Govt Launches First Offshore Mining Block Auction

07 Apr 2025 CW Team

The Central Government has initiated the first-ever auction of 13 offshore mineral blocks under the Offshore Areas Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 2002, offering composite licences (exploration-cum-production). The auction was launched on November 28, 2024, and includes:

3 construction sand blocks off the Kerala coast
3 lime mud blocks off the Gujarat coast
7 polymetallic nodule and crust blocks near Great Nicobar Island

Before notification, the Ministry of Mines consulted key stakeholders including the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) and the Department of Fisheries, securing their no objection as per the Offshore Areas Operating Right Rules, 2024.

To safeguard marine ecosystems, offshore blocks were carefully demarcated to exclude 130 Marine Protected Areas and 106 identified Important Coastal and Marine Biodiversity Areas (ICMBAs).

Key regulatory provisions under the new Offshore Areas Mineral (Auction) Rules, 2024 and Offshore Areas Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 2024 mandate that production can only begin after all environmental and legal clearances are secured, and a detailed production plan—including an environmental management plan—is in place.

Additionally, the Offshore Areas Mineral Trust has been set up as a non-profit body (notified on August 9, 2024), with coastal states represented in its governance. Trust funds will be used for ecological research, environmental mitigation, disaster relief, and welfare of people impacted by offshore operations.

This update was shared by Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.

(PIB)

Infrastructure Urban

09 Jan 2026

Mount Invests Rs 250 Cr, Adds PUF & PEB Plants, 400+ Jobs

TUMKUR, Karnataka, January 8, 2025 - Mount Roofing & Structures Private Limited, one of India's fastest-growing manufacturers in PUF and a leading solutions provider across Pre-Engineered Building (PEB) and Polycarbonate sheets, simultaneously inaugurated its second fully automated continuous Sandwich Panel manufacturing line and a new PEB manufacturing plant at its integrated campus in Tumkur." The milestone expansion, part of a total investment of INR 250 crores, marks a significant advancement in the company's commitment to engineered performance, manu..

Titan Intech Strengthens UltraLED Push With Global LED Veteran

Titan Intech has announced the induction of global LED industry veteran Su Piow Ko to its Board of Directors, marking a strategic step in strengthening its UltraLED Displays roadmap and building globally competitive LED display solutions from India.The appointment aligns with Titan Intech’s ambition to position India as a hub for advanced, high-quality LED display manufacturing. With an increased focus on UltraLED Displays, the company aims to enhance technical governance, raise manufacturing standards and expand its presence across global markets.Su Piow Ko brings over three decades of inte..

Dun & Bradstreet Flags New Growth Engines in India 2026 Outlook

Dun & Bradstreet has released its India 2026: D&B’s Perspective report, projecting a stable macroeconomic environment underpinned by fresh opportunities for productivity-led and inclusive growth. The report outlines how India’s next growth phase will be driven by digitised logistics, trusted data ecosystems, clean energy and rising city vitality.According to the outlook, India’s GDP growth is expected to reach around 6.6 per cent by FY2027, supported by resilient consumer demand and sustained public investment. Manufacturing is seen entering a new phase, moving beyond scale towar..