Centre To Launch Bid For 19 Critical Mineral Blocks In Seventh Tranche

26 Mar 2026 CW Team

The Centre will launch the seventh tranche of auctions for critical and strategic minerals, offering 19 blocks across several states as part of a push to strengthen domestic supply chains. Union Minister G Kishan Reddy, accompanied by Minister of State Satish Chandra Dubey, will formally launch the auction round, the Mines Ministry said. The ministry framed the move as a step to secure raw materials vital for emerging technologies and key industries.

The latest tranche follows six earlier rounds of auctions in which 46 blocks have been sold, and it will offer blocks under both mining lease and composite licence arrangements. Officials said the exercise is intended to attract investment into domestic extraction and processing capacity. The scheme builds on policy measures aimed at reducing import dependence and improving supply chain resilience.

The development assumes significance as the government seeks to bolster India's self-reliance in clean energy, advanced technologies and fertilisers amid global supply disruptions. Critical minerals such as lithium, graphite, rare earth elements, tungsten and titanium are central to the transition and to strategic sectors. Limited global availability of these materials and their concentration in a few regions have elevated concerns about supply security.

The Mines Ministry will also host the National District Mineral Foundation (DMF) Summit 2026 over two days to discuss mining-linked development and welfare, and the summit is expected to focus on enhancing benefit flows to affected communities. Observers said the auction round is a key step in ensuring steady access to critical resources as India accelerates its shift to a more technology-driven and energy-secure economy. The ministry indicated that continued auction rounds will remain part of a broader strategy to develop domestic capabilities and attract responsible investment.

Infrastructure Urban

02 Jun 2026

VECV Sales Rise 7.8 Per Cent In May 2026

VE Commercial Vehicles recorded sales of 7,978 units in May 2026, compared to 7,401 units in May 2025, registering growth of 7.8 per cent. This included 7,789 units from the Eicher brand and 189 units from the Volvo brand.Eicher branded trucks and buses reported sales of 7,789 units during the month, up 7.3 per cent from 7,258 units a year earlier. In the domestic commercial vehicle market, Eicher sales rose 9.1 per cent to 7,375 units from 6,758 units in May 2025.Exports declined 17.2 per cent to 414 units from 500 units in the corresponding month last year. Volvo Trucks and Volvo Buses recor..

Table Space Strengthens DESYN Leadership Team

Table Space has announced strategic leadership appointments within DESYN, its integrated Design and Build business, as it looks to strengthen operations across key enterprise and GCC markets in India. DESYN was launched as a strategic extension of Table Space’s workspace solutions portfolio to meet rising demand for agile, high-quality and rapidly deployable enterprise workspaces.Shruti Ookabhoy has joined DESYN as Executive Director and will lead the Design vertical, focusing on design capability, operational excellence and team development across markets. She brings over 22 years of experi..

Concord Associate Bags Rs 2.79 Bn Kavach Order

Concord Control Systems said its associate company, Progota India, has received a Rs 2.79 bn domestic order from Indian Railways for the supply, installation, testing and commissioning of on-board Kavach 4.0 loco equipment.The order is scheduled for execution within 12 months and strengthens Concord’s role in India’s railway safety and signalling ecosystem. Kavach is India’s indigenous automatic train protection system, designed to improve operational safety by helping prevent signal passing at danger and reducing collision risks.Gaurav Lath, Joint Managing Director, Concord Control Syst..