+
 India set to auction mineral blocks for green energy transition
COAL & MINING

India set to auction mineral blocks for green energy transition

India is gearing up to launch the auction process for roughly 100 critical mineral blocks within the next four months, a vital step in ensuring a steady supply of raw materials crucial for the nation's green energy transition. These mineral blocks encompass resources such as nickel, lithium, cobalt, platinum, rare earths, and more.

Mines Secretary Vivek Bharadwaj shared in an interview that the legal framework is already in place, and the specific mineral blocks have been identified for auction. It is anticipated that the tender for bids will be released by December, with auctions commencing around three months thereafter.

India's urgent focus on securing critical minerals stems from its ambitious plans to become a prominent hub for battery and electric vehicle manufacturing while also striving to achieve net-zero emissions. Presently, India does not domestically mine key materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel, making the auction process a critical step toward mineral self-sufficiency.

To incentivise both global and local mining companies to participate in this endeavour, the government plans to reimburse half of the exploration costs. Bharadwaj explained that it may take companies at least three years to bring these mining projects into operation.

India recently amended its mining regulations to encourage exploration of essential minerals like lithium, permitting private miners to engage in the search for these materials. These regulatory changes are pivotal for auctioning lithium blocks recently identified in Jammu and Kashmir and Karnataka.

Several state-run companies have been actively seeking such mineral assets worldwide, while energy giants like Coal India and NTPC are devising strategies for mineral mining. Additionally, Khanij Bidesh India, a joint venture involving three government-run firms, has been established to acquire critical mineral assets overseas, with a primary focus on Australia and South America.

India is gearing up to launch the auction process for roughly 100 critical mineral blocks within the next four months, a vital step in ensuring a steady supply of raw materials crucial for the nation's green energy transition. These mineral blocks encompass resources such as nickel, lithium, cobalt, platinum, rare earths, and more.Mines Secretary Vivek Bharadwaj shared in an interview that the legal framework is already in place, and the specific mineral blocks have been identified for auction. It is anticipated that the tender for bids will be released by December, with auctions commencing around three months thereafter.India's urgent focus on securing critical minerals stems from its ambitious plans to become a prominent hub for battery and electric vehicle manufacturing while also striving to achieve net-zero emissions. Presently, India does not domestically mine key materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel, making the auction process a critical step toward mineral self-sufficiency.To incentivise both global and local mining companies to participate in this endeavour, the government plans to reimburse half of the exploration costs. Bharadwaj explained that it may take companies at least three years to bring these mining projects into operation.India recently amended its mining regulations to encourage exploration of essential minerals like lithium, permitting private miners to engage in the search for these materials. These regulatory changes are pivotal for auctioning lithium blocks recently identified in Jammu and Kashmir and Karnataka.Several state-run companies have been actively seeking such mineral assets worldwide, while energy giants like Coal India and NTPC are devising strategies for mineral mining. Additionally, Khanij Bidesh India, a joint venture involving three government-run firms, has been established to acquire critical mineral assets overseas, with a primary focus on Australia and South America.

Related Stories

Gold Stories

Next Story
Equipment

Seven Propel 470 HEV electric tippers go to work on coal haulage in Chhattisgarh

Propel EV, the electric mobility division of Propel Industries and India's No. 1 electric tipper brand, has deployed seven 470 HEV electric trucks with a leading coal-haulage contractor at one of India's largest opencast coal mines in Chhattisgarh. The trucks are in daily operation, moving coal on continuous haul cycles in one of the most demanding applications in Indian mining.Why Electric - and Why CoalCoal haulage runs round the clock: heavy loads, long haul cycles, steep ramps and abrasive dust. It is also where diesel hurts most. Engines run continuously, fuel is the largest single operat..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

UP Cabinet Approves Renaming Jewar Airport After PM Modi

The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet has approved a proposal to rename Noida International Airport at Jewar as Narendra Modi International Airport, Noida-Jewar. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced the decision after a Cabinet meeting, saying the airport represented a major contribution to the state and would become Uttar Pradesh’s largest airport and a significant aviation hub. The greenfield airport’s foundation stone was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 25, 2021. He inaugurated Phase 1 on March 28, 2026, and commercial flights began on June 15. The facility is being developed a..

Next Story
Infrastructure Energy

Rolls-Royce Seeks Deeper Strategic Role in India

Rolls-Royce has described India as central to its long-term ambitions and said it wants to deepen its role as a strategic partner supporting the country’s energy security, infrastructure growth, national security and connectivity. The British aero-engine maker said its future expansion would build on decades of operations, industrial partnerships, engineering capabilities and a growing manufacturing and supply-chain ecosystem. The company held a board meeting in India for the first time this week. During a three-day visit, Rolls-Royce chief executive Tufan Erginbilgic met Prime Minister Nare..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

SPECIAL OFFER
QR Code