The fifth tranche of critical and strategic mineral block auctions, launched on 28 January 2025, has concluded successfully with 10 out of 15 blocks awarded to preferred bidders. These blocks cover essential minerals including graphite, phosphorite, phosphate, rare earth elements (REE), vanadium, and — for the first time — potash and halite.This tranche marks a major milestone, as the Government of India has successfully auctioned a potash block for the first time, a strategic step aimed at reducing the nation's reliance on imported fertilisers and bolstering domestic supply for the agriculture sector. It also represents the first-ever successful auction of a critical mineral block in Rajasthan.The 10 awarded blocks are located across Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, and include:1. Graphite blocks in Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Karnataka2. Phosphorite and phosphate blocks in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh3. Potash and halite blocks in Rajasthan4. REE block in Uttar PradeshWith this round, the total number of successfully auctioned critical mineral blocks has risen to 34 out of 55 across five tranches.The Ministry of Mines emphasises that regular auctions are a central part of its strategy to achieve self-reliance in critical minerals, vital to India’s energy transition and industrial growth. The ministry has also launched the National Critical Mineral Mission to build a robust ecosystem for exploration, mining, and processing of critical minerals.The government acknowledged the active participation of industry stakeholders, whose engagement is instrumental in realising India’s ambition for a resilient and secure critical mineral supply chain.