for auction in FY 2021-22, from which 34 blocks have been auctioned successfully. The specification of royalty and average sale price (ASP) for minerals like glauconite, potash, emerald, PGM, andalusite and molybdenum will increase the number of mineral blocks up for auction. Image Source Also read: Mathur of Tata Hitachi: Mining policy revival offers promise for new players

Infrastructure Urban

27 Oct 2025

Coal Ministry Achieves Milestones under Special Campaign 5.0

The Ministry of Coal and its Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) have achieved notable milestones under the Special Campaign 5.0, focusing on cleanliness, operational efficiency, and sustainability across the coal sector. During the implementation phase from 2–31 October 2025, over 1,205 sites were cleaned, covering 68,04,087 sq ft, nearing the target of 82,51,511 sq ft. Scrap disposal of 5,813 MT against a target of 8,678 MT generated Rs 228.7 million in revenue. In addition, 1,11,248 physical and 30,331 electronic files were reviewed, with 74,123 weeded out or closed. Key initiatives showc..

Infrastructure Energy

27 Oct 2025

Vesting Orders Issued for Three Coal Blocks under Commercial Auctions

The Ministry of Coal’s Nominated Authority has issued vesting orders for three coal blocks under commercial coal block auctions on 23 October 2025. The Coal Mine Development and Production Agreements (CMDPAs) for these mines were earlier signed on 21 August 2025. The three blocks include Rajgamar Dipside (Deavnara), Tangardihi North, and Mahuagarhi. Of these, two are partially explored while one is fully explored, with a combined peak rated capacity of around 1 MTPA and geological reserves of approximately 1,484.41 million tonnes. These mines are expected to generate annual revenue of abou..

Infrastructure Urban

27 Oct 2025

TEC, IIT-Hyderabad Partner to Boost 6G and Telecom Standards

The Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC), technical arm of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IIT Hyderabad) for joint research and technical collaboration in advanced telecom technologies and standardisation. The partnership focuses on developing India-specific standards and test frameworks for next-generation networks, including 6G, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs). It also aims to enhance India’s participation in international standardisation f..